Tag Archives: Chester

Accessible Routes, Days Out

Quingo Scooters Accessible Historic Sites: England

Here at Quingo Scooters, we really are passionate about helping people to explore England’s many historic sites. If you’re a history buff, then the country has a seemingly endless supply of fascinating places to visit. From ancient henges to stately homes and royal gardens, there is something for everyone. Happily, much of it is also accessible, meaning that our country’s rich heritage can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Here are our Top 5 Historic Sites in England.

  1. Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire

Rievaulx Abbey is one of those places that is so beautiful, and in such a spectacular setting, that it is almost hard to believe it is real. But it is, and the great news for those of us who use a mobility scooter is that much of the site is fully accessible. It’s not hard to see why the first Cistercian monks came here to establish the abbey in 1130. It really is a place full of peace and tranquillity. Of course, the Abbey has been at the centre of some remarkable stories over the last 888 years or so, and you can hear more about this at the Abbey’s excellent museum. It’s all accessible to you on your scooter, and you can also take a lift up to the upper floor. You’ll also find an excellent cafe there that serves hot and cold meals all day (just remember it closes half an hour before the Abbey does).

But the real joy of Rievaulx for us is just exploring the magnificent ruins. It’s an incredible experience in the heart of this peaceful valley. The Abbey has its own car park with two bays for Blue Badge holders. There are also two extra spaces within the site gates when it gets busy.

Rievaulx Abbey - Quingo Scooters

  1. Brodsworth House, South Yorkshire

Staying in Yorkshire for a moment, we also have to mention Brodsworth House. It is a wonderful example of a Victorian country home set in gorgeous gardens that are easy to explore on your mobility scooter. Once you’ve enjoyed the garden (there are level, tarmac paths throughout) you can explore the house itself. You can take your mobility scooter around the whole of the ground floor, but you can also head up to the first floor (using the original lift!) to see some of the bedrooms. The hall is incredibly well-preserved. One of those historic houses that has been left pretty much as it was, and it is all the more interesting for it. The car park has five dedicated Blue Badge spaces.

  1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire

We really had to include what is probably the UK’s most iconic historical site in this roundup. While Stonehenge’s original purpose has been lost over the millennia, visiting it is still an incredibly powerful experience. Of course, this Neolithic treasure is also incredibly popular, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, but it is for good reason. Much of the site, including the path alongside the stones themselves, is fully accessible by mobility scooter and the exhibition and visitor centre is also accessible via a ramp. Apart from seeing the spectacular stones themselves, we also really recommend setting aside some time to explore the centre, which is packed with many of the fascinating artefacts that have been found on the site. Stonehenge has its own car park with 22 parking bays for Blue Badge holders.

 

  1. Osborne House, East Cowes

Anyone who enjoyed the recent TV adaptation of Queen Victoria’s life will absolutely love Osborne House. It was one of her favourite holiday homes and both Victoria and Albert spent a lot of time here. We don’t blame them: it is a beautiful home set in spectacular gardens. Much of the house itself is accessible with your scooter and you can take a lift up to the first floor apartments where the Royal couple used to stay. The gardens themselves also are fully accessible via firm and level paths and are well worth taking time to explore. The royal getaway has its own car park with 12 spaces for Blue Badge holders.

  1. The Roman ruins of Chester

We’ve talked before here about the remarkable job that Chester has done of creating a town that is accessible to all. There are the historic 13th century elevated paths in the town centre known locally as ‘The Rows’ which are fully accessible, but of course there are also the city’s fantastic Roman ruins. These include the Roman gardens, which display many historic artefacts from the city’s history, but also the historic walls. The walls are a fascinating hotchpotch of Roman, Saxon and medieval history, and the entire two-mile stretch is fully accessible. We really fell in love with Chester when we visited, as it is one of those cities that packs a huge amount in to a relatively small space, with much of it accessible to those of us using a scooter. The Gorse Stacks, Frodsham Street and Cuppin Street car parks are all close to the walls and have dedicated Blue Badge spaces.

