Tag Archives: york

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters, Reviews

Quingo Scooters Accessible Attractions: National Railway Museum York

Quingo Scooters is travelling north this week for our Accessible Attractions series; to an attraction sure to bring back the nostalgia of the days before modern cars and motorbikes. A great day out for the whole family or even with a group of friends!

We’re taking you to the National Railway Museum in York, on display are thousands of amazing objects and over 300 years of fascinating history. The museum includes some railway legends you truly wouldn’t want to miss out on.

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Railway legends

The museum has many great locomotive legends on display within the great hall, here are just some of the highlights:

  • Mallard – designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, the Mallard broke the world speed record for steam locomotives in 1938. It is yet to be beaten! Built in 1939, she carried passenger trains on the east coast mainline until 1963.
  • Replica Rocket – it’s rare that someone hasn’t heard of Stephenson’s Rocket. Engineered by George Stephenson and his son Robert, they were amongst the very first locomotive engineers.
  • Shinkansen – Japan’s high-speed railway revolution resulted in the bullet train – the forerunner of high-speed trains. The train would reach speeds of just over 130mph. The ‘Series 0’ Shin-kansen was built in 1974 and when Shin-kansen opened in 1964 it was a radical re-imaging of the passenger railway.
  • Duchess of Hamilton – the streamlined Duchess is an incredible piece of 1938 built Art Deco opulence. It was seen as a modern machine for a modern age.
  • Class 31 – designed to replace steam as part of the British Railways Modernisation Plan of 1955. The locomotive’s diesel engine was developed from the engines used in ships.
  • SECR ‘D’ class No.737 – the elaborate livery on this locomotive was created to help give the newly formed South Eastern and Chatham Railway a positive image.
  • Eurostar – the power car is at the centre of a new exhibition that acknowledges the historic role the train has served in connecting the UK with mainland Europe. As a marvel of modern engineering the average speed operates at 186mph, and is part of the series as the train that holds the current UK rail speed record of over 208mph.
  • Evening Star – was the last steam locomotive to be built for British railways. It was one of a total of 999 ‘standard’ locomotives designed for a wide variety of uses, from tank engines for local passenger trains to large freight engines.

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What else is on?

In addition to the impressive collection of locomotives, visitors can listen to over 1,000 hours of recollections from 20th century railway workers. Hear stories from divers, preservationists, signal operators and more. Read the tales of anticipation, mischief and adventure as part of the museum’s Trainspotting season.

In Search Engine – the museum’s library and archive centre – visitors can find answers to their railway questions, discover more about the collection or relax with a railway magazine. Located in the archive are many artefacts such as:

  • Drawings and papers from railway works and companies
  • Records of individuals and families
  • Technical tests and records
  • Timetables
  • Magazines
  • Accident reports
  • And many more!

Opening times and entry

The National Railway Museum is open from 10am to 6pm daily (March – September) and 10am to 5pm (October – February), except on 24, 25 and 26 December. The museum has free entry, which gives visitors all the more reason to go! For more information go to the ‘Visit’ section of the website.

Accessibility

There is level access to the entrance of the museum from the main entrance. Other entrances don’t have level access so the main one is the best route in. There is no level access to the locomotives within the museum, but the Great Hall has level flooring suitable for scooter users. There are a variety of level changes throughout the museum, some exhibits are accessible by ramps. There are accessible toilets within the venue, the accessible toilets are located within the foyer entrance and the Great Hall. For more information visit the ‘Accessibility’ section of the website.

Getting to the museum

For visitors travelling to the museum by rail, the nearest train station is York. It is a few minutes away from the museum.

Visitors travelling by bus can use the Rawcliffe Park and Ride, which picks up and drops off just outside of the museum.

By car, visitors should aim their journey towards York. Once in the city, the museum is clearly signposted from all approaches. The car park for the museum is located on Leeman Road (£9 a day). Accessible parking is free and available outside the City Entrance. For more information on travelling to the museum, visit the ‘How to get here’ section of the 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.

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.

Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Attractions: York Minster

Over the centuries the UK built up a rich cultural legacy, leaving behind plenty of majestic buildings, such as cathedrals, for you to explore as a mobility scooter user. At Quingo Scooters, we’re devoted to helping you plan exciting days out, so we’re building up a list of these accessible attractions.

We want to draw your attention to one of this country’s most visited religious sites today. Join us as we head to the iconic York Minster, which should be included on any history buff’s bucket list!

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York Minster

Based in the heart of York, the city’s eponymous Minster was originally built by the Anglo-Saxons way back in 637 A.D. The glorious building was renovated throughout the centuries, taking on its current gothic façade during the 13th Century. Today the Minster houses a treasure trove of medieval stained glass artworks and stone masterpieces, such as its gothic nave, for you to check out.

York Minster boasts various must-see sites like a grand 19th Century organ and collections based in the Minster’s legendary undercoft including priceless artefacts such as the horn of Ulf, a 1000 year old decorated elephant tusk. The Minster is also home to the King’s Screen, which features statues of 15 English Kings. Other areas of interest include its octagonal Chapter House and the five sisters’ window, built to commemorate the British Empire women who died in World War One.

You can also find a range of events to take part in at York Minster. This includes church services and performances by the talented Minster Choir. It opens for sightseeing between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, and between 12.45pm and 5pm on Sundays, with adult tickets for the Minster itself coming in at £10. Visit the York Minster website’s opening times and admissions page to learn more.

