Beckworth - Northamptonshire, England

Howdy! Before I begin I’d like to note, my sensory is of a fairly low level, I am rarely affected by these things. I am also going during the week when people are at school / work resulting in the shops having little customers.

Let’s begin.

I gave Beckworth a 3/3 - I rate out of three as judgement with numbers is difficult for me. It had a good layout, was spacious, the noise level was manageable as were the lights.

The layout and space was very large. You could get past people very easily if you wished, and weren’t stuck in a corner while others passed by triggering any claustrophobia. You had to follow the arrows to get around meaning no one came at you, simply from behind. It was similar to having two isles except you could see into the other and they both went in different directions. So more like a road with the decorations in between.

There was minimal noise, the majority coming from conversations between other customers. I’d say it was mainly one small section that included all of the noise level. Which includes in the following paragraph too. But let me focus on noise. There was one - only one from my recollection - toy that you could press and it would play a Christmas song and move. In the same area there was also a collection of snow globes you could wind up from beneath and they’d play a soft lullaby. The noise was very manageable.

Onto the lights. There were a few flashing lights, mostly, once again, in that same section. I’d say if you struggle with noise and lights to stay away from that area. You shouldn’t happen to enter the section unless by choice as it is separate from the rest. I’d say this was the area sensory comes into play most, however was slightly manageable. There were lights around the whole room, however only in one little corner did they flash. As long as I stayed looking away from that corner, I had no difficulty whatsoever in Beckworth.

Please take what I have written from a low trigger standpoint and adapt it into how you would manage with your difficulties. Have a lovely morning/afternoon/evening/night.

Don’t forget to follow me on social media!

Instagram: @autism.and.i

Twitter: @autismandi1