Tag Archives: peak district

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Routes: The Peak District

We’re very lucky here in the UK, as it is full of fantastic routes that are accessible to all. Here at Quingo Scooters we love telling people all about them and in this latest series of the best accessible routes in the country that you can enjoy on your mobility scooter, we’re off to explore the beautiful Peak District.

The Peak District

The Peak District is a real national treasure. It’s a huge favourite with many visitors, from home and abroad, because of its natural beauty, its wildness, and its accessibility. It lies right in the heart of England and makes for a great day out from any of the surrounding big cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Derby and it has long been a welcome escape for city dwellers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. But it also has its own busy market towns, such as Bakewell and Matlock, as well as countless beautiful little villages to explore. Buxton is known as the Gateway to the Peak District and is another charming spa town to spend some quality time in. But it’s when you head out into the countryside that you’ll really get a feel for the Peak District, and we’re pleased to say that much of it is accessible to you.

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Accessibility

We think that the Peak District National Park Authority have done a great job of trying to make as much of this wild and natural environment as accessible as possible. A good place to start exploring is to head to their website. There, you’ll find a comprehensive list of some of the places that you can visit on your mobility scooter. They feature places like the beautiful valley of Dovedale, which has a large car park (although unfortunately there are no concessions for Blue Badge holders) and an accessible toilet. There is a limestone pavement by the river which is fairly smooth and easy to navigate, but there is also an alternative road on the other bank of the River Dove that you can follow up the river. Another route is the Monsal Trail, a disused railway which is now open to all, and is easily accessible on your mobility scooter. It’s a gorgeous route, running 8.5 miles from Topley Pike near Buxton to Coombs viaduct near Bakewell. You can park at the old stations in Bakewell or Millers Dale, where you can easily access the trail itself.

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Reaching the Peak District itself is straightforward and there are regular rail services from Manchester, Sheffield and Derby to the major towns such as Matlock, Buxton and Glossop. If you’re coming by car, bear in mind that many of the roads are narrow, making it hard to park. There are however 45 car parks in the National Park, with around 54 designated Blue Badge parking spaces between them. Take a look at the local authority’s car parking page here to find out more.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

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

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, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Holidays: Hoe Grange Holidays, Matlock

Here at Quingo Scooters we love browsing for holidays and getaways, and then having something to look forward to when you eventually book!

In our accessible holidays series we’ve been discovering some of the best accessible holidays around, at home and abroad. This week we’re back in the UK with some idyllic little log cabins where you can truly enjoy the British summertime!

Hidden away in the breath-taking Peak District between Ashbourne and Bakewell, you’ll find Hoe Grange Holiday log cabins, offering stylish and spacious self-catering accommodation.

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The Log Cabins

The cabins are open all year round, so if you fancy a trip during the winter months to get cosy by the fire, that’s an option too! They are rated 4 star gold, and are fully equipped with everything you need for a memorable and relaxing holiday.

You can tailor your holiday length to what suits you most – a few days away, a week, or an extended holiday – the choice is yours. Winning the Gold award for ‘access for all’ from Visit England Award for Excellence, this is sure to be one of the most accessible and easy breaks you’ve ever had.

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Accessibility

All four of the log cabins at Hoe Grange have level thresholds throughout, and are rated under the National Accessible Scheme, giving you the confidence you need for a fully accessible holiday.

Hipley, Rainster and Daisybank cabins all have two bedrooms that can sleep up to 4 guests. They are mobility scooter accessible throughout with a spacious layout. They have walk in wet room showers with grab rails, plenty of transfer space, an adjustable shower head and level operated taps. There are also a choice of mobile shower chairs should you require one, and there are drop down support bars on both sides of the toilet.

The larger cabin, Pinder, has three bedrooms. It has a standard family bathroom, and is ideal for larger groups or guests that are a little more mobile.

The log cabins also have a range of extra equipment should you require it, to make your stay as hassle-free as possible. The Hoe Grange Holidays website accessible holidays page is incredibly helpful, and you can find all the details you may require for your specific needs on there before you book.

Peak District

This is definitely a holiday for the outdoorsy types, who love nothing more than to eat their breakfast whilst taking in some outstanding scenery. The Peak District offers just that, with spectacular panoramic views.

Hoe Grange Holidays is ideally located to the attractions of the Peak District, to name just a few:

There’s definitely loads to do and see in the Peak District, you may even need to come back again in the year to enjoy the rest!

Share your accessible holiday with Quingo!

If you want to share your mobility scooter accessible getaway, 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.