Parallel Windsor 2026
Parallel Windsor is an inclusive festival for disabled people, families and organisations. It is a fabulous event that shouldn’t be missed.
When did it Start and who Founded it?
Parallel is founded by Andrew and Claudia Douglass in 2016. So Parallel have just celebrated their 10 year anniversary. The first Parallel event was held at the Olympic Park, London. From 2022 the event has been held at Windsor Great Park, Windsor.
Parallel is a disability lifestyle brand with purpose & an attitude of no limits living.
It is a social enterprise, to support D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people to be free to live life to the full in mainstream society.
To help achieve this, Parallel have created Purple Sock Day, on 3rd December, a mass participation event on International Day of Disabled People and Parallel Windsor in July.
What is Parallel Windsor?
It is all about inclusion and fun. The festival includes accessible sports areas where you can get involved or have a go, from rock climbing to wheelchair basketball, boccia and more. An animal kingdom area where there are many animals, which you can stroke or hold. From snakes, ducks, a donkey, horse and lots of owls. I held several owls.
There is a stage where several musicians played/sang and dance shows are held, and an inclusive dance session to participate in.
For the artistic participants there is an arts and crafts tent and there are various disability related organisation and charity stalls, where you can pick up information. A few examples being Patchwork Hub and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
What Challenge Events are there?
There are various challenge events from a 100 metres, 1 km, 5km, 10km and supersensory run. The motto is ‘start together finish whenever’. You can walk, run or use any aid to complete the challenge and even get to enjoy views of Windsor Castle in the distance.
The challenge events are completed on the ‘long walk’ path so the surface is tarmac.
Anyone can participant, whether or not you have a disability and everyone who starts an event receives a medal, t-shirt and goody bag.
What is the SuperSensory Run?
The SuperSensory event is aimed at people with neurodiversity and profound and multiple learning difficulties to exercise their senses with a series of challenges such as engaging with sound, taste, touch and smell.
Inclusion is well considered at Parallel Windsor
- There are accessible toilets and changing place toilets.
- Rubber matting to make it wheelchair accessible rain or shine.
- Accessible drop off points with rubber matting.
- Parking
- Accessible shuttle buses to and from Eton and Windsor station.
- Silent disco
- Sensory zone
- A quiet space/tent for time out
Food wise
There is a picnic area and a large choice of street food you can purchase from.
An Inclusive Event
It is particularly perfect for families and where one child has a disability and one doesn’t.
It is normally held every July which feels appropriate with July being Disability Pride Month. Check out their website to find out when the next Parallel event is.
Maybe you can challenge yourself to an event at the next Parallel event? Or get your socks ready for Purple Sock Day in December!
Hannah x
You may be interested in reading about another great inclusive challenge event: Superhero Tri 19-Team Hannah
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