Roman Ruins at Chester - Quingo Scooters

Accessing the UK’s historic sites.

By their very nature, many of the UK’s historic sites face complex issues around accessibility. Uneven surfaces, narrow entrances and worn steps all contribute to a making it hard to deliver a consistent level of accessibility for all. But most have done a great job, and we recommend that if you are interested in visiting a particular site it is always well worth giving the local team there a call to discuss your own individual needs.

Beyond that, a great starting point is the English Heritage site, the body who manage many of the UK’s most precious historical sites. The National Trust’s Access for Everyone page is also a helpful resource.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester

The Monty Python team once famously posed the question: ‘What did the Romans ever do for us?’ Well, to the long list of sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system and public health, you can add the fine city of Chester. But it’s not only a beautiful historic city, it’s also a highly accessible one.

In the latest instalment of our Accessible Getaways series, Quingo Scooters looks at some of the great things that you can do in Chester.

Visiting Chester

Firstly, we should take a moment to celebrate the huge lengths that Chester has gone to in making so much of the city as accessible to as many people as possible. The city was the first in the UK to be awarded a European Access City Award, which recognises the effort a city goes to in order to make it accessible for all. It’s open to all EU cities with over 50,000 people, and considering the peculiarities of Chester’s historic centre, we think that this is a pretty impressive achievement. For an overview of just how accessible the city is, head online to find out more. Here’s our pick of some of the best things to do while you’re there.

  1. Explore the Walls

We recommend exploring the two miles of Roman, Saxon and medieval walls that surround the city. It’s a great way to get a lay of the land and to see some of its most famous sites, such as the cathedral, and best of all the walls are largely accessible. Access points vary, with some stepped, ramped or have level access, and there are some steps along the way. If you need to park, Blue Badge holders can stay free for up to four hours on any of the City Council’s pay and display car parks, except for Trinity Street. There are also two Blue Badge parking areas on Frodsham Street and Hamilton Place. To find out more, take a look here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester

  1. Take in Chester Rows

Chester has a unique set of elevated passageways known as Chester Rows, which have allowed for multi-level shopping since at least the 13th century. With six access points and a route around them that is completely accessible, many shops are at ground level, while others need to be accessed by steps. There is plenty more information in the handy Chester City Centre Access guide, that can be downloaded for free here.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Chester - Chester Rows
Editorial credit: Claudio Divizia / Shutterstock.com
  1. Soak up some culture at the Storyhouse

Whether you want to go and see a film, catch a play or just stop for a coffee, the Storyhouse is a must visit when you come to Chester. There’s everything from stage versions of musical favourites through to screenings of classic films, talks by renowned authors and cutting edge contemporary dance. The entire building, from its library to the theatre, cinema and studio, is completely accessible by lift. It’s a real model for how well a building can be designed to make sure everyone can enjoy the space. The Market car park has 8 Blue Badge spaces, and there is free on street parking on Hamilton Place and Goss Street. To find out more, take a look at their accessibility page here.

Where to stay

You’re spoiled for choice for places to stay in this beautiful city. Take your pick from places like the Grosvenor in the heart of the historic town, which has reserved Blue Badge holder parking, through to The King’s Suites at the Premier Queen Hotel, which has two accessible rooms, ramped access and designated parking.

Eating out

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Chester, then there are the usual suspects like Cafe Rouge and lovely old pubs like the Grosvenor Arms that has been around since 1864, and the Old Harkers Arms. Both do great food and are well worth a visit.

Getting there

Chester is straightforward to get to if you’re coming by car, with links from the M6, M56 and the M53. By air, you’re only 40 minutes from Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon, and by rail you can use Arriva Trains or it’s a short trip from Crewe where there are plenty of connections too.

Editorial credit: D. Pimborough / Shutterstock.com

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.