Archive for the ‘Wheelchair User’ Category
Thursday, February 18th, 2010


Primrose cottage constructed Primrose Court 1 and 2 in 2007 with the disabled traveller in mind. They provide the same facilities as Primrose Lodge such as 2 beds, 2 bathrooms with the addition of double ended Jacuzzi bath, en-suite 4-poster, electrically operated bed, twin room, flat screen TVs throughout, dish washer and washing machine. They are both Non-Smoking apart from where smoking is permitted outside on balconies from the lounge.
Both are flat, with level access and have private drives and parking adjacent to the units. Pets are welcome and they are set in 1 acre garden and within a five minute walk is the Cross Keys Inn, a delightful old country pub, serving bar meals. The little village of Tebay has two churches, two pubs, a railway club and pretty walks along the banks of the River Lune.
Tebay is situated 16 miles from Penrith to the north, 11 miles from Kendal to the south and almost adjacent to the north Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. The Howgill fells, as yet one of the quieter places for walkers, are the hills located within easy reach of the village. The Scottish border is approximately one hours drive north, making Tebay and Primrose Cottage an ideal overnight stop for journeys up and down the country, or an excellent centre to access Cumbria, the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the different cottages provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 279 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Primrose Court Website.

Tags: Access, Accommodation, Cumbria, Disability, England, Level Access, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Cumbria, England, Lake District, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010


Irton House Farm is set in 240 acres of pasture and woodland and commands probably one of the finest views to be found in the Northern Lakes. It is a working sheep farm and was chosen as the venue for the BBC series ‘One Man and His Dog’.
Within easy driving distance are Derwent Water, Thirlmere, Ullswater and the famous waterfall ‘AiraForce’, Buttermere, Loweswater and Crummock Water. The towns of Keswick and Cockermouth, the birthplace of the poet William Wordsworth, are also nearby.
The property is made up of 6 cottages, The Robins, Jinney and Granary which all sleep 2 people, while The Swallows and Shepherd’s Rest that sleep 4 people as well as the Martins which sleeps 6. The Access Statement gives a summary of the different cottages provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 276 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Irton House Farm Website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Cumbria, Disability, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Cumbria, England, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The Kerridge End Holiday Cottages are in the western edge of the Peak District National Park near Macclesfield. The self catering holiday cottages offer accommodation in the village of Rainow. They are located in the grounds of Kerridge End House, a former Gentleman’s residence built in 1837 for John Mellor. Kerridge End is in the conservation area of the village of Rainow, which lies in the foothills of the Pennines.
The holiday cottages consist of 3 properties each of which have different levels of access. You can read about the access for the different buildings on their individual disability access statements. Please use the links for the Coach House, Stables and Hayloft or simply go to the Kerridge End Holiday Cottages Disability Access page.
Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 274 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Kerridge End Holiday Cottages website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Cheshire, Level Access, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Cheshire, England, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010

The Nationwide Bungalow is located in the heart of Cumbria close to Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake and offers spectacular views of unspoilt countryside. The property is in the pretty town of Ambleside which is full of speciality shops, busy restaurants and pubs humming with good-natured conversation.
This comfortable and adapted bungalow sleeps up to seven people and has a beautiful secluded garden which is accessible from the lounge and the driveway. Nationwide offers a twin room, two single rooms, a double sofa bed and a z-bed, with all bed linen supplied. The pleasant living area has a colour TV, video and hi-fi. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, fridge, freezer, microwave, washing machine and tumble dryer. There is central heating throughout and ample off-road parking.
It also boasts:
- wheel-in shower
- self-propelled shower/commode chair
- mobile hoist
- electric profiling bed
Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 274 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Nationwide Bungalow website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Cumbria, Level Access, OpenBritain, Self Catering, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Cumbria, East of England, England, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens situated in South Walsham, Norfolk is “is 90% wheelchair friendly and our tea room, gift shop and plant sales are fully accessible. We have five mobility scooters which we are able to lend out to visitors (please book in advance).” They have also installed hearing loops in the tea room, gift shop and on the boat.
“With the help of grant funding our sensory garden has been created with our mobility and visually impaired visitors in mind. We have created a Braille guide for this part of the garden and hope to create guides for other parts in the coming months. Most of our information boards throughout the garden have Braille panels and we will soon be introducing audio tours.”
(Source: Fairhaven Woodlands and Water Park, “All for All” webpage)
The website also offers a free downloadable map, list of events and information about other facilities. More information can be found on the Fairhaven website and their contact details can also be found on page 205 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on OpenBritain where you can also post a review of this attraction.

