River of Light Accessibility Guide | Ensuring an Accessible Experience

We want River of Light to be accessible for all

River of Light is returning to Liverpool and is set to illuminate the city centre across 12 nights from Friday 25 October to Tuesday 5 November between 5pm and 9pm every day. The event will showcase 12 artworks from of the best local, national, and international light artists along a 3 km route. The installations will include a mix of brand-new, never-before-seen commissions as well as existing artworks which have not been on display on Liverpool’s waterfront before.

The theme of this year’s FREE event is Play, turning Liverpool’s waterfront into a huge playground. Some works will offer a deeper question around play and what it can mean for individuals, communities, and a whole – a truly illuminating light spectacle that should not be missed.

River of Light Quiet Hours

This year we have worked to make River of Light the most accessible edition to date. In 2023 we trialled a 'Quiet Hour.' An hour where some artworks were adapted to accommodate visitors with additional sensory needs. We are delighted that these special sessions will run from 4pm - 5pm on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 October and Sunday 3 and Monday 4 November.

During these hours, the 12 featured installations will have reduced soundscapes or will operate entirely without sound. Where possible, lighting will also be softened, creating a calmer environment for those with sensory sensitivities.

Travelling to Liverpool

Travelling to Liverpool is accessible and straightforward, with direct train routes to Liverpool Lime Street and a diverse mix of destinations coming directly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Additionally, Liverpool City Region is well-connected to the UK motorway network, with various motorways leading you directly into the City Centre.

Travelling by rail

Liverpool City Region is really easy to get to via train – with Liverpool Lime Street being the…

Travelling by air

Liverpool loves to welcome visitors from all over the world and with Liverpool John Lennon Airport…

Travelling by road

Liverpool is well connected to the UK motorway network. From the M6, take the M62, the M58 or the…

Where to stay

Liverpool prides itself on its vast choice of accommodation – from luxury big brands to independent hotels and quirky BnB’s – you can rest easy when you come to this city. And the majority of the accommodation in Liverpool and the city region provide great accessibility features. Below is just a snapshot of some of the hotels and the amount of accessible rooms that they have in their property.

*Partially accessible rooms have no walk in shower facility but have a bath with rails instead.

M Gallery 5*

Fully accessible rooms - 9

Hilton Liverpool Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 6 Partially accessible Rooms - 5

Radisson Blu Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 5 Partially accessible rooms - 4

Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre

Fully accessible rooms - 1

Delta by Marriott

Fully accessible rooms - 0 Partially accessible rooms - 6

Leonardo Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 16 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Staybridge Suites

Fully accessible rooms - 2 Partially accessible rooms - 4

Hope Street Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 2 Partially accessible rooms - 2

Hotel Indigo

Fully accessible rooms - 6 Partially accessible rooms - 0

INNSiDE by Melia

Fully accessible rooms - 4 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Novotel Paddington Village**

Fully accessible rooms - 14 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Novotel City Centre

Fully accessible rooms - 6 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Pullman

Fully accessible rooms - 16 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Radisson Red

Fully accessible rooms - 9 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Titanic Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 2 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Crowne Plaza City Centre

Fully accessible rooms - 9 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Hard Days Night Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 8 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Hampton by Hilton

Fully accessible rooms - 9 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Aloft

Fully accessible rooms - 5 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Mercure Atlantic Tower

Fully accessible rooms - 1 Partially accessible rooms - 0

The Liner

Fully accessible rooms - 1 Partially accessible rooms- 1

Holiday Inn Express

Fully accessible rooms - 2 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Ibis Styles

Fully accessible rooms - 7 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Ibis Albert Dock

Fully accessible rooms - 10 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Staycity Corn Exchange

Fully accessible rooms - 11 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Adagio Hotel

Fully accessible rooms - 8 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Travelodge - Strand

Fully accessible rooms - 9 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Travelodge - Central

Fully accessible rooms - 5 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Travelodge - Exchange St

Fully accessible rooms - 7 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Travelodge - Docks

Fully accessible rooms - 2 Partially accessible room - 0

Travelodge - John Lennon Airport

Fully accessible rooms - 5 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Travelodge - Edge Lane

Fully accessible rooms - 4 Partially accessible rooms - 0

Revitalise Sandpipers

In addition to the above there are various hotels in the city region which equally provide excellent accessibility features. Just one example is Revitalise Sandpipers. This unique property offers full board accommodation on the shores of Southport Marine Lake. All rooms are fully accessible and have en-suite facilities with wheel-in showers. There are also two separate bathrooms for assisted bathing with hoists and bariatric equipment, and Arjo baths. For more information on Revitalise Sandpipers, please visit their website.