Why Greenham Control Tower is perfect for Autistic Families (Newbury, England)

The perfect pit-stop for adventurous families and autistic kids who love all things planes!

GREENHAM CONTROL TOWER & CAFE

Greenham Common, Thatcham in Berkshire, England

We visited the Greenham Control Tower with our two autistic children. It was only a 10minute drive from East Ilsey - where we were staying for a long weekend. (You can read my blog on Autism friendly activities for Families in Berkshire here.)

The site is run by a community group

WERE STAFF FRIENDLY and WELCOMING TO OUR AUTISTIC CHILDREN?

The staff were a mixed bunch! In the display rooms there were a couple of fairly crusty volunteers from the older generation who were a bit bah humbug towards the boys. There was also another who was trying to put a new display together and seemed pretty stressed.

However the two ladies in charge of the visitor talk in control tower itself were great - very friendly and pretty relaxed about Fred trying out the console phone and using the flight radar app on the screens. (although when he pulled up a chair and made himself comfortable in front of the computer decks she did have to call time!). To be honest I was relieved, I think he would have happily sat in that control tower, looking at the runway and watching real time plane data all day. Charlie had already had gone off with J to have a run around outside and even I was starting to get a bit twitchy - by this point all I could think of was having a nice cup of tea and a large slice of cake in the café!

WAS THE VENUE ACCESSIBLE? DID IT CONSIDER AUTISTIC CHILDREN SPECIFICALLY?

The ground floor of the control tower and the café are both wheelchair accessible and they have wide doors and ramps and a wheelchair accessible toilet. Disabled parking is available, however although float it is a somewhat bumpy walk across from the car park.

They note on their website that they are a Grade 2 listed military building and they do not have a lift to the upper floor or observation desk. It is a climb of approx. 60 steps.

It has the feel of a museum that has been designed for adults by adults, and few if any concessions are made towards the child experience. However this is a bit of a niche destination, and our older son Fred LOVED the exhibits of model planes and military craft, enjoyed the maps and other displays. When planes are your special interest then obviously no 'kiddy concessions' are required.

WHAT WERE THE FACILITIES LIKE? WERE THEY AUTISM / ADHD / SENSORY FRIENDLY?

It is run as a community enterprise and the facilities suggest that money is thin on the ground. The interior décor and café set up is basic but functional. The tables and chairs were silver bistro in style and the noise of their clanging did reverberate through the room a bit but the boys were fine to eat their snacks inside. The cafe also had a screen showing a 360 degree view from the control tower for visitors unable to manage the stairs.

Whatever the café lacked in comfy furnishings it more than made up for with its home cooked menu. I was hugely impressed that the café sold a range of dietary inclusive products, including slices of an absolutely delicious homemade gluten free carrot cake. It is so nice when you don't have to buy one of the now ubiquitous plastic wrapped chocolate brownies!

DID WE HAVE TO QUEUE? WAS IT BUSY?

We visited late morning on a school holiday weekend. While the common itself was pretty busy with families and dog walkers the control tower itself did not feel crowded. There were plenty of people wandering in to look around but it was all very calm and fairly peaceful (except for Charlie's loud and excitable exclamations from the outside upper observation which showed just how much fun could be had in an old military tower!).

DO THEY OFFER DISABLE CONCESSION ENTRY PRICE

The control tower, observation deck and café are all free to enter. It is not possible to book in advance.

Please note that their website indicates that they are currently closed on Monday and Tuesdays. Visit this page for more information.