14 minute read
Accessibility
Access all areas?
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Days out in the UK usually mean keeping your fi ngers crossed the weather will be on your side, or that when you get to where you’re going you’ll be able to park. But what if you also have to factor in accessibility… Can your whole party enjoy the place you’re planning to visit?
Over 13 million people in the UK are classed as disabled, 1.2 million of whom use a wheelchair, and there are around 350,000 people on the registers of blind and partially sighted. So it is essential that leisure providers and tourist attractions give consideration to these figures unless huge parts of our country are to become no-go zones to a sizeable part of the population.
Knowing where you can go to the loo is essential for everyone, but a visit to a new place if you have specific requirements can be daunting. Some of the places we feature here have a Changing Places toilet. These are so much more than a standard accessible toilet, which in some cases can be just a slightly wider cubicle! In a Changing Places toilet you will find space for an electric wheelchair to move, room for the user and a carer to operate, and facilities that can include adult-sized changing benches, hoists and other equipment to make a bathroom experience easier and more hygienic. Search changing-places.org/find to find their locations in the Shire region.
Across the following pages we’re taking a look at some great attractions you may have yet to discover…
DID YOU KNOW? Since the zoo began its project to help save the endangered black rhino, 10 baby rhinos have been born here
With lots of viewing points you’re sure of good photos
Talk with the animals
Because of its indoor and outdoor attractions, Chester Zoo is a year-round, all-weather destination, offering fun and plenty of opportunities to learn whilst being highly accessible, so visitors with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and limited mobility can relax and enjoy their day.
There is free disabled parking at the main entrance – just let a car park attendant know when you arrive and they will direct you to one of the disabled spaces – and carers have free entry. Free wheelchair and electric scooter hire is also on offer, subject to a £25 refundable deposit.
Accessible toilet facilities are available across the zoo site, including a Changing Places facility inside the Jubilee toilet block, with a powered adjustable bench with shower washing facility, a heightadjustable sink with soap dispenser, plus an automatic paper-towel dispenser and a warm-air handdryer. The toilet has easy-access hand rails and the room also features a hoist from which all the units in the room can be accessed with ease. There is plenty of space to manouevre and move around easily should assistance by carers be required.
Multiple viewing points
All of the pathways are accessible, with a wheelchair lift available at the Realm of the Red Ape for those who may struggle to use the ramp. The Elephant Bridge and Wooden Bats Bridge have a steep gradient, so just ask if you need assistance in these areas
Many animal habitats have multiple viewing points so let staff know if you need advice about the best places to view their amazing animals.
The Lazy River Boat Trip has wheelchair access, but electric scooters are not allowed; however, they can offer the use of a wheelchair for your boat trip at the jetty.
Full accessibility details can be seen at chesterzoo.org.
DID YOU KNOW? On a clear day you can see 24 counties and 17 islands from the top!
Above the clouds
DID YOU KNOW? In Hangar 1 you can see the 1:1 scale Airfi x Spitfi re shown on James May’s Toy Stories
It’s a nice flat site
Nature’s thrill ride Military precision
North Wales has some spectacular views, and there’s few better places to enjoy them than from the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.
Ramped access
If WW2 planes, heavy artillery or Cold War history are your thing, you need to head to the RAF Museum Cosford, near Telford. As well as planes, tanks, cars and engines there are displays on the military engagements, and some of the pilots’ personal possessions. The whole site is flat, with ramps where needed and wide doors, and the National Cold War Exhibition has an accessible platform Trains depart from Llanberis Station which can be accessed via two lift for access to all levels. There are accessible toilets in all hangars, steps or a ramp, and staff can give assistance if required. All of the and a new Changing Places facility in the Visitor Centre, which contemporary carriages have ramped includes a ceiling track hoist for access, but it is advisable to pre-book to guarantee a wheelchair space. “Snowdon Mountain Railway full room coverage, an adult-`size height-adjustable changing table and At the moment the summit stop itself is closed until 2023 due to has been described as one adjustable-height sink along with other essential equipment and extra space. essential works on the upper part of the track, so trains halt at Clogwyn. It’s still worth the trip though; this is of the most scenic railway journeys in the world” “As a national museum, we recognise how important it is that each one of our visitors is able to enjoy their three-quarters of the way to the top day with us in comfort and dignity,” of Snowdon, so you’ll have amazing said Paula Kovacs, the museum’s views on the journey and at Clogwyn. Please note there are no toilet community engagement manager, at the launch. facilities at Clogwyn, but an accessible toilet is located at Llanberis.
