Tag Archives: accessible

Accessible Routes

Accessible getaways abroad: Accessible Berlin

For the fourth in our series of blogposts on accessible getaways abroad, we head to Berlin. The German capital is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe: rich in history, art and culture. It also very accessible for those of us with different mobility needs. So, here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to just a few of the best accessible sights in Berlin.

Charlottenburg Palace

The spectacular Charlottenburg Palace was home to the Prussian royal family for hundreds of years, and today it is one of Berlin’s most popular attractions. It is a beautiful building, built in the late 1600s and with some of the best gardens to explore in Berlin. It is a great place to head to when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too much. While there are parts of the palace that aren’t accessible to those of using mobility scooters, the gardens themselves are. A stunning place to relax and explore.

ACCESSIBLE BERLIN - Schloss Charlottenburg
Editorial credit: Nick Fox / Shutterstock.com

Mauer Museum

Although it is long gone, the Berlin Wall still casts a long shadow across the city. One of the best places to get a sense of how it divided the city is to head to the Mauer Museum. It is packed full of exhibits from the Wall’s early days through to its fall in 1989, as well as stories of the many thousands of ordinary Berliners whose lives it affected so dramatically. There is ramped access and a lift inside to all of the exhibits on the different floors. It is also well worth heading to the East Side Gallery, which features the longest remaining stretch of wall, and examples of the spectacular art it was decorated with.

Get away to Museum Island

One island, five museums. Berlin’s Museumsinsel is home to some of the city’s most remarkable treasures, and it a must-see for any visitor. It is also very accessible, with all five museums (The Pergamon Museum, the Bode-Museum, the New Museum, the Old National Gallery and the Old Museum) generally accessible. You will find everything from the Gates of Babylon in the Pergamon to artistic treasures from some of world’s greatest painters in the Old National Gallery. For a general guide to opening times for specific museums on Museum Island, head here.

Take a tour of Berlin’s fascinating neighbourhoods

One of the very best things about any visit to Berlin is the sheer variety in the different areas of the city. Whether you’re into art, culture or just want to see how ordinary Berliners pass their days, then an accessible tour is a great way to do it. We really liked this one, that starts in trendy Kreuzberg, takes you to Tempelhofer Feld park and ends up in Neukölln. If you’d like to work out your own route, then the tour uses a list of accessible sites featured on the handy Wheelmap.org tool, which you can find here.

Did you know?

There were actually two Berlin Walls, separated by a ‘death strip’ in between them, and over the years 80 people were killed trying to cross from East to West.

Getting to Berlin

There are plenty of regular flights to both Berlin Tegel Airport and Berlin Schönefeld from the London airports, as well as Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh. Both Tegel and Shönefeld have personal assistance services if you need them, and there are barrier-free shuttles available to the city centre.

If you’d like to find out more about getting around the city and more on the many accessible sites there are to visit, then Berlin’s official tourist organisation has a really useful site 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

Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Country Pubs

If there is one thing that improves a day out in the country, it is finishing it off in a country pub for a well-earned bite to eat and something to drink. The UK is rightly famous for its fantastic pubs, and we’re pleased to say that many of them are accessible to those of us with different mobility needs. Here is Quingo Scooters’ round up of some of the very best country pubs out there.

The White Horse, Brancaster

Sat right on the Norfolk coast (the views are gorgeous) this pub is a really special place. They’re perfectly positioned to take advantage of the wonderful local seafood (all of the shellfish they serve comes direct from the local area) and the great news is that the entire place is completely accessible. Head out onto the spectacular terrace to enjoy the view and the bracing sea air while you enjoy your food.

King Arthur’s Arms Inn, Tintagel

Cornwall is a pretty magical place, and Tintagel is one of its jewels. You can actually stay at the King Arthur’s Arms Inn (it has five accessible ground floor rooms and an annex for up to six people too) but even if you’re just popping in for a drink and something to eat it’s a lovely spot. Cracking Cornish Ales and hearty food are the order of the day.

Editorial credit: 4kclips / Shutterstock.com

The Earl of March, South Downs

This is racing country, and the Earl of March is definitely more about clean Hunter wellies than muddy boots, but it is a friendly place that is almost completely accessible to those of us using mobility scooters. The food is great (we recommend the Sunday Lunch, although make sure you book as it gets busy) but is also the perfect place for pre-race cocktails if you’re heading to Goodwood.

The Black Bull Inn, Coniston

OK, so not strictly a country pub (it’s in the small town of Coniston in the heart of the Lake District) but this one has its own micro brewery and is very accessible to visitors with different mobility needs. While a lot of the pubs we’ve covered here are known for their great food, this one is all about high quality local beers, brewed on site and served in a lovely welcoming atmosphere. The Coniston Bluebird Bitter (named for the boat driven by Donald Campbell, who died on Coniston Water attempting to break the water speed record) is our pick.

