Tag Archives: accessible getaways

Accessible Routes

The best accessible getaways for UK bird watchers

The UK has a wonderful variety of birds, and diverse range of habitats to explore. From remote wetlands and seabird colonies to lakes and forests, there is so much for bird lovers to enjoy across Britain.

Even if you’re not the biggest twitcher in the world, these are still wonderful places to discover – peaceful getaways that give you a chance to reconnect with nature. There are also plenty of places to see birds that are accessible to all, too.

Here, we pick out just a few, for Quingo Scooters’ guide to the best accessible getaways for UK birdwatchers.

1. Siskin’s Cafe, Whinlatter Forest, Cumbria

What could be better than watching hundreds of birds feeding only a few feet away? How about doing it from the comfort of the excellent Siskin’s Cafe in Whinlatter Forest, which has an array of bird feeders right outside the window?

The cafe and visitor centre at Whinlatter is accessible, and if you want to explore a bit more of the forest itself, there is also an accessible path from Revelin Moss car park.

If you’ve got any questions about your visit the team recommend you give them a call on 017687 78469 or email them at [email protected].

Quingo Scooters - Accessible UK bird watching - Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

2. Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

With a colony of over half a million sea birds here at Bempton Cliffs (including puffins!), this is a spectacular place to watch our feathered friends. Despite its remote location, it is remarkably accessible, with level paths and wheelchair accessible viewpoints.

As well as puffins, you’ll also definitely see gannets – it is the largest (mainland) colony of these beautiful birds in the UK. There’s a car park nearby, with seven dedicated Blue Badge spaces, as well as an accessible toilet in the Seabird Centre.

3. Meeth Quarry, Devon

The Devon Wildlife Trust look after this beautiful 150 hectare reserve, and it has a fascinating array of wildlife to see. For birdwatchers in particular, you’ll have the chance to spot birds like the handsome Goosander as well as tree pipits and sky larks.

It’s not all about the birds here however, as it is also home to an incredible variety of butterflies. Come here on a warm summer day and see how many you can count.

The reserve is also very accessible for those of us who use a mobility scooter. If you want to head out on a trail then just follow the red markers for a fully accessible route.

Quingo Scooters - Accessible UK bird watching - Montrose Basin

4. Montrose Basin

Over 80,000 migratory birds call the Montrose Basin on the River Esk in Scotland their (temporary) home over winter. It is a spectacular spot to watch sea birds and waterfowl, and if you’re lucky you should see everything from sedge warblers to arctic terns.

It’s a great place to visit at any time of the year, but the summer months are the best time to see the sand martins. The car park has two accessible Blue Badge space, and the visitor centre is also fully accessible. The Tayock trail takes you to a hide, and is also fully accessible to mobility scooters.

5. The Welsh Wildlife Centre

There are a few places to see osprey in the UK, but the Welsh Wildlife Centre is one of our favourites. It is fully accessible to all and has a great trail to explore that takes you around the whole reserve. There is accessible parking (and toilets) too.

The Teifi Marsh reserve here is packed with wildlife, and you should see Widgeon, Water Rail and Teal. There is also a good chance of seeing Peregrine Falcons here too, as they frequently hunt over the marsh.

As well as the abundant birdlife, there are also otters, red deer and water buffalo. Yes, water buffalo – they are often used to graze the land here!

We hope these suggestions inspire you to head out there and visit some of these wonderful wild places. If you’re looking for more general information on accessible bird watching, we also recommend you take a look at the following sites.

Birding for All is a charity dedicated to improving access, and there are lots of useful resources on their site. The Wildlife Trusts have an extensive list of accessible nature reserves here, and the RSPB also have lots of helpful information for birders with different mobility needs on their own page here.

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 30847.

Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Warsaw

Poland’s capital is often ignored by visitors to the country in favour of the historic royal city of Kraków. But we think that is a real shame: Warsaw is a wonderful city, with its very own UNESCO World Heritage Site at its historic heart.

It is a city that has seen some dramatic events over the years and has many fascinating historical sites. With incredible architecture, great museums and galleries and peaceful parks, there is more than enough to keep visitors happy.

Here is Quingo Scooter’s pick of some of the best things to do during a getaway in the Polish capital.

Roam around the Old Town

It is no surprise that the Old Town of Warsaw is also one of the most popular destinations for visitors. The area was built in the 12th century and is the historic heart of the city. If you love architecture, you will love the Old Town: from stunning townhouses to the Royal Castle itself, this is an area steeped in history.

