Tag Archives: UK attractions

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: The Alnwick Garden

This week, Quingo Scooters are heading to Alnwick, Northumberland as part of our Accessible Attractions series. Alnwick Garden, a complex of former gardens for Alnwick Castle, offers a fun and exciting day out. This day is a must for any lovers of nature and adventure!

Situated in the heart of Northumberland and north of Newcastle, the revived gardens offer entertainment for the whole family. The Duchess of Northumberland’s vision for a forgotten plot has been transformed into a magical experience full of enchantment and imagination. Home to one of the largest wooden tree houses in the world and a poisonous garden, there’s plenty to do at Alnwick Garden.

Quingo Scooters Alnwick Gardens 2

What’s On

The Alnwick Garden is home to one of the most innovative gardens in Britain. As well as displaying seasonal flowers and plants in its impressive grounds, guests can also explore treetop pathways and see magnificent water features throughout. There are also activities for all to enjoy throughout the park.

  • A Garden of Fairytales: Inspired by the Grimm fairytales, this interactive experience invites guest to save Beauty from the garden’s Evil Queen. Solving clues along the way, guest travel along a magical journey, in which benches sing, frog princes talk and magic mirrors guide your way. Live actors play fairytale characters and direct guests on their quest. This experience is magical for the whole family.
  • Christmas At Alnwick Garden: Beginning in late November, Christmas starts to arrive at Alnwick Garden. Throughout the end of November and December, you can expect to see many Christmas treats. From Christmas Markets and ice skating, to disco party nights and mixology courses, there’s something here for everyone. Different activities are available most days and more information can be found here.
  • The Treehouse Restaurant: With a gradually sloping pathway up to the entrance, this offers a unique dining experience for the whole family to enjoy. With wooden pathways, twinkling lights and a log fire, it’s a magical experience situated in the trees of Alnwick Garden. Showcasing local produce, the menu always has seasonal delights. Here you can enjoy The Duchess of Northumberland’s own “Deadly Jane” range of cocktails, a fine selection of wine and beer, and regular live music.

Opening Times and Entry

The Alnwick Gardens are open daily, excluding 25 December. Opening times vary by season. The summer opening times are 10am-4pm (31 March-31 October). The winter opening times change more frequently due to seasonal festivities and can be found here. Ticket prices vary, with carers obtaining free entry.

Quingo Scooters Alnwick Gardens 3

Getting There

The Alnwick Garden is just off the A1 in the heart of Northumberland. It is easily accessible by car, train and bus. If you are travelling by car, the route is well signposted and the main car park is off Denwick Lane. There is free blue badge parking provided. Buses connect the gardens to Newcastle and surrounding towns. If you are travelling by train, the Alnmouth stop is 4 miles away from the Alnwick Garden, with connecting buses and taxis available from here. More information can be found here.

Accessibility

Alnwick Garden has smooth, solid surfaces, with wheelchair accessible routes throughout. There are pathways to all areas of this garden, including the rope bridges, treehouse and waterfall. Alternative routes have been created, with slopes and gradual inclines being used as a replacement to stairs. Lifts are also available. There are fully accessible toilets throughout the gardens, as well as seating provided all through the gardens. Before you visit, you can get support for your trip through speaking to a member of staff at 01665 511350 and choosing option 1.  More information about Alnwick Garden’s accessibility 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, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: The Queen’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Quingo Scooters once again take you to one of the UK’s incredible attractions as part of our Accessible Attractions series. This week we’re heading to Edinburgh to marvel at some of the world’s greatest works of art!

Located at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, The Queen’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is home to a rotating collection of art. The location of Holyrood Palace makes it an excellent choice for a day visit, or a couple of hours during your visit to the city. Whether you want to explore the grounds or enjoy the exhibitions in the gallery, there’s always something exciting to see.

