Category Archives: Days Out

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Leeds-Liverpool Canal

There is so much to see and explore here in the UK, from historic castles to vibrant modern cities. But there is also a wealth of incredible routes that are easily accessible for all to enjoy. Here at Quingo Scooters, we’re always excited to share them with you and, in this latest series of the best accessible routes in the country that you can enjoy on your mobility scooter, we’re finding out what the Leeds-Liverpool Canal has to offer.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Leeds-Liverpool Canal

 The Leeds-Liverpool Canal

Two exciting northern cities, Leeds and Liverpool, joined by a stretch of one of England’s most fascinating waterways. So many of the UK’s network of canals are well worth exploring. They’re a haven of peace and quiet and, whether you’re on the water or using the many miles of restored towpaths, they offer an accessible way to see the hidden side of the country. The Leeds-Liverpool canal is a real gem and is over 127 miles in length, making it the longest single canal in Britain. Of course, much of its fascination lies in the industrial heritage of the region: not just the remarkable scale and ambition of the canal itself, but also the many buildings that were built along it. So, if you’re visiting, make sure you take time to explore sights such as the Bingley Five Rise Locks as well as the historic town of Saltaire.

But it’s not just one for the industrial archaeologists among you: the Leeds-Liverpool canal also passes through some stunningly beautiful countryside. Whether you’re accessing the canal via its towpaths or seeing things from on the water, you’ll get to experience plenty of picturesque Yorkshire Dales villages and the Pennine hills.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes_ The Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Wigan Pier

Accessibility

Clearly, when you have a route that is as long and as varied as the Leeds-Liverpool canal, then there will be a broad range of levels of accessibility along its length. However, a great place to start to get the information you need before a visit is the Canal and River Trust’s website. They have a very useful map of many of the key locations along the canal, as well as a dedicated accessibility page here. Generally speaking, towpaths are often flatter and more accessible than most footpaths, but it is still well worth checking locally before you venture out.

Of course, one of the very best ways to see the canal when it comes to accessibility is to be on the water itself. There are several companies who offer trips along the canal on accessible boats. We recommend contacting the team who run The Rose of Parbold, based at Parbold in Lancashire, as a great place to start. Give Mike Walker a call on 01257 463269 to find out more about his boat.

Sites like Bingley Five Rise Locks are also well worth a visit. This spectacular stepped system of locks has a lovely cafe with an accessible toilet next to it, but unfortunately there is no Blue Badge parking nearby (only on-street). Take a look at DisabledGo.com’s review of the locks here.

There are direct trains and regular rail services to Leeds and Manchester from most of the UK, and each city also has its own international airport. They are also well connected both to each other and to the wider motorway network by the M62, if you are travelling to the region by car.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo Scooter, or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

About Quingo Scooters

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 Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Brighton

Of course, the British love a trip to the seaside, often even in the face of some less than perfect weather. So, here in the latest instalment of our Accessible Getaways series, Quingo Scooters looks at the many things that you can get up to in the beautiful seaside town of Brighton.

Visiting Brighton

As seaside resorts go, Brighton is one of the nation’s favourites. It’s a short hop down from the capital and makes for a great day out for all. With a couple of historic piers, its stunning Pavilion and of course the gorgeous front itself, there really is something for everyone. Best of all, Brighton is a truly open and accessible city. A great place to start your trip to the South Coast is to look at their website Visit Brighton here. We also recommend considering hiring an All-terrain Wheelchair if you’re planning to head out onto the pebbles.

Here are our top three things to do in Brighton.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Brighton | Quingo Scooters Brighton Museum

  1. Brighton Museum

Of course, the Pavilion itself is a must-see: it is a fantastic fairy-tale concoction that is well worth a visit. But within the Royal Pavilion gardens we also highly recommend you head along to the Brighton Museum. It has a collection of exhibits as diverse and eccentric as the city itself and is a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to get a taste of this bohemian city. There are level paths leading to the entrance through the gardens and the whole museum is accessible. There are 30 Blue Badge parking spaces at the nearby Lanes Car Park, and 6 at the NCP on Church Street. Find out more here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Brighton | Quingo Scooters Brighton Pride 2018

  1. Pride 2018

Brighton is rightly proud of its rich and diverse culture, and the annual Pride celebrations are a truly inspiring celebration of LGBTQ equality in particular. This year’s event takes place in August, and as always there will be a real focus yet again on making it as accessible as possible for all those attending. If you’re thinking of going along, then a great place to start is their accessibility page online, here. It’s the place to reserve an early parking space in the event’s Blue Badge car parks, get a Freedom Pass for the town’s accessible toilets or even book a changing area if you’re getting into costume for the parade itself!

