Accessible Cliff railway with great views
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: May 2016
Overall Rating
Excellent
Babbacombe is a small village near Torquay which has a cliff railway to take people from the top of the cliff down to the beach, it is also possible to drive but due to its extremely steep nature the cliff railway is the preferred route. It's just over £2 return, and takes a few minutes from top to bottom.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
To get to the cliff railway there is a path from the road to take you to the station, it's not very far but there is a fair gradient to it. Once at the station there is a wide entrance and fairly low counter to the ticket office, the staff are always around to help people on and off the lift too and sell tickets in front of the counter if it's easier. Once you've bought the tickets you just wait to the next vehicle is ready to take you (around 1 minute if you just missed one), when one arrives staff then fold out the ramp to let people on/off. Inside there are four seats, plenty of space for several wheelchairs and handles to hold on to. To get off at the other end, there are staff on hand to assist, it's a slightly steeper gradient getting off at the beach level. Once off the vehicle there is ramped access to the road which takes you down to the beach.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is on street parking or there is a car park around a 10 minute walk from the railway where you can park. On street parking was very busy but the car park was pretty empty - although I imagine in the summer it will fill up quickly.
Accessible Toilets
0There isn't an accessible toilet that is at the stations, however there is an accessible public loo on the beach.
Staff
Excellent
Very friendly! There were lots of wheelchairs users at the station and they helped everyone get on and off when needed and were happy to answer anyone's questions.
