Here at Quingo Scooters we’re always encouraging users to get out and about and visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters.
In this instalment of our Accessible Attractions series, we’re heading to one of the most popular British seaside towns, Blackpool. As March begins and spring is almost in sight, it won’t be long before it’s the perfect weather to spend a day by the sea. And even if the weather is its usual unreliable self, we’ve got some attractions to share that you won’t want to miss!
Blackpool offers something for everyone and all ages. The attractions we’re going to share are all fully accessible for your mobility scooter, giving you the confidence to explore Blackpool to your heart’s content!
Madame Tussauds
Visit Madame Tussauds to have your chance to get up close and personal with all the A-listers (well, their waxworks anyway!). From music stars and sports stars to the cast of Coronation Street (including the actual street) there’s someone that everyone will want to have their photo taken with. New for this year, music mogul Simon Cowell will make an appearance at the famous waxwork exhibition.
The majority of the facilities at Madame Tussauds are accessible, as there is a lift between the floors, and staff available to help at all times. Admission for guests with disabilities is charged at the normal admissions price, however one helper is welcome without charge. Due to space only 3 mobility scooters can gain access to the exhibition at any one time, but you can call the dedicated booking team on 0871 282 9200 before you go to help plan your visit.
Blackpool Zoo
This is the place to go if you want to see an extensive collection of exotic animals. Blackpool Zoo offers everything from Animal Experiences to Keeper School Courses. The newest addition to the zoo was in December 2015, when the only Hartmann’s mountain zebra became the first one to be born in the UK. Other highlights include the Red Panda, African Pygmy Goat and the Aardvarks. There’s also an active Sealion pool, which is the biggest in the UK and is definitely not to be missed!
The site is generally level throughout, and all areas are mobility scooter friendly. The toilets, gift shop and café are all fully accessible. There is also word that in the Amazonia Jungle section of the zoo the cheeky monkeys take a shine to mobility scooters and will try to use them as a climbing frame!
Central Pier
You can’t have a trip to Blackpool without exploring the pier. There’s always something going on – from the illuminations in the autumn and winter to enjoying the arcades and seaside views of the summer. The modern tram system is the best way to get to the central pier, and it’s fully accessible.
There is an accessible toilet part way down the pier, it’s very spacious and has plenty of grab rails. The main floor area is level right along the length of the pier.
Blackpool Tower
You can’t say you’ve truly seen Blackpool until you’ve taken a trip up to the top of the Tower! Opened to the public in 1894, the Blackpool Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It’s 158 metres tall and is the 103rd tallest freestanding tower in the world. At the top of the Tower you can try out the ‘Walk of Faith’ glass floor panel for some really exceptional views of Blackpool below. Afterwards you can take tea in the Tower Ballroom and why not try to catch an attraction such as the circus, the aquarium or the clown exhibition?
The entrance to the Tower is fully accessible and there is a mobility scooter friendly lift to all floors. The café and shop are also fully accessible and there are accessible toilets on levels one and five.
Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!
If you’ve been to visit any interesting attractions 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 Scooters 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.
Tag Archives: days out
Quingo Accessible Attractions: At-Bristol
Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about and visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters.
In the second of our latest accessible attractions series, we want to share another hidden gem that you wouldn’t usually think to visit, or that you maybe thought weren’t accessible enough for your mobility scooter.
This week we’re getting scientific and reaching for the stars at At-Bristol. At-Bristol’s stated aim is to ‘make science accessible for all’, and it certainly does so with interactive hands on exhibits, shows and workshops. Something else that you mustn’t miss at the museum is the planetarium – even those members of your group that aren’t as enthusiastic about science are sure to be stunned by it. The two floor science centre is suitable for all ages and has something that will satisfy everyone’s curiosity.
The Centre
The project opened in 2000 as part of the regeneration of the historical Floating Harbour, and was funded with a contribution from the National Lottery. At-Bristol is situated on the former Canon’s Wharf, and is described as ‘one of the UK’s most exciting interactive exhibitions’. At-Bristol was interestingly developed from a 1906 railway goods shed, which was part of Brunel’s original Great Western network.
The centre is actually a charity, although not many people realise this. They receive no direct central government funding, instead relying on ongoing support from visitors, members, a board of trustees, grantmakers, corporate partners and volunteers.
