If you’re disabled or chronically ill and need a carer or companion to get out and about, the good news is this: there are loads of places in the UK where your carer gets in free — and you don’t need a special disability card to prove it.

Thanks to the Equality Act, many venues now recognise that access includes allowing carers or support people to attend with you, without charging them twice. Sometimes it’s called a ‘companion ticket’, sometimes ‘essential carer’, but the result is the same — one ticket covers both of you.

Here’s where you can go (and how to ask) without needing a paid Access Card or national ID.

Historic Sites, Gardens & Estates

National Trust: Free carer entry to all properties. You can apply for an Essential Companion Card, but it’s not required — just speak to staff on arrival.
English Heritage: Free carer ticket when visiting with someone who has a disability. Evidence like a PIP letter or Blue Badge is usually enough.
RHS Gardens & Flower Shows: Free entry for carers at sites like RHS Wisley and RHS Chelsea. You can usually bring a carer by booking them a free companion ticket online or asking on the day.

Zoos, Aquariums & Wildlife Parks

ZSL London Zoo & Whipsnade Zoo: Carers go free with a paying disabled visitor. Bring proof like a benefit letter or access needs note.
Chester Zoo: Free carer entry with supporting evidence such as a PIP/DLA letter or EHCP.
SEA LIFE Centres (Merlin): Free carer tickets available at most UK locations. Bring ID and a document like a Blue Badge or PIP letter.

Theme Parks & Merlin Attractions

Alton Towers, LEGOLAND Windsor, Chessington, and Thorpe Park all offer free carer tickets — no Access Card required, just a form of disability evidence.

Top tip: You don’t need to buy two tickets online. Just buy the disabled person’s ticket and collect the carer’s free one at the gate.

Cinemas & Theatres

CEA Card is commonly used to get a free carer ticket at chains like Cineworld, Odeon, Vue and Showcase — but some local cinemas will accept proof without one.

Purpl community tip: if a cinema insists on the CEA card and you can’t afford the £6 annual fee, ask to speak to the manager and explain your rights under the Equality Act.

Local theatres (including many ATG venues) often offer free carer or companion seats — just check the website or call the box office. You don’t always need a card to prove eligibility.

Festivals, Concerts & Live Events

Many major events (like Glastonbury, Reading, Latitude, BST Hyde Park, BBC Proms, and smaller festivals too) offer free carer places if you’re attending with access needs. Some ask for a short form or supporting documents like PIP or medical letters, but rarely require a national disability card.

Just search “[Festival name] + Access” or “[Venue name] + Accessibility” and look for their companion ticket policy.

Leisure Centres & Swimming Pools

Most local authorities offer free carer admission at their leisure centres — for swimming, fitness classes, or gym support. That includes GLL/Better, Everyone Active, Places Leisure, and independent centres.

Just check the venue’s accessibility page or call ahead. Often, your carer just needs to attend with you and sign in — no card required.

Travel Discounts That Include Carers

With a Disabled Person’s Railcard, your companion gets 1/3 off train travel too.
Local travel schemes in London (TfL), Manchester, Scotland, and Wales often include free travel for carers on buses or trams — check your local transport website.
5% off on your first booking for UK or EU Train Ticket
2% off UK Train Tickets via the TrainPal App
£5 off on your first booking for UK Train Ticket via the TrainPal App
2% off UK or EU Train Ticket – Existing Customers
10% off Railcard – Existing Customers

Don’t Forget: Purpl Gives 10% Off The Access Card

If you do want a disability card to simplify things, the Access Card is one of the best. It’s accepted at over 1,000 venues and events across the UK — and helps explain your needs quickly using clear, visual symbols.

As a Purpl member, you get 10% off your application — just log into your Purpl account for the code.

But remember: you don’t need a card to have rights. If you require a carer or support person for access, venues should not be charging you extra.

A Few Final Tips To Make Entry Smooth

Bring a recent PIP, DLA, or Attendance Allowance award letter, or Blue Badge, or GP note.
Don’t be afraid to speak up — just explain your carer is essential for access.
Try to book in advance where possible — but many venues are happy to add a free carer ticket on the day.

Sammi is autistic, has ADHD, and lives with POTS. She’s passionate about disability advocacy, accessibility, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. With a sharp sense of humour and a deep love for community, she speaks openly about the realities of being neurodivergent across all of her personal platforms, always aiming to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and remind others they’re not alone.

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