Tag Archives: London

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Where are the Best Accessible Shopping Centres?

When you’re after a good session of retail therapy, Quingo Scooters know how important it is to find somewhere that is completely accessible where you can feel entirely at ease.

Previously on the blog we’ve shared the best accessible restaurants in the north and south of the country. In this post we’re sharing the best accessible shopping centres so that you can get planning even more days out!

Intu Trafford Centre – Manchester

A favourite amongst the shopaholics, intu Trafford Centre is the second largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom. Located in Greater Manchester, the centre is a great place to go if you’re after all the best high street names – most of their flagship stores are located at the Trafford Centre. You won’t be short of places to eat and drink here either, as there are plenty of places to choose from!

The Trafford Centre is fully accessible, with nine speaking lifts located around the centre to provide easy access to all levels. There are multiple disabled toilets located around the centre, including dedicated accessible units which specifically cater for the needs of disabled people.

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The Centre:MK – Milton Keynes

With over 200 shops and restaurants under one roof, The Centre:MK houses large stores such as John Lewis, House of Fraser and Marks and Spencer. The Centre:MK is aesthetically pleasing too – the elegant steel frames design echoes the shopping streets of the Galleria in Milan.

The centre has great accessibility. It’s all under one roof and is on one level, with all main doors fitted with automated door opening controls at mobility scooter height. Parking is also on one level and really accessible, so no ramps or lifts are needed.

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Westfield London

The largest covered shopping development in the capital, Westfield London can be found in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Open until 10pm every day except Sunday, the centre is one of latest to open in the country, making it the ultimate shopper’s paradise. As well as all your favourite high street brands, you’ll also want to discover The Village – a world of luxury housing leading fashion designers such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton and more.

Westfield is extremely accessible as almost all of the shops have level access, making them very easy to get in and out of. The centre itself has plenty of lifts, with good signage and plenty of seats if members of your group fancy a rest. There are plenty of accessible toilets throughout the centre, and the car parks have many designated blue badge parking spaces.

Share your accessible place with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible places on your Quingo, 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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: The Royal Observatory, London

Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about to visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters, especially places that you didn’t think were accessible enough.

Over our series of blog posts we’ve been sharing with you some extremely accessible attractions to explore on your mobility scooter. Today we’re looking at the stars as we head to Greenwich, London.

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The Royal Observatory

Playing a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation, The Royal Observatory is situated on a hill in Greenwich Park overlooking the River Thames. It is most famous for being the location of the prime meridian, a geographical coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0°.

Voted a top 10 visitor attraction in London, the Observatory was historically commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II, with the foundation stone being laid on 10 August. The Royal Observatory sits on a site chosen by Sir Christopher Wren back in 1675, and today it’s a place where you can go and explore your place in the universe.

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What is there to do?

  • Prime Meridian – You can’t visit the Observatory without having your photo taken on the official Prime Meridian Line! Since the late 19th century, Prime Meridian has been the reference line for GMT, and divides the eastern and western hemispheres of the earth. This is similar to how the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres. You can take your selfie on the Meridian Line from 10am to 5pm daily.
  • Planetarium – Asteroid: Mission Extreme – This is definitely an extraordinary experience not to be missed. Perfect for the whole family, here you can go on an epic journey of the universe and delve deeper into the dangers and opportunities presented by asteroids. You can find out what it would take for astronauts to reach an asteroid, and how such an adventure could benefit humankind. There’s always a different kind of Planetarium show on at the Royal Observatory, so check here to see what’s on when you plan to go.  

 Accessibility

The majority of the Royal Observatory is fully accessible – this includes main attractions such as Prime Meridian. The Planetarium building is also fully accessible, and has a spacious room for a mobility scooter inside.

A steep footpath leads up to the Royal Observatory from Greenwich Park, however you may wish to take the accessible alternative road inside the park which is signposted. You can also stop halfway to take in a great view of the city.

There is a good sized accessible toilet in the Observatory, and there is a selection of accessible cafes and restaurants. All the information you’ll need, including ticket prices and opening times, can be found on the Royal Observatory website.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible places 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, Quingo Scooters

Where Are The Best Accessible Restaurants In London?

Whether you’re wanting a weekend treat, celebrating something special, or simply want an easier option for dinner – Quingo Scooters know how important it is to find somewhere to eat that is completely accessible where you can feel entirely at ease.

You may be a local resident to the capital city, or maybe you’re just visiting for a short break. It can sometimes feel slightly daunting to choose just one restaurant out of the pack without knowing how accessible it will be for your mobility scooter. In this post we give our recommendations for some of the most accessible restaurants in London, to make that choice a little easier.

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Gourmet Burger Kitchen – 160 Portobello Road, Notting Hill

If you fancy a good old American style burger, this is the place for you! The extensive range of burgers and other dishes are freshly prepared and made to order, portions are generous and catering for vegetarians is also provided. There is level access to the restaurant from the street, a lowered payment counter and fully accessible toilets. Gourmet Burger Kitchen is a chain of restaurants up and down the country, so you can find an alternative restaurant near you.

Criterion Restaurant – 224 Picadilly, Mayfair

The Criterion is one of London’s oldest restaurants, having opened in 1874. It is a Neo-Byzantine-style restaurant serving Modern European dishes, and is open for both lunch and dinner. Inside the Criterion you’ll find the iconic long bar, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle staged the first meeting between Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. On top of amazing food, this restaurant is full of history and spectacular architecture! There is accessible entry to Criterion, and there are fully accessible toilets.

