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Accessible Routes, Days Out, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Lake District

Mobility scooters offer the perfect way to get around if you’re wanting to explore the great outdoors. And the destination we’re focusing on this time certainly has fresh air in abundance: the Lake District is famous around the world, and the great news is that much of it is accessible. So, here Quingo Scooters finds out what this incredible National Park has to offer.

The Lake District

Never mind just the UK: we’re going to be bold with this one and say that the Lake District must be truly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It really does have it all, from breathtaking mountains and forests to yes, lakes (although strangely, only one, Bassenthwaite Lake, is officially a lake by name). There is also a rich vein of artistic connections to explore in the Lakes as well, with many painters and writers over the years, from Turner to Wordsworth, being inspired by this incredible place.

Bassenthwaite Lake

The great thing about the Lake District is that there really is a day out to suit every taste. If you love to explore the wilds of the fells and the valleys then there are plenty of accessible routes for you to try. But the towns are also well worth a visit, despite getting incredibly busy in the summer tourist season. Whether you’re looking to pick up a bargain in one of the countless outdoor shops in Keswick, or if you want to enjoy the Beatrix Potter Experience in Windermere, there are lots of options.

Accessibility

The Lake District National Park is an area of great natural beauty and of course, as with any of the UK’s wild places, access to it on a mobility scooter or wheelchair can depend heavily on the weather. That said, the National Park authority website is a good place to start your journey: their dedicated Miles Without Stiles page gives a great overview of the 48 routes in the Lake District that have been identified as being particularly accessible for all. One of our favourites is a fairly lengthy route alongside the stunning Coniston Water. The views are out of this world and one of the best things about it is that is very adaptable if the Cumbrian weather turns against you suddenly (as it often does!). It’s easy to cut the 4.3 mile route short and turn it into just a couple of miles if you need to by getting on one of the Coniston Launches from the jetty at Torver. There is also a car park, accessible toilets and café on Lake Road near to the Coniston Boating Centre.

Another great Miles Without Stiles route is along the shore of Derwentwater, surely one of the most beautiful of all the lakes in the park (and one that has even had a role in Star Wars, of all things!). It takes you along the western shore of the lake, with great views of Skiddaw and the other local mountains that surround Keswick. You can park at Hawse End where the walk starts, but there is also the option to take public transport by using the Buttermere Rambler (service number 77 / 77A). We’d recommend checking with the team there on 01228 597222 to make sure it will be a low floor bus that is operating on the day you want to travel.

Derwentwater

As we mentioned earlier, the Lake District isn’t just about the great outdoors. The Beatrix Potter Experience in Windermere is a real family favourite, and is fully accessible. There is an accessible entrance on Crag Brow, and although it is an old building they’ve done a great job of ensuring everyone can enjoy it. There is also lift access to the Tea Room. It is open every day, from 10 until 6.30pm, with last entry at 5.30pm. If you’re blind and partially sighted then there is also the opportunity to go on a ‘touch tour’ (with authentic aromas) of the exhibition. Just give the team a call on 015394 88444 a couple of weeks before you go to book it in.

Getting there

The Lake District is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK and it is well served by the M6 motorway that runs north and south along its eastern edge. Junction 36 and then A590 will take you to the southern Lakes, while Junction 40 and the A66 or A592 will take you to the north. You can also take the train, either to Carlisle, Oxenholme or Penrith from London and Glasgow, and there are direct trains from Manchester to Windermere too. Buses also link many of the towns within the park itself, but again we’d recommend checking to make sure they are accessible, on 01228 597222.

Lake District Valley

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 Accessible Routes: Dodd Summit Trail – Keswick, Cumbria

Here at Quingo Scooters we know just how great it is to get outdoors and into the countryside, to get some fresh air and appreciate the fantastic scenery! In our new series, we’ll be sharing some accessible routes for you to take on your mobility scooter.

Keswick

In the heart of the Lake District National Park you’ll find Keswick, a northwest market town. Surrounded by mountains such as Skiddaw, the scenery is something to marvel at. The Cumberland Pencil Museum documents the history of pencils and the Keswick Museum & Art Gallery displays local artefacts. The vast Derwent Water lake is located at the south of the town, where you can enjoy boat tours and the Theatre by the Lake.

Accessible Route

Name: Dodd Summit Trail

Type of route: Circular

Distance: 4.5 miles

Gradient: Minimal

Terrain: Medium

Facilities: Toilets, Café

The Dodd Summit Trail gives fantastic panoramic views, which include those of Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Solway Coast and even the hills of Dumfries and Galloway. This trail passes through wooded slopes, an open hill and spectacular sights.

The walk starts at the car park, and is also the starting point for several other walks through this forest. All walks are described in a leaflet which is available at the Old Sawmill Tea Room.

It’s recommended to first make your way to the lower viewpoint, which is open every day between 10am and 5pm. From this viewpoint you’ll be able to catch some extraordinary views of the ospreys fishing over the lake, as well as the bold red squirrels. Here, there is also information provided by the staff and volunteers, including how to safely make your way to the upper viewpoint.

Half a mile from the lower viewpoint you’ll reach the higher viewpoint, which can be accessed via the forest. It will take around 30 minutes to make your way here, and there is a steady gradient involved. Again staffed by volunteers, this viewpoint too has optics available which give some amazing views of the new nest, which is only 400m away. Due to reasons of nest protection, the upper viewpoint is only open between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily.

High powered telescopes are provided on this walk, but it’s a good idea to bring your own binoculars if you want a better look at the ospreys fishing, sitting, feeding and washing.

If you require any additional information you can contact the Whinlatter Visitor Centre on 01768 77846.

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.