Category Archives: Days Out

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Manchester Christmas Markets

With over 300 exciting stalls and chalets spread across 10 sites, Manchester’s award-winning Christmas Markets are unmissable. With local and European producers offering a plethora of treats, from glühwein and bratwurst to handmade jewellery and trinkets, there’s plenty to enjoy. At Quingo Scooters, we’re heading there to bring you the best that these markets have to offer!

Starting in Cathedral Gardens, the markets take you through the city. With drinks, food, entertainment and gifts along the way, you can take in all the festive delights in the bustling centre. Be sure not to miss the iconic Father Christmas sitting on Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square!

Quingo Scooters Manchester Christmas Market 2

What’s on

  • Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens (November 4 2017 -January 7 2018): If ice skating takes your fancy, head to the rink in Cathedral Gardens. Set against the backdrop of the Cathedral and the markets, this outdoor ice rink is perfect for beginners and experts. Open 11am-9pm from November 4 to January 7, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day, it’s great fun.
  • Market stalls: There are hundreds of stalls with a wide range of treats to eat, drink, buy and enjoy. Getting bigger every year, 2017’s selection is sure to be the best yet. Treat yourself to delicious foods from across Europe, from Dutch pancakes to Hungarian Goulash. Relax with a German beer or French wine as you soak up the festive ambiance of a truly international experience.
  • Traditional Beer Halls: One of the highlights of the markets are the traditional beer halls. You’ll find several Bavarian-style beer halls where you can sample German beers, glühwein, hot chocolate and more from commemorative mugs. The biggest beer hall this year is in Albert Square. Did we mention they are also heated and sheltered, providing a welcome cosy retreat?

Quingo Scooters Manchester Christmas Market 3

Opening times and prices

The Christmas Markets are free to enter and open from 19th November to 20th December. The main Albert Square market will be open from 10am-9pm daily. All of the other markets throughout the city will be open from 10am-7.30pm throughout November, with closing times extending to 8pm in December.  The Ice Rink is open from November 4th to January 7th from 11am-9pm, excluding Christmas day and Boxing Day. More information can be found here.

Getting there

Situated in the city centre, the Manchester Christmas Markets are accessible by all major public transport links. Manchester Victoria train station is located a few minutes away from the start of the market sites. Buses also run continuously throughout the city, with stops near all the market locations. In addition to this, the city’s Metrolink tram service has been extended throughout the city centre, with platforms placed near key locations. Blue badge parking is also available around the city, with sites being displayed here. Further information on getting to the markets can be found here.

Accessibility

All of the market sites are roughly within a quarter mile of each other. They are fully accessible, and the routes and location are on flat ground. Accessible toilets can be found on the ground floor of the Town Hall Extension. This is located next to the Albert Square markets on Lloyd Street.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters, Reviews

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Edinburgh Christmas Markets

One of the UK’s most popular Christmas markets, Edinburgh has created six spectacular weeks of festive delights this year. Christmas celebrations cover the entire city, with plenty to see and do and a warming drink or delicious food on offer as you take it all in. As Quingo Scooters heads north, we’re bringing you a festive edition of our Accessible Attractions series to celebrate Edinburgh Christmas Markets!

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, you can take in the festivities of the Hogmanay street party or go shopping for unique gifts the whole family will enjoy. Edinburgh Christmas Markets provide the perfect festive fun – pre or post-Christmas Day – for everyone!

Quingo Scooters Edinburgh Christmas Market 2

What’s on

  • 24 Days of Advent (1-24 December): Every day leading up Christmas, a real-life advent calendar will be opened. On each day, a building around Edinburgh that’s usually closed to the public will be opening its doors for you to explore. From the gin distillery to the National Museum of Scotland, there’s plenty for everyone to see and enjoy, all for free!
  • Scottish Markets: Located in St Andrew Square, you can find lots of amazing craft, food and drink. All locally sourced from Scotland, the treats include locally produced sausages, Edinburgh gin, Scottish brewed craft beer and beautifully crafted jewellery and woodwork. Open every day, it’s the perfect place to pick up a few presents or treat yourself this festive season.
  • Santa’s Grotto (18 November-24 December 2017): No Christmas market is complete without a Father Christmas. This chance for children to meet him is a delight for all, as you gather round to hear a festive fairytale. After meeting Father Christmas and his helpers, children will receive a small gift.

Quingo Scooters Edinburgh Christmas Market 3

Opening times and prices

The attraction is free to enter and is open from 19 November to 7 January. East Princes Street Gardens, St. Andrew Square and George Street are open from 10am to 10pm, with various attractions open throughout the day. More information can be found here.

