My trip to Kells Bay Gardens!
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: August 2023
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
I went on a visit with my family. I am a full time manual wheelchair user, and I visited with my grandpa who drives a three-wheeled mobility scooter. I emailed ahead to check the trains would be accessible for us, and was told that most of them were, and the higher up we got the rougher the trails would be. When we arrived, the car park closest to the house was full, so we parked in a separate car park further away. To get up to the house (where you buy tickets) there was a very short but very steep hill - I was pushing as hard as I could and my mum was also pushing me from behind, and we just about got up. My grandpa's motor had some trouble but he also managed it. When we got up, however, we saw a disabled parking space right by the house - there were no signs to it at the bottom of the steep hill! Mum moved the car up, but had some trouble with the car barrier as there was no button to press to ask to be let through - she had to ring the front desk. My advice would be to ring ahead, and if you have an able-bodied person with you, send them up to ask to be let in. The trails were all accessible. They were loose stones (like a slate equivalent of gravel) but had been walked on enough that they were easy to push over. It would have been easier if I had brought my freewheel. There were a few hills, and I needed a push a few times, but I mostly self-propelled and had a wonderful time being outside in nature. The gardens are absolutely beautiful - there is nothing else quite like it. It's like being transported to a different time; completely surrounded by greenary and tree ferns. It feels almost prehistoric - helped by the tree stumps carved to look like dinosaurs! There was an excellent accessible toilet, but unfortunately a little step to get into it. I could manage it with a run-up and a wheelie. There was a similar small step to get into the cafe too - I was told these would be removed for next season, but just be aware they may still be there. A less active wheelchair user, and most power chairs would not be able to get into the toilet. In all, a lovely experience being out in nature!
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Parking & Transport
Good
the disabled bay is up by the house - you need to go through a barrier to get to it. It's up a steep hill. It is not well signposted, but it is there
Accessible Toilets
Average
once again, they had it, but there was a problem! there was a step to get in. It was clean and tidy, with plenty of grabrails and room for someone else