The Black Bull Inn - Quingo Scooters Accessible country pubs
Editorial credit: Kaca Skokanova / Shutterstock.com

The Goose and Cuckoo, Brecon Beacons, Wales

We love the Goose and Cuckoo: it’s one of those pubs that makes you feel like a local from the moment you come in. It is close by the Black Mountains and has a regularly refreshed (and refreshing) selection of real ales from the area. There’s also a beer garden with views out over the Usk Valley and they also host regular live music events. It wheelchair accessible and although it isn’t huge you’ll find it straightforward to get around. A great community pub in a spectacular location.

The Steamboat Inn, Dumfries

Another country pub with spectacular views, this time over the beautiful Solway Firth. It’s all on one level so it is easy to get around for the most part, and the locally sourced sea food is delicious (especially when enjoyed outside on the terrace on a fine day). It’s a friendly place and if you’ve got any questions about your visit we’d recommend you give the team a call on 01387 880631 to have a chat about your particular 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 30847

Accessible Routes

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways, Lincoln

The UK has more than its fair share of beautiful historic cities, but Lincoln really is something special. The great news is that there are plenty of sites which are accessible to all visitors too. Here is Quingo Scooters guide to the very best of Lincoln.

  1. Follow the footsteps of the Romans

Lincoln’s history goes all the way back to the Romans, who called the place Lindum. The Ninth Legion Hispana was based here, in a fortress built on the top of the hill. From these humble beginnings, the town grew into an important city, with many grand buildings. A great way to explore these Roman roots of Lincoln is to follow the city’s Roman Trail, which takes in the sites of the Castle Hill, the Colonnade, the city walls and the original Roman gates. Much of it is accessible, and you can follow the trail online by visiting the site here.

  1. Be blown away by the ‘best cathedral in England’

OK, so that’s a title awarded it by thousands of Twitter users in 2017, but who are we to argue? Lincoln Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking: it was founded way back in 1072 by order of William the Conqueror and it has been damaged and rebuilt, with bits added and removed over the intervening centuries, leaving the truly spectacular building we have today. There is plenty to see inside, from spotting fossils in the Nave floor through to the endless intricacies of the stone carving in the Apprentice Wall. Much of this magnificent building is accessible, and there are ramped entrances and exits as well as ramps inside too. There are fifteen free spaces to park on the road to the south side of the buildings and a car park with one Blue Badge space on Castle Hill.

Editorial credit: James W Copeland / Shutterstock.com

  1. Visit the home of the Red Arrows

RAF Scampton is just a few miles outside of Lincoln and it is well worth a visit. Not only is it home to the Red Arrows display team (who generally will only be there during the winter, as they are off touring the country for the rest of the year), but also it is a fascinating tribute to the famous World War II Dambusters 617 squadron, as well as the many other aircraft and pilots who worked there during World War I. Today, there are regular exhibitions explaining the history of the site and the many aircraft that have operated from the airfield. It is largely accessible, but it is important to remember that this is actually an operational military air base, and so you will need to pre-book before you visit to discuss your requirements.

  1. The Museum of Lincolnshire Life

We love community museums like this one. The Museum of Lincolnshire Life feels like a real celebration of the people who live in and around the city and it gives you an insight into the rich history of the area. There a wide range of fascinating displays covering everything from agricultural to community life, and the museum is fully accessible too, including lift access to galleries on the first floor.

  1. The Usher Gallery

If you are looking to enjoy some impressive art while you are staying in Lincoln, then a trip to the Usher Galley is a must. It has a regular turnover of high quality contemporary art during the year, but also a beautiful permanent collection of fine and decorative arts that is well worth taking the time to explore. It is a wonderfully peaceful place to spend time, and we’re pleased to say that all areas fully are accessible with a lift to the upper floors. There are also Blue Badge parking spaces nearby.

  1. Enjoy some local delicacies

Lincolnshire is quite rightly famous for some incredible local food. Whether it is Lincolnshire sausages, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese or even Lincolnshire plumbread, there is a mouth watering array of delicacies for you to try. A great place to start is the Green Room restaurant at the Lincoln Hotel, close by the cathedral. The team there pride themselves on creating delicious meals from only the highest quality, locally sourced produce, and it is well worth a visit. If you fancy something a little different then we also really recommend Sessions restaurant, in the city’s Cultural Quarter. It’s actually a part of Lincoln College (and is based on the site of the former city jail) and is run by catering and hospitality students to a remarkably high standard. The service is great, and if the food here is anything to go by the future of British cuisine is in safe hands.

Getting to Lincoln

Driving to Lincoln is straightforward. The A1, the A15 and the A46 connect the city from the north and south, while the A158 connects to the east and the A1 and A57 links to the west. Lincoln Central train station isn’t far from the city centre, and there are direct connections to Gainsborough, Sleaford, Peterborough, Nottingham. Leicester, Sheffield, Doncaster and London. Finally, if you’re flying in to the area, then the nearest airport is Humberside International Airport about 45 minutes drive away.

