Not disabled enough to access Hyde Park Concerts

[Tiredalwaystired]

I’m supposed to be taking my daughter to see Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park in a couple of weeks. I had spinal surgery a while back which has weakened my lower back and makes it very hard to stand for hours at a time although I can manage day to day as long as I sit at regular intervals . At previous outdoor concerts I’ve taken a shooting stick (like a walking stick with a built in seat) as I dont have the requisite paperwork for the disability seats so can’t access the disabled area, and I’ve coped OK with that work around.

I’ve just seen in their terms that shooting sticks are banned as they are considered “dangerous”. I now don’t know what to do. Without regular breaks on the pressure on my back I’ll be in agony after a couple of hours and I really don’t think I can attend. I certainly wouldnt be enjoying it by the time she came on stage, that’s for sure. This is my daughter’s Christmas present from me and we have been so excited.

AIBU to think that this policy is harming people that actually need that sort of support and they are discriminating against people like me who need some support in some scenarios but not in all scenarios? I feel I’m being penalised for not being disabled enough. It’s really upset me. Their helpline offered no guidance.

Thanks all. Update: I have tried on three occasions to call their access line today and each time after fifteen minutes with interminable hold music it cut me off. I’m really hoping for a kind person on the gate on the day but it’s a bit risky!

For those suggesting wheelchairs it’s not very fair on poor 14 year old to have to push me all day! :-)

I saw these being taken off people at the entrance to Hyde Park.

I’m in the same boat for the Neil Young concert. Accessible tickets sold out in the presale and I am going with my two daughters. I booked VIP tickets so at least we can sit in the summer garden. I was thinking I’d take a FLIPSTICK but they’d consider that a shooting ticket, wouldn’t they?

yes I would think so :-(

She’d only need to push you in the gates. Many wheelchair users don’t use them full time.

What about hiring a mobility scooter if they are allowed in?

What about folding camp sitters?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Foldable-Folding-Waterproof-Chair-Cushion/dp/B00A8WMS3W You could tuck it in your jumpers.

This feels such a massive faff compared to a stick! I’d have to go on three trains with it.

I went to see Take That at Hyde Park a couple of years ago (see how the ‘not real
music’ brigade like that 😀)
Anyway, as others have said, there are lots of places to sit as long as you are not fussed about being in the thick of the crowd. The event felt very relaxed. Have a good time with your daughter, my 12 year old would love to see her —and so would I—

You can just sit in the grass? We were in the golden circle for Stray Kids last year and spent quite a lot of the run up sitting on the grass. If you’re in the main area they will be plenty of room.

Can you not just bring a wheelchair or walker with seat? You wouldnt need any adjustments then as you’d have the seat, like with the stick/seat?

Just seen your post about a wheelchair. I often push my own wheelchair empty until I need to use it. So couldn’t use just essentially use it as a mobile seat for when you need to sit down?

It doesn't say Picnic blankets are banned. Just that you can't use them everywhere. Most people take a picnic blanket or take their jackets off and sit on those if it's nice. It did get a bit crazy last year as you couldn't walk easily around because of the blankets so I'm not surprised they are trying to enforce a bit of a path. Generally speaking, people sit and chill on their blankets and enjoy the support acts and then when the headline act comes, everyone stands up and starts to shuffle forwards. My daughter and I are seeing Sabrina Carpenter. This will be our fourth BST Hyde Park on the run. Can't wait!

It does sound like a total faff, I'm an occasional wheelchair user and I don't think I'd want to be bothered with that, I appreciate full-time users have to sometimes, anyway go up to someone when you get there like you said and say you are disabled and where is the safest/,best place to sit, they should help you, I saw nobody picked up the phone how bloody frustrating.

Sorry, I worded that badly - I meant that it's possible to be ambulant disabled and require accommodations without being eligible for PIP.

Could you rent a walking frame with a seat . I know the Red Cross rent out these type of items

So after weeks of fretting I finally got through. Here is the response. No recognition that it is the pressure on my back that causes issues rather than my feet, which is my problem.

Im in tears. Now a family friend will be taking my daughter on what should have been our special day.

I dont think it’s the venues fault here tbh OP, you have asked them to change the rules re seats and they have said no. They have also confirmed mobility aids are allowed. I’m not sure about the bit where you say they haven’t recognised issues in your back not feet, as far as I see they haven’t mentioned either. So the ‘in tears’ bit, I get that it’s hard but you can take a wheelchair if you really need to be seated

Sorry you really don’t get it. I feel a wheelchair is utterly fraudulent. I don’t need that and I don’t need to take up the space of a genuine wheelchair user. I need to take the pressure off my mid back at intervals. This IS my mobility aid. It is what I NEED to access the concert and enjoy it. It fucking sucks to be “slightly” disabled as there are no accommodations accepted. So as per my original post someone has deemed that I am not disabled enough.

You don’t need to take space from anyone by using a wheelchair?

I do get it, I spent hours in the welfare tent at BST last year, but they won’t change their rules, merely allow mobility aids which is reasonable

And as I keep saying this IS my mobility aid!

WanderingWisteria · 09/06/2025 15:29
(I'm not quoting Wisteria's post as it is, of necessity long!)

This is a helpful, well-detailed description for anyone visiting the site for an event and should be printed and sent out with the tickets! The information about lighting and tips on egress in particular would be invaluable for many, I'm sure. Thank you x

@Tiredalwaystired I’ve nothing useful to add but can offer some sympathy as I’m in a very similar situation - disabled but not disabled enough to access disabled areas , we decided a long time ago to just stop going to places that don’t accommodate me . It is very annoying . I hope your daughter enjoys the concert .

I had similar problems. In the end it was fine though as I just sat on a picnic mat further back from the crowd. I think DC was about 15 at the time so she went forward and stood in the crowd for the main band. I wasn't that far back and she found me at the end of the concert. I think the mobile signal was fine so she was able to contact me that way too. Are you able to sit on the ground?

As long as I don’t try and get back up. A bit of a weather dependent gamble too.

I’ve passed the ticket on now