Warsaw’s Old Town Square is packed with many fascinating shops and street sellers. One of the most popular spots for a photo in the square is the mermaid statue (syrenka), a symbol of the city which has been there since the 1800s.

Getting around on a scooter in Warsaw’s historic centre is surprisingly simple too. There are cobbles in many parts of the Old Town of course, but they are generally large and fairly level, making the going relatively smooth for scooter users.

Explore the Royal Castle

For a long time, Kraków was the residence of the Polish royal family, but they made their home in the Royal Castle in Warsaw from the 16th century. The building you see today is actually a relatively modern reconstruction. The Nazis destroyed it in the Second World War, and then it took another forty years for it to be re-built in the Communist era.

It is a beautiful building, packed full of historic art from old masters including Rembrandt. There are a number of tours available to the different areas of the castle, but we recommend that you get in touch with the team there first to discuss your own individual mobility requirements. You can either call them on 00 48 22 35 55 338 or email them here.

Soak up the atmosphere of the Royal Łazienki Park

Warsaw is blessed with one of the loveliest parks we’ve ever visited – the magnificent Royal Łazienki Park. As the name suggests, it has a number of gorgeous palaces to explore, and the park itself is simply a very special place to spend time in. It is a peaceful haven in the middle of what can sometimes feel like a big, busy city.

This is far more than just a park however. It is a creative space too. It is home to the very best of Polish culture – from regular open-air concerts of live music by the Polish composer Chopin, to the wonderful portraits in the Royal Picture gallery.

Take in the Warsaw Uprising Museum

One of the most dramatic and tragic periods in Warsaw’s recent history was the 1944 uprising by the Polish resistance against the Nazi occupation. Hundreds of thousands ultimately died during the battle for control of the city, most of them civilians.

While the subject is a dark and difficult one, it is a fundamentally important part of understanding both the city and the struggles that have shaped it. This museum is a great tribute to the bravery of the ordinary people of Warsaw and is well worth a visit.

The building can be a little tricky to find your way around, but much of the museum is accessible by lift. It is an unmissable experience for anyone who wants to understand more about the history of the country.

Did you know?

The city of Warsaw has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, giving it its nickname of ‘the Phoenix city’.

Getting to Warsaw

Getting to Warsaw is straightforward from the UK, with regular direct flights from Bristol, Liverpool and the London airports. Once you arrive at Warsaw Chopin Airport, there are excellent facilities for those of us who use a mobility scooter. The airport has recently updated its service for passengers with reduced mobility.

There is also the standard European Union special assistance service, which you will need to book at least 48 hours before your flight. Find out more here.

From the airport, you have a number of options for getting into Warsaw itself. There are taxis available outside Terminal A, as well as accessible public buses. Alternatively, there are also regular trains into the city centre. If you need help accessing the railway station, then use the special assistance service phone on the way from the terminal to call the team.

When it comes to getting around the city itself, you will find that the metro system is also remarkably easy to negotiate. The front carriage at least is usually accessible, and there are lifts to stations on both lines of the underground.

The news in terms of the buses around Warsaw is even better – they’re all accessible and the driver will always lower the ramp for you to get on or off.

There is a comprehensive guide to getting around the city on public transport here.

Travelling with scooters

The great news for those of you travelling abroad is that Quingo Scooters are all approved for air travel by IATA so you won’t have any problems taking them on the plane. That said, it is always well worth getting in touch directly with any train, bus and airlines you want to use just to double check their rules on scooters before you go. For more handy tips on travelling with your scooter by air, take a look at our page here.

Share your accessible getaways abroad with us

Do you have any accessible getaways abroad recommendations? In Europe or perhaps further afield? If you do, we’d love to hear from you, so drop us a line and we’ll feature them.

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 30847

Accessible Routes, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Durham

We think Durham is almost the perfect getaway. The city itself is small, so it is straightforward to get around. But it is also big enough to keep you more than entertained for a few days. It is a city with a long and fascinating history, and is one of those places that has surprises around every corner. Here is Quingo Scooter’s guide to some of the most accessible sights in the wonderful city of Durham.

Soak up the atmosphere of the historic cathedral

Durham’s wonderful cathedral dominates the city and you will have no problems finding it! It is up a steep hill, but this World Heritage Site is well worth the effort. If navigating the hill is an issue, then Durham’s Shopmobility service also offers a minibus service. Just give the team a call on 0191 386 8556 before you go.

The cathedral was first founded in 995, but the building we see today has been around since 1093. It is a beautiful place, and is generally accessible, although of course because of its great age there are some areas that aren’t. There are a limited number of disabled spaces outside the cathedral itself, but they can’t be reserved unfortunately. The cathedral team suggest that you find the duty porter when you arrive who will then be able to help you out with anything you need during your visit.

