Nice first day out

remus

29 Jun 2021

Date of visit: June 2021

I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.

I use or have experience of: assistance dog, powerchair

Overall Rating

Excellent

This is my first major day out since I've been getting of lockdown last March although I was very nervous the majority of the Abbey monument is outdoors so I feel quite safe to drive around in my wheelchair. It was a really big confidence boost for me. The pass around the abbey which itself is in ruins are all very flat and block paved so it's an ideal path for any wheelchair user. Within the abbey grounds there are some gravel pathways but they are easy enough to avoid by staying on the paved areas.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

The path around the abbey are very accessible for wheelchair access the abbey itself is in ruins however there is also a church and a graveyard in the grounds of the abbey. I know that the local college use the abbey for graduation ceremonies so it is a very popular visitor attraction within the town of Kilwinning. On this occasion we were the only people in the grounds both myself and my mum. There is also a small visitors Centre within the grounds of the abbey which is currently closed but hopefully as restrictions begin to ease this will be re-staffed again.

Parking & Transport

Good

On this occasion I drove there by car. There is a public carpark located behind the shops on the High Street however there are specific disabled parking spaces to allow disabled people to park directly on the High Street despite the street itself being pedestrianised.

Accessible Toilets

Bad

There are no accessible toilets within the grounds of the abbey although this would be a very helpful addition to this visitor attraction if the funding was available to do so especially at changing places toilet as it's right in the middle of the town centre so would be in a ideal location for an accessible toilet.

Staff

Bad

There were no staff there on this occasion when we visited as the visitor centre was closed hopefully as this is re-staffed again they will perhaps be more volunteers on the site of the abbey to tell people more about its history as I think that would be very interesting

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