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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
12 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
September 28, 2026
Last reviewed: 28 September 2026
Applies to: UK
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Quick Summary: While a full Nimbus Access Card costs £15 for 3 years, many major attractions, venues, and events offer a free Nimbus Digital Access Pass (DAP). Free passes cover major locations like Wembley Stadium, Merlin Entertainments, The O2, ATG Theatres, and Glastonbury Festival, but work only with the specific venue or provider you registered with.
You may have heard that a Nimbus Access Card costs £15 for three years, but did you know that some attractions, theatres, stadiums and events offer their own Nimbus Digital Access Pass completely free?
These free schemes can be really useful if you only need to prove your access requirements for one particular venue or group of venues.
There is an important difference, though. A free Digital Access Pass is normally linked to the organisation you registered with. The full Access Card is designed to be used more widely across thousands of participating venues and events.
So, before paying for an Access Card, it is worth checking whether the place you are visiting has its own free Nimbus registration scheme.
| Feature | Free digital Access pass (DAP) | Full paid Access card |
| Cost | Free (£0) | £15 for 3 years |
| Provider scope | Restricted to the single venue or organisation registered with. | Recognised across 2,000+ participating UK venues and events. |
| Physical card? | No (Digital account / ID number only). | Yes (Physical card + Digital ID). |
| Assessment standard | Evaluated by Nimbus Disability based on evidence provided. | Evaluated by Nimbus Disability using standardised symbols. |
| Best for… | Visiting one specific theme park, theatre group, or one off event. | Frequent visitors to multiple venues, gigs, and national attractions. |
Direct answer: A Nimbus Digital Access Pass (DAP) is a free, venue-specific digital access registration managed by Nimbus Disability. It records your verified access requirements using recognised symbols, helping venues understand the reasonable adjustments you may need, such as an essential companion ticket, wheelchair space or support with queuing.
Nimbus runs these registration schemes for attractions, arenas, theatres, ticketing companies, festivals and other venues. When you apply, you provide supporting evidence showing the barriers you face and the access support you need.
Nimbus reviews the information and assigns relevant access symbols to your digital profile.
A Digital Access Pass does not automatically give you every adjustment available at a venue. The support you can access will depend on the symbols approved on your profile and the individual venue’s own access policy.
For example, this could include an Essential Companion ticket, wheelchair-accessible seating, step-free access or support where standing and queuing creates a barrier.
Purpl Tip: If you only need access support for one venue, attraction or event operator, check whether they offer a free Digital Access Pass before paying for a full Access Card.
Direct answer: The main difference is where you can use them. A free Digital Access Pass is usually linked to the organisation you registered with, while the £15 Access Card is designed to be used more widely across participating venues and events.
Both are managed by Nimbus Disability and use your supporting evidence to record your access requirements.
The free Digital Access Pass is useful if you only need access support from one particular venue, attraction, theatre group or event organiser. It is normally digital and specific to that provider.
The full Access Card costs £15 for three years and gives you a physical card and digital ID that can be recognised across participating venues around the UK.
In simple terms:
You should not need to buy a national Access Card simply to request reasonable adjustments from one venue, which is why many organisations using Nimbus also provide a free registration option.
Purpl Insight: If you regularly visit different theatres, gigs, attractions or sporting events, the full Access Card may be more convenient because you do not need to complete separate registrations each time. If you only need access support for one venue or event operator, the free option may be all you need.
There are far more than you might realise, and the list changes as new organisations start using Nimbus.
Here are some of the major schemes we have verified as offering free Nimbus registration:
| Organisation or venue | Free scheme | What it can be used for |
|---|---|---|
| Merlin Entertainments | Merlin Digital Access Pass | Access registration across participating Merlin attractions |
| Paultons Park | Free Paultons registration | Queue Assist and eligible Essential Companion tickets |
| Drayton Manor | Free Drayton Manor registration | Easy Access Service and eligible companion tickets |
| The O2 / AXS | Free access registration | Accessible ticket booking |
| OVO Arena Wembley / AXS | Free access registration | Accessible ticket booking |
| Wembley Stadium | Wembley Digital Access Pass | Accessible services and ticketing |
| ATG Entertainment Theatres | Free ATG registration | Access membership and accessible bookings |
| Delfont Mackintosh Theatres | Free registration | Accessible theatre bookings |
| KX Tickets venues | Free KX Access Scheme | Accessible tickets and relevant adjustments |
| Bristol Old Vic | Free Nimbus access scheme | Venue access requirements |
| Glastonbury Festival | Free access registration | Festival access facilities |
| MCM Comic Con | Free MCM Digital Access Pass | Accessible services and companion ticket eligibility |
| The Warehouse Project | Free Digital Access Pass | Access requirements for events |
| Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 | Free IG27 Digital Access Pass | Accessible ticketing for the Games |
Nimbus confirms that ticketing companies, West End theatres, attractions and other entertainment venues offer free registration schemes.