Getting there

Located in the heart of the city, Edinburgh Christmas Markets take place across multiple city centre locations. These are East Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew Square, Festival Square and George Street. The markets are accessible through all major transport links. If you are travelling by train, Edinburgh Waverly is located a short distance away from all locations. There is blue badge parking at various locations throughout the city, as well as buses and trams throughout the city. Although in different locations, the markets are a very short distance from each other, with plenty to see on the way. More information is available here.

Accessibility

The pathways through Edinburgh Christmas Markets have been made as even as possible, to aid accessibility and with ramps to many stalls. Some rides are accessible, including wider pods in the Big Wheel and wheelchairs are allowed on the ice rink.

Blue badge parking is also available on Frederick Street, George Street, Hanover Street and Waterloo Place. More information can be found here.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Fondly remembered as “the greatest experiment since the Creation”, Brunel’s SS Great Britain is a ship that changed the world. Combining size, power and innovative technology, it is undoubtedly one of the most important historic vessels in the world. This week, Quingo Scooters are visiting the “great-great-grandmother” of all modern ships to discover the true stories behind it.

Voted ‘Best Heritage Venue’ by the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, this passenger steamship museum has been beautifully restored to immerse its visitors in its story. Eamon McClelland, Past President of the Access Association, noted that “the Access Association has been impressed with the level of commitment given to resolving issues within this historic dockyard”.

A wonderful experience for the whole family, you’ll have no concerns navigating this ground-breaking attraction.

Quingo Scooters SS Great Britain 2

What’s On

There is so much to see and do at Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Whether you want to head beneath the glass sea, take in the sights, sounds and smells, and board the ship itself. As well as these permanent exhibitions, there are many seasonal events on the packed schedule of activities that you’re sure to enjoy.

  • Victorian Christmas Weekend (9-10 December): Brunel’s SS Great Britain is transported back in time to a Dickensian landscape. Complete with Victorian characters and falling snow, the exhibition transforms the dockyard. Whether you want to buy festive gifts or enjoy some seasonal treats, this immersive experience is perfect for this winter.
  • Discovery Talk- Incredible Journey (28 November): included in the price of admission, this talk guides you through the SS Great Britain’s 84-year voyage back home. Follow the journey from its abandonment in a desolate cave in the Falklands to Bristol, rescued just in time.
  • Flash, bang, wallop! (daily): Dress up in bonnets and crinolines to pose for a portrait in this Melbourne photographic studio. Travel back in time in Victorian clothes for a souvenir you can enjoy for years to come.

Quingo Scooters SS Great Britain 3

Opening Times and Entry Prices

Brunel’s Great Britain is open all year round, excluding 24-25 December and the second Monday in January. Opening times are seasonal and can be found here. Ticket prices vary, with companions and assistants receiving free entry. A full list of ticket prices can be found here.

Getting There

Situated in Bristol’s historic Great Western Dockyard, SS Great Britain is easily accessible through all major transport. It is located 20 minutes away from Bristol city centre and 30 minutes away from Bristol Temple Meads train station. Ferries run every 40 minutes and make numerous stops around the harbour. If you are travelling by car, follow the white anchor symbol on the brown tourist signs. There is a car park located next to the attraction, which includes 4 blue badge spaces. More information can be found here.

Accessibility

The venue has impressed with its accessibility features. The Dry Dock, Dockyard Museum, Brunel Institute and the ship are fully accessible for scooter users. Any pathways that are cobblestone based have alternative routes provided. In addition to this, there are lifts throughout the exhibition and accessible toilets throughout. Full information about SS Great Britain’s accessibility can be found here.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: The Blue Planet Aquarium

Home to Europe’s largest collection of sharks, the Blue Planet Aquarium in Cheshire is designed with everyone in mind. In this week’s Accessible Attractions series, Quingo Scooters are travelling through shark tunnels and flooded forests to bring you one of the UK’s finest aquariums.

Those with a love of the water and its creatures will be enthralled by more than 100 living displays. You can discover an underwater world and marvel at the marine life, as sharks and fish swim all around you. The Blue Planet Aquarium is also recognised by the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain as the ‘UK’s Finest Aquarium’.

Quingo Scooters Blue Planet fish
Photo: Pixabay

What’s On

At Blue Planet Aquarium, you can enjoy many attractions from daily talks and feeds, including a daily otter feed and another featured animal of the day to plenty of attractions and displays.

