Tag Archives: Accessible Routes

Accessible Routes

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: Birmingham

Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse and exciting cities and Quingo Scooters is heading there this week as part of our Accessible Getaways blog series.

Birmingham - Quingo Scooters

Exploring Birmingham

Considering that it is England’s second biggest city, we think that Birmingham is sometimes overlooked. But over the past decade or so it has shaken off some of the dust of its industrial past. Today, more and more visitors are now discovering what this diverse and fascinating city has to offer. From world class eateries (it has five Michelin starred restaurants!) to some spectacular modern architecture, great shopping and a vibrant nightlife, Birmingham is well worth a visit for a day trip or more. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Shop, shop, shop!

As you’d expect from one of the biggest cities in the UK, the opportunities for a spot of retail therapy in Birmingham are pretty much endless. But it isn’t just about the usual high street shops (which of course you will find in the love-it-or-hate-it Bullring centre): there are also plenty of interesting independent shops to keep you busy. So, we really recommend taking a break from the Bullring and heading instead to the gorgeous Great Western Arcade and the Piccadilly Arcade. They are both packed to the rafters with plenty of quirky local, independent shops and they are also just beautiful spaces to spend time in and explore. Go for the shops, stay for the great architecture.

For both arcades, you can park at the nearby Snow Hill car park which is free for Blue Badge holders.

Birmingham Canals - Quingo Scooters

Expand your mind at ThinkTank

Birmingham’s very own science museum is a great place to spend a few hours, especially if you have the kids with you. Science museums have certainly come a long way from the days of stuffy glass cases and boring exhibits, and ThinkTank is a truly inspiring and fascinating space for all ages. It has also been designed with the needs of all visitors in mind, and is completely accessible for everyone. The team behind it have laid everything out so that all of the exhibits are accessible and it is always easy to move around the museum itself, with plenty of space and all of the exhibits at the right height. It is easy to get to as well, with free Blue Badge parking close by, in the multi-story behind the museum itself.

Grab some street food at the Digbeth Dining Club

The term ‘melting pot’ could have been invented for Birmingham. It is a fantastically diverse collection of communities who have all brought their own unique tastes and traditions to the city’s vibrant foodie scene. So, if you’re looking to try some top quality and tasty street food, then get yourself along to the Digbeth Dining Club. It’s a regular celebration of an incredible range of foods that takes place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. There are regular events, usually with a spot of live music to go along with your meal. It’s well worth taking a look at their events page as well, to see what’s on when you’re planning to drop by.

A chocoholic’s dram

No trip to Birmingham is complete without a visit to Cadbury World. Cadbury have been making chocolate since 1824, and that little business first set up by John Cadbury all those years ago has now expanded into the second-largest confectionery brand in the world after Mars. Cadbury World, as you’ve probably guessed, is a celebration of all things sweet and chocolatey, so it might not be to everyone’s taste.

But it is a great day out for the family: there are accessible spaces in the 4D cinema (where you can ‘dive’ into a bowl of liquid Dairy Milk!) and a fascinating exhibition that reveals how some of Cadbury’s most famous brands are made. We also loved the Bull Street exhibit, that takes you back to John Cadbury’s original shop. There is ramped and lift access throughout, as well as low level exhibits to enjoy. Take a look at their accessibility page here for more details. Cadbury World has its own car park with free spaces for visitors.

Breathe in the air at the Botanical Gardens

These beautiful gardens were first planned out in the 1830s, and they still provide a wonderful space to relax and explore for visitors, only a mile or so from Birmingham city centre. There are four stunning glasshouses, recreating different environments from tropical rainforests to deserts.

Most of the site, including the glasshouses, is accessible, and it is possible to hire mobility scooters from the team there too. Just give them a call on 0121 454 1860 beforehand to check availability. There is also a map available at reception which shows the paths around the gardens that are fully accessible. Take a look at their dedicated accessibility page here to find out more.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Quingo Scooters

Accessibility

Birmingham is a wonderfully accessible city. It is worth starting to plan your visit at the city’s dedicated accessibility page here. You’ll find information and links to useful information on everything from how to get around to details of the city’s Blue Badge parking. There is also a dedicated parking information page here. The DisabledGo page for Birmingham is also a great resource with information on many different venues and attractions around the city.

Getting to Birmingham

Getting to Birmingham is easy. It’s in the middle of the country and is well served by road, rail and air. If you’re driving, then take your pick from the M5, M6, M40, M42 or even the M1. If you take junction 6 of the M6 motorway then you’ll even get to experience the iconic Spaghetti Junction first hand: an interchange which somehow manages to combine the A38, A38(M), the A5127, the M6, two railway lines, three canals, and two rivers. If that all sounds a little bit too much, then the train is also a great option: there are regular services into the newly refurbished New Street Station from across the country. Finally, over 50 airlines fly in and out of Birmingham Airport, which is close by the M42.

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 Routes: The UK’s National Parks

Here at Quingo Scooters, we thought that this time around we’d bring you just a few highlights from some of the most picturesque and dramatic parts of the UK. Our National Parks are stunning and most feature great routes that are accessible to those of us who use mobility scooters. This is our pick of some of the best.

