Tag Archives: UK

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Routes: Barnett Demesne

Quingo Scooters encourages users to get out and see the world, from the comfort of their mobility scooters. In our series of articles, we’re drawing your attention to the accessible routes throughout the UK which are fully accessible, helping you discover the nation’s natural beauty.

Heading to the other side of the Irish Sea, we’re stopping in County Antrim in Northern Ireland today. Here you’ll find Barnett Demesne, a former estate which is now a public park with accessible routes.

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Barnett Demesne

In County Antrim (South Belfast) you’ll find Barnett Demesne, which first opened to the public in 1951. It has since become a popular natural attraction, due to its closeness to the scenic River Lagan, Shaw’s Bridge and Clement Wilson Park. On the former estate’s grounds, you’ll find an arboretum, a daffodil garden, and trails. The Lagan Towpath is a particularly popular trail, as it takes you along the beautiful riverside.

Barnett Demesne boasts stunning natural beauty. It is home to various tree and plant collections, as well as woodlands and wildflower meadows. Over 70 species of wildflower grow in Barnett Demesne in the summer months. The estate also features various fascinating creatures, including grey and red squirrels, badgers, rabbits, rooks, jays and a plethora of songbirds. April in particular is a great time to visit, as Barnett Demesne holds its annual Spring Fair, with entertainment, wildlife and music.

On the grounds, you’ll also find Malone House. This provides everything from information on the park to refreshments in its popular café and restaurant. Barnett Demesne is free to enter and open all year round. However, it is worth noting that Malone House opens from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays, with an earlier start time of 9am on Sundays. Barnett Restaurant opens from 12 noon to 3pm every day.

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Accessibility

Barnett Demesne is one of the Belfast area’s most accessible attractions. You can reach the park by public transport from Belfast City Centre. It is also accessible by car, with entrances through Dub Lane, Milltown Road and Shaw’s Bridge. There is a car park at Barnett Demesne based just outside Malone House which provides free accessible parking.

You can take a level path from the car park around to the front of Malone House. The café and restaurant in Malone House are accessible to mobility scooter users. The complex also features fully accessible toilets. You can contact Malone House on 028 9068 1246 to speak to staff and find out more.

The Lagan Towpath is perfect for mobility scooter users, with two options available. You can take the short, circular Lagan Towpath, which carries you on a one mile circular route along the edge of the River Lagan from Shaw’ Bridge to Lock Keeper’s Cottage, allowing you to view some stunning historical attractions. You can also take the 11 mile linear Lagan Towpath route down a tarmac path.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

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

Quingo Accessible Getaways: Bath

Quingo Scooters likes to inspire users to become tourists, by travelling to some of the world’s top destinations on their mobility scooters. In our series of articles, we’re continuing to add to our list of accessible getaways both at home and abroad, which you can visit easily as a mobility scooter user.

Today we’re taking you to Bath. Located in Somerset, this is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, known especially for its fascinating historical attractions and stunning architecture.

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Bath tourism

Originally established in Roman times, Bath is one of the UK’s oldest human settlements which still stands today. Due to its incredible history, the entire city of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s the only British city to hold this honour. It features various accessible attractions, including:

  • Roman Baths: Built on top of natural hot springs, the Roman Baths were constructed in 70AD. This complex, which is one of the best preserved Roman ruins on earth, includes the remains of heated rooms, baths, statues and temples, making it a must for history enthusiasts. This site features accessible toilets, a ramp up to its entrance, accessible public areas and a lift.
  • Fashion Museum: This attraction houses eye-catching fashions dating back to 1600, with over 160 dressed figures for you to see. Here you’ll find everything from Georgian-era gowns to cutting-edge, modern styles, allowing you to explore the evolution of fashion. It includes an accessible entrance and accessible public areas and toilets, with lifts throughout the building.
  • Victoria Art Gallery: This is Bath’s second-most visited museum, attracting around 117,000 guests per year. It houses works produced by some of the greatest British artists. This includes a permanent collection, which is free to visit, featuring works from Turner and Gainsborough. Here you’ll find a ramp up to the main entrance, as well as a lift, enabling full accessibility.
  • No 1. Royal Crescent: Step back in time, by checking out this authentic Georgian townhouse. It is a fine example of Palladian architecture, having been built between 1767 and 1774. The house showcases various displays and exhibits which house authentic furniture, paintings, textiles and carpets from this era. It has level access to public areas and a lift.

Check out the Visit Bath website to familiarise yourself with the opening times and admission prices for these attractions. This site also features a plan your visit section, where you can download guides and brochures, and also learn about its Visitor Information Centre – the first port of call for many tourists.