Exhibitions
At-Bristol’s programme of activity changes regularly, so it’s worth checking their website to see what’s on when you plan to go. Here are some of the highlights on at the moment:
Winter Stargazing 3D
This is certainly an experience not to be missed. Here you can stare at space in amazing 3D in the UK’s first digital 3D planetarium. You’ll feel like you’re flying through space from the comfort of your mobility scooter, and you can even find out what Tim Peak is up to in the international space station! Stargazing is recommended for those aged 18+.
Good Vibrations
This is a great option for everyone, especially if you have younger children with you, and takes place in the live science studio. The exhibition explores all different kinds of vibrations from under the sea to outer space, bird song and bass bins. The younger members of the family will be amazed when they visualise the different sounds you can make with your voice and create light sabre effects with springs!
Space Explorers
The Space Explorers show is an interactive extravaganza, where you can experience for yourself blasting off into space and becoming a fully qualified space explorer. Take off from Earth in a rocket ship and zoom through the Solar System, all from the comfort of your mobility scooter!
Accessibility
At-Bristol boast plenty of accessible facilities including level access with lifts to all floors, wide doors and lots of space between exhibits.
The planetarium shows are fully accessible, but it is advised that you contact At-Bristol beforehand, as there are limited spaces for mobility scooters. The centre can be contacted on 0117 915 1000 (9-5 Monday-Friday, excluding Bank Holidays).
The toilets, café and shop in the centre are all fully accessible and have plenty of room in them. You’ll find the on-site car park is also fully accessible, with automated doors onto Millennium Square.
The general admission ticket will cost you from £14.50 for an adult and from £9.40 for a child over 2, under 2’s go free. The extra cost for some exhibitions can vary, so it’s worth checking this out before you go on the At-Bristol website. It is also worth noting that there is free admission for dedicated assistants, part of the centres pact to make science accessible for all.
Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!
If you’ve been to visit any interesting attractions 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 Scooters 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.
Quingo Accessible Attractions: York Art Gallery
The Quingo Scooters team are always keen to encourage scooter users to get out and about and visit interesting or unusual places.
In our accessible attractions series, we aim to share some of the hidden gems that you wouldn’t usually visit or that you maybe thought weren’t accessible for your Quingo Scooter.
This week the Quingo team wanted to share some of the remarkable and accessible cultural attractions in the historic city of York with you. The York Art Gallery is part of the York Museums Trust, and is also situated minutes from York Minster, so it’s possible to visit both whilst on a day trip. If you’re already a bit of an art expert, or you just fancy a day out that’s a little bit different, York Art Gallery caters for everyone.
Rich History
The Gallery holds a collection of paintings that spans more than 600 years. The works range from 14th century Italian panels to 20h century works by LS Lowry and David Hockney.
The building itself is also of historic interest having first opened its doors to the public in 1879 and then becoming York’s city Art Gallery in 1892.
If you’ve never been to an art gallery before, but fancy something different, York Art Gallery will definitely provide the wow factor.
Collections
There’s so much more than just paintings at York Art Gallery:
- Decorative Arts: here you’ll find more than 3000 pieces in a variety of materials including ceramics, glassware and textiles. The collection of ceramics from the Yorkshire potteries dates from the 1600’s to the 1900’s.
- Modern ceramics: This is the world’s most extensive collection of modern British Studio Ceramics, with more than 5,000 pieces on show.
- Works on Paper: These include drawings, watercolours and prints with around half featuring the city of York by local artists.
- Paintings: York is famous for its collection of paintings spanning the history of Western European, but there is something that will appeal to everyone and regular touring exhibitions. In March 2016 one of the largest touring exhibitions of British First World War Art will reach York Art Gallery.
Accessible Art
York Gallery re-opened in August 2015, after it was made fully accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users. It now has two entrances – one at the front and one at the rear through York Museum Gardens. There are also accessible toilets on the ground and first floors of the gallery.
There are also the shop and Café No. 8 for you to refuel after discovering all the offerings of the gallery.
York Art Gallery offer an ‘Access Day Ticket’ which enables those who are aged 17-24 and receive support allowance entry for £4. The standard adult entry price is £7.50, which includes a 10% gift aid donation, and children under 16 get in the gallery for free.
If you’re making your way from York train station on your Quingo Scooter, it should take around 15-20 minutes to get to the gallery. If you’re visiting by car, the nearest car park is on Marygate which is around 5 minutes away.
For any other enquiries you have about York Art Gallery, you can always check their website before you go.
If you’ve been to visit any interesting attractions 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 Scooters 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.
