Tag Archives: mobility

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Hampton Court Palace

In ages gone by, our monarchs built grand residences across the UK, so they could live in the true luxury befitting of their status. Many are still standing, providing you with plenty of great days out as a mobility scooter user. But where do you begin? Here’s where Quingo Scooters comes in. We’re bringing the UK’s top accessible attractions to your attention and we’ve got a great one for you in this post.

Join us, as we go to one of the country’s most stunning royal residences – Hampton Court Palace. Based at Hampton, Richmond upon Thames in Greater London, Hampton Court Palace is a massive complex, where you can experience what life was really like for the crème de la crème of English history.

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Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace was built by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, one of King Henry VIII’s favourites, in 1515. When Wolsey inevitably fell out of favour, Henry seized the building and it housed various monarchs over time, with George II being the last King to reside there. The palace was renovated many times, but most notably by King William III, who had aspirations of making it a rival to the Palace of Versailles in France, turning Hampton Court Palace into a true architectural marvel in the process.

To visit Hampton Court Palace today, is to familiarise yourself with the magnificence of royal living. It has a number of fascinating attractions for you to explore, including its iconic Great Hall, known for their splendid tapestries. The complex also houses the Chapel Royal, which is legendary for its beautiful ceiling, and also features a replica of Henry VIII’s crown. Other highlights include its Cumberland Art Gallery, which displays magnificent works from the Royal Collection and Henry VIII’s state apartments, which shed light on the personality of one of England’s most notorious rulers.

You cannot visit Hampton Court Palace without also spending time in its lush gardens. Spread across 60 acres, these green spaces possess winding paths, bubbling fountains, magnificent trees – including solid walls of yew and over one million flowering bulbs, making for a truly magical experience. You can go to Hampton Court Palace at any time of the year, from 10am to 6pm in summer and from 10am to 4.30pm in winter. Depending on the time of year, adult tickets start from £18 and you can find out more on the tickets and prices section of the official Hampton Court Palace website.

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Touring the palace

Hampton Court Palace is open to all visitors, and it’s one of the region’s top accessible attractions. It is easily reachable by train, as you can get a 35 minute train which will take you from London Waterloo to Hampton Court, and these services run every half hour. You can also get there by car, as it lies on the A308 and is well sign posted. It has on-site parking, with nine accessible spaces available for blue badge holders, and you can learn more on the getting here page of its official website.

You will have no problem getting around Hampton Court Palace, as it’s extremely accessible. There is level access from the parking area to its main entrance with the accessible parking spaces located just 50 metres away. There is level access throughout the ground floor of Hampton Court Palace, with a wide lift going up to the state apartments on the first floor. There is also level access in the gardens, with various flat paths available, as well as to the Palace’s information centre, where you can find out more about the venue.

There are also three fully accessible shops at Hampton Court Palace, where you can buy a souvenir to remind you of your time at this fascinating site. These are the Palace Shop, the Garden Shop, and the Tudor Kitchens Shop, while you can visit the Tudor Kitchens themselves and learn about the culinary traditions of our ancestors, via a ramp. Hampton Court Palace further includes various accessible toilets around the complex. You can learn more by visiting the accessibility page of its website.

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.

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: The Monsal Trail

Do you want to explore the great outdoors? At Quingo Scooters we’re constantly bringing you our top picks of the most breath-taking accessible routes the UK has to offer.

In today’s article we head to Derbyshire, one of England’s most scenic counties. Here you’ll find the Monsal Trail in the picturesque Peak District – one of the nation’s most mobility scooter-friendly routes.

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Monsal Trail

The Monsal Trail is a former railway line that was transformed into a track and opened up for the public to enjoy in 1981. This route begins just north of the small Derbyshire market town of Bakewell. Although 8.5 miles in total, you can pick and choose parts of the route you wish to see, and there are many amenities along the way, such as cafes, pubs and shops. Your Quingo is well within range of this, however we do recommend you charge it up fully before venturing out.

The route, which is free to travel, will take you all the way to the head of Chee Dale, allowing you a glimpse of the region’s glorious limestone valleys as you pass. The Trail is great for nature spotters. You’ll get the chance to see lots of birds, trees, cows, sheep and more as you travel. Monsal Trail includes six tunnels for you to journey through as well, giving you the chance to really experience what this railway line used to be like. There are two short tunnels, Chee Tor No.2 and Rusher Cutting and four longer tunnels – Headstone, Cressbrook, Litton and Chee Tor No1. The bigger tunnels are fully lit in daylight hours, so you’ll have no problem finding your way.

You can also make several stops as you go along the Monsal Trail, giving you a unique glimpse into local Derbyshire life. Not far from Bakewell, you’ll encounter Hassop Train Station, which opens daily from 9am to 5pm and is definitely worth a visit. It has a café, which serves a great selection of tasty, home-made snacks and is known for its delicious breakfasts, which they begin serving from 9am. The station also has a book store where you can pick up some great literature before going on further.

