my cousin told met hat he was offered a mobility scooter at national trust free or it is included in entry cost. they will show you how it works and you are away ! apparently being adopted at other sites gradually . this was Beaulieu i think.
he asked when he saw about 4 scooter s sitting nearb,y not used and was offered one to use .
worth trying
That’s an excellent idea Jaybird. Hope it takes off in other venues. Xxx
Seen “Tramper” all terrain mobility scooters on offer at several outside venues now. Is worth checking before going if venue has this and booking it in advance if required.
After buying mine I discovered that Towneley Hall I visit regularly rents them out. Could have had a practice! I also believe that Blackpool council will rent them out too which is a great idea for anyone in need who doesn't want or can't buy their own. Nice to think that the disabled are being considered.
I have used one at RSPB and RHS venues - best to phone beforehand to reserve one as early as you know you are going - you can always cancel if for some reason you change your mind but this may mean someone else can’t book it. Some places ask for a refundable deposit or a donation to their charity.
Yes we visited national trust parks last year and they were offering mobility scooters. First come first served, and you can ring ahead and reserve one at the bigger places.
That's interesting to know. Especially if they give you a practice session. I would have no use for a scooter of my own as the pavements here are narrow and cluttered up with cars. As for those ads showing someone effortlessly folding up a scooter and popping it in their car boot- huh! xxx
The gentleman who came with a model to demonstrate before I bought said that the automatic fold up models using a remote control are very heavy.
On the telly they look so easy to handle. But the weight is a giveaway. Rather more than my suitcase when I'm going on holiday, and that's quite enough. xxx
I've had experience of this after acquiring a fold-up scooter, thinking I could handle it ,but it proved far to heavy for me to safely lift it into my vehicle on my own. The only way to deal with the problem is to firstly , get a WAV. Then you can get the scooter you want that will fit in the vehicle and go almost anywhere , and use the scooter accordingly. I have a pavement scooter for things like trips to IKEA or the shopping precinct, and a larger one for off-road adventures. Widens my horizons and is worth the time and money,in my view!!
You usually have to hire them Though some supermarkets lend them out free to customers
Chester Zoo also has mobility scooters for people to book beforehand. Great idea.
I’ve seen several waiting to be used at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. They must be a life-saver for some as it’s a very big (but accessible) site. They also run regular shuttle buggies. It’s a beautiful venue.
The NT have done this for at least 10 years - they had ones for use at Attingham when we were photographing the new roof. I think you need to be an Outdoor Mobility member ( £10.00 pa) and then you can hire them for free from lots of places. outdoormobility.org/members
Thankyou. Batsford Arbouretum rent out scooters too for a nominal fee. You get a quick lesson too.
Yes, it is an increasing practice and very welcome.
If you a national Trust Member and they have mobilty scooters at their location they are free to members always try and book ahead . look in the NT handbook or web site for that house/garden etc there will be a phone number .I use them all the time
Hi Jaybird If your talking about Beaulieu motor museum they provide manual wheelchairs and disability scooters free of charge ...But phone ahead to book as there are only about 6 so best to make provisional arrangements prior 🩷
Good idea Thanks x
The National Trust provides buggies at a number of their sites so always worth asking. When my vertigo was so bad and unpredictable that I couldn't drive one on my own, we used to book a tandem buggy at Sheffield Park, Sussex and it was great as my husband was responsible for the driving and I could sit in the back and enjoy all the wonderful rhododendrons, azaleas etc as we passed them. Also, people would be interested in the buggy itself and it was a real conversation starter! We enjoyed many visits to the Park that I would have been unable to access without this wonderful buggy!
Now, I don't get the prolonged vertigo attacks any more but am still unable to drive so have a mobility scooter which has given me tremendous freedom to enjoy places of interest as it comes apart to go in the car or can go in the luggage compartment of a coach.
A number of places, Beaulieu included, allow free entry for a carer if you arrive on a mobility scooter. This was an unexpected bonus when we visited. I didn't need to show any proof of disability - the scooter was accepted as proof enough. Not all places are the same.
One thing about National Trust buggies - at Saltram, they have a Tramper and you pay a deposit for it - £10 I think. You have to sign up and then you are able to use other Trampers around the area for nothing. I was looking into this before I bought my own scooter.
So best to phone ahead and check whether you have to book a time or if the buggies/scooters are freely available. If they only have one or two of them, you may not be able to have it if you just turn up.
It's a fabulous service, though, especially if you arrive somewhere and didn't realise how much walking there was going to be.
xx Moy
Dunno what to do now. I have two mobility scooters (Bought when I was partially mobile) One is a small scooter for local forays (very rural) and the other, a large one called "Fastest" which purports to do 40 miles to a charge. I'd been thinking, maybe I could get out of the house with a folding power chair but with what I've read here, perhaps that's not feasible. Had to give up my driving licence and public transport here is worse than useless!
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