Tag Archives: Accessible Routes

Accessible Routes, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Woodland Trails

As the days warm up and the weather improves, there is nothing better than getting out and about in the great British countryside. The UK’s forests and woodlands are wonderful at this time of the year, and the great news is that some of the best of them are also largely accessible to those of us using mobility scooters. So, with that in mind, here is Quingo Scooters guide to some of the best accessible woodland trails in the UK.

Haldon Forest Park, Devon

You really are spoiled for choice at Haldon Forest Park. It is handily situated close to Exeter, and is just a beautiful place to spend time with friends and family. There are a couple of designated trails (The Discovery Trail and the Mamhead Sensory Trail) that are perfect for those of us using mobility scooters, and you can even hire special off road scooters if you need to. Just give the team a call on 0300 067 5826 to discuss your requirements.

Low Barns, County Durham

A mixture of wetland nature reserve and beautifully peaceful woodland, Low Barns is a great place to explore on your scooter. It has excellent access throughout, with a wide network of level paths and a car park close by. There are three lakes here which are home to a huge amount of bird life and the woodlands also have hides which are perfect for spotting some of the local inhabitants: as well as the birds there are also roe deer and even otters to see if you’re lucky.

Montalto Estate, Northern Ireland

Over to Northern Ireland now to the stunning Montalto Estate near to Ballynahinch.

There are three trails here with varying levels of accessibility, and the Woodland Trail in particular is one of our favourites. It isn’t accessible all of the way around, but there is an incredible variety of wildlife to take in: everything from tree creepers and kingfishers through to greater spotter woodpeckers and (if you’re very lucky) even pine martens. The cafe is also completely accessible, and does an excellent afternoon tea.

Galloway Forest Park, Scotland

This huge forest has three visitor centres at Kirroughtree, Glentrool and Clatteringshaws and has everything from breathtaking views of the local lochs to some stunning woodland to explore. For those of us who use a mobility scooter, the Wild Watch Trail at Kirroughtree is a great place to start. It has a flat, firm surface and the trail takes you to a hide where you can watch the birds. Galloway Forest Park is also a very special place to visit at night: it is Scotland’s first designated Dark Sky Park, which means it is a wonderful spot look at the stars without any light pollution.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Finally, something a bit different. As well as the natural beauty of the woods and parkland here, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is also packed with plenty of great art to discover. It is gorgeous in springtime, and well worth visiting with your mobility scooter. Although there are some parts of the woods and parkland that can be tricky to navigate, it is largely accessible, and there is also priority parking for Blue Badge holders. The woodland here is full of wildlife this time of year and the parkland is laid out in such a way that you will always find something new to discover.

Editorial credit: Debu55y / Shutterstock.com

For more general information on getting out and about with your mobility scooter in Britain’s wonderful woodlands, we’d also recommend that you head to The Ramblers accessibility page here. The Ramblers also have links with another group who use mobility scooters and wheelchairs and you can find out more about their events and activities 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

Accessible Routes, Days Out

Quingo Scooters Accessible Stately Homes

The UK’s stately homes are among some of the finest on the planet, and have been immortalised in countless novels, TV period dramas and films. They are also amongst the most popular places to visit in the country, particularly for those of us with limited mobility. It goes without saying that these are, by their very nature, old properties. This brings its own challenges for mobility scooter users in terms of accessibility. However, many of the UK’s best stately homes do a great job of opening these buildings up to as many visitors as possible. Here are our favourites.

Castle Howard, Yorkshire

One of the most impressive stately homes in the country, Castle Howard was first built in 1699 by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. Subsequent earls have added to it over the years, leaving us with the spectacular building we have today, which is a mix of the Baroque and the classical Palladian styles. It is just as impressive inside and when you head into the entrance hall make sure you look up at the spectacular ceiling, which was painted in the 1700s by Venetian artist Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini. This beautiful house is also very accessible, with a stairlift to the main floor and access to the majority of the rooms. There is also plenty of parking outside, with designated Blue Badge spaces close to the house. Outside the house there is also plenty to explore, with a paved route to the cafés, shops and toilets. There are also lots of areas of the grounds that have gravel paths and so are fully accessible.

Castle Howard - Quingo Scooters

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Chatsworth House in the heart of the Peak District has been in the Cavendish family for 16 generations and it really is no wonder they have held onto this special place. This is a truly beautiful building, both in terms of architecture and the many works of art inside it. Within its walls you will find ancient Roman sculptures, Egyptian treasures and even paintings by Rembrandt.

Much of the house is also accessible, with a lift that gives you access to the whole of the visitor route. This is one of the houses where you won’t be able to take your electric scooter indoors with you, but the team at Chatsworth do have eight wheelchairs that are available for you to use. Give them a call on 01246 565430 to book one before you go. The gardens are perfect for exploring on your scooter however, and although there are a few steep slopes much of the grounds are accessible. There are reserved Blue Badge spaces for parking near to the entrance.