Quingo Scooters The Queen's Gallery 2

What’s On

The history of both the country and the Royal family is presented through ever-changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. Here are a few things to enjoy:

  • Shadows of War (4 August-26 November): This is the first exhibition to focus exclusively on Roger Fenton’s pioneering photographs of the Crimean War, taken in 1855. Fenton focused on creating moving portraits of the troops and images of the stark, empty battlefields, showing the impact of war to the public for the first time and creating the genre of war photography through subtle and poetic interpretations of battle.
  • Exclusive Evening Tour, Palace of Holyroodhouse (2 December 2017-2 January 2018): This special Christmas tour of The Queen’s official residence in Scotland highlights the Palace’s dramatic past and its important role in the present. An expert will escort you to rooms not usually open to the public. Your ticket will also include a glass of champagne, a copy of the official guidebook and 20% discount in the shops. There is limited availability.
  • Recitals for Wrigglers (22 October): A family recital in the unique setting of the Great Gallery. The whole family can enjoy the classical music and popular nursery rhymes amongst iconic portraits of Scottish royalty.

Entry Times and Prices

The Queen’s Gallery is open daily all year, excluding 25-26 December. The opening times are seasonal: April-October 9.30am-6pm (last admission at 5pm) and November-March 9.30am-4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm). Ticket prices vary and can be found here.

Quingo Scooters The Queen's Gallery 3

Getting There   

Located on the Royal Mile, the Queen’s Gallery is accessible by all major transport links. If you’re travelling by train, the exhibition is 15 minutes away from Edinburgh Waverly. The 6 and the 35 buses stop near the gallery and there is a public car park adjacent to The Gallery. There are several blue badge parking spaces available on Horse Wynd, just outside the Palace. Open-top bus tours stop nearby and coach parking is provided free of charge. More information on finding the exhibition can be found here.

Accessibility

The attraction is accessible by automatic doors at ground level, with lifts to the gallery. The Gallery and shop have polished wooden floors, with a stone floor in the lobby. All circulation and gallery spaces are fully accessible and have respite seating available in The Gallery, café and Mews Courtyard. Accessible toilets are also available throughout.  You can view or download The Queen’s Gallery’s full accessibility information 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, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: The Titanic Experience, Belfast

Quingo Scooters are travelling to Belfast as part of our Accessible Attractions series. If discovering historic artefacts, as well as learning about maritime history interests you, the Titanic Experience is for you!

Situated in the heart of Belfast, the experience is beside the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction. Over six-floors, you are taken through the story of the RMS Titanic, from construction and launch to its tragic end. A must-see on any trip to Belfast, this experience has become one of Northern Ireland’s top attractions. These innovative and interactive galleries retell the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way for a captivating day out.

Quingo Scooters Titanic Experience 2

What’s On

The self-guided Titanic Experience features 9 interactive galleries that explore the sights, sounds, smells and stories of the Titanic and its history, through the city and the people who built her. The history is brought to life across a series of attractions:

  • The Maiden Voyage Gallery: Capturing the excitement of the launch, this gallery transports visitors from four embarkation ports, Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg and Queenstown to the Titanic’s deck promenade. In addition to seeing and hearing the ocean, you’ll meet Fredrick Dent Ray, a dining room steward and survivor through inventive technology. You’ll also be able to see an original first class luncheon menu, as well as the last letter ever to be written on board the Titanic.
  • Titanic Slipways: Harland and Wolff’s 1907 slipways were re-designed to accept the huge hulls of the new Olympic-class liners. Behind the Titanic Experience, you can now travel down the slipways where the Titanic was built and launched over 100 years ago in 1911.
  • Afternoon Tea (Available on Sundays): After a busy day of exploring, step back in time to a period of elegance and luxury with the Titanic Sunday Afternoon Tea. Set in the opulent surroundings of the Titanic Suite, you’ll be able to pose for pictures on the stunning replica of the Titanic’s staircase. Serving a selection of tea and treats, with a children’s menu available, this Afternoon Tea is an experience not to be missed!