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Accessibility

On the plan your visit page, you’ll also find a handy access for all section, which features information on how you can take advantage of Bath as a mobility scooter user. It includes a list of accessible accommodation, such as the popular Holiday Inn Express. Located just a mile from Bath city centre and its railway station, the hotel has disabled parking, level access to all areas and accessible rooms. It also has accessible living areas and bathrooms, which include shower chairs, WCs with handrails and even furniture re-arrangement upon request.

The access for all page also covers the Visitor Information Centre, where you can find details on accessible accommodation and attractions. Located next to Bath Abbey, the Centre is less than a mile from the train station and is accessible by bus and taxi. The nearest carpark is less than five minutes away, on Manvers Street. You can find out more about the Visitors Information Centre, which has an automatic door and level access, on the accessibility statement included on the access for all page.

The access for all section is a fantastic resource for mobility scooter users, as it also features downloadable accessibility guides and details on mobility scooter friendly facilities.

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: Danbury Country Park

Quingo Scooters empowers our users to go forward and explore the UK’s glorious natural beauty at their leisure. In our series of articles, we’re bringing some of the nation’s best accessible routes to your attention, highlighting various green spaces you can discover on your mobility scooter.

Today, we’re travelling down to Essex, the UK’s most southerly county. The area plays host to Danbury Country Park, a popular natural attraction which boasts various accessible routes.

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Danbury Country Park

Based in Danbury, Essex, Danbury Country Park lies on an estate which was originally constructed back in the 13th Century. Today it includes a range of stunning natural sites, such as meadows, woodlands, lakes and ornamental gardens. Its main route will take you past the Park’s stunning lakes, where you can get a glimpse of fascinating wildlife such as carp, ducks, coots, moorhens and even kingfishers. You can also go fishing on its lower and western lakes from 8.30am until dusk from 16th June to 14th March.

The park’s greenery is simply breath-taking. It’s a good place to visit in late spring, as this is when the rhododendrons in its ornamental gardens start to bloom, providing you with a spectacular show. The space also plays host to wildflower-strewn meadows, which are known for attracting butterflies in the summer, as well as majestic trees such as sweet chestnuts, hornbeams and ancient oaks.

Danbury Country Park is also a history enthusiast’s dream, as it features various ancient structures for you to check out. This includes an old ice house, where before the invention of refrigerators, ice from the lake was stored in winter for use in the palace which once existed on its grounds. The venue also puts on various events such as its annual Easter Bunny Trail, where kids can hunt down and paint eggs. Danbury Country Park is free to visit and opens daily from 8am until dusk.

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Accessibility

Danbury Country Park is a fully accessible attraction for mobility scooter users. It is accessible via the Essex public transport system and you can book a trip through Traveline South East’s Journey Planner tool. You can also reach Danbury Country Park by car, with the venue’s primary car park located between Woodhill Lodge and its main lakes, providing easy access to the park. There are small fees for parking, ranging from £1 for up to 30 minutes to £4 for over three hours.

The space is known for its hard-surface and well-maintained tracks. Most of Danbury Country Park’s trails are suitable for mobility scooters, with the popular lakeside path being the easiest, as well as most scenic, to travel. There are also plenty of picnic tables dotted around Danbury Country Park, providing various spaces to stop, rest and enjoy a bite to eat as you enjoy some natural sights.

There are also two accessible restroom complexes, which include disabled facilities, in Danbury Country Park. These are located across from the site’s main lakes carpark and adjacent to the smaller woods car park. These facilities, however are closed in the period between November and April every year.

Share your accessible route with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any great accessible routes 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

Quingo Accessible Attractions: West Yorkshire Playhouse

Quingo Scooters encourages users to explore the world around them on their mobility scooters, so they can make the most of the world around them. In our series of articles, we’ve been revealing some of the UK’s top accessible attractions which are open to mobility scooter users and guarantee a great day out.

Today, we’re heading up to God’s own country Yorkshire to take in some culture. We’re sharing with you the West Yorkshire Playhouse, based in Leeds, which is one of the UK’s most accessible venues.

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West Yorkshire Playhouse

The West Yorkshire Playhouse is a world-class theatre. It is best known for displaying compelling stage productions, as well as serving as a creative hub for regional actors, directors and other theatre industry personnel. The West Yorkshire Playhouse has two separate theatres for you to visit…

  • Quarry Theatre: This amphitheatre-style space seats 750 people and attracts top regional productions for your viewing pleasure. It is soon to be hosting Babe the Sheep Pig, a play inspired by the Oscar winning film of the same name, from 15th to 18th February 2017.
  • Courtyard Theatre: Set in a rectangular shape, this space features lower and upper galleries, with accessible entrances at the back. It is currently showing a production of the classic Bernard Shaw work Pygmalion, which explores class identity, from 7th to 25th February 2017.