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Navigating the Minster

York Minster’s staff have made it their mission to welcome every visitor, and it is very accessible for mobility scooter users. York Minster is about 10 minutes away from the city’s train station, making it simple for out-of-towners to find. It does not have a car park, but there are pay and display car parks a short distance away, with more details available on the getting here section of York Minster’s website.

The vast majority of York Minster is accessible, and you can learn more details by checking out the Accessibility portion of its website. You will have no problem entering the building, as the path outside is level and its double width doors measure 90cm in size. You will be immediately greeted by a reception desk, just 10 metres away from the doors, where you can find plenty of information on the Minster.

You can use your mobility scooter across most of the public areas of York Minster, as there is level access throughout. There is also a lift, situated just 58 metres away from York Minster’s entrance, which will take you down to the undercroft and crypt. The lift measures 135cm x 145cm and its doors are 90cm wide, while its controls are in reach for mobility scooter users. It also has a mirror, making it easier for you to reverse out. The entrance further houses a 90cm wide accessible toilet, with level access.

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, Quingo Scooters

Quingo Accessible Days Out: Castle Howard

Here at Quingo Scooters we know how much fun it can be to spend a day out doing something different, or visiting a place you thought maybe wasn’t accessible enough. We’re always on the lookout for a day out to share with Quingo Scooters Users that has something for everyone.

Today we’re heading to North Yorkshire, where you’ll find one of the finest stately homes and gardens in Britain. Castle Howard is a private residence approximately 15 miles north of York, and has been the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for more than 300 years. Castle Howard is incredibly familiar to television and film audiences, as it’s known as the fictional ‘Brideshead’ in the Granada Television 1981 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s ‘Brideshead Revisited’ and a two hour remake for the cinema starring Emma Thompson.

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What is there to do at Castle Howard?

If you’re looking for a day out in Yorkshire where you can explore the great outdoors, marvel at exceptional architecture and have a unique shopping experience, this is definitely for you. There’s definitely something that everyone will enjoy. It’s worth having a look at the exhibitions too, as these change regularly.

After you’ve enjoyed a picnic by the lake, discover the house with its unique rooms. Every room is stocked with world famous collections of paintings, porcelain and murals. Highlights include Lady Georgina’s Bedroom, the Grand Staircase, the Antique Passage and the magnificent Great Hall.

After taking in those impressive sights, Castle Howard’s shops and cafes are the perfect place to relax and treat yourself. There are a range of cafes serving everything you could wish for from delicious home baking to seasonal sandwiches. The shops have unique gift items, toiletries, homeware, jewellery and countryside ranges. There’s also a farm shop so you can take home some magnificent local produce! Don’t forget to stop off at the garden centre for some seasonal plants!

The courtyard part of Castle Howard is open all year round with free entry and parking, but be sure to check opening times for each individual outlet.

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Accessibility

The majority of Castle Howard is accessible to everyone. A paved route in the Stable Courtyard provides access to all the café’s, shops, toilets and ticket office. Throughout the grounds there are accessible cut grass and gravel paths, and in the house you’ll find a stairlift if you want to explore the main floor of the house.

All of the shops and cafes at Castle Howard are fully accessible. You’ll find adapted toilets in the Stable Courtyard, in the house and at the Boathouse Cafe.

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.

Accessories, Attractions, Days Out, Quingo Scooters

Accessible Days Out: Parks

Quingo Scooters are always on the lookout for accessible places where you can really enjoy being on your mobility scooter. As the days start to get nicer and warmer, we love discovering places where you can enjoy the outdoors and take some time out.

Whether you want somewhere to sit and enjoy the sun whilst enjoying a refreshing ice cream, or you want somewhere where you can keep going and appreciate the scenery from all angles, we want to share some great parks for you and your mobility scooter.

York Museum Gardens

The York Museum Gardens are botanical gardens that surround the Yorkshire Museum. They stretch from the River Ouse up to the back of the York Art Gallery on one side, and from Marygate to Museum Street on the other. Famous for the fantastic collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs, the gardens are the perfect place to go and relax on a warm sunny day. Here you can enjoy the peace and tranquillity that the gardens have to offer, and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The gardens are a great spot for a picnic, and if you go on a Sunday there is a garden tour 1-2pm! The paths in the gardens are all fairly wide and aren’t too steep. The gardens are free to enjoy at your own leisure, and you only pay if you want to venture inside to the museum.

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Halden Forest Park, Exeter  

Just 15 minutes from Exeter, the 3,500 acres of woodland has a broad appeal to different age groups and is an all year round park. Halden Forest Park is perfect if you fancy a ramble around the picturesque woods.

The park has a variety of different trails. The Discovery Trail is 1.5 miles, designed with mobility scooters and wheelchairs in mind, and is fully surfaced. It has regular resting points where you can stop and enjoy the scenery for a bit, and then afterwards you can enjoy a drink in the accessible café.  There is ample parking and accessible toilets on site, and level access to most of the other facilities there.

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Clumber Park, Nottingham

If you’re looking for somewhere where part of the group can relax in the sun whilst the others explore the different activities on offer, then Clumber Park is perfect for you. Situated in the heart of the historical Sherwood Forest, its beautiful stretch of parkland, heath and woods cover more than 3,800 acres. Once the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle, Clumber Park is home to some amazing wildlife, and on occasion you might be lucky enough to spot a delicate peacock.

If you don’t fancy chilling out with the ducks and other wildlife whilst you eat your picnic, you can always take a peek inside Clumber House and the iconic glasshouse in the Walled Kitchen Garden – The National Trust’s longest glasshouse.

Share your accessible attraction with Quingo!

If you’ve been to visit any interesting attractions 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.