Tags: Access, Attraction, Blind, Boat, Deaf, Disabled, England, Fairhaven, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Park, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Attraction, Blind, Deaf, England, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010

As the weather begins to get slightly better and stay a little dryer (0k, so maybe I’m being very optimistic), it’s time for us to start looking again at what we can do in the great outdoors, countryside and parks. Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedforshire is one of the UK’s least known parks and yet is magnificent and information for disabled people.
English Heritage provide information for people with mobility, hearing and visual impairments on their website which includes:
Facilities Details:
Toilets: Disabled toilet inside the mansion. Please see access details below.
Shop: Within mansion.
Limited refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits, cold drinks, confectionary and ice creams) available from the shop. Currently no tearoom/café onsite.
Access:
Access to house: There are steps at the entrance, but an alternative level entrance is available to the garden. Unaccompanied wheelchair users should phone in advance to arrange for access. Buggies are available for disabled visitors.
Grounds and garden buildings: Access to the grounds is via mainly gravel paths and smooth grass. There are steps or a steep slope to the Orangery and steep steps to the Pavilion. There is a ramp to access the Bowling Green House. Benches are provided.
Parking:
Disabled visitors may park outside the mansion.
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Many garden ornaments and sculptures may be touched. There are also many trees and wild flowers.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Transcript of audio tour available. (Source: Wrest Park, English Heritage)
Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 204 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Website.

Tags: Access, Attraction, Bedfordshire, Disabled, England, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Park, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Architecture, Attraction, Bedfordshire, Blind, Blue Badge Parking, Deaf, East of England, England, English Heritage, Gardens, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Sandringham House is near the accessible accommodation Park House Hotel and is one of the Royal Family’s country retreats. “The Estate is a thriving mixed landscape, including the tidal mudflats of the Wash, woodland and wetland, arable, livestock and fruit farms, and commercial and residential properties; it is managed to a high standard and sustainably with the aims always of being financially self-sufficient and of providing a place of enjoyment not only for The Royal Family but also for the many thousands of visitors who come to see the House, Museum and Gardens or just to enjoy the Country Park.” (source: www.sandringhamestate.co.uk)
Sandringham House is also fully accessible for wheelchair users and their web site has an Accessibility Page which gives a full Access Statement and there is also an Area Plan of the estate.
Sandringham House is closed until Easter 2010. The Visitor Centre (Gift Shop, Restaurant and Plant Centre) is open every day all through the year. Sandringham Church is closed until Easter 2010.
2010 opening dates: from Saturday 3rd April daily until and including Friday 23rd July, then from Sunday 1st August daily until Sunday 31st October. For further details please see the Sandringham House Website.

Tags: Access, Architecture, Assistance Dogs, Attraction, England, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Sandringham, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Architecture, Assistance Animals, Attraction, East of England, England, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010



Newlands Country House, Southwold is located near to the town centre and just a 10 minute drive from Minsere Bird Sanctuary. They also offer exceptional facilities for people with mobility impairments, an indoor heated swimming pool, ample off road car parking, tea and coffee making equipment.
The accommodation for disabled people comprises of four purposes built Garden Rooms offer ground floor accommodation with doors that are easy to open. The rooms are large enough to accommodate extra beds for carers and care assistants.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the hotel’s provision and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 203 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Newlands Country House Website.

Tags: Access, Accommodation, Disability, Disabled, England, Level Access, OpenBritain, Suffolk, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, East of England, England, Hotel, OpenBritain, Suffolk, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010




The Park House Hotel in Sandringham is operated by the Charity Leonard Cheshire Disability and has a high standard of access for those with reduced mobility. The hotel is located in the Sandringham Royal Estate surrounded by beautiful gardens and trees. It is also conveniently located close to the market town of King’s Lynn.
Park House has a total of 16 bedrooms for guests with disabilities, 8 of which are single and the other 8 are twins. All of the bedrooms are accessible (furniture may be moved for specific requirements), some rooms have overhead tracking hoist, while other mobile hoists also available, all beds have electric raising and lowering. The main hotel rooms are all ensuite, either wet room or bath with shower over. Toilet raisers, portable rails and commodes are also available.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the hotel’s provision and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 198 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Park House Hotel Website.

Tags: Access, Accommodation, Disability, Hotel, Level Access, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, East of England, England, Hotel, Norfolk, OpenBritain, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010



The Curlews is a Bed & Breakfast and self-catering accommodation near Colchester, Essex. The property has been assessed under the National Accessible Scheme to a level of M2 which means that it is suitable for people who have problems walking or can walk a maximum of 3 steps, or need to use a wheelchair some of the time.
The Curlews website paints an idillic picture of the property and surrounding area: “All bedrooms provide uninterrupted views over open farmland and the Stour Estuary. Imagine waking up one bright morning to breakfast on the balcony looking over the wonderful panoramic view of an idyllic Stour estuary, with flocks of wildfowl calling in the new day.”
Curlews is also close to the Essex Way, a very popular path for avid walkers, bird watchers, and those who appreciate getting close to nature. This area is also a very popular destination for artists.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the hotel’s provision which can be found on OpenBritain, more information can is also available on page 191 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Curlews Website.

Tags: Access, Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, Disability, England, Essex, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfast, East of England, Essex, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »