Quick answer
These Hull-area venues list named support for children with additional needs, from calmer sessions and sensory kits to Changing Places toilets and carer offers. The Champney Treasure House is in Beverley and East Riding Leisure Haltemprice is in Anlaby, so both are near Hull rather than in it. Opening days, prices and conditions vary, so check each venue before you travel.
We include a venue only where its VisitKids page records named official support. For everything else, see every place in Hull.
Calmer sessions to plan around
- The Deep, Hull: on Tranquil Tuesdays, every term-time Tuesday from 3pm, lighting and audio are adjusted for a calmer visit. Normal admission prices apply. Essential carers go free with a paying visitor or Annual Pass holder who could not visit without them. Bring proof, such as a PIP or DLA letter. There is a social story, and sensory packs with ear defenders and PEC cards can be borrowed from Reception. The Changing Places toilet needs a RADAR key, which Reception can lend. Several zones are dark, noise echoes, and the fire alarm uses flashing lights. Under 16s must be with an adult, and there is no pram storage. It is closed on 24 and 25 December.
- Little Astronauts, Hull: SEND sessions run every Tuesday, 4pm to 6pm, for ages 1 to 12. There is no music, with lower volume, toned-down lighting, limited numbers and a dedicated team. Children can use every area, including the sensory spaceship and the AstroStation quiet breakaway zone. The prices page lists SEND sessions at £9.95 off-peak and £11.95 peak. Children must be with an adult or carer, and the pages do not mention free carer tickets. Socks must be worn in the play areas. The pages do not mention a Changing Places toilet or a lift to this top-floor centre.
- Rock Up Hull: Calm Climbing (SEND) runs on the first Monday of the month, with the music off and fewer climbers in the arena. Family and siblings are welcome to climb. On 13 November 2026 the shop gave a minimum age of 4. It listed Monday 7 December 2026 at 6.30pm, with child admission at £10.95. St Stephen’s has two Changing Places rooms with hoists, open in line with centre hours, 9am to 6pm on most days. Ask whether they are open for a 6.30pm session. St Stephen’s says it has no quiet room. Rock Up’s pages do not mention free carer tickets or wheelchair access to the arena.
Free museums with sensory resources
All four of these are free to enter. Hull Museums runs the first three, which are closed from 24 to 28 December and on 1 January.
- Streetlife Museum, Hull: on 13 November 2026, Hull Museums listed relaxed SEND family crafts at 10am on 21 and 28 November. More were listed at 11.15am on 13 and 20 December. They are for children who have a disability, are neurodivergent or experience anxiety. Booking is essential; book a ticket for each child only. The visual story describes a box with ear defenders and a fidget toy to borrow. The upstairs carriage and bicycle galleries are darker. There is no Changing Places toilet; the access page names the Guildhall and the Wilson Centre. On 13 November 2026 a banner said its Museums Quarter entrance was closed for works. It asked visitors to use the main entrance opposite Chapel Lane.
- Ferens Art Gallery, Hull: Flourish with Ferens is a free artist-led session for neurodivergent and disabled children, 10.30am to 12 noon. Book a ticket for the participating child only; children must be accompanied. On 13 November 2026 the ticket shop showed none in December. The Calm Gallery, Gallery 12 on the first floor, holds works chosen for relaxing subjects and serene colours. Ear defenders and a fidget toy can be borrowed. Gallery 1 and the Studio are darker, films sometimes play, and the hand driers can be noisy. The nearest Changing Places toilet is at the Wilson Centre, with another at the Guildhall.
- Hull Maritime Museum, Hull: there is a visual story, and ear defenders and a fidget toy can be borrowed from the front desk. The Changing Places toilet is in the basement, reached by pressing the intercom. Lifts link the gallery floors. The visual story expects it to be quite noisy from 10am to 2pm at busy periods. A free timed ticket is advised, and walk-up entry is available daily. On 13 November 2026 the booking calendar showed no slots from 23 to 27 November, with no reason given.
- Champney Treasure House Museum, Beverley: East Riding Culture lists a fully immersive sensory room. The council’s 2024 news release said it is in the library and can be a calm, quiet space. The saved pages do not say how to book it, so ask the library on 01482 392750 first. There is a Changing Places toilet, a flat entrance and a lift between floors. The museum is closed on Sundays and bank holidays.
Changing Places, adapted cycling and swimming
- East Park, Hull: the Adapted Cycling Scheme has over 90 bikes for people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities. It runs Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm. Sessions must be booked in advance, before 10am, by calling East Park Reception on 01482 616 878. New riders register with a passport-sized photo, photo ID and proof of address. Registration is £1, then £7 per person per session or £21 for a family; carers cycle free. There is a Changing Places toilet in the Central Pavilion. The council’s provisional table gives park hours of 8am to 4pm for weeks ending 8 November to 27 December 2026. Keep children close by the boating lake and ponds.
- East Riding Leisure Haltemprice, Anlaby: the Changing Places toilet in reception has a height-adjustable bench, a hoist and space for a carer. There are pool hoists for both pools; ask at reception. Carers of children with special educational needs can apply for Passport to Leisure. It gives the card user 50% off most standard-priced activities, excluding swimming lessons. On 13 November 2026 the passenger lift was listed as closed until 1 December. The pages do not mention relaxed or sensory swims. Under 8s need an adult in the water.
- Hull Central Library, Hull: an autism friendly social story, “I’m going to Hull Central Library”, is on the library page. It says a nervous visitor can call 01482 210000 with questions and ask for a tour. The council’s Live Well Hull site lists a Changing Places toilet there. The library is usually quiet but can sometimes be noisy. It is closed on Sundays, opens at 1pm on Wednesdays and closes at 1pm on Fridays.
How to prepare for your visit
- Read the social or visual story where one is offered.
- Book where needed: Streetlife crafts, Flourish with Ferens and adapted cycling.
- Check closed days and Christmas dates before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Where can we borrow ear defenders in Hull?
The Deep lends sensory packs with ear defenders from Reception. Streetlife, the Ferens and Hull Maritime Museum also have ear defenders to borrow.
Which Hull days out have a Changing Places toilet?
In this guide, The Deep, Hull Maritime Museum, East Park, the Champney Treasure House, Haltemprice and Hull Central Library list one. Rock Up points to St Stephen’s. Streetlife and the Ferens have none on site.
Is there a quiet time at The Deep?
Yes. Tranquil Tuesdays run every term-time Tuesday from 3pm, with lighting and audio adjusted. Normal admission prices apply.
Is there SEND soft play in Hull?
Little Astronauts runs SEND sessions every Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm, for ages 1 to 12, with no music and toned-down lighting.
Do carers go free in Hull?
The Deep lets essential carers in free, with proof, alongside a paying visitor. East Park’s adapted cycling is free for carers. The four museums in this guide are free for everyone.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Hull venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.
Photo: HJ Mitchell, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.