Tag Archives: Leeds

Days Out

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day Out In Leeds

Leeds is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities in the UK. Not only is it a great city destination for a day trip or short break, but it is also the beating heart of Yorkshire, arguably one of the country’s most beautiful and diverse counties.

Here, Quingo Scooters, as part of our Accessible Getaways series, dive straight into exploring what the city has to offer.

Exploring Leeds

Whether you’re into shopping, art and culture, outdoor activities, music or eating out at some of the best restaurants in the country (everything from Indian street food to the best tapas this side of Madrid), Leeds really has something for everyone. Here are our top picks.

  1. A classic shopping experience

There can be few cities that have as many stunning shops, many of them independent, packed into such an accessible and easily navigable city centre. You’ll find everything from high end boutiques through to the biggest names in retail, all within a relatively small area. The gorgeous Victoria Quarter arcades are well worth a visit (just don’t forget to look up at the stunning architecture!), with plenty of easily accessible (although small) shops at ground level. At the Victoria multi-storey car park there are 50 Blue Badge parking spaces. You can find information on parking here.

The Trinity Leeds shopping centre, which opened in 2013, is more mainstream and is also fully accessible (although some of the ramps into the centre are quite steep). There is audio support in the lifts and a free wheelchair and mobility scooter hire service, as well as fully accessible toilets. You can find out more here or check out a detailed review of access to the site. The centre also has 630 parking spaces, including 14 reserved for Blue Badge holders.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day out in Leeds Victoria Quarter
Editorial credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com
  1. A city of art and culture

One of the best things about Leeds is how accessible so much of the art in the city is, not least stunning public works such as Athena Rising near the train station, which is the tallest mural in the country. We also think that the Tetley (yes, that Tetley) is well worth a visit too. The former HQ of the brewery giant has been transformed into a contemporary art gallery and it’s all accessible by lift, with toilets on every floor. For more information on accessibility at the Tetley, head to its site here. There is also a large car park right next to the site, with several spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders.

Leeds Art Gallery has also been recently refurbished and has a ramp outside as well as an alternative entrance for easy access. The Tiled Hall café there is also beautiful, and it’s well worth stopping by for a quick cuppa if you have time. There are Blue Badge parking bays on nearby Cookridge Street and Alexander Street. You can find out more here.

  1. Step back in time

If you need a break from the fast-paced city centre, then a trip out to Kirkstall, with its romantic abbey ruins and a fascinating museum should definitely be on your list. The 12th century Cistercian abbey itself is beautiful and the grounds are fully accessible to all visitors, despite some uneven patches of ground here and there. The Abbey House Museum over the road is also worth negotiating a steep but short slope up to the entrance. Most of the galleries in there, including a recreation of a Victorian street, are fully accessible to all visitors. If you’re planning a visit to the Abbey or the Museum take a look at the relevant guides here and here. The Vesper Lane car park across the road on Abbey Walk has four Blue Badge spaces for visitors to the Abbey and the Museum.

Quingo Scooters Accessible Getaways: A Day out in Leeds Kirkstall

  1. A breath of fresh air

Leeds is blessed with some beautiful green spaces and, if your getaway can stretch to a few days, we recommend that you take the time to explore some of them. One of our favourites is the enormous Roundhay Park, where you’ll be astonished at how quickly and easily you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. All of the entrances and paths are accessible, and there are fully accessible toilets at Tropical World, Explorers Café, the Visitor Centre and the Education Rooms. You’ll find more information on access to the park here. There is also Blue Badge parking available on Princes Avenue by Tropical World and Canal Gardens.

Leeds is the perfect destination for a few day’s getaway, with plenty of accessible attractions in the city centre and some beautiful parks, gardens and countryside to explore if you want to venture further afield. For a general overview and accessibility ratings of many of the shops and attractions in Leeds, we also recommend you pay visit to http://www.accessibleleeds.com

Getting there

Whether you’re travelling by car, train or even plane, Leeds is very straightforward to get to. If you’re driving, the M1 and the A1 both link with the M62 which runs across West Yorkshire. If you want to leave the car on the outskirts and get a bus in, then use the Park and Ride sites at Elland Road and Temple Green which have Blue Badge parking spaces and buses into the city every 15 minutes. The Metro website is a great source of travel information if you need to know more about getting around the city. The train station is right in the city centre, and you can be in Leeds in just over two hours from London. The station is served by all the major operators, including Virgin Trains East Coast, TransPennine Express and Cross Country. Finally, Leeds Bradford Airport is only around eight miles from the city centre and is well connected with the rest of the country. It’s just a short hop there from Aberdeen, Belfast, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey, London Heathrow T5, Newquay and Southampton airports.

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, Quingo Scooters, Reviews

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds

Taking an incredible journey through the history of medicine, the Thackray Medical Museum is a completely unique experience. With 9 interactive galleries, the fascinating exhibitions and collections take you on an incredible journey through historical techniques and advancements in medicine. From watching a surgery restaging from 1823 to walking through Victorian street reconstruction, Thackray Medical Museum transports you into the heart of medical history.

This week, Quingo Scooters is in Leeds to learn all about the history of medicine. Housed in an impressive Victorian building, the history of medical technology is really brought to life at this award-winning venue and is a must for anyone interested in medicine, science or history. Let’s take a look at what’s on…

Quingo Scooters Thackray Medical Museum Iron Lung
Photo: Chemical EngineerWikimedia Commons

What’s on

  • Health choices: Ever wondered what medicines were available to people living in Victorian times? This exhibition explores exactly that. With real cures being rare at the time, you’ll see some of the more unconventional options available, such as the many ways sea water was used.

