Great for people living with dementia but not ideal for people permanently in a wheelchair
3
3
Date of visit: June 2019
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around and understanding.
Overall Rating
Average
We had a great day out here. It is a beautiful place and not as crowded as Windemere which suited our group. The staff were friendly and helped us by putting ramps down so we could get on and off the boat safely. Only downside is that once you are on the boat there are several steep stairs below deck therefore not really suitable for permanent wheelchair users. Our group of people living with dementia managed the steps and our wheelchair user only needs the chair for longer distances so we were able to get below deck. If there was a way of getting below deck easier for people in wheelchairs the score would be much higher!
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
Access to get to the boat is ok and when getting on and off the staff put ramps down so wheelchairs can get aboard. However once you are on the boat the only way to get below deck is several steep steps. This would be ok if the weather was nice but you can’t rely on good weather in Lake District! Wouldn’t recommend for wheelchair users.
Parking & Transport
Average
There is disabled parking at a car park about a 5/10 minute walk from the entrance. There is a pavement all the way to the entrance so you can push a wheelchair there. The issue we had with our group is that if someone isn’t using a wheelchair but struggles with mobility it can be difficult. When we arrived back after the boat trip we brought the cars right outside to pick our group up but it is worth contacting the venue to check this is ok.
Accessible Toilets
Average
There are disabled toilets where you get the boat from (Pooley Bridge) and to (Glenridding). However the toilets on board are below deck which is down some steps and they are not disabled toilets and are very small.
Staff
Good
The staff were friendly and helpful. They put down ramps for our group to get aboard safely and were supportive of our groups needs. They let us hide from the rain in the small café/ticket office while we brought the cars right outside to pick people up.
Comments
colin42
23 Oct 2019
Excellent review
