Access Compass guide
Relaxed, quiet and sensory-friendly visits
Find and compare relaxed performances, quiet hours, autism-friendly screenings, sensory maps and calmer visitor routes without assuming that every venue uses the same adjustments.
Published by Access Compass · How we research and check guides
Who it's for: everyone, Families, Parents & carers, Children & young people, Adults, Professionals
✓ Verified Last checked 19 Jul 2026. Always confirm details with the service before relying on them.
The road travelled
Where we came from
Many autistic and neurodivergent people were excluded by bright lighting, sudden sound, queues, crowds and expectations to sit still or remain silent. Families and autistic people pushed venues to change the environment instead of treating sensory distress as bad behaviour.
Where we are now
Relaxed performances, autism-friendly cinema screenings, quiet hours, sensory stories, visual guides and retreat spaces are increasingly available. The name and adjustments vary, however, and there is no complete national register covering every type of venue.
Where we are heading
Good access should move beyond occasional special sessions. Venues can publish sensory information, quieter times and adjustment options for every visit, while retaining relaxed sessions for people who want a shared lower-pressure experience.
People and campaigns that moved this forward
- Autistic people and families — Made clear that sensory barriers and inflexible venue rules, rather than autism itself, were preventing participation.
- National Autistic Society — Publishes practical guidance on quiet spaces, sensory maps, quieter times and autism-friendly environments.
- Sensory Trust — Helped venues adapt relaxed sessions beyond theatre into gardens, attractions and family events.
- Dimensions — Supports a current autism-friendly screening route and explains the common adjustments families can expect.
Step by step
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Search using several names
Try ‘relaxed performance’, ‘autism-friendly’, ‘sensory-friendly’, ‘quiet hour’, ‘quiet opening’, ‘early opening’, ‘sensory map’, ‘visual story’ and ‘chill-out space’. Venues use these terms differently, so one search phrase will miss useful options.
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Check what is actually adjusted
Confirm lighting, sound, trailers or sudden effects, queueing, freedom to move or make noise, seating, capacity, re-entry and access to a quiet space. A ‘relaxed’ label does not guarantee every adjustment your family needs.
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Use current finders as starting points
Dimensions publishes current autism-friendly cinema information. Specialist and venue-owned event listings can help with theatres, museums and attractions. These routes are useful but do not form one complete UK register.
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Ask for preparation information
Request a visual story, sensory map, photographs of entrances and rooms, a timetable, the quietest arrival route and information about alarms, hand dryers, lighting, smells and crowded transition points.
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Plan an individual fallback
Agree where you can take a break, whether you can leave and return, who to approach and what sensory aids may be brought in. A quiet space should be available without forcing someone to remain there for the whole visit.
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Treat a special session as one option, not segregation
Some people prefer a dedicated relaxed session; others need adjustments during an ordinary visit. Ask for the option that works for the person rather than assuming all autistic people want the same environment.
Useful links
Source: https://www.autism.org.uk/learn/knowledge-hub/guides-and-resources/accessible-environments