  • Diving with sharks: A recognized PADI Discover SCUBA session, this shark encounter gets you close to one of the most famous marine animals. You’ll be taught the basics of diving by a highly qualified team and, without cages, you’ll come face to face with 10ft Sand Tiger Sharks. Sure to be an unforgettable encounter for all!
  • Dive shows at the Aquatheatre: With at least three live shows a day, this is an experience not to miss! Surrounded by reefs, the presenter will tell you all about the fascinating creatures housed at the aquarium as you see them swim by. You’ll even see divers and join in the presentation. You’ll also have the chance to ask all the questions you want in this personal talk with an expert.
  • Deep Sea Dining – Nautilus Kitchen: Here you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared with fresh ingredients. However, the real attraction of this restaurant is the view. Surrounded by the largest collection of sharks in Europe, you can enjoy your meal as you watch many varieties of fish swim by.

Quingo Scooters Blue Planet Aquarium 2 jellyfish

Opening Times and Entry Prices

The Blue Planet Aquarium is open daily from 10am to 5pm. During peak times, such as school holidays and weekends, it is open from 10am to 6pm. Ticket prices vary, and full-time carers receive free entry. A full list of ticket prices can be found here.

Getting There

Located in the centre of the North West, the Blue Planet Aquarium is easily accessible by all key travel routes. If you are travelling by car, look out for Blue Planet Aquarium brown tourist signs and signs for Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. There is accessible parking outside the main building. By train, the nearest railway station is Ellesmere Port, which is around 2 miles away. There are also regular buses running from surrounding areas. More information can be found here.

Accessibility

The Blue Planet Aquarium has lifts on each floor and ramps throughout so that every area of the aquarium is accessible. There are disabled toilets throughout the building and you can find more information on Blue Planet’s accessibility here.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: British Music Experience

With more than 600 items of music memorabilia and interactive experiences, the British Music Experience offers a journey through sound that defines generations. As part of our Accessible Attractions series, this week Quingo Scooters heads to Liverpool.

The city’s British Music Experience explores the history of British music with exhibitions showcasing costumes, instruments and memorabilia. From the Beatles and David Bowie to the Spice Girls and Oasis, the stories of the biggest artists are played out visually. Whatever age you are and whatever style of music you love, you’re sure to be entertained!

Quingo Scooters British Music Experience 2
Editorial credit: berm_teerawat / Shutterstock.com

What’s On

There’s always plenty to soak up at the British Music Experience, from permanent galleries and activities, to an everchanging and exciting series of events.

  • Weekend Gibson Open Sessions (every Saturday 1-3pm): Guests – from beginners to experienced musicians – are welcome at the Gibson Open Sessions on Saturdays. Here you get the chance to experience top-flight electric guitars, drumkits and keyboards, with in-house experts on hand to provide valuable tips.
  • Dance the Decades Experience (permanent): Learn all of the moves that characterised decades of music, bringing together over 70 years and 12 iconic dance styles. Suitable for all ages, this experience fuses history and music to create a fun and immersive event for the whole family.
  • 24-Hour Party People with Dave Haslam (29 November, 7pm): Celebrating Manchester’s music scene of the late 80s/early 90s, the British Music Experience is screening ’24 Hour Party People’ followed by a conversation with DJ Dave Haslam. Through the film and talk, you will be able to relive the Madchester glory days, looking at the creation of the legendary Factory Records label and the success of The Hacienda.

Quingo Scooters British Music Experience 3

Ticket Prices and Entry

The British Music Experience is open daily, excluding the 25 and 26 December. It is open from 10am to 5pm. Ticket prices vary, with more information available here.

Getting There

Situated on Liverpool’s Waterfront, the British Music Experience is based in the Cunard Building. If you are arriving by public transport, you’ll find several options available to you. If you’re travelling by train, the nearest drop off points are James Street and Moorfields, both a short distance from the exhibition. All buses into Liverpool stop off at the Liverpool ONE bus station, which is adjacent to Liverpool Waterfront. In addition, the experience is located directly opposite the Mersey Ferry terminal, if you’re arriving by boat. Those travelling by car will find the route well-signposted with some blue-badge parking on-street, however, this is limited. There is a coach drop off point available outside the main entrance. More information can be found here.

Accessibility

There are two entrances to the British Music Experience, with the accessible entrance on Brunswick Street. This can be reached via a ramp, with intercom at the door to provide further assistance. Alternatively, staff outside the main entrance on Canada Boulevard can provide assistance. The main space provides plenty of seating and there are accessible toilets throughout the exhibition. The ticket desks have lowered counters and all circulation spaces are fully accessible, including the Merch Store and Star Café. More information about the British Music Experience’s accessibility can be found here.

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.