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.

Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: Padstow

Of course, here at Quingo Scooters we know that everyone only watches the BBC series Poldark for the stunning scenery. Aidan Turner might steal a few of the headlines, but for us Cornwall itself really is the star of the show. So here, as part of our Accessible Getaways series, we find out more about what this gorgeous part of the world has to offer.

Exploring Padstow

We’ve picked Padstow and the surrounding area because it really does have a bit of everything. We see it almost as a kind of Cornwall in miniature: beautiful beaches, a quaint fishing town and of course some amazing destinations for food lovers. There’s an impressive seven beaches within easy reach, and the coastline has everything from golden sands to those wild and windy cliff tops made so famous by Mr Turner. It’s a great base for exploring the Cornish countryside, but if you’re in love with the sea then you’ll also find it’s the perfect place to surf (but more of that later). Here are a few of our top things to do.

  1. Take in the beautiful coastline

Parts of the South West Coast Path are suitable for those of us using mobility scooters and we certainly recommend the first part from Padstow Harbour to Tregirls Beach and Polzeath to St Enodoc. There are more details on the South West Coast Path’s website here. There is also a great route out of Padstow to the Day Mark tower and the Coastwatch lookout station. These are set on an impressive headland and the grass and stone covered path takes you across some beautiful farmland with stunning views of the sea and the Camel Estuary. It’s around a mile and half long, and you can park in the Hawkers Cove Car Park near Padstow. There are no dedicated Blue Badge spaces however.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: Padstow - Polzeath Beach

  1. Go surfing

Padstow’s beaches are a prime location for surfers, and if you’ve never tried it before, now could be your chance. There are two gorgeous Blue Flag beaches nearby, and we recommend you give the team at Wavehunters a call to find out more about their surfing lessons for people who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Book a lesson with them online here or give them a call on 01841 532339. They’re located on the North Quay in Padstow and there are four Blue Badge parking spaces at the Broad Street pay and display.

  1. Ride the Camel Trail

There can be few better ways to explore this incredible area than by heading out on the Camel Trail. It’s around 18 miles long, and follows a disused railway line through some gorgeous countryside. It’s popular with cyclists but it’s also perfect for those of us on mobility scooters too. The surface is smooth and it is pretty much level all the way. You’ll get to see the stunning Camel Valley, and you may even want to spend a moment or two at the Camel Valley Vineyard on your way. Keep your eyes on the sky too as there’s a good chance you might see one of the local Peregrine Falcons or even an Osprey in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can find out more about the Camel Trail here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: Padstow - Camel Trail
Editorial credit: Gary Perkin / Shutterstock.com

To find out more about the facilities available in Padstow and the local area, look here.

Where to stay

If you fancy a bit of art deco glamour, then there really is no better place to stay than the St Moritz hotel. It’s a little way out of Padstow, but it is a gorgeous place that has really taken into account the needs of visitors with mobility requirements. This classic hotel has two fully accessible rooms, as well as access to the main restaurant via a lift. There is also an indoor pool with a dedicated changing room for disabled guests, and a wet wheelchair and hoist system for getting into the pool itself. The great news is that all of the treatments at the hotel’s Cowshed Spa are also fully accessible. Just give the team a call on 01208 869800 to discuss what you need.

If you want to be a bit closer to the hustle and bustle of Padstow itself, then we recommend the lovely Prospect House in the town. You’ll find it behind Rick Stein’s St Petroc’s Bistro, and they have two quiet, accessible rooms, as well as dedicated parking for guests.

Eating out

If there is one thing that Padstow is rightly celebrated for, it’s the quality of its sea food. And any selection of Padstow restaurants has to start with Rick Stein’s place, The Seafood Restaurant. The restaurant (and Rick himself) are Padstow institutions and well worth a visit. There’s wheelchair access and you can park in any of the nearby pay and display car parks in Padstow, at the harbour, South Quay, Link Road or Lawns. Each has its own Blue Badge parking, but Badge Holders are also usually allowed to park on double yellow lines in the town for a limited period (but check your badge restrictions first).

If you’re interested in something a little less formal (and crowded), then we don’t think you can do any better than heading to the Prawn On the Lawn for some gorgeous seafood. It’s a great place with a real emphasis on fun, fresh food. It also has its own fishmonger, so if you fancy taking some of the local produce away and cooking it yourself then we recommend you certainly check it out.

Getting there

Getting to Padstow is relatively straightforward by car. If you’re coming from Penzance, then head north on the A30. If you’re coming from the north, take the M5 towards Exeter and then head in the direction of Bodmin, and from London take the M4 to Bristol, then south on the M5 to Exeter and then follow the A30, the A38 and finally the A389. There are trains from right across the UK’s network running to the nearest station at Bodmin Parkway every day of the week. It’s also possible to fly, either to Newquay Airport (only 12 miles from Padstow) or to Exeter Airport which is around 1hr 50mins drive away.

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.