Tag Archives: UK

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: Edinburgh International Book Festival

Each week Quingo Scooters aim to inspire you with great accessible days out within the UK. As part of our Accessible Attractions series, we’re heading up to Scotland this week. If you’re a bookworm you’ll want to keep reading!

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is held each summer within the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. The three-week celebration, held from the 12-28 August, is the largest of its kind in the world, offering something for all tastes and interests.

Quingo Scooters Edinburgh 2

The festival

Including over 800 events over the three weeks, there’s a wide variety on offer for all the family, featuring well known authors as well as rising stars. Previous special guests have included J.K. Rowling, Ian Rankin, Harold Pinter, Alan Bennett, Germaine Greer and Zadie Smith.

This year the festival will be expanding, with two new venues there’s even more opportunity to be entertained. The Book Festival welcomes approximately 1000 authors which include novelists, poets, scientists, philosophers, sportsmen, illustrators, comic creators, and many more. Some of the events you’ll be able to attend are:

  • Frank Cottrell Boyce & Carl MacDougall – after writing the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics, it was fitting for Frank Cottrell Boyce to have an exclusive preview of his debut collection of short stories. Reading alongside him is Scottish master storyteller Carl MacDougall with his own collection. The pair will appear on the opening day of the festival (12 August) in The Spiegeltent.
  • Isabel Bannerman & Julian Bannerman – Isabel and Julian reveal some of the inspirations behind their prize-winning gardens, suggesting ideas that may work on humble home plots. The duo will be appearing on 12 August in the Garden Theatre.
  • Julia Donaldson & Friends – international bestselling picture book author Julia Donaldson will appear for singing, dancing and rhyming fun. With the opportunity to discover her new book, What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday, your little ones won’t want to miss out! Meet a host of popular characters, including the Gruffalo. Tailored for ages 4-7, the event will take place on the opening day of the festival at the Baillie Gifford Main Theatre.
  • Greg James & Chris Smith: Not So Normal – BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James and newsreader Chris Smith team up for an energetic event full of enemies and adventure as they present their debut novel, Kid Normal. The pair will be hosting the event in the Studio Theatre, for ages 9+.

Entry prices and opening times

Each individual event includes varied admission prices; however, some events are free for everyone and can be found by searching on the events page, please see the individual events online here to book your place at an event. Tickets for the events can be booked online at www.edbookfest.co.uk, by phone on 0845 373 5888 or alternatively in person at the time of the event. Please see the website here for more details.

The festival will be open every day throughout the event from 9.30am to 1am. This year the festival will be running from the 12-28 August.

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Getting there

All of the events at the Edinburgh Book Festival take place in venues in the tented Book Festival village in Charlotte Square Gardens, as well as along the west end of George Street. Princes Street is within two minutes of Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Waverly train station, Edinburgh bus station and other key locations in the city.

It is advisable to use public transport wherever possible as August is a busy period within Edinburgh, and parking is limited. There is a multi-storey car park in Castle Terrace, 10 minutes away from the Book Festival. In addition to this, there are metered parking spaces around Charlottes Square. For more information visit the website here.

Accessibility

The Book Festival Village has full access throughout the whole of the event, as well as accessible toilets for all visitors. Each venue has level access throughout. For more information visit the website here, or contact Artlink Access Service through its website here or call on 0131 229 3555.

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: Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Quingo Scooters has some fantastic family fun for you this week – at Yorkshire Wildlife Park! It’s billed as the UK’s No.1 walk-through wildlife adventure and is another great British attraction to add to our Accessible Attractions series.

Quingo Yorkshire Wildlife Park 2

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to some of the most amazing animals on the planet – from polar bears, lions, camels and baboons to creepy crawlies – all set in 70 acres of beautiful countryside. There are  over 400 animals and 70 different species, with a range of attractions, activities and displays:

  • Project Polar – the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Polar Bears International’s flagship project working towards saving and improving the welfare of this iconic species.
  • Lion Country – where you can see the park’s famous and majestic lions, who were flown from Romania to Yorkshire in 2010!
  • Land of the Tiger – home to endangered Amur tigers Vladimir, Sayan, Tschuna and Tschuna’s cub Hope, and it is one of the largest tiger exhibits in Europe.
  • Lemur Woods – takes visitors through the Madagascan world of the lemurs where you can watch them leaping along the tree tops.
  • Leopard Heights – home to the most endangered big cat in the world. Here you can witness Drake, Freya and their 2 cubs living in their spectacular home, designed as a purpose-built breeding and reintroduction facility to help preserve this precious species.
  • Giant Otter reserve – Gold medallist Rebecca Adlington opened the reserve last year, which is home to Mora and Alexandra.
  • Into Africa – featuring the endangered black rhino, antelope, giraffe, ostrich and zebras.
  • Meercat and Mongoose Manor –these fantastic, fun characters dig and play in a unique reserve.
  • Big Bugs – a brilliant live show that takes visitors into the land of creepy crawlies!
  • These are just some of the attractions, with much more to see and do at the park, including ranger and carnivore experiences and adoptions.

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Opening times and ticket prices

The park is open every day from 10am until 6pm, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (24 and 25 December), when it is closed. The last entry is at 5pm. Check before you travel because the park may be closed due to adverse weather.

Prices for the Summer Season (11 March-5 November) are: adults £17, senior citizens and students £15, people with disabilities £11 (adult), £9 (senior citizens), children £14 (aged 3-15), under 2s can visit the park free of charge, disabled children £8, official carer £6.

Discounts are available if you book online. Students, disabled visitors and carers should take the appropriate ID to claim their concession.

Getting there

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is  easily accessible by public transport from Doncaster town centre or by car via the A1 or M1.

Visitors travelling by bus can use the 57 to Finningley. This service stops in the village of Branton, a short taxi ride or 10-minute walk from the park down Brockholes Lane. Taxis are available outside the train station or you can book one in advance.

Visitors travelling by train are advised to plan their journey into Doncaster station and take the 57 bus to Finningley.

By car, visitors should enter the postcode DN4 6TB on SatNav. Once you reach the destination, please follow the signs for the car park.

From M18 Junction 3 – exit onto the Great Yorkshire Way, signposted Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Follow this A-Road for two miles until you reach a traffic light junction at the A638. Take the left lane signposted ‘Armthorpe’, join the A638, and in 300 meters turn right onto Warning Tongue Lane. The park entrance is half a mile along the lane on the right, just after the bridge.

From the A1, join the M18 at Junction 35 and follow the directions above. From the M1, join the M18 at Junction 32 and follow the directions above. For more information please see the Plan Your Visit page here.

Accessibility

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is accessible. It has on site car parking, with approximately 2,650 car parking spaces and 120 disabled parking spaces reserved for blue badge holders only. If you are getting dropped off, there is a drop off point right outside the main entrance. All pathways and cafes are accessible to wheelchair users. There are disabled toilets in the Safari Café, opposite the meercat enclosure, at the Monkey Playhouse Café, at Caramba and near the giraffes. A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge subject to availability. To book a wheelchair for your visit, please call visitor services on 01302 535057.

To discuss accessibility needs, contact the park on 01302 535057 or email [email protected]

For more information please visit the accessibility page 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, Tips and Advice

Quingo Accessible Attractions: Haynes International Motor Museum

At Quingo Scooters we’re rejuvenating our Accessible Attractions series with another spectacular attraction for you to visit. This week we’ve discovered one for the motor heads amongst our readers!

We’re taking you to Sparkford in Somerset, to the UK’s largest collection of great cars from around the world, at The Haynes International Motor Museum. Buckle up your seatbelts, you’re in for a fun ride…

Quingo Haynes International Motor Museum 1
Editorial credit: Dave Goodman / Shutterstock.com

The museum

As the UK’s largest collection of cars; the museum boasts 400 amazing cars and bikes from the dawn of motoring in the late 1800s, to the classics of the 1950s and 60s. Keep your eyes peeled for beautiful Bentleys and Rolls Royces, to world renowned supercars such as the Jaguar XJ220.