This is not an exhaustive list. New venues can join Nimbus and existing arrangements can change, so it is worth checking the Access Card provider directory or the venue’s own accessibility information before applying.
Purpl Tip: Search for the venue name plus “Nimbus Digital Access Pass” or “Nimbus access registration”. The free application option is not always immediately obvious from the venue homepage.
Direct answer: Yes. Merlin Entertainments offers a free Merlin Digital Access Pass, managed by Nimbus Disability. It can be used across participating Merlin attractions including Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and The Blackpool Tower attractions.
When you apply, Nimbus reviews your supporting evidence and records the access requirements you have been approved for.
Merlin can then use this information to decide what support you may need, including whether you qualify for its Ride Access Pass (RAP). The Ride Access Pass supports guests who cannot use a standard queue because of their disability or health condition.
The Merlin Digital Access Pass can also help confirm other access requirements, such as whether you need an Essential Companion, depending on the symbols approved on your profile and Merlin’s current access policy.
If you already have a valid £15 Access Card, you usually do not need to apply for a separate Merlin Digital Access Pass. You can use your existing Access Card details as part of Merlin’s access registration process.
Purpl Tip: If you only need Nimbus registration for a Merlin attraction, check the free Merlin Digital Access Pass first rather than paying for a separate Access Card.
Direct answer: Paultons Park and Drayton Manor are two other major UK theme parks currently offering free Nimbus registration.
Merlin is not the only theme park operator using the system.
In addition to Merlin, several major independent theme parks offer free Nimbus-managed access registration:
Purpl Tip: Register well before your trip. Getting your Nimbus registration sorted before buying or booking accessible tickets can avoid a lot of last-minute stress.
Direct answer: Several major UK theatre operators offer free Nimbus registration, including ATG Entertainment, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and participating KX Tickets venues.
Nimbus registration is now used across a significant part of the UK theatre and live entertainment industry.
Purpl Insight: If you regularly visit lots of unrelated theatres, gigs and attractions, repeatedly completing individual free registrations may become more inconvenient than having one full Access Card. But for occasional visits, the free schemes can save you paying unnecessarily.
Yes. Some major festivals, conventions and one-off events also run their own Nimbus schemes.
Purpl Tip: Festival access applications often have their own deadlines. Having a Nimbus registration does not necessarily mean you have completed the festival’s separate accessible facilities application.
Direct answer: Apply through the Nimbus registration link provided by the individual venue or organisation, explain the access barriers you experience and provide supporting evidence where required.
Applying is usually straightforward, but you need to use the registration link for the specific venue or organisation.
Purpl Tip: Check the venue’s own guidance before applying, as accepted evidence and the adjustments available can vary between organisations.
Direct answer: Choose the free Digital Access Pass if you only need Nimbus registration for one provider; consider the full Access Card if you regularly use different participating venues.
There is no reason to pay for something you do not need.
If you are planning one visit to Paultons Park, mainly use ATG theatres or only need accessible tickets at Wembley, a provider-specific registration may give you everything you need.
The full Access Card is likely to be more convenient if you regularly go to different:
Instead of completing separate registrations for different providers, you have one wider Nimbus Access Card.
The current full Access Card costs £15 for three years and is recognised at more than 2,000 venues and events, while individual Digital Access Passes work specifically with the provider offering them.
If you decide that the wider card is right for you, Purpl members can currently get 10% off their first Access Card application.
Purpl Insight: The paid Access Card is mainly about convenience and wider recognition. You should not feel you have to buy it simply because one individual venue uses Nimbus.
Save on your Access Card and accessible days out with Purp
If you are planning a day out, there are a few extra Purpl savings worth checking before you book.
10% off your first Access Card
If you decide the wider Access Card is right for you, Purpl members currently get 10% off their first Access Card application.
This is for new customers and can help reduce the cost of the £15 three-year membership.
12% off Tiqets attractions
Purpl members can currently get 12% off UK and worldwide tours and attractions with Tiqets.
Tiqets sells tickets for attractions, museums and experiences in the UK and abroad, so it is worth comparing prices before booking your day out.
Merlin attraction offers
Purpl also has offers across selected Merlin attractions and experiences.
Current discounts include attractions such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Legoland Windsor although the exact discount and booking offer can differ by attraction and change throughout the year.
For example, Purpl’s current offers include up to 15% off Madame Tussauds London, while separate Merlin and resort offers are available through individual Purpl brand pages.
Other days out savings
Depending on where you are going, Purpl members can also currently find offers including:
- 30% off iFLY Indoor Skydiving
- up to 40% off cinema tickets and snacks across UK with The Cinema Society
- 30% off selected City Cruises sightseeing and dining cruises
- 10% off Go Ape every day
Offers can change, so always check the latest terms before booking.
Purpl Tip: Check the venue’s own disability or companion ticket policy before buying through a third-party ticket provider. Accessible tickets, Essential Companion tickets and queueing adjustments may need to be booked directly with the attraction.
