The top disabled access reviews of 2017
Euan’s Guide is all about disabled access reviews and sharing with others, so thank you to all our amazing reviewers this year! Looking back at 2017, here are some of our favourite reviews featuring everything from the northern lights and alpacas, to football and zip-lining. Is yours here?
Winter
Torassieppi Reindeer Farm and Cottages, Muonio
“If you want to see the northern lights or aurora borealis then this place is perfect. As a family run business, they bent over backwards to make me comfortable. I felt very privileged and very looked after. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They were kind, polite and so incredibly thoughtful and helpful. Excellent resort. Very disabled friendly.”
Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
“Since using a wheelchair, this is one of the best places I've been to for accessibility. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and there was plenty of parking with a street level entrance through automatic doors. I would recommend the hourly 'show' where photos are projected on the walls with audio of different voices describing their experiences of war. There are different sets of images and audio throughout the day. While this is going on, lights are dimmed around the rest of the exhibit however there's plenty of warning when they're due to do it.”
Brockhole on Windermere, Windermere
“The Visitor Centre has very friendly staff who were happy to bring the centre's mobility scooter to our car. Clear concise safety instructions and a map to show safe route. Work has been done to make the lakeside walk accessible on the scooter. Might be hard going pushing a manual chair.”
Spring
Vicarage Road, Watford Football Club, Watford
“Why did nobody tell me about Watford before? I can't fault Vicarage Road. They have the best sensory room I've seen and are putting in a Changing Places toilet (but I'm sure if you asked for a hoist they'd have one). Staff are so friendly and all they want to do is improve! There's plenty of wheelchair spaces and more are being added. Up The Hornets. Let's follow their example!”
The Experience, Glasgow
“A disability friendly go-karting experience on the outskirts of Glasgow in Hillington Park which has hand controlled single-seater and two-seater electric karts. Staff are incredibly friendly and have disability training to allow them to safely assist you with your karting experience. Accessible go-karting is extremely fun!”
The Charterhouse, London
“Small Museum in the historic Charterhouse with excellent disabled access. On entering the museum there are three sets of toilets. Very impressed. One for wheelchair users, which is spacious with grab rails and emergency cord. One with a sign on the door with a person with sticks, which has grab rails but no emergency cord. Another toilet door which I didn't check out.”
Summer
Lochaber Leisure Centre, Fort William
“This is the most accessible swimming pool I've ever visited catering for all abilities. The adapted changing room is huge and well equipped. The pool itself is a full-length competition pool and it was lovely and warm. There was also a steam room which comfortably accommodated the shower chair. The staff were very friendly and helpful.”
The Alpaca Trekking Centre, Thornhill
“The alpaca trek is completely wheelchair accessible and all on the flat. There are no steps at all. I found the alpaca trek very enjoyable and easy to do in my power wheelchair. There were two cattle grids to cross during the trek, but these were easy to cross and the owner stood behind me in case I needed a push, but it wasn't required.”
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
“The crowds mean that you may have to wait a while to get a clear view of the most popular pictures. Many people use the audio-guide (we didn't), which tends to concentrate crowds round those pictures on which there is a recorded commentary. It can be quite difficult to get near the captions, so the audio-guide might be a good idea.”
The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther
“The museum is situated in the renowned Anstruther Harbour, a short distance away from the famous chippy. It tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry, its boats, harbours and communities. Given the age of the buildings, they have done an amazing job on accessibility, with further improvements in the pipeline.”
Autumn
Sheffield Park and Garden, Uckfield
“We went for the autumn leaf colour as did thousands of others!! At peak ‘leaf’ time you may not be able to get in and signs will tell you to come another day. We did find parking next to the entrance and enjoyed a few hours admiring the lakes and tree colours. I had no difficulty in my powerchair. The best camera views are right next to the lakes which involves going into grass for a few metres.”
Trossachs Mobility, All Terrain Wheelchairs, Callander
“An all terrain vehicle which allowed me to get out and about in the great outdoors with ease. It allowed me to get to places I would never have attempted in my manual chair. Amazing experience! Gordon Wilson hosted us for the day, which was a real delight. His enthusiasm for the great outdoors is infectious, which meant we didn't want to leave (despite the torrential rain!). His knowledge of the local area meant that the trip doubled up as a guided tour.”
Ripley Castle, Ripley
“The main entrance to the castle is ramped and fully accessible to wheelchair users, the tour consists of six rooms of which four are on the ground floor. There is no lift so visitors with limited mobility can watch a DVD that shows the tour information for the upstairs. Hearing loops are available and can be requested in advance, and visitors with visual impairment are encouraged to handle objects throughout the tour.”
Kollensvevet Zipline, Oslo
“We went on a drop-in day for Zip Lining, they let me go first, so once harnessed up (they are great at helping even when I needed to be held up), they walk you out to the zip and you actually stand on the same bit ski jumpers do! As I have trouble holding my head up a member of staff was clipped on behind me to hold my head and we flew together.”
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