Naidex this year is on March 19th and 20th, 2025. Download the App to plan your visit.
It is one of the biggest disability exhibitions in the UK. People travel long distances to attend, so I always feel fortunate that I live in Birmingham and don’t have far to travel. However, there are plenty of options if you need somewhere to stay.
Naidex is one of a handful of events where the number of disabled people is greater than that of non-disabled individuals. Accessible rooms near the NEC, where the event is held, are in high demand, and, as anyone reading this who has a disability will know, there are never many accessible rooms in a hotel. Demand outweighs supply.
Registering for Naidex
Pre-registering for the event saves time on the day and means you can head straight in. Click here to register, there’s still time!
Travelling to the NEC/Resorts World
The NEC keeps changing its name as it changes ownership. It is currently named Resorts World, but the signage has been kept as NEC, which stands for National Exhibition Centre. It’s not meant to be confusing, but it can be, especially if you’ve never visited before.
By Car
The NEC is eight miles from Birmingham City Centre. The postcode is B40 1NT. If you pre-book parking, it is free for Blue Badge holders and £12 for everyone else. It may be more on the day. Blue Badge holders do not need to pre-book.
By Train
Alighting at Birmingham International train station, There is a covered walk to the NEC. However, a shuttle bus runs from the station to Hall 20, where Naidex is held, if the 15-minute walk is too far. Many services are direct to this station because of the airport. If you do not have a direct route it is approximately a 15-minute train ride from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International. Birmingham International have a Changing Places toilet on site. There are also buses to the venue from Moor Street and Solihull stations.
By Bus and Coach
The National Express and Megabus companies have many journeys to Birmingham Airport. From the airport, the free air-rail link takes 90 seconds to get to the NEC and runs every two minutes. From Birmingham City Centre, there are two local bus routes, the X1, which runs every 15 minutes and the 97A, which runs every half an hour.
Naidex also recommends TOA taxis as an option, but I find them unreliable, especially at an event where accessible taxis will be in higher demand. I use Uber Access if I need a Taxi, as they have WAVs, but they, too, can be unreliable. It’s 50/50 whether drivers of the accessible taxis are on shift or nearby. Please note, do not schedule a ride as this adds £10 onto the price. WAV’s can’t be pre-booked but the assist cabs can. The assist cabs are for people who can transfer in/out of a standard seat.
What are the options for staying at or near Naidex?
Here are the closest hotels with accessible rooms near the NEC.
The Ibis Styles Birmingham NEC and Airport has accessible rooms and is a six-minute walk to the NEC.
The Hilton Birmingham Metropole is a seven-minute walk from the NEC. It is unclear how many accessible rooms they have or what facilities are provided. Contact them before booking to get details. Also, please check whether the walk to the NEC would be doable according to your access needs.
If I had to book a room to attend Naidex, I would choose the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport. This is because most Holiday Inns will give you a carer room free if you need one. Again, it is not clear how many accessible rooms they have, so book early to avoid disappointment. The hotel is a six-minute drive from the NEC.
Best Western Plus Birmingham NEC Meriden Manor Hotel is a seven-minute drive to the NEC and advertises wheelchair access. However, for some reason, accessible rooms don’t show up in search results. You’d have to contact them to get details.
Voco: St. John’s Solihull is a ten-minute drive from the NEC. This hotel appears to have two accessible rooms, but they are twin beds. It is part of IHG, so it may also offer a free carer room, but you would have to contact them to ask.
The Windmill Village Hotel, Golf Club & Spa, BW Signature Collection is a ten-minute drive to the NEC. The website states, ‘accessible rooms are available on request,’ but it does not provide any other information.
Other Naidex facilities
Quiet Space
If you need a break from the crowds, the space outside the hall is huge, and there is some seating. There is also a designated quiet space located in Concourse 34. It has tables, sofas and chairs for anyone who wants some quiet time. Ask any member of staff who will be happy to direct you. At a significant event, crowds are inevitable, but it’s great that the organisers try to cater to everyone. Inclusivity is the point of the event, so there would be something wrong if they didn’t.
Assistance Dogs at Naidex
Assistance dogs are welcome at the show and have their own dedicated room to relax if things get too much. The organisers ask that the dogs wear their working jackets and be on a lead while at the event.
Hearing and visual adaptations
Naidex has hearing loops throughout the event and captioning available at seminars. BSL interpreters are also booked for many seminars but can also be requested in advance if you are interested in something and an interpreter hasn’t been booked already. Visit the website closer to the event time to see who is speaking, and email the organisers ahead of time to make sure that what you need is in place.
Depending on your sensitivity to light, you may want to bring dark glasses with you. I’ve never really noticed the light, but I’ve spoken to people who prefer to wear glasses at the event. If lighting affects you, please speak to the organisers, as I’m sure they’d be able to give you more information about how the venue and hall are lit.
Equipment hire
Wheelchairs are free to hire during the event if you are a blue badge holder and £5 for everyone else. Scooters are available to hire for the day for a charge of £15. If you need this, please pre-book. You can do this by emailing the organisers at Info@necgroup.co.uk. Turning up on the day and hiring equipment is possible, but it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the item you need isn’t guaranteed to be available.
Food and Drink
There is a cafe inside Naidex that sells sandwiches and cakes. There is also a coffee stand. These are pretty expensive, and I always bring my own food. There is another sandwich kiosk and a Cornish pasty place near Hall 20. Further away, but still within the NEC complex, is a Subway. There is also a pub, but for some reason, most of the eating places listed on the NEC website are shut during Naidex. My top tip is to invest in a food flask and a thermos flask for hot drinks.
Will you be attending Naidex? What products or seminars are you interested in? Let me know here.
