Posts Tagged ‘Attraction’
Friday, April 2nd, 2010
The first time I came across the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was when I was studying for my degree and have to admit that, firstly it has been a long time since I visited this attraction and secondly it was before my I was a wheelchair user.
CAT offer a visitors centre that has “Interactive displays show global issues such as energy generation and transport, and practical, everyday solutions for everyone.” It’s highly educational, fun and stimulating, not just for the children but also for adults.
CAT mainly give information and advice for wheelchair users on their access page:
“Information for wheelchair users
Access to the Visitor Centre from Easter to the end of October is via the cliff railway which has carriages that are adapted to receive wheelchairs.
When you arrive at the Visitor Centre you will see the reception area in the car park at the bottom of the cliff railway. Parking is free. There is a short low-gradient ramp to access the reception and railway. We offer free entry to the Visitor Centre for carers
During the winter months, the railway is closed and access to the Visitor Centre is via the Garden Steps. This is a stepped pathway, which takes about 10 minutes to walk, passing the eco-cabins, vegetable fields and shop. Parking is provided near the visitor circuit at the top of the South Drive for those who are unable to walk up.
As CAT is located in a rural area with steep gradients, it has not been possible to make all paths accessible. The Garden Steps and Woodland Walk leading from the lower car park to the Visitor Centre are not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
The displays are located throughout a 7-acre open-air site. Most of the pathways around site are made up of compacted aggregates which are mostly level; however wheelchair users may require assistance in using these, particularly during periods of inclement weather. All the buildings have ramped or level access with doors, entrances and corridors wide enough for a wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the bottom car park reception building and near the shop at the top of the cliff railway.
We have electric mobility scooters and a wheelchair, either of which can be hired free of charge by calling 01654 705993 in advance of your visit.
Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs are permitted onto the Visitor Centre.”
As I mentioned, it has been a while since I’ve been to CAT, but as I’d really like to go again, maybe I’ll see you there soon.
Tags: Assistance Dogs, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, Disabled, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wales, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Assistance Animals, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Things to Do, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wales, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
The Easter holidays are here and the kids are off school so from the 1st – 16th April we’ll be looking at some great days out across the UK that have facilities for disabled people.
First up is Whitby Abbey, managed by English Heritage and set in the picturesque North Yorkshire coastal town of, you guessed it, Whitby. With over 2000 years of history including the royal princess, Abbess Hild and Bram Sroker’s Dracula there’s something for all the family! The grounds are the perfect vantage point for picnics and views of the shoreline, Whitby and beyond.
The first thing people with mobility impairments may think when considering Whitby Abbey are the 199 steps to get to it! Never fear, it’s been tried and tested by OpenBritain’s very own blogger and wheelchair user, me. Assuming you have your own vehicle with you there’s a drop off point for disabled people at the main entrance and then there’s parking close by. There are also various buses that will get you to the abbey.
The English Heritage web site gives this information about access:
- Access to monument and grounds: Via visitor centre; lift up to the grounds.
- Grass paths around the ruins.
- Steps to enter the nave.
- Benches.
- There are changes in the level and cobbled surfaces throughout the site.
- It may become waterlogged in wet weather.
- WC adapted for wheelchair users.
And further information for deaf and blind people:
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour designed with visually impaired in mind. Included in admission price. Tactile exhibits in the visitor centre.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price. Subtitled audio-visual displays in the visitor centre.
Further information can be found on OpenBritain, on page 263 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage Whitby Abbey Website.
Tags: Access, Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, Disabled, England, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Toilet, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair, Yorkshire & Humber
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by Craig Grimes in Attraction, England, English Heritage, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User, Yorkshire & Humber | 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
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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, December 11th, 2009
Mystery surrounds this 5,000 year old monument in the centre of the World Heritage Site. Visit this prehistoric South West site near Salisbury in Wiltshire, and decide for yourself whether Stonehenge was a place of sun worship, a healing sanctuary, a sacred burial site, or something different altogether!
English Heritage also provide information and services for disabled people such as:
Facilities Details:
Toilets: WC adapted for wheelchair users in large toilet block at far end of car park.
Shop: Level access.
Refreshments: Light refreshments are available from the Stonehenge Kitchen.
Access: On tarmac and grass path around outer circle (subject to weather conditions). One wheelchair available to visitors on request at entrance kiosk.
Parking: Reserved parking for disabled drivers is available close to entrance. Ticket office reached by short, sloping tarmac path.
Visually Impaired Visitors: Braille and large print guides are available on request. Touching Stones accessible at the main entrance.
Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop in ten languages (subject to availability).
Further information regarding facilities at Stonehenge can be found on OpenBritain, on page 126 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the English Heritage website.
Tags: Access, Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, Disability, England, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, South West, Stonehenge, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair, Wiltshire
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Architecture, Attraction, Blind, Deaf, England, English Heritage, Hearing Impairment, OpenBritain, South West, Things to Do, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User, Wiltshire | No Comments »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Both the South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh and the Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, have facilities for disabled people , the details of which cab be found on their respective websites as listed below:
South Devon Railway
All our stations are suitable for access by disabled people who are warmly welcomed.
There is plenty of car parking at Buckfastleigh. Our trains have disabled access and reserved spaces for wheelchair users.