Clogwyn Station stands on an exposed ridge, overlooking Inclusive play area Llanberis Pass and Clogwyn Du’r Arddu cliffs. Nearby lies a group Braille is used on some of the displays, and assistants have of huge boulders that once tumbled from cliffs above and are been trained to explain exhibits for blind or partially rumoured to be the home of a witch named Canthrig Bwt, who sighted visitors. Hangar 3 (Battle of Britain) has audio. would try to catch children climbing on the rocks! Passengers using Scooters and wheelchairs are available free of charge. wheelchairs are able to exit the train onto the platform to enjoy the Outside there is an inclusive play area with views, although the terrain off the platform is mountainous and ramps onto some of the equipment, which may not be suitable. For timetables and booking information check includes cockpits and plane fuselage! out snowdonrailway.co.uk rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford
DID YOU KNOW? Three Welsh lakes – Llydaw, Dinas and Ogwen – lay claim to hold King Arthur’s sword Excalibur
Learn new skills
DID YOU KNOW?
Most Shire horses are bay (reddish-brown with black mane and tail), grey or Moments of wonder black
Love individual design and crafting? Corris Craft Centre near Machynllech is for you! Adorable foals
The talented craftspeople at Corris Craft Centre produce pottery (the famous smoking dragons), candles, jewellery, chocolate, artisan gin (Dyfi Distillery), glass sculptures, furniture and woollen gifts. Some offer the chance to have a go yourself. An artwork studio is opening soon. The nine studios are a short distance apart and wheelchair accessible over flat paving. The centre has a Changing Places toilet with height-adjustable adult-sized bench, a loop and mobile hoist, and a peninsular toilet.
Stuff of legend
An outdoor storytelling maze starts from the centre: Lost Legends of the Stone Circle hides eight mythical tales, a host of intriguing characters and the stones. Complete the quiz and win a medal! The gravel pathways are accessible to most wheelchair users, although larger mobility scooters may not be able to access a small section. Call 01654 761437 to discuss your requirements before making a special journey. corriscraftcentre.co.uk.
Now to horses so amazing you’d almost think they were mythical… Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre and Stud Farm, near Tarporley, is set in 50 acres of beautiful Cheshire countryside, with up to 30 horses at any time for you to meet. As well as the fabulous Shires there’s a selection of British animals and birdlife both wild and domesticated, including rare “The nine craft studios are breeds. You will never forget watching the otters feed!
only a short distance apart, Around the farm
and all wheelchair accessible over fl at paving” There are four designated parking bays, ramped access from the car park and wheelchair access to a fair amount of the site.The stables and exhibition centre are hard surfaced and mainly level, and the area around the yard is easily accessible, with ramps and gentle slopes. The Easier Access walk to visit the horses further afield is a cinder track and suitable for most wheelchairs, pushchairs and scooters; other trails around the farm are grassed and may be hard-going in wet weather. The centre has level access to the gift shop with sufficient room between displays, and the Lakeside Café is spacious. Seating on the balcony overlooking the lake is also easily accessed. The toilets have good wheelchair turning space, with ample room for a carer. Visit cotebrookshirehorses.co.uk for details – and to see photos of their adorable foals!
Hire a Tramper
DID YOU KNOW? Another accessible picnic spot is the half-mile Afon Crafnant Amble at Gwydir Forest
An off-roader has no trouble with the slopes
A magnifi cent mansion Riverside picnic site
Attingham Park is a beautiful estate in Atcham, near Shrewsbury, which includes a magnificent mansion built in 1782 and 4,000 acres of parkland and gardens. It has a tea room and cafe, a shop and a bookshop. There are several accessible toilets, one of which is a Changing Places facility. The car park is stone-chipped and tarmacked throughout.
The park has recently reintroduced a shuttle buggy service which can take visitors to the walled garden and mansion from the back of the Stables Courtyard. There is mainly level ground throughout the visitor reception and courtyard and around the Pleasure Grounds. Outside the cafe the surfaces are blue brick or resin-bonded gravel; there are areas of cobbles at both entryways to the courtyard. Inside there is level flooring or ramps.
