Tag Archives: accessibility

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Ulster Museum, Belfast

Providing a visual history of Northern Ireland and all corners of the world, Ulster Museum is a fascinating place to visit. One minute you’ll come face to face with dinosaurs and the next you’ll be exploring a personal local history tour of Northern Ireland. To learn more, Quingo Scooters is heading to Ulster Museum in Belfast as part of this week’s Accessible Attractions series.

Quingo Scooters Ulster Museum
Photo: BazonkaWikimedia Commons

From talks. lectures and tours to events, workshops courses and exhibitions – we think that this museum has it all! Whether you’re interested in science, history, art or even nature, the mix of permanent and temporary attractions really do offer something for everyone.

Quingo Scooters Ulster Museum Rice Carrier
Photo: BazonkaWikimedia Commons

What’s on

  • Elements (runs until 24 February 2020): The Elements is an exploration of science and the periodic table. Covering everything from viruses to galaxies, this unique exhibition shows what elements are, what they look like and how they are made. Broken into different themes, such as Life and Death, Colour and Light, Progress and Technology, Elements tells stories through science. This exhibition is unique and the only one of its kind in Europe.
  • Peter the Polar Bear: One of Ulster Museum’s most popular exhibitions, Peter the Polar Bear was a beloved bear at Belfast Zoo. After his death in August 1972, Peter was carefully prepared and mounted for his exhibition at Ulster Museum. At over 360kg, he is the largest mounted animal ever in Northern Ireland.
  • Conflicting Images (runs until 25 February 2018): This exhibition brings together collections of photography from the recent past to tell the story of the Northern Irish Troubles. Visually showing the story of this era of Northern Irish life, this personalized record is an interesting look at the history of Ulster.
  • Nobel Peace Prize Medal: Looking to the struggles of the late 20th century in Northern Ireland, this exhibition looks at the work of Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan. Following the death of a member of the IRA, a huge public reaction led to the development of The Community for Peace People by the two women. Williams and Corrigan’s Nobel Peace Prize for their promotion of peace and reconciliation can be found here. This piece of recent history is an interesting look.
  • Craft classes: There are always plenty of craft classes to choose from – visit the website to find out what’s coming up.
  • Other highlights: There’s so much to see and do here and other highlights include open afternoons for over 50s, Live Well workshops, art displays from around the world and much more.

Opening times and prices

Ulster Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. The attraction is closed in Mondays, with the exceptions of Northern Ireland Bank holidays. The attraction is free of charge for all guests to enjoy.

Quingo Scooters Ulster Museum Triceratops Skeleton
Photo: BazonkaWikimedia Commons

Getting there

Located in the Botanic Gardens in the Queen’s University area of South Belfast, the Ulster Museum is accessible via all major forms of transport. If you are travelling by car, there are five dedicated spaces for Blue Badge holders. By rail, the Botanic Station is 10 minutes away from the museum. Local buses also serve the area. More information can be found here.

Accessibility

Ulster Museum is fully accessible for all guests and mobility scooters are allowed in the museum. The main entrance is flat, with automatic doors and a push pad function to open. There is ramp access to all levels, with flat surfaces throughout. Exhibitions are displayed at an accessible height Several lifts are available throughout the museum. Fully accessible toilets can be found on the ground floor and levels 2 and 4. There are five Blue Badge spaces available on the Stranmillis Road side of the attraction. More information on Ulster Museum’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: Magna Science

There’s no better way to beat the January blues than with an exciting day out! Exploring the earth’s elements in a series of stimulating and interactive areas, science lovers are sure to be big fans of the Magna Science Adventure Centre. This week, Quingo Scooters are heading to Rotherham to discover the spectacles of science and technology as part of our accessible attractions series.

Adventure Centre

Located in a disused steel mill, the centre is packed with exhibits and displays where you can explore science and technology and all things air, earth, fire and water. You’ll find a series of audio-visual exhibitions and informative tours to guide you through the impressive attraction which stands 9 storeys high and is a third of a mile long.