The museum currently offers 19 individual exhibitions, with frequent tours, talks and activities for families, children and car enthusiasts. Each exhibition covers a specific period in the motoring industry, such as:

  • The Dawn of Motoring – displaying some of the oldest vehicles throughout the museum. With references to motoring pioneers such as Volta, Barsanti, Matteucci, Benz, Daimler and Olds.
  • Minis and Micros – a collection of the museum’s smallest vehicles, including those from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, India and (former) East Germany. Displaying quirky European ‘bubble’ cars which became popular in the 1950s within the British motor industry. Following on, this resulted in Britain presenting the Mini to the world.
  • Custom and Bespoke – since motor cars were introduced onto the roads they have been customised/modified by their owners. This collection displays how owners interpret ‘different’.
  • Supercar Century – within the display are popular supercars such as a 1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre, 1973 E Type Jaguar and a 1995 Dodge Viper. The range is one of the most desirable and exclusive within the museum – certainly not one to miss!
  • Ferrari: The Man, The Machine, The Myth – high performance brands such as Ferrari have become innovators within sports and racing cars. As one of the most expensive and beautiful brands in the world, the collection is a homage to the innovation behind Ferrari’s brand.
Quingo Haynes International Motor Museum 2
Credit: Haynes International Motor Museum/ Unsplash

Accessibility

The museum is generally a ground floor attraction with a range of hands-on exhibits, the first-floor Motorcycle Mezzanine level has lift access up from the rest of the museum. There are accessible toilets within the reception area, at the AA display and in the Supercar Century exhibition. There are ramps within the Red Room and the Auto Games Area, as well as a large ramp for access to the Café 750. There are 7 blue badge bays within the car park, located just a few metres away from reception. For more information visit the accessibility section of the website here.

Prices and opening times

Ticket prices for adults (aged 16+) are £14.50, children (aged 4-15 years) £9 and children (under 4 years) are free. Concessions (disabled adult, senior citizens over 65 years, students, forces and disabled senior citizens) are £13.50 and disabled children (aged 4-15 years) £7. The museum is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm from 2 March to 28 October (Monday-Sunday), and 9.30am to 4.30pm from 29 October to 1 March (Monday-Sunday).

Planning a visit

Travelling to the museum is very accessible. For people planning to visit by rail, the main line station at Castle Cary is 5 miles away from the museum and has a high-speed link between Paddington and Penzance. The line also has a daily route between Bristol and Weymouth with regular stops at Yeovil. For more information visit the National Rail website here.

By bus, there are regular bus services to Sparkford Village from Castle Cary and Yeovil. Further information can be found on the Travel South West website here.

For visitors travelling by car, the museum is situated just off the A303 near Sparkford on the A359 Sparkford to Castle Cary Road. High profile brown tourist signs from all the major trunk roads provide easy to follow local directions.

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.

Days Out, Holidays, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Getaways: Liverpool

Planning your next holiday? Quingo Scooters have the perfect destination, helping you have plenty of fun and creating lifetime memories. With so many destinations around the UK it can often be a challenge to pick just one! We’ve trimmed the list down and have been revealing our top locations to visit for an accessible getaway.

Warm up your vocal chords because this week we’re taking you to Merseyside! Known for the birth of one of the most famous boy bands in history, Liverpool has plenty on offer. And, as one of the most accessible cities in the UK, it provides a range of attractions for all ages.

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Welcome to Liverpool

Overlooking the North-West coast is the city of Liverpool, best known for its culture and music scene. With plenty of fun attractions to visit we can see why! For football fans, it’s the home of two of the Premiership’s biggest football teams. But if you’re more into leisurely touring the city, you’ll find mouth-watering restaurants, a huge range of shops in the Liverpool One centre and many accessible cultural attractions. Be sure to check out these highlights:

  • The Beatles Story – Discover the story of how one of the world’s biggest boy bands was formed and created in the heart of Liverpool. With lifts throughout, it is perfectly accessible. Visitors must note that a maximum of five wheelchair users are allowed into the exhibit at one time, so guests are advised to book in advance to avoid disappointment. The exhibit is equipped with accessible toilets and also allows for the use of assistance dogs.
  • The World Museum – This exhibit is set over five floors has a range of thrilling exhibits explaining world history – definitely a worthwhile attraction to visit for history fanatics! The museum is fully accessible and allows for assistance dogs; the cafes, shops and toilets are all accessible as well. Some exhibits have audio equipment available, and the planetarium has designated accessible spaces.
  • Liverpool Cathedral – This magnificent building is one of Liverpool’s most popular attractions. The 5th largest cathedral in the world, its architecture is impressive and is certainly an attraction you won’t want to miss! The cathedral has two accessible points and is mostly mobility scooter accessible throughout.
  • Eating in Liverpool – not only does Liverpool boast incredible attractions, it has a number of impressive restaurants hosting a huge range of cultures and cuisines. There are numerous restaurants/cafes/bistros that are fully accessible.