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

Hatfield House is a real gem. It contains many treasures, not least an incredible portrait of Elizabeth I that is a wonderfully colourful tribute to one of England’s most famous queens. The house itself was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I, and his family remain there to this day. The connection with Elizabeth I goes back to before the current house was built however, as it was the site of a palace that was once the young queen’s childhood home. There is wheelchair access to much of the house and a lift will take you to all three levels. The surrounding parkland is also well worth exploring and the roads are firm enough for most mobility scooters. There is also Blue Badge parking in the main car park close to George’s Gate.

As with all of the stately homes we’ve listed here it is a great idea to just give the team a quick call before your visit to discuss your individual requirements. Their number is 01707 287010.

Hatfield House - Quingo Scooters

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

The word ‘baroque’ might have been invented for Blenheim Palace. It has now been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and when you move through its spectacular state rooms it is easy to see why. The house was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and while there is plenty to see and learn about Britain’s wartime leader, Blenheim is also packed with one of most remarkable collections of portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries in the country. Much of the house and grounds is accessible too although they do recommend that you bring someone along with you to help you if you find manoeuvring a wheelchair or your scooter difficult (they will be admitted for free). There is designated Blue Badge parking close to the house and firm paths to the building. Inside the house there is lift access to the State Rooms (where you will be able to take your mobility scooter, as long as it weighs less than 350kg). There are also accessible toilets in the East Courtyard Visitor Centre, next to the Water Terrace Café and in the Pleasure Gardens.

Finally, it’s worth noting that not all the stately homes we’ve listed here will let you take your mobility scooter inside the house itself due to space restrictions, but they are all accessible by wheelchair if not with your scooter. Most of the properties we’ve listed do have their own wheelchairs available to use, but as always it is best to give the house a call before you visit to discuss your requirements.

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 Attractions: Museums

The UK has many world-renowned museums, reflecting the country’s own rich history as well as its generations of collectors. The great news is that many of these remarkable treasure houses are accessible to those of us who use mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Here is our pick of just a few of our favourites around the country.

The National Museum of Scotland

We’re going to begin our journey around Britain’s museum collections north of the border. The National Museum of Scotland is a real celebration of Scottish history. From ancient artefacts like the 12th century Lewis Chessmen (made from Walrus ivory and discovered in the Outer Hebrides in the 1800s) to the embalmed body of the world’s first cloned sheep, Dolly, there is a incredible array of exhibits to explore. The museum itself is fully accessible, with lifts available for all floors. There is free Blue Badge parking in four designated public parking spaces on Chambers Street.

Editorial credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com

The Titanic Museum, Belfast

A short hop over the Irish Sea now to Belfast, and the home of one of the most iconic stories of our time. Not Game of Thrones (which is filmed here), but the birthplace of the ill-fated Titanic. The Titanic was built here in 1908 and today the museum dedicated to it is a wonderful tribute to this tragic tale. Across nine spectacular galleries the museum tells the story of the liner and the ship yards where she was built. The museum contains interactive exhibits as well as original artefacts from the ship itself. The team there have done a great job of making sure that the entire exhibition is fully accessible. There are lifts to all floors and there are also ten designated parking spaces across the two floors of the underground car park, although you will have to pay.

Editorial credit: Nataliya Hora / Shutterstock.com

The Churchill War Rooms, London

Beneath the streets of Westminster in London lie the Churchill War Rooms: the hub from which Winston Churchill and his team fought and won the Second World War. For an underground war time bunker spread out across a labyrinth of rooms and tunnels, the War Rooms themselves are remarkably accessible, and the team at the Imperial War Museum (of which this is a part) have done an incredible job of opening them up to as many visitors as they can. They recommend that you use the front entrance via Birdcage Walk by St James Park to enter, but that once you’re inside the complex it is accessible throughout.

The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

Now to Wales, and the fascinating National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. Wales has an incredible history of innovation and industry, and the museum tells the story of the impact of the industrial revolution on the country over the centuries. One of the highlights of the collection is a replica of one of the world’s earliest trains, Richard Trevithick’s Steam Locomotive of 1804. The museum also does a great job of making it accessible to all visitors, with lifts to all floors, level flooring and accessible toilets. There is a limit on the number of mobility scooters allowed in at any one time, but just give the team at the museum a call on 029 2057 3600 before you visit to discuss your needs. You will also find five designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders outside on East Burrows Place.

Editorial credit: Billy Stock / Shutterstock.com

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

Staying in Wales, we had to give a final mention to Wales’s most popular heritage attraction: the fantastic St Fagans National Museum of History. Set in the grounds of Fagans Castle and gardens, the museum is home to around 40 buildings from different historical periods. It’s a place where you can see craftspeople working in the forges and workshops of the museum, or see practical farming demonstrations involving local breeds. In many ways it is the very best kind of museum, because it is somewhere that history feels fully alive and a part of the present.