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Mela – 152-156 Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden

If you’re someone who loves Indian food, but also likes trying new things, then this is a great option for you. Rather than focusing on a specific region, Mela’s menu features dishes from all over India. This means you’ll find some unusual treats like lobster pepper fry curry and potatoes stuffed with cashew nuts. Mela also keep the fat and oil content in their dishes to a minimum, which is an added bonus. There is both assisted and non-assisted mobility scooter access available, and the toilets are fully accessible.

Petrus – 1-3 Kinnerton Street, Knightsbridge

For something a little bit more extravagant, or for a special celebration, try Michelin star restaurant Petrus. This modern French dining restaurant is one of Gordon Ramsay’s, boasting theatrical dishes and a very extensive wine list. The wine even features as the centrepiece of the restaurant, a glass encased wine room.  This restaurant is very accessible for mobility scooters – there is level access to the restaurant and there are fully accessible toilets.

Share your accessible restaurant with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible restaurants 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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Accessible Outdoor Places to Visit in London

Here at Quingo Scooters we know how much fun it can be to spend the day doing something different, or visiting a place you thought maybe wasn’t accessible enough. Now that summer is coming into full swing, you’d probably much rather be spending time outdoors on a lovely day instead of being indoors.

In this blog post we’re taking a look at the best outdoor attractions to visit in central London – and of course, they’re all fully accessible. Whether you live near the capital and have everything on your doorstep, or you live further afield but fancy a trip to London for a nice day out – there’s always loads to do! From theatres to zoos, many of London’s outdoor attractions are accessible for mobility scooters.

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Kew Gardens – Richmond

The impressive Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is set over 300 acres in the borough of Richmond, around 30 minutes from central London. Any gardeners out there are sure to love this day out, as there are more than 30,000 species of living plants – the largest collection in the world. There are many attractions on at the gardens and loads of things to do to keep every member of your group entertained. The gardens are fully accessible, as are the glasshouses and galleries. There are eight designated extra wide parking bays in the car park which are nearest to the ticket kiosk.

WWT London Wetland Centre – Barnes

Recreating 105 different habitats from around the world using a mosaic of pools, ponds and lakes, the WWT London Wetland Centre offers something really different. New technology and TV monitors let you explore the wilderness areas of the reserve. There are free guided tours and bird feeds daily, and loads of lakes, ponds and gardens to explore. The majority of paths have tarmac and are accessible for mobility scooters. Other accessible features include low level access to the ground-floor hides and a fixed hearing loop in the audio-visual theater.

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Shakespeare’s Globe – Bankside

Located on the bank of the River Thames, this reconstructed open-air theater brings the world of Shakespeare to life using interactive exhibits and demonstrations. A full theater programme runs between May and September at Shakespeare’s Globe, and all the details of what’s on can be found on the website. The entrance to the exhibition is via a ramp, and the theater has a provision for mobility scooter and wheelchair users.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo – Battersea

Located in the borough of Wandsworth, the zoo is situated on the south bank of the River Thames opposite Chelsea. Definitely a great one to keep the younger members of your group entertained, the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo is home to all sorts of animals – from farmyard favourites to monkeys, birds and reptiles. There is also a contact area where children can see all the animals up close and stroke them. The zoo is fully accessible, made so by ramps throughout the attraction. There’s always a different exhibition taking place at the zoo, so make sure you check what’s on in order to plan your trip the best way possible!

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you want to share your mobility scooter accessible attraction, 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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Tower Bridge Exhibition, London

Quingo Scooters are always encouraging users to get out and about to visit interesting or unusual places on their mobility scooters, especially places that you didn’t think were accessible enough. Over our series of blog posts we’ve been sharing with you some extremely accessible attractions to explore on your mobility scooter.

This week we’re back in the capital, exploring the iconic Tower Bridge Exhibition. If you’re planning a trip to London this summer (or whenever!) then be sure not to miss this must see attraction. The most famous bridge in the world boasts an iconic structure, spectacular views and glass floor, modern exhibitions and even Victorian Engine Rooms.

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What’s on at the Tower Bridge Exhibition?

There’s plenty to see and do at your day out at the fully accessible Tower Bridge Exhibition.

Glass Floor – The newest feature at the exhibition, where you can see London life through a glass floor. This is a unique viewpoint 42 metres above the River Thames. And if you time it right, you might just see the Tower Bridge lifting below you! Don’t worry if you don’t fancy looking down – the walkways also offer some amazing views of London, and you can take a look at the ‘Great Bridges of the World’ display for some impressive examples of engineering!

Engine Rooms – The engine rooms are located a few minutes from the South Tower, and are dubbed as one of London’s ‘hidden gems’. Here you’ll be able to appreciate huge steam engines, furnaces and accumulators that were once used to power the raising of the Tower Bridge. There’s also an incredible short film, explaining the ingenious technology used to keep to bridge going for over 120 years.

South Tower – Here you’ll see a short bespoke video shown by the artist Stephen Biesty, showing the incredible construction of the Bridge. Afterwards you can take the accessible lift down to the LED-lit motion sensitive artworks, which depict all of the iconic buildings along the Thames.

There is a full list of ticket prices and opening times on the Tower Bridge Exhibition website. 

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 Accessibility

The Tower Bridge Exhibition is a fully accessible venue. On arrival you’ll be greeted by an automatic door operated by Tower Bridge’s friendly and helpful staff. Throughout there are accessible lifts to different areas of the exhibition, including the Towers and the Engine Rooms, enabling you to see absolutely everything the Tower Bridge has to offer. Fully accessible toilets are located in the North and South Towers and in the Engine Rooms.

Everything you need to know about accessibility at the Tower Bridge Exhibition before your arrival can be found in their Access for All Guide.

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

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.