Accessing the UK’s National Parks

There are 15 National Parks across the UK, with 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. They are all free to explore and to enjoy, and they are all uniquely beautiful in their own way. From the inspirational surroundings of the Lake District and the drama of the Cairngorms, to the rich history of the New Forest and the castles of Snowdonia, there is a remarkable variety of landscapes. Everyone has their favourite, so it has been hard to pick our top National Park routes!

Before we dive in, however, it is worth mentioning that a great place to start your exploration of the UK’s National Parks is on the National Park Authority’s dedicated accessibility page, here.

Henllys Vale Miners’ Walk, Brecon Beacons National Park

Like many of our National Parks, the Brecon Beacons aren’t just a place of inspiring natural beauty. They also have a rich and varied heritage, that tells the story of how generations of people have interacted with these wild and beautiful places. This trail in the Henllys Vale area of the western Brecon Beacons is somewhere where you get the chance to learn more about the area’s fascinating industrial past.

Thousands of men and women worked in the mining industry in the area, and this mile-long audio trail starting and finishing in Ystradgynlais is a great way to learn more about the Lower Brynhenllys Colliery and the Black Mountain area. There is a smooth and continuous surface for most of the trail, and there are alternative routes if the path gets too steep for your scooter.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The UK’s National Parks

Buttermere lakeshore, Lake District National Park

Miles Without Stiles are routes that are accessible for people with limited mobility, and there are 48 of these fantastic trails in the Lake District National Park alone.

We’ve picked this one around Buttermere, not just because it is accessible for all, but also because of its truly stunning setting. Just driving in the car to Buttermere village, over the spectacular Newlands Pass, is an experience in itself (test your brakes before you set out!), and once you’re there the lovely Fish Inn makes for the perfect start and finish point.

It’s a short route, only around a kilometre and a half along the lakeside and through the woods before the path becomes too rough for scooter users, but it is a beautiful place to experience and the lakeside itself is wonderfully peaceful.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The UK’s National Parks

Bramber village, South Downs National Park

The South Downs, with their rolling, chalky hills and beautiful views are well worth a visit. Happily they also have a number of Miles Without Stiles routes and we’ve picked this gorgeous route around the village of Bramber The village itself is a typical South Downs community with some lovely historic buildings and even its own medieval castle.

The 2-mile trail takes you along the river Adur and it has a wide, level surface all the way. There are even kingfishers along the way, so keep your eyes out for that little flash of blue.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The UK’s National Parks

Loch Imrich, Newtonmore

The Cairngorms is the biggest National Park in the UK, and it is truly spectacular. There are 12 Easy Access routes in the national park, but we’ve picked just one, around Loch Imrich in Newtonmore. Apparently, the loch was once used for curling during the winter months and it still a beautiful spot to pass the time.

The trail is flat and accessible to all, and goes right around the lake for about half a mile. It’s a great place to get away from it all and enjoy the local birdlife, that includes herons, mallard, coot, dabchicks and even goldeneye ducks.

Accessibility for all

Once again, the National Parks Authority’s Access for All page is a great place to get an overview of all the accessible routes that are available across the UK’s parks network. You can also keep up with news on the work that the Campaign for National Parks (the UK’s only charity that works to protect the country’s National Parks) is doing to promote accessibility for all on their page here.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo 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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: Beddgelert Forest, Snowdonia

It looks like this long, hot summer isn’t over yet, with high temperatures forecast for just about everywhere for August. In the UK, we have so many accessible, beautiful, life affirming walks and routes to explore on your mobility scooter, it would be a shame not to try as many as you can before the sun goes in.

This time we’re heading to the jewel of the Welsh countryside, Snowdonia’s Beddgelert Forest. It’s 700 acres of forest, encompassing a treasure trove of different routes to try. As it’s a multi-use trail so you’ll see lots of different kinds of people along the way.

Stunning views

As you make your way around the accessible route, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Snowdon (if the visibility is right!) and can stop and enjoy a picnic next to the peaceful Llyn Llywelyn lake.

Listen out as well for the Old Welsh Highland railway trains that still go through the forest as they travel from Caernarfon to Porthmadog. You can find out all the information about the Snowdonia National Park Lon Gwyrfai trail that runs through the forest from Beddgelert to Rhyd Du on their website. In the meantime, here are a few key details.

Beddgelert Forest Snowdonia

Accessible trail

The route starts from the Forestry Commission car park. Very soon it crosses the Highland Railway line on the level crossing and follows a track around the forest edge. A you descend south, the track leads to the lake and an ideal resting spot. You can’t access the picnic bench by scooter, but there is plenty of space to enjoy your surroundings and the views are stunning every season. The circular 2.75 mile (4.4km) route ends up back at the car park.