Buckfastleigh station is the best starting point for your journey as we have easy, flat access and parking very close to the platform.
Our station at Totnes is only accessible via a footpath link and is some 464 yards from the nearest parking at Totnes National Rail station.
Please note that our dining trains do not have reserved spaces for wheelchair using passengers and the doors of the dining train carriages are narrower than the width of standard wheelchairs. However, we would urge you to contact us so we can help meet your specific requirements.
Museum of the Great Western Railway (STEAM)
STEAM is fully accessible – with lifts and ramps giving wheelchair and pushchair access throughout the museum. Disabled toilet facilities are also available.
The displays have many features designed to meet the needs of people with special needs.
We are pleased to provide the following facilities and services:
- An experience of sights, sounds, smell and touch
- Free admission to carers or helpers assisting a disabled visitor
- Free loan of wheelchair or motorised scooter
- Fully accessible toilets, fitted with call point
- Personal guiding scheme for unaccompanied disabled visitors (booking required)
- Subtitled video and large print information panels throughout STEAM
- Low-level counters at the Ticket Desk, Shop and Cafe
- Induction loop system at the Ticket Desk
- Easy to read signage
- Guide, hearing and companion dogs welcome (dog bowls available)
- Automatic entrance doors
- Adult changing room
- Free parking for disabled visitors is available within 25 metres of STEAM. Disabled visitors can be dropped off outside the museum entrance. There is level access to STEAM from all car parking areas.
Tags: Access, Attraction, Devon, Disabled, England, OpenBritain, Tourism, Train, United Kingdom, Wheelchair, Wiltshire
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Attraction, Devon, Museum, OpenBritain, South West, Things to Do, Tourism, Train, Wiltshire | No Comments »
Monday, November 30th, 2009
The OpenBritain Guide is now available to order and comes packed full of useful tourist information for disabled people.
For the first time, the three leading travel and accommodation guides for disabled people have become one. Easy Access Britain (published by Tourism for All) and Where to Stay and There and Back (both published by RADAR publications) have now joined forces to create this new, all encompassing guide book.
The new OpenBritain Guide is now the definitive book for the traveller with access needs. The guide is packed with easy to use information – from where to stay, how to get there and what to see and do once your there.
The Open BritainGuide contains everything you need to explore and enjoy Britain to the full if you are disabled.
The book is designed to:
Help disabled people travel and book accommodation with access facilities that are suitable for their needs, by providing an easy to use, one stop solution.
Promote the range of suitable quality leisure activities.
Provide a platform for businesses wishing to promote accessible accommodation, travel, attractions, retail and leisure and sports facilities to people with disabilities.
Build a UK based travel community for people with disabilities so that they can share their experiences, views, suggestions and advice regarding tourism in the UK.
So what are you waiting for? Why not order you copy today!
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Attraction, Disability, Disabled, England, Guide, OpenBritain, United Kingdom
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Attraction, OpenBritain, Publications, Resource, Things to Do, Tourism for All, United Kingdom | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
![ol_cover_400[2]](http://www.openbritain.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ol_cover_4002-219x300.jpg "ol_cover_400[2]")
The new OpenLondon guide is the definitive guide for visitors to London with access needs. The guide contains everything required to enjoy London to the full.
OpenLondon is packed with useful information on accommodation, places of interest, transport, theatres, restaurants and shopping.
Clear, attractive entries present the reader with facts at their fingertips and useful maps help find locations.
Inspirational information about places to visit and practical advice on getting around the city make this guide an invaluable holiday or business trip planning tool for anyone with access needs.
Why advertise in the OpenLondon guide?
If you want to promote your accessible services to an enormous, largely untapped market, this is the publication for you.
• The OpenLondon guide is a unique publication – a definitive travel guide for people with access needs. OpenLondon has everything needed to explore and enjoy London to the full
• Display advertisers also receive a free detailed listing including photographs and a link to your website on www.openbritain.net
• OpenLondon will be marketed through networks used by disabled people including RADAR and Tourism for All UK
• OpenLondon is available in newsagents, bookshops and Tourist Information Centres throughout the UK
• The OpenLondon guide is a full colour, high quality book
• This publication is the OFFICIAL guide which is supported by The Mayor of London, Visit London and the London Development Agency
For further information please download the OpenLondon Media Pack below.
OpenLondon Media Pack
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Attraction, Disability, Disabled, England, Hearing Impairment, Hotel, Level Access, London, News, OpenLondon, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Attraction, England, Gallery, Hotel, London, News, OpenBritain, Publications, Tourism, Travel | No Comments »
Monday, November 16th, 2009
Wall Hill Farm is a 7 bedroomed grade 2 listed property in Action Bridge, Cheshire. The 250 year old brick built, traditional Cheshire barn was converted in 2009 and includes a bedroom which is adapted for disabled people.
Room 3 is “a twin room on the ground floor with two 900mm single beds and providing full disability access including wheelchair access to both the bedroom and en-suite bathroom, which contains open area shower, toilet and wash hand basin.”
The Wall Hill Farm website also gives a list of attractions in the area with relevant internet links. A full Access Statement for Wall Hill Farm is available on the OpenBritain Website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Attraction, Cheshire, OpenBritain, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Attraction, Cheshire, England, North West, OpenBritain, Travel, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
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