Of course, this is an old site, and there are some uneven paths and tricky slopes. But it is also very accessible, with dedicated Blue Badge parking and access to most of the site (with the exception of a few buildings). There is also a motorised vehicle which can pick you up and take you around the site too, but you will need to give the team a call on 029 2057 3500 a couple of weeks beforehand to book it.

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 Accessible Getaways: Canterbury

Canterbury is famous for its historic cathedral and its relaxed riverside walks. Here, Quingo Scooters explores the city’s accessible attractions as part of our Accessible Getaways blog series.

Exploring Canterbury

With its historic cathedral and connections with Chaucer, its fascinating history and beautiful open spaces, Canterbury feels like a town from another age. But it is also home to some great shops and restaurants, as well as plenty of other accessible attractions to keep the modern-day pilgrim entertained. Here are our top picks.

Take a trip back in time

We’re going to start with The Canterbury Tales attraction. Of course, Chaucer’s famous tales are one of the city’s most famous exports: a collection of vivid medieval stories about the many pilgrims who flocked to this religiously significant city. The magic of Chaucer’s tales are captured beautifully in this attraction that has been running since 1988. It is a real must-visit if you ever come to Canterbury and will give you a real insight into the characters who have visited this city over the centuries. It is also accessible to those of us using mobility scooters and wheelchairs too, with lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. The team recommend giving them a quick call on 01227 696002 before you visit to arrange any specific requirements. Find out more here. Pound Lane is your nearest car park: it has a number of Blue Badge spaces but you will have to pay.

Canterbury Homes - Quingo Scooters

Feel the peace of Canterbury cathedral

Pilgrims have been visiting Canterbury cathedral for hundreds of years, and it really is a wonderful place to spend time exploring. It is the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the Church of England, but it has also been a place of worship for over 1,400 years. It is obviously one of the most popular attractions in the city, with over a million visitors a year, but it is also remarkably peaceful, despite the crowds. If you’d like to visit with your mobility scooter the team at the cathedral will be happy to help you, whatever your needs. The cathedral’s accessibility page here is a great place to start planning your visit. If you’re coming by car and want to park nearby, then just call the team on 01227 762862 to secure a spot.

Canterbury Cathedral - Quingo Scooters

Spend, spend, spend!

Canterbury is an ancient, historic town, but it is also packed with plenty of great shops to keep even the most demanding modern visitor entertained. You can head to Whitefriars open-air shopping centre which has all the big high street stores, but there is also plenty going on in Canterbury’s indie scene too. The King’s Mile area is the place to go for independent shopping, with lots of places to eat and drink too. It’s tucked in near to the cathedral, and is a warren of winding streets including Sun Street, Palace Street, Guildhall Street and Orange Street, all of which have plenty to offer. There are lots of car parks in Canterbury city centre and we’d recommend using the handy tool here to find the one that suits your needs. The car park at Orange Street is Blue Badge parking only, and has 18 spaces. It’s also conveniently close to the cathedral and other major sites.

Enjoy some tranquillity in the city’s parks

Canterbury is blessed with plenty of peaceful open spaces. There can’t be many city parks that have their own 1st century burial mound like Dane John Gardens, but then Canterbury is just that kind of town. The gardens themselves have been around since at least the 15th century, all the paths are paved and it is mobility scooter accessible. Across town, Westgate Parks is a gorgeous network of green spaces: we loved Tannery Field in particular, with its peaceful meadows alongside the scenic River Stour. There is a handy map here that shows the routes you can take your mobility scooter on.

Eat, drink and be merry

Canterbury also has plenty of places to enjoy great food and drink, and many of them are accessible. We’re big fans of Prezzo, for cheap and cheerful Italian food. It’s fully accessible and is open Monday to Sunday from midday to 11.30pm. Whitefriars car park nearby has a number of Blue Badge spaces, although you will need to pay. For something a little more intimate, try the Cafe du Soleil. It’s situated in a beautiful riverside building, and serves fresh, locally sourced Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Access is over a wooden bridge, but the restaurant is fully open for all. Give the team a call on 01227 479999 to discuss any individual requirements you might have. The Blue Badge-only car park on Orange Street is not far away. Another great option is The Ambrette, which is fully accessible too. The food is simply beautiful, and head chef Dev Biswal draws on influences from around the world. Again, Whitefriars’ car park will be your closest.

Accessibility

Canterbury is an ancient and historic town, with lots of old buildings that were not designed with the needs of mobility scooter users in mind. That said, this is also a city that has welcomed visitors for millennia, and that tradition continues with many of Canterbury’s most famous sites being fully accessible to all. A great place to start your visit is the Euan’s Guide page for the city as well as Visit Kent’s accessibility page here.