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Getting about in Liverpool

Travelling around Liverpool is incredibly easy as a mobility scooter user, as it has many accessible transport links in and around the city. There are specially designed accessible buses, which have wide doors, flat floors and low entrances. One of the most popular ways to explore Liverpool is on the Mersey Ferry; the ferries are also fully accessible, complete with toilet facilities. If bad weather has been forecast, it is advised to call ahead, as rough weather can often mean there is significant movement on the ferries. Being one of the most popular cities in the UK, there are many transport routes around Liverpool such as excellent train connections and direct flights from John Lennon airport.

Liverpool has a selection of accessible accommodation that can cater for all needs and requirements. There are a range of B&Bs, hotels, apartments and luxury hotels for you to choose from. There is accessible accommodation in and around the city, with plenty of choice and range you’ll be able to find the perfect accommodation to suit you.

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: Steven Joseph Theatre

Wherever you travel in the UK, you’ll be greeted by a treasure trove of fantastic cultural attractions which you can explore as a mobility scooter user. It’s hard to know where to check out first, so Quingo Scooters is putting together a guide to the UK’s most accessible attractions to help you decide.

We’re taking you on a trip to the seaside this week, as we head to the town of Scarborough. This North Yorkshire town is known for its golden sandy beaches, thrilling amusements and breath-taking historic ruins, but one of its highlights is undoubtedly the Steven Joseph Theatre.

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Take in a show

The Steven Joseph Theatre has served as one of Scarborough’s top cultural sites for decades. It was originally opened as a small ‘theatre in the round’ on the first floor of a public library in 1955 by actor Steven Joseph. It flourished but struggled to find a permanent home until the existing Steven Joseph Theatre was set up in an old Odeon cinema in 1996 and it has thrived ever since.

You can visit the Steven Joseph to take in a range of shows from kid’s pantos to gripping dramas. It has two stages, the first of which is ‘The Round Theatre;’ a unique circular space, where you can get a 360 degree view of all the action on stage. It also has ‘The McCarthy Theatre’ – a more traditional stage. Shows expected to come to the Steven Joseph this year include Little Voice, Grimm’s Tales, Cyrano and Charlie and the Light Fantastic, so you’re sure to find something for every member of the group.

If you check out the Steven Joseph Theatre website’s what’s on page, you can find a full list of its existing and upcoming productions, along with details on showing times and ticket prices. The Steven Joseph Theatre also boasts a shop, where you can pick up fantastic handcrafted items made by the finest local artisans. It also contains restaurant/bar space, where you can relax with a meal and a drink in the intermission, whilst waiting with baited breath for your show to commence once more.

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Accessible venue

The Steven Joseph is a great attraction for any mobility scooter user, as it is incredibly accessible. You can get to the Steven Joseph Theatre with little fuss, as it is situated a few minutes away from Scarborough train station. There are accessible parking bays located on nearby Albemarle Crescent, while if you’re a blue badge holder, you can park for free on Hannover Road just 20 metres away from the theatre. Check out the website’s visiting us page to find more information on the different ways of getting there.

You will be able to navigate your way around the Steven Joseph Theatre with ease. The building is accessible by ramp, which is located on the right side of its entrance. You can then take another ramp from the entrance up to the box office, allowing you to book tickets to whatever show takes your fancy. There are also accessible toilets dotted around the Steven Joseph Theatre.

The Theatre is just as accessible inside as it is outside. There are lifts to the shop, restaurant/bar and both The Round Theatre and The McCarthy Theatre. There are accessible seats in both theatres, located close to the lifts. You can also request accessible seating on the front row of both theatres by contacting staff at least 24 hours before you arrive. Visit the website’s access page, to find out more about accessibility at the Steven Joseph Theatre.

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.