No. A free Digital Access Pass is usually linked to the specific venue or organisation you registered with, while the £15 Access Card is designed to be used across participating venues and events around the UK.
Both are managed by Nimbus Disability and use the same system for recording your verified access requirements.
Yes. Venue-specific Digital Access Passes offered through participating organisations are normally free to apply for.
The full Access Card costs £15 for three years and is designed for wider use across participating venues.
No. A Merlin Digital Access Pass is specific to Merlin and cannot normally be used as your registration for another venue operator such as Paultons Park or Wembley Stadium.
If you want one registration that can be recognised across different participating venues, the £15 Access Card is the more flexible option.
Not always. Many venues allow you to confirm eligibility for an Essential Companion or carer ticket through their own free Nimbus registration scheme.
Whether you qualify will depend on the access requirements recorded on your profile and the individual venue’s companion ticket policy.
No. A Digital Access Pass records your verified access requirements, but it does not automatically guarantee a free companion ticket.
Eligibility will depend on the symbols or requirements approved on your profile and the venue’s own Essential Companion or carer ticket policy.
Yes. Merlin Entertainments offers a free Merlin Digital Access Pass managed by Nimbus Disability.
It can be used within Merlin’s own access system, including when registering for support such as the Ride Access Pass, depending on your approved access requirements.
Yes. The O2 uses a Nimbus managed access registration system that allows eligible visitors to register their access requirements without buying the full Access Card.
If you already have a valid Access Card, you may be able to use your existing details instead of completing a separate assessment.
Yes. Wembley Stadium offers a Nimbus-managed Digital Access Pass for visitors who need to register their access requirements.
You can use this instead of purchasing the full Access Card if you only need access support specifically for Wembley.
It depends on the scheme. Some provider-specific passes, including schemes such as MCM Comic Con and Wembley, can remain valid for up to three years, while others may use different validity periods.
Always check the individual venue’s current guidance before applying.
Usually not. A free Digital Access Pass is generally linked to the specific venue, attraction, theatre group or event organiser you registered with.
If you regularly visit different venues, the full Access Card may be more convenient because it is designed to be recognised across participating organisations.
Not necessarily. Nimbus focuses on the access barriers you experience and the evidence you can provide to support those needs.
A diagnosis on its own may not explain what reasonable adjustments you require, so applications usually ask for evidence showing how your disability or health condition affects you in practice.
It depends on the venue or scheme. You may be asked for evidence such as a PIP or DLA award letter, a medical or professional letter, an EHCP, a care plan or an occupational health report.
The exact documents accepted can vary, so check the venue’s current application guidance before applying.
Not automatically. Both systems record your verified access requirements, but the adjustments available will still depend on the venue’s own access policy.
For example, your registration may show that you need an Essential Companion, wheelchair space or support with queuing, but the way that support is provided can differ from one venue to another.
Usually not. Many venues that use Nimbus allow you to provide your existing Access Card details instead of completing a separate venue-specific assessment.
It is still worth checking the venue’s current process before booking, as some organisations may ask you to link or register your Access Card number with their own system.
You can find participating organisations through the Access Card provider directory and by checking individual venue accessibility pages.
It is also worth searching the venue name followed by “Nimbus Digital Access Pass” or “Nimbus access registration”, as some free schemes are easier to find through the venue’s own accessibility information.
You do not always need to pay £15 for a Nimbus Access Card just because an attraction, theatre or event asks you to register your access requirements through Nimbus.
Many major organisations have their own free Digital Access Pass, including Merlin Entertainments, Paultons Park, Drayton Manor, Wembley Stadium, The O2 and several theatre and ticketing groups.
The catch is that the free registration normally works only within that provider’s scheme.
If you regularly visit different attractions, theatres, gigs and events, the full Access Card can be much more convenient. But if you only need Nimbus registration for one particular place, always check for the free option first.
That is especially important when disabled people already face so many additional everyday costs. There is no point paying for something you do not actually need.
Purpl Insight: Before paying for any disability access scheme, check exactly what you need for the place you are visiting. Sometimes the free provider-specific option does exactly the same job for that visit.
Georgina is the Founder of Purpl, the disabled-led discount and support platform helping disabled people and people living with long term health conditions save money.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis herself, Georgina created Purpl after experiencing first-hand how quickly the additional costs associated with disability can add up.
Purpl combines exclusive discounts with practical information about benefits, accessibility, financial support and the everyday realities of living with a disability.
Access Card: who qualifies and how to apply: Purpl’s full guide explains how the Access Card works, what the symbols mean and how to apply. Purpl members can also access the current 10% new-customer discount.
Merlin Ride Access Pass guide: Find out how the Merlin Ride Access Pass works and what disabled and neurodivergent visitors need to know before visiting.
Purpl days out discounts: Find current discounts for attractions, cinemas, experiences and days out.
Accessible days out in the UK: Explore more practical ideas and accessibility information for days out with a disability or long term health condition.