Canterbury Skyline - Quingo Scooters

Getting to Canterbury

Canterbury is used to visitors, and so all roads lead here. If you’re coming from London, the North and East Anglia then leave the M25 at junction 2 onto the A2, leaving at junction 7 for Canterbury. If you’re coming from the West and South-West then you’ll need to leave the M25 at junction 5, continue on M26(M20) before leaving the M20 at junction 7, then onto the A249, then the M2 before leaving at junction 7 again for the city.

It’s also just under an hour on the regular train from St Pancras in London. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports are all a couple of hours away by train: you’ll need to take the shuttle into central London before heading out to Canterbury.

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: Glasgow

Glasgow is a city with a fascinating history and an equally vibrant present. Quingo Scooters is heading to Scotland’s second city for the next part of our Accessible Getaways series.

Exploring Glasgow

Glasgow, almost more than any city we can think of, is a city of contrasts. It has a tough reputation of course, but it is also a place of great artistic and creative beauty. It is a working city, but also one that is famous around the world for its museums, its music and its galleries. There is plenty to keep you busy for a few days. Here are some of our top picks.

Glasgow Skyline - Quingo Scooters

Soak up the atmosphere in Merchant City

Glasgow is great for shopping, full stop. It has well over 1,500 shops, covering all the usual high street chains but also plenty of fascinating independent retailers too. And one of the best centres of the independent scene is Merchant City. It is an area that includes Merchant Square, which used to be Glasgow’s old fruit market in the 1800s. Today, it is packed with independent shops and bars and is just a great place to spend some time (and money). It’s all totally accessible too.

To find out more, check out their site here, as well as DisabledGo’s full review of their facilities. There is a Q-Parks car park at Candleriggs, just off Tron Street, that has five dedicated Blue Badge holder spaces.

Enjoy a spot of culture at Kelvingrove

First opened back in 1901, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the city’s West End is unmissable. Quite apart from anything else, it is just a stunning piece of architecture, set in the picturesque surroundings of Kelvingrove Park itself.

Once you’re inside, there is a huge range of different displays to enjoy, with everything from a gallery stuffed full of paintings from 17th century Dutch and Flemish Old Masters through to an exhibition on Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style. The great news is that most of the galleries and museum are open to all, with most of the exhibits at an accessible height for those of us using mobility scooters. Just remember to use the Argyle Street entrance, which has a lift, when you arrive. It has its own dedicated car park with free parking for Blue Badge holders.

Kelvingrove Park - Quingo Scooters
Editorial credit: DrimaFilm / Shutterstock.com

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

Every city needs a quiet place for people to relax and recuperate and The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is Glasgow’s. You’ll find the People’s Palace in the heart of Glasgow Green, and as you may have guessed it is a celebration of the ordinary (and extraordinary) people of this great city.

It is full of exhibits that explore Glaswegians’ lives over the century. It’s a wonderful place to get a sense of the city. The Winter Gardens are a beautiful space packed with exotic plants in a stunning setting and we’d also recommend you refresh yourself at the Winter Gardens Café, which is fully accessible and open daily until 5pm. Both the Winter Gardens and the People’s Palace are full accessible, with lifts to all floors. You will find free on street parking at Glasgow Green, with six spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders.

Get a fresh perspective with Glasgow’s City Centre Mural Trail

We found that this was a fantastic way to explore the city and to see it from a different angle. How often have you visited somewhere and forgotten to look up? There is so much to see when you really look around you, and this fascinating trail that takes in many of the striking public murals around the city is a great way to see another side of Glasgow.

There is everything from a taxi being carried by balloons and a giant man in a kilt to spot. They are not all easy to find, but as public artworks most of them are fully accessible and visible from the street. All you need to do is look up. Head to the trail on Google Maps to start your adventure.

Glasgow Street Art - Quingo Scooters
“St Mungo, Street Art, Glasgow” by @markheybo is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Accessibility

There are a huge range of things to see and do in Glasgow, and many of the venues and attractions have done a good job of making sure they are accessible. The DisabledGo site for Glasgow is a great place to start and has a list of helpful links, and the city council website also has information including a list of accessible toilets in the city.

Getting to Glasgow

Unsurprisingly for the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow is very straightforward to get to. There three international airports within 40 miles, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and even Edinburgh Airport, which is only a short bus ride away (they run every half hour). It’s also well connected to the rest of the UK rail network, via services into Glasgow Central Station, for example, the city is just over four hours from London.

If you’re planning to drive to Glasgow, then it also couldn’t be easier either. If you are coming from Edinburgh, then head along the M8 or take the M74 if you are coming from the south. The M80 links the city with Stirling and M77 brings visitors in from the West Coast of Scotland.

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.