Days out should be for all the family, not just the one’s that have no mobility issues. Fenetic Wellbeing are campaigning to say exactly that, it shouldn’t matter if you have a pram or a wheelchair, if you need to stop every 10 minutes to have a rest or if you need a mobility scooter. Mobility scooters can really help to make all family days out more accessible for everyone.
Since I was 18, I have been a support worker for adults with learning disabilities. Many people I have supported have used a wheelchair. When going out we have had to pre plan where we could go. We had to think about what the ground would be like for pushing the chairs, whether the doors would be wide enough and if there where accessible toilet facilities.
My Grandma is 86 and although she has really good health for her age, she does have some trouble with her leg and regularly needs to rest so when I go out with her, we think about whether there are benches around where we are going if it is outdoors. I know it’s not Lancashire but we went to Tatton Park last year and it was really good for having places for her to rest. We took Lucas’ pram and we could easily walk around everywhere. We couldn’t take it in the mansion but they offer free baby carriers.
Here are some places I have found ok for going out with wheelchairs and prams. Once you have finished reading, check out my post on free days out in Lancashire
Worthington Lakes, in between Chorley and Wigan is made up of 3 reservoirs. It is part of a 50-acre country park, with a nature reserve and accessible footpaths. This is somewhere I regularly went with people who had autism. It is an incredibly peaceful place to walk. It isn’t often you pass other people there and dogs are banned which was perfect as a lot of people I supported didn’t like dogs. This is a great place to go for a walk but there are no toilets.
Astley Park, Chorley, has an abundance of open space to explore and play. There are 2 incredibly good play areas, tennis courts and a bowling green. The park itself is really good for prams and wheelchairs, the paths are smooth and very wide. There is a Pets Corner which has a ramp up to it and wide doors for access. There is also a cafe and toilets that are easy to access. Astley Hall is a Grade 1 listed historic house that was built in 1578 and is now preserved as a museum and art gallery. Unfortunately only the ground floor can be accessed by wheelchairs and prams, however, you can ask staff to see a guided tour of the rest of the hall on a DVD.
Yarrow Valley Country Park, Coppull has over 700 acres to explore, an adventure playground, cafe, clear paths and accessible toilets. Highlights include Duxbury Woods, Big Wood and Copperworks Wood as well as exploring the riot of wildflower colour that grows in Lower Burgh Meadow in the summer months and the magnificent Big Lodge, which is a venue for fishing and canoeing as well as the home of many swans, geese and ducks.
The Blackpool Tower makes every effort to ensure that The Blackpool Tower Eye, Dungeon, Circus, Ballroom and other facilities are accessible to all of its guests. Disabled access into The Blackpool Tower is via Bank Hey Street (opposite Primark). Although electric scooters can’t be used past the ground floor, they can be locked away safely and wheelchairs are available free of charge. Whilst in Blackpool, the sea life centre is also easily accessed by wheelchairs and prams.
Sprawled across the five floors, Botany Bay is full of designer brands in clothing, furniture, homeware, gifts and crafts – all at outlet prices. There is also a garden centre, food hall and restaurants. For the children, there is Puddletown Pirates. There are 2 lifts but they can be hard work with wheelchairs, however, there is a goods lift and the staff are happy to support you to use that. It’s free entry and free parking.
Fenetic Wellbeing is offering my readers the chance to win a family day out from here, enter below for your chance to win x
Day out voucher