– LEGOLAND Windsor has become the first UK theme park to achieve a national charity award in recognition of its work to provide an autism-friendly environment and inclusive customer service for autistic people.
LEGOLAND Windsor, in Berkshire, has gained the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award, which supports businesses to be more inclusive for autistic people through providing accessible customer services, information and environments.
The award recognises the measures LEGOLAND Windsor has in place to support autistic people and their families, including autism training for the park’s staff and reasonable adjustments including: access passes for those who are not able to queue for long times; sensory spaces; ear defenders; flashcards and communication cards; and accessible information about the park.
At least one in 100 people are autistic, which means more than 700,000 people in the UK, but many autistic people and their families still struggle to access community spaces, businesses and shops. By meeting the standards set out in the Autism Friendly Award, businesses can ensure they offer an industry approved autism-friendly environment. The award can be adopted by any customer facing organisation, including businesses in the retail, transport, arts, entertainment and leisure industries.
Kate McBirnie, Global Head of Accessibility at Merlin Entertainments, said: “At Merlin Entertainments, accessibility means more than just open doors — it means building an inclusive environment where every guest can explore, connect, and fully enjoy the magic of our experiences. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to make unforgettable memories, and we’re proud to play a part in making that a reality. Receiving this accreditation is an important milestone for the LEGOLAND Windsor team, and we’re deeply grateful to the National Autistic Society for their support and recognition. But just like any great LEGO build, we’re not stopping here — we’re excited to keep adding new bricks to make our Resort even more inclusive, welcoming, and magical for everyone.”
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “It’s fantastic that LEGOLAND Windsor is the first theme park in the UK to achieve the Autism Friendly Award and we congratulate the team on all their hard work to create a more autism-friendly place. It’s so important for theme parks, and all public leisure spaces, to be more inclusive for autistic people and their families, so that everyone can be supported to enjoy a fun day out.
“There are lots of changes venues can make, such as autism training for all staff, sensory rooms, clear signs and information, and a range of communication formats. We hope many more theme parks follow LEGOLAND Windsor’s lead and show up for autistic people by becoming a more autism-friendly space, to help create a society that truly works for autistic people. We have lots of information about our Autism Friendly Award and how to provide an autism-friendly environment on our website www.autism.org.uk.”
Rachael, Chair of the National Autistic Society’s South Buckinghamshire Branch, said: “Our members find theme parks too busy and noisy and the queues can cause distress and overwhelm. Having a theme park on our doorstep who take in to account the additional needs of our members and their families means we can all hope to visit LEGOLAND Windsor feeling safe, knowing they will support us through our trips there.”
The National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance programme of support and development for all those providing services to autistic people.
For more information about LEGOLAND Windsor, visit: https://www.legoland.co.uk/
For more information about the Autism Friendly Award, visit the National Autistic Society website.