Llyn Llywelyn Snowdonia

How to get there

Beddgelert Forest is in north Wales and is easy to reach by car or public transport. It is eight miles north of Porthmadog on the A4085, and there is free parking at the start of the route. The nearest train station is Porthmadog, and you can get details of public transport here.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo 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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads

Here at Quingo Scooters, we’re all about bringing you the very best accessible routes around the country. In the UK we’re lucky enough to have an incredible number of areas of great natural beauty, and many of them are increasingly accessible to those of us using a mobility scooter. So, in this latest of our series of articles in which we pick some of best accessible routes to discover on your mobility scooter, we’re heading to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

The Broads

The Broads are in many ways defined by the sea. East Anglia is a huge area and one that it can take a long time to travel across (particularly by boat), but you never feel far from the sea when you’re in the Broads. Fishing of all sorts has been a mainstay of the economy here for millennia. And over the years, the Anglo Saxons, the Vikings and the Romans have made their homes here. So, it is somewhere with a rich history to discover, but it also has a vibrant and fascinating present.

Many people are drawn to the Broads by the rich wildlife. Whether it is the wading birds or the otters you might be lucky enough to spot on the banks of the River Bure in Norfolk. Or the grey seals of Horsey, or the millions of butterflies and dragonflies you’ll see as you pass through, this is an incredible natural landscape.

But there are also wonderful towns and villages to visit in the area too. We fell in love with Beccles and its many tiny independent shops: it’s the perfect place to while away a few hours. The Hungate Lane car park is central and has 66 spaces and has dedicated Blue Badge parking too.

Accessibility

A great place to start your journey in the Broads is on the national park’s dedicated Access for All page. You’ll find plenty of information there on the work that the organisation is doing to make the Broads as accessible as possible, whether through adapted boats or creating boardwalks that suitable for wheelchair users.

We also recommend you take the chance to go to one of their Visitor Centres, at Hoveton, How Hill and Whitlingham. They’re all accessible, and each one runs boat trips from the centre to give you the chance to explore the local waterways. It’s a great starting point, but if you fancy heading out into the wilds a little more, we also recommend Barton Broad. It has a boardwalk that’s accessible to wheelchair users and mobility scooters that takes you through some beautiful woodland. There are also plenty of dedicated Blue Badge holder spaces in the car park by the entrance at Neatishead. Best of all, the mile and a half route is completely free to access.

You can take accessible cruises on a boat from Horsey to Upper Thurne through the nature reserve there, and we’ve found that the boats are great for passengers with limited mobility. We recommend booking the day before, you can email [email protected], text or leave him a message on 07791 526440 to secure your spot. There is pay-and-display car parking at Horsey Gap and at Horsey Mill (there are plenty of spaces but no dedicated Blue Badge ones, as far as we know).

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes on your Quingo 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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: Glenmore Forest

One of the most wonderful things about having a mobility scooter is the freedom it gives you to explore. And here, we’ve picked a truly beautiful part of the world to spend time in. In this latest Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes series, we find out more about the stunning Glenmore Forest in the Scottish Cairngorms.

Glenmore Forest

This is a truly spectacular part of the British Isles. The Cairngorm Mountains themselves are wild and breathtakingly beautiful. The national park made the National Geographic’s top 20 places to visit in the world. And we certainly suggest you set aside plenty of time to explore this incredible wilderness. We’ve picked just one part of it, Glenmore Forest, due to its accessibility and the variety of the landscape there.

It has a little bit of everything, from the forest itself to the mountains and of course the picturesque Loch Morlich. It’s somewhere where you can have an adventure in the woods in the morning, and then relax on the beach in the afternoon.

Glenmore Visitor Centre is the best place for you to start your journey. You’ll find plenty of helpful local information there to help you plan your stay, as well as a thoroughly excellent Cobbs Café if you’re in need of refreshment. It’s open from 9.30am to 5pm every day (serving hot food until 4.30pm), and it’s all fully accessible. There’s a car park there too, although it doesn’t have dedicated Blue Badge spaces unfortunately.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes_ Glenmore Forest - Loch Morlich

Accessibility

Once you’re fed, watered and ready to go, there are a few great options for heading out onto the trails on your scooter. We particularly love the trail to the Green Loch, which is a flat, well-marked and even path all the way. Just follow the blue markers through the pines and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding hills, until you reach the loch itself.

We also recommend taking the trail down to Loch Morlich. This beautiful route through the pine forests is easily accessible on your mobility scooter. Once you’re there you’ll be able to enjoy what is billed as the ‘highest beach in Britain’. The sand is golden, the views are breathtaking and on a sunny day it is just a wonderful place to be.

The trail itself is circular, and around 2.4 kilometres long. Start from the Glenmore Forest Visitor Centre and follow the yellow markers. Just remember that the toilet at the beach is closed during the winter months. For more accessibility information on the Beach Trail, have a look here. The Glenmore Forest Park’s dedicated page here is also a great place to find out more.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes Trees and River Nethy at the Glenmore Forest Park

Getting there

For an area that feels so wild and remote, the Cairngorms are remarkably easy to get to. You can reach Glenmore Forest Park easily from Aviemore, which is only six miles away. If you’re coming by car then follow signs for Rothiemurchus, Glenmore and the Cairngorm Mountain Railway.

Carry on through Rothiemurchus Estate and then on to Glenmore village itself – you’ll see the visitor centre your left, right in the heart of the village. The whole area is also easily accessible from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness, which each have their own international airports and regular train links into the Cairngorms National Park.

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.