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Traveling the trail

If the Monsal Trail sounds like your cup of tea, you can get there easily enough. Visit the ‘how to find’ page on the Monsal Trail section of the Peak District’s website to find information on your travel options, so you can plan your journey. The Trail is easily reachable by car and there are a number of pay and display car parks along the way. If you want to do the whole route, it’s a good idea to use the car park at Bakewell Station, which is right next to the Trail’s starting point.

The Monsal Trail itself is perfect for mobility scooter users, as it’s fully accessible. You’ll find several access points along the way, where you can join the Trail via ramps. These points are at Bakewell Station, Hassop Station, Great Longstone Station and Millers Dale Station. The route itself is mostly flat and very well-maintained, so you’ll have no trouble getting around.

There are also various facilities throughout the Monsal Trail. You can find accessible parking spaces at Bakewell Station. Meanwhile, Hassop Station has an accessible toilet, while its book shop and café are also fully accessible. The café also has free Wi-Fi, so you can get online and find out more about the Monsal Trail before you carry on!

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: Brodsworth Hall

If you’re a history enthusiast, you’ll find plenty of sites to visit throughout the UK on your mobility scooter. Here at Quingo Scooters, we’re building up a guide of accessible attractions for you to check out, allowing you to delve into the fascinating depths of our country’s past on your next getaway.

This time we’re taking you to Brodsworth Hall. One of South Yorkshire’s must-see attractions, this is a grand Victorian country house, which boasts some of the most beautiful gardens you’ll ever see.

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Brodsworth Hall

Brodsworth Hall was originally built in the 1860s in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The property, which is a great example of the Italianate architectural style, survived mostly in-tact through the trials and tribulations of the 20th Century, before being taken on by English Heritage in 1990, who then opened it up to the public. You can get a fascinating glimpse into the Victorian vision of life at Brodsworth Hall.

You can check out the home itself by taking the Union Guided Tour. On this excursion, you’ll see the mansion’s sumptuously decorated halls and bedrooms, which really evoke a sense of classic 19th Century grandeur. You’ll also see the billiard room – a perfectly preserved gentleman’s retreat. The tour further features visits to the library, which still has its original faded carpets and wallpaper and the Victorian kitchen, known for its impressive range of authentic cooking tools. The property also boasts delightful tearooms, where you can indulge in traditional English treats at reasonable prices.

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The gardens are also well worth a visit and there are several for you to explore. This includes the formal garden, known for its meticulously manicured lawns, grand three-tiered Dolphin fountain and precise geometric flower beds, which are filled with everything from violas to tulips. Other spaces you can visit include the Italian Garden, known for its wildflowers and shrubbery and the Rose Garden, which has a 45 metre pergola bedecked in scented roses, honeysuckle and vines, at its very centre.

You can visit Brodsworth Hall from 10am to 4pm. The gardens, tea rooms and servants’ quarters – where you can learn how the ‘other half’ lived in Victorian times, are open daily, year round, but the house itself only opens in summer. You can enter for free if you’re an English Heritage member, which costs as little as £3.63 per month, otherwise an adult ticket to Brodsworth Hall will cost you £10.40. As the house is closed right now, you can get an adult ticket for the rest of Brodsworth Hall for £6.70. Visit the ‘prices and opening times’ section of Brodsworth Hall’s website to learn more.

Getting around

You’ll be able to travel to and get around Brodsworth Hall easily. Just head to the ‘plan your visit’ section of their website, so you can see how to reach the site by car or public transport. There are five accessible parking spaces directly outside of Brodsworth Hall and there’s level access to the entrance.

Brodsworth Hall is really easy to navigate as a mobility scooter user. The ground floor is completely level and there’s an original Victorian lift which you can take up to the first floor, giving you access to the property’s lavish bedrooms. Brodsworth Hall also features an exhibition which sheds light on the property’s past, which has level access, and there’s also ramped access to its tea rooms and shop.

English Heritage has made sure that Brodsworth Hall promotes comfort for all users. There are accessible toilets located throughout the property. Meanwhile, the property’s Formal, Grove and Rose Gardens are all lined with tarmac paths, so you’ll have no problem exploring these lush, scenic areas on your mobility scooter. Head to the ‘access’ page of Brodsworth Hall’s website to discover more!

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.

News, Quingo Scooters

Quingo wins Feefo Gold Trusted 2017 award

Quingo Scooters always puts you first. We strive to supply you with the best quality mobility scooters and excellent customer service, so you can travel the world at your leisure. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers for helping us win the coveted Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2017. Seeing how happy our customers are with both their Quingo Scooters and the service that they have received from our dedicated team makes us incredibly proud!

Finding reviews

It’s always a good idea to see what other people are saying about a product, and the company behind it, before making a purchase, to ensure you get the best quality. You can use online review platforms such as Feefo to see what existing customers are saying. A report from Bright Local found that 88% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, showing they can be really handy!

