Fabulous place
5
5
Date of visit: April 2024
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
I use an electric wheelchair. Quickie 700f. I would also of had same good experience in my older chair a handicare Beatle. We parked at the main visitor centre car park. I read in other reviews that there's not much here for wheelchair users. For me as an electric wheelchair user there was plenty and despite the terrible weather we've been having there were plenty of well maintained dry good surface walks. Most surfaces mimic a hoggin style pathway with a few loose stones on some. We did a green route, Ellerburn, which is one of the longer routes and I had no issues. It was wonderful. A river runs along this route and our golden retriever loved it. The toilet was big enough for my chair which is a large electric wheelchair. Mobility scooters would not be able to fit inside. Shop and cafes accessible also picnic tables with wheelchair spaces. We loved it so much we bought a season ticket. The cost is well worth it, there are 8 000 acres you can explore and a lot of it is accessible to wheelchair users. I am quite an off roader wheelie but I feel if you visit this type of place then you are too. I thoroughly recommend a visit.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Ellerburn route was very accessible for an electric wheelchair using tilt in space function for a couple of inclines. Benches were present on this route.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
We drove by car.
Accessible Toilets
Average
OK for me but not possible for mobility scooter users. I use a large electric wheelchair. Enough space to manoeuvre onto toilet. Clean. I could turn chair around and go out forwards! Always a plus. Toilet was on right hand side with hand rail. You may need to get someone to close baby changing table as this had been left open. Mats are available for changing on the floor for larger children however not suitable for changing an adult plus floor not really clean enough in my opinion. Understandably the floor gets muddy as it's a forest. However a proper changing places toilet is required at this venue. I intend to become a regular here and I will be bringing this up and pushing for it, they have the space.
Staff
Excellent
There were road closures in place the day we visited and the staff helped us get to them, over the phone they gave instructions and we managed to get through. Very clear and helpful guidance.