Durham Cathedral accessible getaways - Quingo Scooters

Step back in time in Durham Museum

Durham Museum is an excellent way to find out more about this historic city. It traces Durham’s fascinating story all the way back to its medieval roots, and even has a scale model of the town as it was in the Middle Ages. The museum is housed in a Grade I listed building from the 1600s, and is packed with great exhibits: in particular we loved the great model of the market place in the 1800s and the exhibitions on daily life in Victorian Durham. The ground floor is completely accessible to all and if you need to park nearby there may be a space on Palace Green (see below).

Durham museum accessible getaways - Quingo Scooters
Editorial credit: travellight / Shutterstock.com

Browse the Palace Green Library

While you’re in the centre of Durham, we also recommend you take a good look around the Palace Green Library. It’s run by the university and is home to all kinds of treasures, but is also a beautiful building in its own right. The team there have done a great job of adapting it for those of us with limited mobility, including ramped entrances and lifts. As is the case with the Museum, Blue Badge holders can park on Palace Green, but you will need to call the Palace Green Security Office first on 0191 334 1229 to make sure there’s space.

Explore Crook Hall and Gardens

This stunning stately home, not far from the city centre, is a wonderful place to explore. There are a number of themed gardens including the Secret Walled Garden, the Shakespeare Garden, the Cathedral Garden and The Silver and White Garden, but if the weather is too cold to be outside then the 13th century hall itself is fascinating too. The house is also home to a couple of great little cafés, and we thoroughly recommend their tasty Afternoon Tea. It’s an indulgent experience, made all the better by the historic surroundings. The house is generally accessible, but we’d recommend giving the team a call on 0191 384 8028 to discuss your needs.

Finally, a great resource and a useful place to begin your visit to Durham is to contact the This Is Durham team on 03000 26 26 26 or email them at [email protected]

Eating out

As a student town, you are spoiled for choice for affordable places to eat. The Undercroft restaurant (accessible via a lift below the cathedral) is a peaceful and atmospheric place to get a bite to eat and a great place to refuel after a visit to the historic cathedral. For something a bit more high end, we’d recommend the fantastic Amaani. It’s a little way out of town, but the food is delicious, it’s fully accessible and is well worth the short journey to get there.

Getting to Durham

If you’re coming to Durham by car, it is only a couple of miles from the A1(M): just leave at Junction 62. It is also well connected by rail to the rest of the country, including regular trains from London Kings Cross. If you are planning to fly in, there is a shuttle service from Newcastle Airport and you are only 40 minutes from Durham Tees Valley too.

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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Cambridge

Cambridge is famous the world over for its first class university, and of course that institution certainly dominates this fantastic town. But beyond the colleges and the hustle and bustle of student life, there are also plenty of other things to see in this historic place: and many of them are accessible for all visitors. Here are just a few of our personal highlights.

Explore the colleges

Of course, no visit to Cambridge would be complete without spending a bit of time in and around the city’s iconic university. In fact it is, in many ways, impossible to avoid: everywhere you turn you will see signs of this historic institution, that has been an integral part of Cambridge life since 1209. You can get into the main courtyards and chapels of many of the big colleges along the river, including King’s (founded by Henry VI in the 1400s), Clare, Trinity & St John’s via their ramped entrances but it is worth bearing in mind that many of these historic buildings will not have been designed with accessibility in mind. The university is doing a lot to address this, but it is always worth getting in touch with individual colleges to speak to the team before you visit to check the specific facilities they have available. There is a list of all of the Cambridge University colleges and their contact details here.

Editorial credit: Piotr Wawrzyniuk / Shutterstock.com

Take to the water on a punt

Punting on the River Cam is a big part of Cambridge life and a wonderful way to sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful city. We were particularly impressed by Scudamores who were one of the first operators in the city, and who have made a real effort to make their punts as accessible as possible. While it isn’t practical to take a wheelchair onto one of their punts, they do have level access on the riverside and will store any mobility equipment for you while you are out on the water. They provide guided punt tours as well, and the punts are packed with plenty of cushions in order to make them as comfortable as possible. There is plenty of on-street parking near to both the Mill Lane and Quayside punt docking stations.

Indulge yourself a little in Cambridge Market

We love a good market, and Cambridge’s open air one certainly doesn’t disappoint. Open seven days a week it is one of those places that never seems to rest. Around every corner, in every stall, there is something interesting to try, whether it is the finest quality local food or a good second hand book. We’d also recommend the fantastic All Saint’s Garden Art and Craft Market on Trinity Street too. The Grand Arcade car park is the most central one in Cambridge, and there is space for 35 Blue Badge holders to stay there for up to three hours for free.