Feefo is a fantastic resource for online reviews. The platform is designed to “help the world make better decisions,” by giving customers the tools they need to express their opinions about what they buy. It allows users to award products and services a star rating out of five, giving you a quick overview if you’re pressed for time, as well as write full reviews, so you can read more in-depth opinions.

Trusted Service Awards

Feefo are always going the extra mile, to make sure you can get more out of their reviews. The platform collects ratings and reviews from verified customers, so you know they’re always genuine, and uses them to pick winners for its Trusted Service Awards. These prizes are designed to let you know which businesses go above and beyond to help you, by supplying exemplary service.

We’re proud to announce that Quingo Scooters has been given the Feefo Official Gold Trusted Service Award 2017. This is the highest honour that Feefo can bestow on a business, and they’re very discerning about who they give these prizes to. We have won the Gold Trusted Service Award 2017 for delivering the highest standard of service and it is the third time in a row we have received it!

Quingo Scooters Feefo Trusted

Fantastic feedback

We made the cut based on the fantastic reviews posted by our customers on Feefo. Quingo Scooters has an incredible 4.9 out of 5 customer service star rating, and a 4.8 out of 5 star product rating. If you look on the ‘Quingo Scooters reviews’ page on the platform, you’ll soon see why we were handed the Gold Trusted Service Award 2017.

These reviews were written by Quingo Scooter users across the UK. Mr Silcock, from Worthing, commended us on our “excellent service from start to finish,” while Mr Buckley in Cardiff has kindly said that we have a “first class product.” Mr Aston in Poole commented that we supply “a good all-round experience” and that he’s “enjoying the use” of his “plus model” as with it he can “get around more.” We would like to thank these customers and other users for taking the time to review us on Feefo, as they’ve provided the insight you need to learn why you get quality with Quingo Scooters.

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 Accessible Getaways: York

There are so many great British cities that welcome mobility scooter users that it’s hard to know where to start when planning you next holiday. At Quingo Scooters, we’re making it easier for you to explore the UK’s cultural landscape at your leisure, by revealing our top picks of accessible getaways.

Today we’re heading for York, based in the heart of North Yorkshire, England’s biggest county today. It was founded originally by the Romans, who called it ‘Eboracum’. Alongside Bath York is one of the UK’s oldest continuously habituated cities, with a wealth of historical sites just waiting for you.

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Welcome to York

York is an incredibly charming city, known by tourists across the world for its quaint shops, magnificent architecture, classic pubs and historic atmosphere. It has various accessible attractions, including:

  • York Minster: Built in the 7th Century, York Minster is one of the UK’s oldest cathedrals. Free to visit, it has a treasure trove of must-see sites. These include medieval stained glass windows, magnificent statues of English kings and an undercroft, where you’ll find ancient cultural treasures. The majority of York Minster is level and there’s an accessible lift to the undercroft.
  • York Art Gallery: Based on Exhibition Square, a stone’s throw away from the Minster, York Art Gallery is a true site to behold. It includes pieces spanning over 600 years, such as paintings, drawings and ceramics, shedding light on the UK’s glorious cultural past. You can check out the space free of charge and it’s very accessible, with a lift going up to its upper gallery.
  • Grand Opera House: Watch talented musical performance at York’s Grand Opera House. Based on Cumberland Street, the venue hosts everything from moving musicals to fun tribute acts. You can book a place to a show online at ATG Tickets. The Grand Opera House is mostly accessible, with spacious toilets and the venue’s staff always on hand to help.
  • National Railway Museum: If you’re curious about how the UK went from a rural society, to a global industrial power, check out the National Railway Museum. You can enter without paying a penny, and you’ll find the museum on Leeman Road, just a few minutes away from York Train Station. Fully accessible, the space’s exhibits tell the story of the rise of rail in Britain.

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Getting around

York is a very mobility scooter-friendly city. The easiest way to get there is by train, with the centrally located York Train Station serving as your gateway into the city. There are plenty of taxi services that you can use to navigate the city, with a list available here. This includes York Wheels, a service where, for a small fee, volunteers will take you around York. Most of its buses and park and ride services are also accessible, with more details, including a journey route planner tool, listed at Travel York.

Finding a place to stay in York, which is known for its mix of modern hotels and traditional town houses, is easy. There’s a list of accessible York hotels available on Euansguide, which includes the very affordable Hotel 53. Located at 53 Piccadilly, in central York, the hotel boasts affordable, spacious accessible rooms, complete with en-suite facilities and lifts throughout the building. It also offers delicious food, with the option of having breakfast sent to your room (for £4) between Mondays and Fridays.

There are accessible toilets located across York, open from 8am to 8pm. Some will be attended, for which you will require a RADAR card, these are available at a cost of £3.50 for those who have a blue badge. You can call York Visitor Centre on 01904 550099 or go to their website, http://www.visityork.org to get in touch with staff and find out more.

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.