Entry Times and Prices

The Titanic Experience is open daily all year, excluding 24-26 December. The opening times are seasonal: January-March 10am-5pm, April-May 9am-6pm, June-August 9am-7pm, September 9am-6pm, and October-December 10am-5pm. Ticket prices vary and can be found here.

Quingo Scooters Titanic Experience 3

Getting There

Located in the heart of the Titanic Quarter, the Titanic Experience is just a short journey from Belfast City Centre with easy access to public transport. It is a short 5-10 minute journey from George Best International Airport, and around a 30 minute drive from Belfast International Airport. It is accessible by train, bus, coach tours and cars, with blue badge parking available on the second level. More information can be found here

Accessibility

The Titanic Experience has been named on SAGA’s leading accessible attraction list and is surrounded by a fully accessible flagged Plaza. The building has four entrances, all with level access. While the main door is revolving, the other three entrances are automatic bi-parting. Ticket desks all have lowered counters, and the building houses 2 scenic lifts, situated in the Atrium, which take visitors to all levels. All circulation spaces and galleries are fully accessible and have seated rest spaces throughout. You can view or download the Titanic Experience’s full accessibility information 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, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Blackpool Zoo

Quingo Scooters are back with another fun, family day out for all the family to enjoy, this week we’re heading to the north west of England for an attraction perfect for animal lovers! Where are we this week?

Quingo Scooters Blackpool zoo 2

The zoo

Blackpool Zoo is a multi-award-winning family favourite with everything from zebras and penguins to giraffes and sea lions. As well as many animals calling Blackpool Zoo their home, it boasts incredible displays including the UK’s best sea lion display, an impressive array of birds and a host of animal experiences

Highlights include:

  • Gorilla Mountain – Gorilla Mountain is one of the most popular enclosures, offering natural surroundings for a family of Western Lowland gorillas. The island is accessed from their outside paddock and they spend much of their time there, enjoying the sunshine during summer and foraging for scattered food.
  • Lemur Wood – Lemur Wood was one of the UK’s first walk-through zoo enclosures, offering the chance to walk through with the stars of the DreamWorks’ film ‘Madagascar’. Popular with young visitors, there are three species of lemur in the enclosure, the lemurs enjoy jumping across the walkway to say hello to their visitors.
  • Active Oceans – Active Oceans consists of the zoo’s sea lion pool – the largest in the UK – a seating area for 400 people and a penguin pool with underwater viewing. Twice daily, the sea lions display their natural behaviours which are explained by their trainers. The Magellanic penguins are the only ones of their type in the UK – they love to meet visitors through the underwater glass.
  • Big Cats – the Big Cat House is home to African lions and Amur tigers, slotted in between the two is the meerkat enclosure – another popular destination. The lions enjoy a multi surface outdoor enclosure with a heated ‘rock’, with many hiding places for food the lions use their great sense of smell to find their meat.
  • Elephant and Reptile House – Asian elephants have been residents at Blackpool Zoo since its first opening in 1972, the indoor area of the elephant house is shared with a large collection of reptiles and invertebrates (insects), as well as two tanks of fish. Other species in the house include snakes, lizards, amphibians, tarantulas and much more.

Entry prices and opening times

The zoo is open every day from 10am, with the exception of Christmas Day when the zoo is closed. The closing times vary throughout the year, it is advised to check the closing times of the zoo when booking tickets online or planning your trip. For more information, visit the website here.

Online entry prices to the zoo are £13.99 for adults, £11.99 for senior citizens and students and £10.99 for children (3-15 years). Gate entry prices to the zoo are £17.99 for adults, £15.99 for senior citizens and students and £13.50 for children (3-15 years). There are a range of group ticket options available for visitors to the zoo, for more information visit the website here.

