Posts Tagged ‘OpenBritain’
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
The BBC are recording a new series called Secret Britain and are asking the public to let them know about their favourite secret places throughout the country. They don’t just want to know where these places are but also why they’re special for you. People that want to participate can send in emails and photos via the Secret Britain website or directly to secretbritain@bbc.co.uk
It would be great if the readers of OpenBritain could email in their suggestions of secret places in the UK to the BBC that are suitable for disabled people. Of course, please share them with us here too!
Below is a photo of one of my (not so) secret places, The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland. The island is beautiful and accessible by vehicle via a coastal causeway when the tide is out, so make sure you check the tidal times so you don’t get trapped! You can also have a look at the Lindisfarne website for further information on what’s available on the island.
Further information about the North West can be found on OpenBritain and from page 295 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide
Tags: BBC, England, Lindisfarne, Media, North West, Northumberland, OpenBritain, Secret Britain, United Kingdom
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by Craig Grimes in Attraction, News, North East, Northumberland, OpenBritain, Things to Do, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom | No Comments »
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
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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 »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Very soon the exhibition and roadshow season will be upon us again soon here are a few posts about this year’s events. Naidex is taking place at its usual venue the NEC from the 20th – 22nd April and includes features such as New Product Showcases, Car Zone, Meet the OT, the Communication Village, Sensory Garden as well as a Lifestyle Seminar & Demo Area.
Naidex has also announced that ”Shannon Murray will be opening the event at 10:00am on Tuesday April 20th at the Birmingham NEC. Shannon is without doubt the UK’s most recognisable disabled model and recently starred in the Channel 4 series How to Look Good Naked. In addition to opening Naidex, Shannon will also be giving a short talk and answering questions within the lifestyle and demonstration zone at 1:30pm.”
OpenBritain partners DisabledGo will be at the event so why not pop along to visit them and other holiday exhibitors.
The Naidex website gives information on exhibitors, floor plan and details on how to get there. Information about where to stay and other things to do in the Birmingham area can be found by using the OpenBritain search engine.
Registration for the event is now open, please do so on their registration page.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Disability, Disabled, England, Event, Exhibition, Naidex, OpenBritain, Tourism, Travel, United Kingdom
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by Craig Grimes in Disability Exhibitions 2010, England, OpenBritain, Things to Do, United Kingdom, West Midlands, What's On | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Situated on the shore with fabulous views over the sea to the Isle of Mull the Ledaig Caravan Site is “A wonderful 30-acre park that has been awarded the David Bellamy Conservation Award, it is situated on a 2 mile sand and shingle beach on Ardmucknish Bay. Here sailing, water sports and safe bathing can be enjoyed by all the family. Some pitches at the caravan site are almost on the water’s edge and all of them face the sea, offering panoramic view to the beautiful Isle of Mull.”
Although you may have your own suitable facilities in your caravan or camper the site also has a bathroom equipped for disabled people including a WC with grab rails and a level access shower.
Further details of this caravan site can be found on OpenBritain, on page 321 of theOpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the North Ledaig Caravan Club Site Website.
Tags: Access, Caravan Site, Disability, Disabled, Level Access, Oban, OpenBritain, Scotland, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Caravan Site, Oban, OpenBritain, Scotland, Tourism, Wheelchair User | 2 Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Cambushinnie Croft is on a working farm in Cromlix, Perthshire and was completed in 2008. The farm is surrounded by open views of the Ochil Hills and is also only 4 miles away from the Cathedral town of Dunblane.
The 3 bedroom property sleeps up to 6 people and one of the bedrooms is on the ground floor making it accessible for wheelchair users. This bedroom also has an en-suite wet room with shower. Cambushinnie Croft has been assessed by Visit Scotland and has been awarded a Category 2.
For further information please see OpenBritain, on page 336 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Cambusinnie Croft website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Assistance Dogs, Disability, Disabled, Level Access, OpenBritain, Scotland, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
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by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Assistance Animals, OpenBritain, Perthshire, Scotland, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Eildon Holiday Cottages are located in the Scottish Borders a relatively unknown and unexplored area of Scotland and just 40 minutes by car to Edinburgh. The property is an 18th Century farm which has been converted into 6 self-catering cottages, some of which have facilities for disabled people and have views over the Tweed Valley to the Lammermuir and Moorfoot Hills.
Information about the cottage’s facilities for disabled people can be found on the Eildon Holiday Cottages Accessibility webpage. In brief, 5 of the cottages have at least 1 ground floor bedroom with bath or shower room. 2 of the cottages also have ceiling hoists and a portable hoist is also available for guests in other cottages. Other mobility aids and equipment may also be rented during your stay such as commodes and shower chairs.
Further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 334 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Eildon Holiuday Cottages Website.
Admin
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Assistance Dogs, Level Access, OpenBritain, Scotland, Scottish Borders, Self Catering, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Edinburgh, Scotland, Scottish Borders, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
The Lovat Lodge Hotel overlooks the Moray Firth in Scotland and is located near to Inverness. The hotel is adapted with facilities including lever taps, adjustable beds, accessible bathrooms and walk-in showers. Lovat Lodge is wheelchair accessible and has wheelchair accessible suites with bathrooms. The staff also have experience in the requirements of disabled people and they have equipment such as wheelchairs and motorised buggies which maybe available during your stay. You should contact the hotel for further information.
Although the hotel does not have a full Access Statement you can contact them directly if you have any specific questions. The hotels contact details and further information can be found on OpenBritain, on page 330 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Lovat Lodge Hotel Website.
Tags: Accommodation, Disability, Disabled, Highland, Level Access, OpenBritain, Scotland, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Highland, Hotel, OpenBritain, Scotland, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Crathie Opportunity Holidays are 4 self-catering cottages in the restored Manse Courtyard of historic Crathie Kirk, Aberdeenshire. Located in the Cairngorm National Park, Crathie lies between the villages of Braemar and Ballater some 50 miles west of Aberdeen.
The 4 cottages are all named after glens near Crathie and all have level ground floor access throughout, fully accessible kitchens, level access showers, height adjustable beds and ceiling tracking hoists. Each of the cottages have their own pages where more details are given about the specific accommodation. Please see the Clunie, Gairn, Gelder and Girnock pages for further information.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 319 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Crathie Opportunity Holidays Website.
Tags: Aberdeenshire, Access, Accommodation, Disability, Disabled, Level Access, OpenBritain, Scotland, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Aberdeenshire, Accommodation, North West, Scotland, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Proven House provides self catering accomodation situated on a working farm near Alston, Lancashire, in the beautiful Ribble Valley and was converted to a very high standard in 2008. The property has been assessed and given awards for mobility, visual and hearing impairments under the National Accessible Scheme.
The house consists of a fully equipped kitchen/dining area with all modern amenities, comfortable lounge with digital TV/DVD, twin bedded room with adjustable beds and en-suite wet room with disabled facilities.
The Access Statement gives a summary of the provision for disabled people and further details can be found on OpenBritain, on page 281 of the OpenBritain 2010 Guide and on the Proven House Website.
Tags: Access, Accommodation, Blind, Cumbria, Deaf, Hearing Impairment, Level Access, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair
Posted
by Craig Grimes in Accommodation, Blind, Cumbria, Deaf, England, Hearing Impairment, North West, OpenBritain, Self Catering, Tourism, United Kingdom, Visual Impairment, Wheelchair User | No Comments »
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