Category Archives: Accessible Routes

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Days Out: Clifton Country Park

Here at Quingo Scooters, we want to help you live your life to the fullest, by encouraging you to discover the world around you on your mobility scooter. In our series of articles, we’re shedding light on various accessible days out, which you can use to explore the UK’s most scenic outdoor spaces.

Today we’re going to Clifton Country Park. You’ll find this popular, stunning attraction in Irwell Valley, which is just a few miles away from thriving Salford. Read on for a fabulous day out…

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Clifton Country Park

Clifton Country Park is a 48 hectare picturesque local nature reserve, serving as an oasis away from the hectic confines of urban Salford. It features various meadows, woods, ponds and lakes for visitors to discover. The park has various self-guiding trails, with the highlight being its highly popular lake path. It won the prestigious Green Flag Award in both 2006 and 2007, so you know it’s a great place to visit.

This is a great park to indulge in a little wildlife spotting in particular, as it’s popular with bird watchers and fish enthusiasts. It also boasts various beautiful plant-life, from Irish Yews to Norwegian Maples. Clifton Country Park is especially known for its Arboretum, as well as for housing the remains of the Wet Earth Colliery. Set up in 1740, this was one of the first deep mines to be sunk into the Irwell Valley.

Clifton Country Park is free to visit and opens daily. It also has a Visitor Centre, where you can find out more about the Park, access key services and learn about the area’s fascinating industrial past. The Clifton Country Park Visitor Centre is open 11.30am – 4.30pm on Saturdays, 10am – 4.30pm on Sundays and 11.30am – 4.30pm on Mondays, but it can be opened at other times by arrangement.

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Talking accessibility

The park itself has a hard-surfaced, main cark park with three parking bays available for designated blue badge holders, which can be accessed via Clifton House Road.

After you have arrived, you can reach the nearby Visitor Centre by taking the level ramp up from the main cark park. The Visitor Centre is fully accessible and it also has fully accessible toilets. These spacious facilities include grab rails and easy access wash basins and hand dryers. The site also has a café and shop, which can be accessed via a level ramp, as well as an accessible picnic area with tables.

The main trail running around Clifton Country Park’s lake is fully accessible.  It boasts a wide, hard surface, making it easy for mobility scooter users to navigate, providing you with a clear, circular walk. We should also note that rangers patrol the park from 9am to 5pm on most days, providing you with assistance when necessary. The Park’s rangers run a regular Friday morning walk for those with limited mobility, which starts at the Visitor Centre and is held from 10.15am to 11.30am.

About QuingoThe Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Itchen Valley Park

Here at Quingo Scooters, we’re always encouraging you to get out and about and to explore the world around you with your mobility scooter. In our series of articles, we’re bringing various accessible routes to your attention, which you can take on your mobility scooter to discover the UK’s amazing natural beauty.

Today we’re heading down to Itchen Valley Park. Based in Southampton, Hampshire, this is an accessible popular nature park which is suitable for mobility scooter users.

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Itchen Valley Park

Itchen Valley Park features 440 acres of stunning woodland and meadows for you to explore. It has been recognised with a prestigious Green Flag award for the past four years in a row, showing how popular it is with visitors. Itchen Valley Park has a Visitor Centre on site, where you can access interactive nature-based displays and shops, as well as a café where you can indulge in tea and cake afterwards.

The Park is famous for its trails. We suggest you buy a guide to accompany you, which is available from the Visitor Centre for just 50p. Its two mile Meadows Nature Trail is really popular, allowing guests to view the historic SSSI Water Meadow. It also has a one mile long Woodland Nature Trail, which is a must-see for nature enthusiasts. This forest path boasts various wildflowers and is well known for its bluebells, which appear in spring.

Itchen Valley Park is free to visit, opening at 8.30am daily, but closing at 7pm from November to March and at 9.30pm from April to October.

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Accessibility

Itchen Valley Park is largely a suitable destination for scooter users. You can reach the venue by car and it has ample parking spaces, although there is a minimal charge for parking. This ranges from £1 for up to an hour, to £3.90 for more than four hours, but it’s free for holders of Hampshire Cultural Trust Culture Cards. Check out the Visiting Itchen Valley Park webpage to plan how to get there.