Must see: The personal medicine chest of Prince Albert. This incredible piece of history shows how the nobility of the time were treated, how they stored their medicine and the unorthodox techniques used. You’ll be amazed at how far medicine has advanced since!

  • Wilkinson Apothecary Gallery: With over 600 on display, The Wilkinson Apothecary Gallery houses the Thackray Medical Museum’s unique collection of apothecary jars. This is the largest collection of its type in the world, spanning several centuries, from the 1500s to the 1800s. With 400 English examples and 200 from Italy and other countries, jars were used by pharmacists to store medicines. These beautiful jars are impressive works of art.
  • Hannah Dyson’s Ordeal: This galley raises the important question: would you rather go to the hospital now or in Victorian times? You’ll definitely make up your mind in this retelling of the true story of 11-year-old Hannah Dyson. After her leg was crushed by machinery at a mill where she worked in 1823, the surgeons fought to save her life. This display walks you through what happened to her, with realistic audio-visual displays highlighting the horror of surgery at this time. This isn’t for the faint hearted!
  • Pain, pus and blood: This exhibition brings to life the gruesome realities of surgery in this era to life. Providing a captivating insight into the history of medical procedures, this gallery highlights the truly incredible advances in surgical techniques that have been achieved since.
  • Life Zone!: Designed for younger guests, the fun, educational and interactive experience is a great learning tool. Whether they want to follow the progress of a pea through the intestines, discover how high they can jump, or even see how long human intestines are, all their medical questions will be answered here.
  • Having a baby: How much has the process of having a baby changed throughout the years? This exhibition draws on real-life stories to explore the history of pregnancy and giving birth, from the 1890s to the present day. Showing the development of pain relief, the rising need for qualifications and improving survival rates for both women and children. Anyone interested in childbirth will love this insight.
  • Leeds 1842: Transporting guests back to 1842, this exhibition introduces the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian street in the city. This interactive experience allows you to talk to characters living in this authentically recreated street. You can explore and discover what their homes are like, what’s causing their ailments and what can be done to help cure them.

Must see: The Disease in Retreat section. Serving as the perfect antidote to the disease-ridden Victorian street, this section offers a view into how science has tackled these illnesses over the years. You’ll experience an interesting look at the revolution in treatment and medical practice. The 19th century notions of health are particularly interesting contrasts to our modern-day understanding. This is a must for all interested in medical and scientific history!

  • New Frontiers of Surgery: Starting in the mid-1800s, you’ll travel through a showcase of surgical procedures in this enthralling gallery. The star of this exhibition is the introduction of general anaesthetic and antiseptics, highlighting how this paved the way for modern day procedures such as organ transplants.
  • Medicine and History Lecture Series: Those with an interest in all things medical will love this lecture series. A highly popular series of talks and discussions look at a wide range of topics and factors that have influenced changes in medicine and health. Whether you’re a trained medical professional or have little knowledge of the subject matter, these fascinating talks are great learning experiences for all. Each lecture presents different and entertaining speakers. A full schedule can be found here.
  • Paranormal Investigations: Do you believe in ghosts? If so, the Thackray Medical Museum is the place for you. Reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in Leeds, the museum is a popular venue for professional ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re a believer or a sceptic, the Ghost Nights at Thackray are interesting insights into the paranormal.

Where to eat and drink

The Thackray Medical Museum has a café onsite that offers a range of food and drinks. Their menu includes a selection of tasty and homemade options, such as seasonal soup, made to order sandwiches, paninis and jacket potatoes with a variety of fillings. On weekdays, you can even find two hot daily specials! If you’re in a hurry, you can pre-order food to be ready at a time to suit you. The café also offers a traditional afternoon tea with a range of freshly made sandwiches and cakes.

What’s more, Leeds NHS staff receive a 10% discount in the café by simply showing their badge at the till. The menu and opening times for the café can be found here.

Quingo Scooters Thackray Medical Museum Midwife
Photo: Chemical EngineerWikimedia Commons

Opening times and prices

The Thackray Medical Museum is open every day from 10am to 5pm, with last admissions at 4.15pm. On every third Thursday of the month, the museum offers late night opening until 8.30pm, with last admissions at 7.45pm. Prices vary per person, you can view the price list here.

Getting there

Located next to St James’s University Hospital in Leeds, the museum is 2 miles from the city centre and is accessible by all major forms of public transport. If you’re travelling by car, follow the signs for York (A64) and then follow the brown tourist signs for the Thackray Medical Museum. There is on-site Blue Badge parking. The area is also serviced by frequent bus services. More information on getting there can be found here.

Accessibility

Thackray Medical Museum is accessible to all guests. There is plenty of seating throughout the attraction, with lifts to all floors. Throughout the venue, accessible toilets can be found. Free Blue Badge parking is available at the museum’s on-site car park, as well as additional Blue Badge parking at the multi-storey on Beckett Street. More information can be found here.

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

Visiting the Royal Armouries Museum on your Quingo scooter

The Quingo team encourage our users to get out and about on their scooters, and we highlight some accessible attractions that make it easy for you to visit on your Quingo. This time we’re taking a look around the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

The Royal Armouries Museum

Situated in Leeds City Centre’s new development Leeds Dock, the Royal Armouries Museum was built to house a large part of the national collection of arms and armour, and displays over 8,500 objects throughout its six themed galleries: War, Tournament, Oriental, Self-Defence, Hunting, and Peace. It even features an outside Tiltyard where live shows take place, including an exciting  jousting show. Continue reading Visiting the Royal Armouries Museum on your Quingo scooter →