  1. Sea Life Brighton

Who doesn’t love an aquarium? Sea Life has been around for a long time, and their experience and expertise really shows. It has a fantastic display of animals, and the great news is that the whole of Sea Life is accessible, with the exception of the Ocean Display in the auditorium. This can still be viewed from elsewhere, however. You’ll find an accessible entrance to Sea Life by heading through the underpass that leads from the beach (there’s a ramp down to the beach too). There is on-street parking along the seafront, but there are also the 30 Blue Badge spaces at the NCP car park at the Lanes nearby. There’s also a great report on the facilities at Sea Life here.

Where to stay

From sea front hotels to little B&Bs or self-catering apartments, there’s a huge range of accommodation options in Brighton. The Hilton Brighton Metropole is huge, and is fully accessible, but we’re big fans of the fabulously funky B&B Snooze too. It has steps up to the main entrance but there is access via the restaurant.

Eating out

As you’d probably expect in a place as diverse and cosmopolitan as Brighton, there is plenty of choice when it comes to eating out. For a quick, budget friendly bite to eat we recommend Eatalio for a great twist on Italian street food.

If you fancy treating yourself to something a bit different, then try out the highly acclaimed Terre à Terre. It’s vegan, but even if you’re not then it’s still well worth exploring. It’s one of the few purely veggie restaurants to regularly turn up on lists of the UK’s best eateries. The great news is that both these places are also accessible throughout.

Getting there

Brighton is only 50 minutes on the train from London Victoria, and it’s only half an hour from London Gatwick airport if you’re flying in. Driving is also straightforward, just follow the A23/M23 south from London.

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 Scooters Accessible Routes: The Peak District

We’re very lucky here in the UK, as it is full of fantastic routes that are accessible to all. Here at Quingo Scooters we love telling people all about them and in this latest series of the best accessible routes in the country that you can enjoy on your mobility scooter, we’re off to explore the beautiful Peak District.

The Peak District

The Peak District is a real national treasure. It’s a huge favourite with many visitors, from home and abroad, because of its natural beauty, its wildness, and its accessibility. It lies right in the heart of England and makes for a great day out from any of the surrounding big cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Derby and it has long been a welcome escape for city dwellers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. But it also has its own busy market towns, such as Bakewell and Matlock, as well as countless beautiful little villages to explore. Buxton is known as the Gateway to the Peak District and is another charming spa town to spend some quality time in. But it’s when you head out into the countryside that you’ll really get a feel for the Peak District, and we’re pleased to say that much of it is accessible to you.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Peak District 2

Accessibility

We think that the Peak District National Park Authority have done a great job of trying to make as much of this wild and natural environment as accessible as possible. A good place to start exploring is to head to their website. There, you’ll find a comprehensive list of some of the places that you can visit on your mobility scooter. They feature places like the beautiful valley of Dovedale, which has a large car park (although unfortunately there are no concessions for Blue Badge holders) and an accessible toilet. There is a limestone pavement by the river which is fairly smooth and easy to navigate, but there is also an alternative road on the other bank of the River Dove that you can follow up the river. Another route is the Monsal Trail, a disused railway which is now open to all, and is easily accessible on your mobility scooter. It’s a gorgeous route, running 8.5 miles from Topley Pike near Buxton to Coombs viaduct near Bakewell. You can park at the old stations in Bakewell or Millers Dale, where you can easily access the trail itself.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Peak District 3

Reaching the Peak District itself is straightforward and there are regular rail services from Manchester, Sheffield and Derby to the major towns such as Matlock, Buxton and Glossop. If you’re coming by car, bear in mind that many of the roads are narrow, making it hard to park. There are however 45 car parks in the National Park, with around 54 designated Blue Badge parking spaces between them. Take a look at the local authority’s car parking page here to find out more.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo Scooter, or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

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 Scooters Accessible Routes: Dunwich Coast

There are so many wonderful places to explore right here in the UK, and at Quingo Scooters we want to do everything we can to share them with you. So, in our latest series of the best accessible routes in the country that you can enjoy on your mobility scooter, we visit Dunwich in Suffolk.

The Dunwich Coast

If you love history, beautiful nature and even the odd ghost story, you’ll love Dunwich. It’s remote, far out on the Suffolk coast, and a fantastic place to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Today, it’s hard to believe but this quiet village was once a city as important as London, the capital of the kingdom of the Eastern Angles, the seat of Anglo-Saxon bishops and a busy port. Slowly, over the centuries the city has been consumed by the sea. The largest part of the destruction took place in one day, in 1286, when the city lost many of its buildings, including churches and monasteries. Which is where the ghost stories come in. The stories go that on a dark and windy night you can still hear the ghostly bells tolling under the waves.