Chill out with the cows on the Common

The cows are one of the wonderful oddities of Cambridge, and little taste of a simpler country life right in the city. The town’s Midsummer Common is just a lovely place to spend time anyway and we highly recommend you take a look if you want a bit of a break from the town itself. There are six Blue Badge spaces at the Grafton West car park and four at the Park Street car park.

Another great place to begin your trip to Cambridge is Visit Cambridge’s accessibility page here where you will find lots more information.

Eating out in Cambridge

As you’d expect in a city that has so many students, it is relatively easy to find somewhere cheap and tasty to eat. We are big fans of the traditional pub grub on offer at The Eagle on the corner of King’s Parade in town, and while it can be a bit of a squash inside it’s all fully accessible. For something a little more refined (and a lot pricier) head to Midsummer House. It’s a beautiful building right by the River Cam and they serve up a great selection of high quality, locally sourced British dishes. It has a modern, light and airy atmosphere, and is fully accessible.

An honourable mention also has to go to Fitzbillies and their world famous Chelsea buns. It’s been around since the 1920s and is a real Cambridge institution. You’ll need to go in via the level bakery entrance (rather than the stepped coffee shop one), but it is well, well worth the effort.

Getting to Cambridge

Getting to Cambridge by car is straightforward. From the south, head up the M11, while if you’re coming from the north just follow the A1 and M1 to the A14 into the city. There are regular services by train from London Kings Cross and London Liverpool Street, as well as connections via Peterborough from the north. It’s also just 30 miles from London Gatwick airport.

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, Attractions

Quingo Scooters Accessible Art

We feel that one of the most important things about art, of any kind, is that it should be able to be enjoyed by all. And so while we are fortunate in the UK to have some of the best art collections in the world, it is also great to see that so many of our most interesting galleries are accessible to everyone. Here is Quingo Scooters pick of some of the best.

The National Gallery, London

We had to start our round up with the National Gallery in London: it is one of the most famous art galleries in the world, and is packed with some incredible treasures of European art in particular. Whether you want to enjoy the impressionism of Claude Monet or the elegance of portraits by Thomas Gainsborough, there are some wonderful paintings to enjoy here, and the great news is that the gallery is fully accessible. The Getty, Sainsbury Wing, National Café and Pigott Education Centre entrances are all level and accessible, and there is one Blue Badge parking space outside on Orange Street. You will need to give the team a call on 020 7747 2590 a couple of days before to book it though.

Accessible Art: Quingo Scooters
Editorial credit: Alex Segre / Shutterstock.com

The Tate Modern

Staying in London for a while, we are also huge fans of the Tate Modern. It has a world class collection of modern art, all housed in a spectacular building that was once the Bankside Power Station on the banks of the Thames. Of course, the endlessly changing installations in the vast Turbine Hall are always worth taking a look at, but we also loved the dimly-lit and strangely peaceful room containing the vast paintings by Mark Rothko. The Tate Modern is completely accessible with 12 Blue Badge spaces outside. You will need to book a space a day in advance however, so give the team a call on 020 7887 8888. From there, enter using the level access at the South Entrance of the Blavatnik Building.

Victoria Art Gallery

Millions of visitors come to Bath every year, and it really is no surprise. It is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in the UK, and it is also home to the wonderful Victoria Art Gallery, which is fully accessible. It houses a great collection of art that ranges from the 15th century to the present day, and it is a fantastic place to spend a few hours. There is a ramped entrance on Bridge Street and a lift to all floors.

Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art

We head north now to Glasgow, a city with a rich artistic and cultural life. The city’s Gallery of Modern Art is housed within a impressive neoclassical building and it has five large exhibition spaces that house an ever-changing variety of shows. It’s also fully accessible to those of us who use a mobility scooter, with a ramped entrance, accessible galleries, shop, library and cafe.

Accessible Art: Quingo Scooters

The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester

This is a real treasure: a gallery that is full of world class contemporary and historical art, that still feels very much a part of the local community too. The gallery has close links with organisations across the city that encourage local people of all ages to come and participate in the life of the gallery, and we feel that this spirit of openness really shines through when you visit. There are three Blue Badge spaces near to the Park Side entrance, as well as seven more on Denmark Road close to the entrance. There are accessible entrances to the gallery and lifts inside, as well as accessible toilets.

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.