After you arrive at Itchen Valley Park, you’ll find that its Visitor Centre lies near the main road. Outside, there is a moderate ramp leading up to the Centre’s main entrance. The ramp has handrails on both sides and is 1100mm wide, making it suitable for mobility scooter users. The main entrance into the Visitor Centre is 930mm wide and you’re allowed to use mobility scooters across this building.

The Visitor Centre was built in an old barn, meaning that its key services all lie on one level. The Centre also has an accessible toilet, and there’s an easily accessible picnic and play area just outside. We should note that not all the trails are accessible, but do seek guidance from the Park’s staff on this matter as they’ll be happy to assist you. The Woodland Nature Trail is Itchen Valley Park’s most famous accessible route, having ramps and handrails for ease of access.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park Estate

When you’re fancying a change of scenery, or a bit of fresh air, there’s nothing better than going for a trip outdoors on your mobility scooter. In our Accessible Routes series, Quingo Scooters are sharing some outdoor routes for you to take on your mobility scooter.

QUINGO ACCESSIBLE ROUTES: VIRGINIA WATER, WINDSOR GREAT PARK ESTATE 2

Virginia Water and the Valley Gardens

Virginia Water and the Valley Gardens are part of the Windsor Great Park Estate, located in Wentworth, Surrey. Created by the shared vision of Sir Eric Savill and Hope Finlay, these valleys were planted with exotic azaleas, magnolias and other booms from all over the world. A truly exceptional place, there are many routes in Windsor Great Park Estate. It is exceptionally well kept, and combined with its accessible paths it makes for a great day out for everyone. The sights you’ll see are absolutely beautiful, The Valley Gardens is famous for its wonderful Punch Bowl display – a natural amphitheatre of multi-coloured azaleas which are in full bloom each May.

Accessible Route 

Name: Virginia Water

Type of route: Circular

Distance: 4.5 miles

Gradient: A few ups and downs

Terrain: Easy

Facilities: Parking, Pub, Toilets, Café

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You can find the car park to Virginia Water just off the A30 – if you are using a satellite navigation system simply enter the postcode GU25 4QF. When you reach the car park, follow the brown tourist signs for the Savill Garden.

A circular route of 4.5 miles, Virginia Water has a great path suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs. The first three miles of the route are tarmac, taking you around the lake and offering some really picturesque views. After this the path slopes gradually for around 40 metres, so make sure to take extra care on this section. The path for the remaining 1.5 miles is gravel, but is still more than accessible. There are plenty of benches in the first part of the route if members of the group wish to stop for a rest, however there are less in the second part.

Throughout the route there are plenty of signs and information boards if you wish to learn a few facts on your way around. This is great, as it makes the route incredibly easy to follow. There are also maps provided within The Valley Gardens which highlight a mobility scooter walk through the gardens. It also highlights other points of interest, so it’s a great idea to pick one of these up!

Toilets can be found in the pub, which is directly by the Virginia Water car park. At the start of the route, you’ll also come across an ice cream and snack bar.  Inside the Savill Garden Centre, you’ll find a lovely cage and shop to browse around at your leisure.

Disclaimer: Please remember to always exercise caution – Quingo cannot be held responsible for any accidents that may occur whilst exploring the route. If you aren’t sure about certain parts of the route, it’s best to avoid them.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Holsworthy, Devon

Quingo Scooters know just how great it is to get outdoors and into the countryside, to get some fresh air and appreciate the fantastic scenery! In our Accessible Routes series, we’re sharing some outdoor routes for you to take on your mobility scooter.

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Holsworthy, Devon

In the district of Torridge, Devon, you’ll find the small market town and civil parish of Holsworthy. The closest city is Exeter 36 miles away, and the river Deer runs through the western boundary of the parish. With a small population of around 2,500, Holsworthy is a traditional market town with a bustling weekly cattle and goods market.