Whether that’s true or not, Dunwich certainly has a special atmosphere. We recommend visiting any time between July and September, when Dunwich Heath is a riot of spectacular colour. And if you’re a nature lover, there are also hides between Dunwich and Minsmere Nature Reserve that are a perfect place to spot birds and other wildlife. Once you’ve enjoyed a day in the fresh air, we also highly recommend a meal at the village’s lovely Ship Inn.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: Dunwich Coast - Dunwich Heath

Accessibility

There are three ways around the Heath at Dunwich, which all have flat paths. Take your pick from the 2.5-mile Gorse route, the 1.2-mile Heather route and the 1.1-mile Birch route. Again, go in spring or summer when the gorse and heather is out, you might even get to see red deer!

If you want to park at the Dunwich Beach and Heath car park, there are four Blue Badge parking bays behind the Coastguard Cottages. There is also ramped access and an accessible toilet at the Coastal Centre.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: Dunwich Coast - Dunwich Heath 2

Down the road, Minsmere Nature Reserve also has eight Blue Badge spaces. While the paths and hides at the reserve vary in terms of accessibility, a number have been adapted for access. To find out more, check out their accessibility page here.

Of course, this is a remote spot, but it’s still surprisingly easy to get there. By road, it’s well signposted from the A12. There are buses from Darsham and Saxmundham (although you’ll need to call them to book, on 01728 833526).

The nearest railway station is Darsham, which is just a short taxi drive away.

Share your accessible route with Quingo Scooters!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo Scooter, or would like us to write about a particular place you have visited, we’d be delighted to hear from you! You can email your stories, recommendations and pictures by filling out the contact form on our website and we’ll feature them on our blog.

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, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester

The Monty Python team once famously posed the question: ‘What did the Romans ever do for us?’ Well, to the long list of sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system and public health, you can add the fine city of Chester. But it’s not only a beautiful historic city, it’s also a highly accessible one.

In the latest instalment of our Accessible Getaways series, Quingo Scooters looks at some of the great things that you can do in Chester.

Visiting Chester

Firstly, we should take a moment to celebrate the huge lengths that Chester has gone to in making so much of the city as accessible to as many people as possible. The city was the first in the UK to be awarded a European Access City Award, which recognises the effort a city goes to in order to make it accessible for all. It’s open to all EU cities with over 50,000 people, and considering the peculiarities of Chester’s historic centre, we think that this is a pretty impressive achievement. For an overview of just how accessible the city is, head online to find out more. Here’s our pick of some of the best things to do while you’re there.

  1. Explore the Walls

We recommend exploring the two miles of Roman, Saxon and medieval walls that surround the city. It’s a great way to get a lay of the land and to see some of its most famous sites, such as the cathedral, and best of all the walls are largely accessible. Access points vary, with some stepped, ramped or have level access, and there are some steps along the way. If you need to park, Blue Badge holders can stay free for up to four hours on any of the City Council’s pay and display car parks, except for Trinity Street. There are also two Blue Badge parking areas on Frodsham Street and Hamilton Place. To find out more, take a look here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester

  1. Take in Chester Rows

Chester has a unique set of elevated passageways known as Chester Rows, which have allowed for multi-level shopping since at least the 13th century. With six access points and a route around them that is completely accessible, many shops are at ground level, while others need to be accessed by steps. There is plenty more information in the handy Chester City Centre Access guide, that can be downloaded for free here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester - Chester Rows
Editorial credit: Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock.com
  1. Soak up some culture at the Storyhouse

Whether you want to go and see a film, catch a play or just stop for a coffee, the Storyhouse is a must visit when you come to Chester. There’s everything from stage versions of musical favourites through to screenings of classic films, talks by renowned authors and cutting edge contemporary dance. The entire building, from its library to the theatre, cinema and studio, is completely accessible by lift. It’s a real model for how well a building can be designed to make sure everyone can enjoy the space. The Market car park has 8 Blue Badge spaces, and there is free on street parking on Hamilton Place and Goss Street. To find out more, take a look at their accessibility page here.

Where to stay

You’re spoiled for choice for places to stay in this beautiful city. Take your pick from places like the Grosvenor in the heart of the historic town, which has reserved Blue Badge holder parking, through to The King’s Suites at the Premier Queen Hotel, which has two accessible rooms, ramped access and designated parking.

Eating out

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Chester, then there are the usual suspects like Cafe Rouge and lovely old pubs like the Grosvenor Arms that has been around since 1864, and the Old Harkers Arms. Both do great food and are well worth a visit.

Getting there

Chester is straightforward to get to if you’re coming by car, with links from the M6, M56 and the M53. By air, you’re only 40 minutes from Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon, and by rail you can use Arriva Trains or it’s a short trip from Crewe where there are plenty of connections too.

Editorial credit: D. Pimborough / Shutterstock.com

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.