What’s on

  • Air Pavilion: Located 15 metres above the ground in Magna’s rafters and accessible by lifts, this is home to exciting air-based activities. Presenting the story and science of air, you can witness a selection of some early attempts at flight, from the comical to the disastrous. Creating patterns with air cannons or exploring how sound is made, there’s plenty to keep all entertained.
  • The Big Melt: Bringing the steel heritage of Rotherham to life, the Big Melt is an impressive and interactive feature. Using Magna’s history as a steel mill, the breathtaking feature can be seen and heard from everywhere. The show is set around one of the original electric arc furnaces to create a pyrotechnic and audio display. With the show running for 12 minutes and at regular intervals throughout the day, make sure you don’t miss this spectacle on your visit.
  • Water Pavilion: Housed in a giant steel wave, you’ll find a series of interactive games to challenge yourself as you learn all about water. Whether you’re racing to lift water by turning wheels or exploring the world of water, the rain clouds overhead mean you’re likely to get wet!
  • Café: Should you need to take a break from all the excitement, the café provides a perfect stop. With a wide variety of food and drink to enjoy, including sandwiches, pasta and hot drinks, you can sit back and relax.

Opening times and prices

Magna opens for 2018 on 3 January, from 10am to 4pm. Following on from this, opening times differ, with more information available here. Prices vary, 1-2-1 carers can visit the attraction free of charge. You can find more information on ticket prices here.

Getting there

Located in the Templeborough district of Rotherham, the site is on Magna Road and is accessible via all major travel links. If you are travelling by car, the postcode S60 1FD will bring you to the location and the route is clearly signposted. Blue badge parking is available at Meadowhall Shopping Centre, which is a mile away. National trains and local buses serve the area. The X1 Steel Link service drops visitors outside Magna every 10 minutes. More information on getting there can be found here.

Accessibility

Magna’s building is fully accessible. All surfaces are level, with lifts available to all floors. Accessible toilets can also be found throughout the attraction. For more information, you can call the centre on 01709 723116 to discuss your requirements or visit the website 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: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London

Lighting up the London skyline, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland is returning for its 11th year. An essential part of London’s Christmas calendar, Quingo Scooters are heading to the capital as part of our Accessible Attractions series.

With attractions ranging from the UK’s biggest ice and snow sculpture experience, ‘Magical Ice Kingdom’, to a series of accessible rides, there’s something to delight all ages. This is a guaranteed winter wonderful night out for all!

Quingo Scooters Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2

What’s on

  • Ice skating (open 10am to 10pm): Home to the largest open-air ice rink in the UK, skate around Hyde Park’s Victorian bandstand. With live music being played from the bandstand and hot chocolate available from the spectator’s platform, this festive skating is ideal for all ages and abilities. Accessible skating is available, so make sure to book ahead, with ticket prices available here. This is a great activity all will love!
  • Bar Hütte (open 10am to 9pm): This take on Après Ski is decked out with rustic wooden and Christmas décor to get you into the Christmas spirit. Providing a cosy atmosphere, you can huddle up in your own private hütte while you’re served food and drinks. With a karaoke machine provided in every hütte, this is perfect for any gathering.
  • Cinderella on Ice: Putting a twist on the season’s much-loved pantomimes, the classic story of Cinderella is put on ice. Featuring 18 World, European and National Championship level skaters, the show will amaze all with high-speed throws, jumps and lifts. There are multiple shows throughout the day, with more information being available here.
  • Christmas markets (10am to 10pm): Taking time out of the attractions, the wide range of shopping opportunities will keep you excited. You’ll find all you need for the Christmas season, from unique crafts and trinkets to traditional decorations. While browsing the gifts, there’s a huge selection of food and drinks to indulge in. With over 200 Bavarian-style wood chalets, you’re sure to find a stall you love.

Opening times and prices

From 17 November 2017 to 1 January 2018, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is open 10am to 10pm daily, excluding 25 December. Entry into the site is free, with tickets being sold for various attractions. More information can be found here.

Quingo Scooters Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 3

Getting there

Located in Central London, Hyde Park is accessible through all major transport. If you are travelling by tube, Bond Street, Green Park, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Paddington and Victoria stations are all in close proximity to the event. For flat and step-free access, Green Park station is recommended. Local buses serve this area and 14 coach bays are available on Park Lane. More information on getting there can be found here.

Accessibility

The Hyde Park attraction has made its walkways and public spaces as even as possible. Ramps have been provided for access to bars and cafés. Attractions have been made accessible. As there is no common accessibility rule for all rides, it is advised to book in advance. More information on rides can be found here. The attraction also operates a Personal Assistant Scheme, which provides free entry for carers. Applications for this and more information on 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.