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Accessible Route 

Name: Holsworthy

Type of route: Circular

Distance: 1.5 miles

Gradient: Steep in places

Terrain: Easy

Facilities: Pub, Toilets, Café

The route starts at Manor Car Park, next to the Holsworthy Leisure Centre. From here, you should take the slope down towards Victoria hill. Turn left on Victoria hill, and then left into Sanctuary Road where you will see a footpath between two trees. The kerb here is slightly raised, so take extra care.

Follow the path around to the start of the footpath that is by the rear of the Community School. After around 20 yards, turn right along this footpath – there should be some metal railings on your left. Keep on this path until you get to the footbridge going over Victoria hill road and proceed to Holsworthy Leisure Centre. Go through the car park with the leisure centre on your left, past the scout and guide headquarters and on to the slope. The railings are signposted Sustrans cycle route here. Go over the bridge and then follow the path round by the side of the swings, the play park should be on your right.

Now bear right, following the ‘route 3’ sign. Then, bear left past the old pavilion, which will be on your right hand side. Then it’s on to the gate into the Old Showground field. If you want to avoid the terrain here in cases of bad weather, you can choose not to go into the field as the walk returns back to this gate. If you do go into the field, bear left and follow the path round in a clockwise direction, returning back to the gate.

Finally, go back into the park but this time bear right around the footpath that goes in front of Bowls Club, and continue back to the entrance of the Leisure Centre Car Park. Now retrace your path back over the two bridges to Sanctuary Road, into Victoria Hill and into Manor Car Park.

For your information, there are accessible toilets on the road opposite the church, and there are several cafés surrounding if you fancy a bite to eat.

For more information, you can contact North Devon Walk and Talk team on 07976 766424 or 01409 221896. Or you can send them an email at [email protected].

Disclaimer: Please remember to always exercise caution – Quingo cannot be held responsible for any accidents that may occur whilst exploring the route. If you aren’t sure about certain parts of the route, it’s best to avoid them.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.

Accessible Routes, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Mills Pit and Common, Bedfordshire

Quingo Scooters know just how great it is to get outdoors and into the countryside, to get some fresh air and appreciate the fantastic scenery! In our Accessible Routes series, we’ll be sharing some routes for you to take on your mobility scooter, where you can spend a day in the great outdoors.

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Arlesey, Bedfordshire

Arlesey is a large village in Bedfordshire, located near the border with Hertfordshire and about three miles north-west of Letchworth Garden City.  Through the mid twentieth century, Arlesey had a thriving brick making industry, with five brickworks operating around the town in 1900. Although the famous Arlesey White bricks are no longer produced there, you’ll find lakes in place of some of the old sites. The Blue Lagoon is now used for sailing, whilst the Green Lagoon is used for fishing.

Accessible Route

Name: Mills Pit and Common

Type of route: Circular, there and back

Distance: 1 mile

Gradient: A few ups and downs

Terrain: Medium

Facilities: Parking, Pub, Toilets, Café

This route is a great for when you fancy a nice short trip out. It’s circular with a few ups and downs but is a largely easy route that will take you along the banks of the River Hiz. The kissing gates and paths are both mobility scooter friendly.

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Editorial credit: cj127Photography / Shutterstock.com

The route starts at the village hall, where you should leave the car park and turn left. You’ll then meet a multiple junction after about a quarter of a mile – this is the old site of the village pump. Interestingly, a replica of this can be found outside the village hall where the route starts and ends.

Here, you should turn right and head up the hill to the railway bridge. Immediately over the bridge, turn right and follow the track to the bottom of the hill and round to the left to the end of Mill Lane.

Follow the path through the kissing gate along the riverside path. Here you’ll find two disabled fishing points if that’s something you’re interested in. After that you’ll pass through another kissing gate, where the footpath finishes and you enter the Mill Pits Meadows. Follow this to the bridge and you’ll find a weir on the river where there are two accessible picnic tables. This is a site of one of the old mills, and the remains of the millrace can even be seen in the water.

This is a great opportunity to relax and take in the sights of the river and the wildlife. The river has an abundance of fish, and you may even see a Kingfisher flash past. When you’re ready to return to the village hall, simply go back the way you came.

About Quingo

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.