The West Yorkshire Playhouse also boasts a range of other attractions for you to explore. This includes a bar, a restaurant and the Priestley Room, a quiet space to go in intervals located in easy reach of the bar and restaurant. The venue also holds various events for you to check out, like the Transform Festival in April, where independent productions are performed across Leeds, celebrating local talent.

Visit the ‘What’s On’ section of West Yorkshire Playhouse’s website, to find out the ticket prices and showing times, for your production. Remember, however, that a £1.75 surcharge will apply to the price, but there are discounts for people aged under 16 or over 60, as well as NUS card and Leeds City Card holders. You can book tickets via the Playhouse’s Box Office, which is open between 9am and 5pm. The Box Office can be contacted via phone, at 0113 213 7700 or by email at [email protected].

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Accessibility

The West Yorkshire Playhouse is fully accessible. You’ll find it around 20 minutes away from the centrally located Leeds Train Station. The venue is based opposite the Quarry Hill Bus Station and is also easily accessible by car. It has a car park which, as a Blue Badge holder, you can use for free, and the spaces are right outside the main entrance. Visit the website’s ‘Finding Us’ section to learn more.

Discover just how accessible the West Yorkshire Playhouse is by downloading the ‘Open to Everyone’ document, available on the ‘Access’ section of its website. The West Yorkshire Playhouse has level access up from the car park, while its Box Office includes a lowered counter, making it easy for you to book tickets. The accommodating Box Office staff will be only too happy to fulfil your request for aisle or entrance level seats whenever possible, when you book your tickets at the Playhouse.

Both the Playhouse’s theatres feature spaces for mobility scooter users and the venue’s front of house team are happy to help you reach your seat. The West Yorkshire Playhouse also features wide lifts enabling access to all floors, as well as automatic doors and spacious areas e.g. the restaurants, with broad accessible routes. There are also accessible toilets around the building, as well as moveable tables and chairs in the bar and restaurant areas, promoting comfort. At the West Yorkshire Playhouse, you can even pre-order your interval drinks to avoid the busy queues that often build up at these times.

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.

Accessible Routes, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Days Out: Clifton Country Park

Here at Quingo Scooters, we want to help you live your life to the fullest, by encouraging you to discover the world around you on your mobility scooter. In our series of articles, we’re shedding light on various accessible days out, which you can use to explore the UK’s most scenic outdoor spaces.

Today we’re going to Clifton Country Park. You’ll find this popular, stunning attraction in Irwell Valley, which is just a few miles away from thriving Salford. Read on for a fabulous day out…

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Clifton Country Park

Clifton Country Park is a 48 hectare picturesque local nature reserve, serving as an oasis away from the hectic confines of urban Salford. It features various meadows, woods, ponds and lakes for visitors to discover. The park has various self-guiding trails, with the highlight being its highly popular lake path. It won the prestigious Green Flag Award in both 2006 and 2007, so you know it’s a great place to visit.

This is a great park to indulge in a little wildlife spotting in particular, as it’s popular with bird watchers and fish enthusiasts. It also boasts various beautiful plant-life, from Irish Yews to Norwegian Maples. Clifton Country Park is especially known for its Arboretum, as well as for housing the remains of the Wet Earth Colliery. Set up in 1740, this was one of the first deep mines to be sunk into the Irwell Valley.

Clifton Country Park is free to visit and opens daily. It also has a Visitor Centre, where you can find out more about the Park, access key services and learn about the area’s fascinating industrial past. The Clifton Country Park Visitor Centre is open 11.30am – 4.30pm on Saturdays, 10am – 4.30pm on Sundays and 11.30am – 4.30pm on Mondays, but it can be opened at other times by arrangement.

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Talking accessibility

The park itself has a hard-surfaced, main cark park with three parking bays available for designated blue badge holders, which can be accessed via Clifton House Road.

After you have arrived, you can reach the nearby Visitor Centre by taking the level ramp up from the main cark park. The Visitor Centre is fully accessible and it also has fully accessible toilets. These spacious facilities include grab rails and easy access wash basins and hand dryers. The site also has a café and shop, which can be accessed via a level ramp, as well as an accessible picnic area with tables.

The main trail running around Clifton Country Park’s lake is fully accessible.  It boasts a wide, hard surface, making it easy for mobility scooter users to navigate, providing you with a clear, circular walk. We should also note that rangers patrol the park from 9am to 5pm on most days, providing you with assistance when necessary. The Park’s rangers run a regular Friday morning walk for those with limited mobility, which starts at the Visitor Centre and is held from 10.15am to 11.30am.

About QuingoThe 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.