Been to a disability friendly attraction?

[Footygirl]

Hi. Are there really so few???????

It has been suggested by a guru I share my recent experience of a great attraction that was ssoooo disability friendly. Have you been to one? Perhaps we can compile a list!

Mine was a visit to ss Great Britain in Bristol. Just follow the brown signs which are clearly marked. I was a bit miffed to find only four, occupied blue badge spaces but good old Bristol doesn't charge in the car park if you display your blue badge.

My husband went to enquire if I could see anything on a mobility scooter. He was assured I could, and boy could I. They have lifts everywhere for us. The ship looks like it is floating but it is a clever trick. I took the lift down to see the hull below the water line. Fascinating! Then across to the wonderful museum with ramps and more lifts. The only thing I could not do was climb the rigging, but they have plans for that in hand too! It was a fabulous visit. And dont forget if you require an assistant they go free! Also, the guide they give you shows you how to see everything in one hour, two hours, three hours or the full monty as they say. There really is that much to see. I even met Mr Brunel, who held open the entrance door, and he didnt smell mouldy at all!!

Where have you been that was so accommodating?

Here's a photo of a brave young man. His poor mum's nerves were in shreds but he was quite safe.

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[Crusee]

Footy girl.

Thank you so much for this post.It is really helpful,and what a good idea to collate a list of other disability friendly attractions.

My husband has been dying to go to SS Great Britain for ages and I have been putting it off.But now I know it is suitable for mobility scooters I will be ready for a trip.

The only attraction I have been to in nearly a year is Chester Zoo.Plenty of disabled parking by the zoo entrance.Carers get in free with the disabled person buying a full price ticket.There was room in the food court to get a mobility scooter through and don't think there was anywhere that I couldn't get in to.

The only problem was the pub where they serve food.It was closed on the day we went but there was a step to get in through the door which you can't do on a mobility scooter.As it was closed we couldn't tell if there was an alternative entrance for wheelchairs or scooters.If you are not in a position where you own your own scooter then you can hire them at the zoo but it's best to ring in advance to book one on busy times.

Thanks again.

Crusee

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[cathie]

I wrote to NT to see how accessible are the gardens at poolewe in NW Scotland. No response so far has anyone an experience?

[Footygirl in reply to cathie]

Sorry Cathie not been that far north and app of no use, but you do well to check. Their accessibility classification can be iffy. Once went to a NT attraction, fully accessible, then two then three steps greeted us on entry into it. Furious. Assistant went to get humongous metal ramp which only covered second three steps. Man kept rushing people passed me " ooh do get in out of the rain"! I lost my cool I am afraid as one poor woman scurried past while I got very wet looking at steps without even an umbrella offered.

They did compromise well at Little Moreton Hall Cheshire. where after the ground floor I was shown to a state of the art computer that I could use to see the rest of the house.

Lyme Hall has a service, tiny, lift which you can use and people very friendly, I felt a bit like a box of veg though but fair play.

Didnt like Hidcote garden supposedly wheelchair friendly, ever tried pushing anything acoss deep small stones? The paths were too narrow arround the various "rooms" in the garden. Gave up because refused to ride accross pristine grass centre of many. A gentleman and I fumed as our partners went in to complain. Very disappointing. Given up my membership now.

The volunteers are usually very sorry, but after a special trip, it can be very frustrating.

Dunham Massey have lots of cobbles that can be uncomfortable crossing, but look to the right of entrance where a little gate can be opened to go around building to avoid them. Could do with stencil of wheelchair sign on flags as able bodied hog these narrow smooth runs beside cobbles in areas.

Sorry I am going on. Just cant remember first house visited above. Will page the oracle! Hubby later.

Well done Crusee, I agree on Chester Zoo.

Keep the good ones rolling in guys.

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[cathie in reply to Footygirl]

I've had a reply from Poolewe gardens. Not all is accessible but if you contact them in advance you can have a free scooter. And the scooter route covers the accessible bit. Fair enough I think though it did take them several days to respond!

[Footygirl in reply to cathie]

Glad you have had some reply. My hubby and I think the NT the last bastion of a huge organisation organised by doddery old buffers in the attics of some of these houses. It can take ages to get replies and often seems that one hand is oblivious to the other. At least they try though.

Enjoy your visit and let us know how much is the accessible bit.

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[cathie in reply to Footygirl]

I'll let you know. I agree about the NT but the Scottish one has a different type of person on the door who isn't quite so intimidating, at least that's what my Irish partner thinks. And a lot of the men wear tartan trews which I bet are itchy as hell. Good reason for kilts!