No steps, stairs or gates
To enjoy the parkland, the Mile Walk starts from the Stables Courtyard. It is a 2km circular route, with iron benches at intervals, and has no steps, stairs or gates. There are, however, slopes on grass and stone paths through the Deer Park. Trampers and wheelchairs can be hired (subject to availability) in advance.
Most of the rooms in the mansion are accessible, and there is a lift to upper floors, although this may not be large enough for some electric wheelchairs. You can check dimensions on the accessibility statement at nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park, or for specific queries email attingham@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01743 708170.
The Afon Eden Trail at Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau has several pieces of tactile sculpture and is accessible using an adaptive bike. Follow the trail through woods to the picnic site where the Eden rushes over rocks. Off-road mobility scooters are available for hire. The blue accessible trail (1 mile/1.6km) is a wide, well-surfaced route with a gradient of no more than 1:10 and rest points every 100m. The yellow loop climbs to the visitor centre on a 1:6 slope through young oak, rowan, birch and “The see-saw type apparatus beech. This section is suitable for pushchairs and off-road scooters. is an inclusive design that The centre has a lift, a hearing loop in the cafe, Braille signage and meets the needs of many accessible toilets.
children, particularly A natural play opportunity
wheelchair users” Outside, the accessible play area is covered by a softpore surface. The rotating rock is stimulating and requires minimal arm strength. The bird’s nest swing is safe for children who find it difficult to sit up, while the see-saw type apparatus is an inclusive design that meets the needs of many children, particularly wheelchair users, as it has a ramped entrance and exit and offers the thrill of the changing surface. See naturalresources.wales and search ‘Days Out’.
DID YOU KNOW? Until 2nd April the gallery is showing paintings by George Cockram, former resident artist on Anglesey
Outdoors or in?
A specially built boat
There’s nothing like messing about on the water, and the Overwater Wheelyboat Service offers a specially built boat that can be accessed by wheelchair, walking frame and walking stick. It is moored at Overwater Marina, between Nantwich and Audlem.
The boat can carry eight passengers, with up to four using a wheelchair. A standard booked trip will last from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the weather and passengers’ wishes, and takes in a length of the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal.
The marina cafe is accessible and open every day, and there’s an accessible toilet at the reception building. You can book by calling 01270 812677 or emailing info@overwatermarina.co.uk, or see overwaterwheelyboat.co.uk for more details.
Internationally important paintings
Staying indoors takes the weather out of the equation, so consider a trip to the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum in Birkenhead, where the displays include ceramics, sculpture and maritime history, along with internationally important paintings. It is also home to the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK.
Facilities include disabled parking, an access ramp and push/pull double doors, with a single door wide enough for a wheelchair. The entire gallery is single floor. There are induction loops, and largeprint guides for some of the permanent galleries. The Changing Places toilet has a height-adjustable, adult-sized bench, ceiling and loop hoist and height-adjustable washbasin.
Staff are happy to help and are trained in disability awareness, dementia awareness, equality and diversity. williamsonartgallery.org
Enjoying the countryside is popular with people of all ages, and Wales has some of the most spectacular! There’s a good selection of locations at naturalresources.wales/ accessible-visits All the routes are graded to help you decide if they’ll be suitable, and the website lists accessible walking trails, inclusive walking and cycling trails for users of adaptive equipment, and visitor centres with accessible play areas, cafes and toilets.
The countryside is for everyone
The owner of accessiblecountryside.org.uk believes that the countryside is for everyone but has found that, whilst there are thousands of miles of public footpaths, bridleways, green lanes, trails and tracks, very few are accessible to those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, parents with buggies or people with mobility impairment who find stiles tricky to negotiate.
The website lists walks and countryside locations that are accessible, but information is provided by contributors, so it’s recommended to check locally (the links are on there) before travelling.
Finally, AccessAble (previously DisabledGo) also has a website accessable.co.uk and an app that offer accessibility information. They’ve surveyed tens of thousands of shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, stations, leisure centres, parks and gardens, and hotels, so they are well worth checking out.
As with everything, accessibility is very individual, and what suits one person may not suit another. We’d always recommend calling ahead if you have specific queries. Let us know about your days out and how accessibility issues were addressed (or not) – we’d be really interested to hear from you! Email us at editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk
Holiday lets in Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey
www.benandhollyshideaways.com info@benandhollyshideaways.com