Quingo Scooters Blackpool zoo 3

Getting there

Blackpool Zoo is just two miles inland from the attractions of the famous Blackpool Golden Mile. For visitors travelling by car, follow the M6 to junction 32 and take the M55 to junction 4, then follow the ‘brown elephant’ signs to the zoo.

For visitors travelling by bus, Blackpool Transport provides daily bus services to the zoo on lines 15 and 16, running every 30 minutes from Blackpool Town Centre, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Marton Mere Holiday Park.

For visitors travelling by train, trains run from two stations in Blackpool, it is recommended to use Blackpool North Station which is 5 minutes from the town centre.

For more information on travelling to the zoo, visit the website here.

Accessibility

There is level access throughout the whole of the zoo for scooters users, there are viewing options available at many of the enclosures to ensure that all visitors can view the animals. There are four toilet blocks on site, each including accessible toilets. The zoo offers level parking for up to 400 vehicles, including 12 dedicated spaces for blue badge holders, there is a parking charge of £2.50 per day. For more information regarding accessibility, visit the website 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, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: The British Museum

Quingo Scooters are heading back to the capital this week for another instalment of our Accessible Attractions series. We’re discovering world cultures as well as learning about artefacts from across the globe.

Quingo Scooters British Museum 2

The museum

This week we’re visiting The British Museum in London, founded in 1753, the museum is home to a range of objects from across the world. It showcases a vast collection of artefacts, which tell the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present day. With over 70 galleries there’s something for everyone:

  • Virtual pilgrimage: reimagining India’s Great Shrine of Amaravati (until 8 October) – The Great Shrine of Amaravati was one of the oldest, largest and most important Buddhist monuments in ancient India. Discover the Shrine’s significance and learn about the pilgrims who funded its construction.
  • Desire, love, identity: exploring LGBTQ histories (until 15 October) – the display offers glimpses into LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) histories, experiences and lives from across the globe as the exhibit covers ancient civilisations up until the present day.
  • Living histories: recent acquisitions of works on paper by contemporary Arab artists (until 22 October) – the display highlights recent additions of posters, prints, drawings, photographs and artists’ books to the museum. Many of the artists come from Syria, illustrating the modern history of country in artistic form.
  • The business of prints (21 September 2017 until 28 January 2018) – the exhibitions shows fine examples from Britain’s print collection to look at how prints were created, developed, bought and sold in the period 1400-1850.

Each of the above exhibitions is free of charge to view.

Quingo Scooters British Museum 3

Opening times and entry prices

The museum is open daily from 10am – 5.30pm, the museum is closed on 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January. The museum has free entry for all visitors.

For more information, visit the ‘Admission and Opening Times’ page of the museum’s website here.

Getting there

The museum is located in central London, for visitors travelling by Tube, the nearest underground stations are Tottenham Court Road (500m), Holborn (500m), Russell Square (800m) and Goodge Street (800m). For more information, visit the Transport for London tube maps website here.

By Bus, there are a number of services that run near to the museum stopping on New Oxford Street, northbound on Tottenham Court Road, southbound on Gower Street and Southampton Row. For more information, visit the Transport for London bus routes website here.

By car, visitors should follow directions for Great Russel Street in Central London. The museum is within the Congestion Charge zone; therefore, visitors will be required to pay this charge. There is little on-street parking available, the nearest carpark to the museum is located at Bloomsbury Square. There is a limited amount of disabled parking in the Museum’s forecourt. To make parking arrangements contact the museum.

For more information, visit the ‘Getting Here’ section of the museum’s website here.

Accessibility

The majority of the museum has level access, the Great Russell Street entrance has a lift on either side of the steps, alternatively there is level access at the Montague Place entrance. The majority of the galleries and all special exhibitions are fully accessible for scooter users, there are lifts available to allow access to each of the galleries. There are accessible toilets in the Great Court, the Ford Centre for Young Visitors, the Clore Education Centre and to the north of Room 66.

For more information, visit the ‘Access’ page of the museum’s website 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.