Dementia Friendly Days Out In The North 

Spur-of-the-moment trips may be a thing of the past if you’re living with dementia or caring for someone who is, but it doesn’t mean fun days out are a complete no-go – they’re fantastic for people living with dementia to get a much-needed boost to their wellbeing.

Organisation is key to a successful dementia day out, so as a northern business with a passion for supporting people with dementia to experience moments of joy, we’ve put together our favourite dementia-friendly days in the north of England.

If we missed any, please let us know and we’ll add it to this article to help others!

Can you still have days out after a diagnosis of dementia?

Yes, absolutely! It takes more planning and consideration, but we’ll get to that later in this blog.

For now, please rest assured there is plenty of enjoyment and fun to be had with your loved one, it’s just a case of getting your thinking cap on and doing your homework to discover new ways to maintain that connection, meet other people, and give them a reason to smile.

What type of days out suit people with dementia?

The best types of day out for people with dementia are those which involve spending quality time together, getting out into the fresh air, and doing something they can enjoy, whichever stage they’re at.

Here are some general categories of activities to inspire you to get planning your trip.

Get out into the great outdoors 

When you get closer to nature, it has a calming effect and can help people with dementia to ease feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as reducing stress.

As little as 10 to 15 minutes of fresh air can have an impact, so outdoor activities don’t have to take all day – a meander through the local park could be perfect.

A trip down memory lane

Reminiscing about times gone by can be the basis for a pleasurable day out for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions.

You could plan a trip to their hometown or a favourite holiday destination from their childhood to see if it jogs their memory and encourages them to share stories with you.

Sensory experiences

As dementia progresses, sensory experiences can be really beneficial to help your loved one get a mental health boost and communicate with you, even in a non-verbal way.

What could you plan to stimulate their sense of touch, smell, taste, sound, or sight?

Best dementia friendly days out in the north of England 

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best days out in the north west for people with dementia.

Walks For All – Arnside and Silverdale AONB

Organised by National Landscape, Walks For All is a series of regular guided walks for people with dementia and their carers. Gentle strolls through the stunning countryside with a stop at a cafe afterwards for a cup of tea. 

No need to book – find the next guided walk to suit you and simply turn up.

House of Memories – Meet Me At The Museum – National Museums Liverpool

National Museums Liverpool hosts regular drop in sessions for older people to enjoy the exhibits at their leisure and meet new friends at its four Liverpool locations – Sudley House, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Museum of Liverpool, and Liverpool World Museum.

All sessions are dementia-friendly and there’s a new nostalgic theme each month – like the 1940s, the armed forces, and the history of fashion. 

Booking isn’t required.

Beach days

Many older people with dementia may reminisce about seaside holidays as a child, so taking a day trip to the beach is a lovely way to spend the day.

Try Blackpool, Lytham St Anne’s, Scarborough, or Formby for a refreshing dose of sea air and the familiar taste of fish and chips. 

Dementia-friendly film screenings

A dementia-friendly film screening is an enjoyable way to while away an afternoon with a loved one affected by dementia.

Lots of cinemas and venues offer dementia-friendly screenings, like The Light, Bolton and Stockport, The Dukes, Lancaster, Home Manchester, Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, and Leigh Film Society.

You might be wondering what makes these screenings different to your average film showing.

Well, there’s no trailers and the lights are slightly brighter than usual to prevent confusion. Plus, there’s often chance to socialise with other people who are living with dementia, enjoy refreshments, and move around freely. Of course, the choice of film is specially selected to appeal to an older audience, allowing reminiscence and familiarity.

Memory cafe

There are many memory cafes, also known as dementia cafes, all over the north west.

You can find a local memory cafe on the service finder section of the Alzheimer’s Society website – simply enter your address and see which activities, groups, and memory cafes are available in your area.

Visit an English Heritage site

When handled sensitively, a change of scenery can give people with dementia a renewed sense of independence, not to mention a lovely day out with family or friends.

English Heritage takes care of more than 400 of England’s historical buildings, locations, and monuments, which make for a great day out for people who have dementia.

There are plenty of English Heritage sites in the North to choose from, including York Cold War Bunker, Whitby Abbey, Barnard Castle in Durham, Chester Castle and Roman Amphitheatre, as well as numerous sites around Hadrian’s Wall.

As many offer beautiful outdoor spaces to explore with a rich story behind them, taking walk around these sites is emotionally and physically stimulating. Find your nearest site or take a roadtrip somewhere your loved one visited or spent time in their younger days.

Dementia friendly theatre and concerts

Like many cinemas, theatres and concert venues are now offering dementia-friendly performances of certain shows with low lighting, quiet spaces, friendly staff, and a relaxed atmosphere where people can leave and return.

Check out Opera North in Leeds, Leeds Playhouse and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic for a dementia-friendly performances.

Step back in time

Open air museum Beamish is the perfect place to transport a loved one back in time, inviting you to experience how life was in the north east of English during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. Each era has its own “town” you can walk around.

In 2023, Beamish introduced mineworker’s homes into its 1950s town, specially designed to be accessible and enjoyable for people with dementia. They have an authentic 50s feel, with dementia-friendly lighting, decor, furniture, and layouts. The museum’s health and wellbeing team also offers regular dementia-friendly events and activities.

Birdwatching

If your loved one is a fan of wildlife, birdwatching could be a fantastic activity to do together, as it encourages fresh air and physical movement in a relaxed and calming environment.

The north west boasts some beautiful spots to take a day trip, including RSPB Leighton Moss and WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

Tips for a successful day out

Only you know the specific physical and mental challenges your loved one faces, so while there are many activities and places to go, it’s important to take careful consideration of the many factors that could make or break your day.

Here are some tips to help you organise a rewarding and enjoyable experience together, whatever you choose to do.

Plan in advance

Being disorganised and switching plans last minute may well cause anxiety and distress in your loved one, so plan ahead, travel outside of rush hours and school holidays, and keep yourself organised to avoid any nasty surprises that could disrupt your day together. 

Organisations like Sargent Group and Dementia Adventure can help you plan your travel or even arrange longer trips for people with dementia.

Be flexible if their mood or energy changes

Keep an open mind and don’t be disheartened if something doesn’t pan out the way you’d hope it would. Of course, it’s disappointing if you’ve spent time planning something and they’re unwilling to get out of the car or do a certain thing you researched, but it’s nobody’s fault.

We know how tough this is for you – so remember you’re doing a fantastic job and there’s always next time.

Take regular breaks

Take it easy and stop for a break regularly during your dementia-friendly day out. 

Comfort breaks, rests, tea and cake stops – it’s all part of the process and although the day may move at a much slower pace than you’re used to, this could be great for you! Be present and soak up the moment together. You’ll look back on this time fondly, however it looks 💛

Dementia games and activities

Hopefully, this blog has given you inspiration to find a place to visit for a dementia friendly day out. 

After all that excitement, you’ll be ready to relax with a cup of tea, and our dementia-friendly games and activities are the ideal companion for a break with your loved one, as they spark conversation and encourage connection. And like a good day trip, this can prompt those wonderful moments of joy between you that you’ll remember forever.

For more dementia tips and advice, make sure you follow us on Instagram and come and say hello!