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Wheelchair user holiday advice for Plymouth, Cornwall and Minehead please.

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This week-end we are going away for a fortnight.We are spending first few nights in Travelodge at Plymouth (£9 rooms thanks to M.S.E.).We are then going on to Butlins at Minehead for a week(again thanks to M.S.E. and Tesco points).
I want to see as much as I can especially Cornwall as I have never been.We are taking my mobility scooter and manual wheelchair.We are in our 50's and are National Trust members.
We are on a tight budget and would love some advice on accessible beaches, tourist attractions and concessions, cheap places to eat and accessible National Trust Gardens.Also places to avoid if disabled.
This site has really changed our lives, its not that we have anymore money but we can do a lot more with what we have thanks to Martin and you Guys.
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Comments

  • Gemmzie
    Gemmzie Posts: 14,876 Forumite
    Hi Rags, I'm in Cornwall and I have to say, we're a bit behind the times in some areas still. I'd avoid St Ives as that's awful for a wheelchair - all hills and cobbles.

    National Trust are fantastic, St Michael's Mount require prior notice due to the boat crossing to it, but there's also a pathway across if you catch the tide right. Give them a ring and I'm sure they can help. Marazion is lovely, very good fudge!

    Can't think of anywhere else immediately, try Age Concern Information though - they always used to be very knowledgeable - 01872 266388. Or there is DIAL - 01736 759500

    As for Plymouth, the Hoe is very wheelchair friendly and lovely if the weather is nice. A few of the older pubs don't have access but the larger chains do.

    Have a great holiday :)
    No longer using this account for new posts from 2013
  • RAGSTORICHES
    RAGSTORICHES Posts: 219 Forumite
    Thankyou I am writing all this down and will let you know how I get on.
  • tori.k
    tori.k Posts: 3,592 Forumite
    Most harbour towns will be fine if someone doesnt mind pushing you up a big hill :) Polzeth is a great as you can park right on the beach, Trevone is good as well, Eden is a must see, The lost Gardens at Heligan,Newquay we are not that far behind..lol.. as for food :) grab a proper pasty!!! not one of those square things you get "other side of the water" most importantly have a great trip :)
  • RAGSTORICHES
    RAGSTORICHES Posts: 219 Forumite
    Thankyou, hills are out I am a large lady would finish hubby off.Like the sound of Polzeth and lost gardens.
    A friend here says I should try Trago Mills, what do you locals think?
  • tori.k
    tori.k Posts: 3,592 Forumite
    Thankyou, hills are out I am a large lady would finish hubby off.Like the sound of Polzeth and lost gardens.
    A friend here says I should try Trago Mills, what do you locals think?


    Its a not so very cheap huge discount shop, if you like shopping then its a place to go, gives me the chills just thinking about it:rotfl:Padstow would be your best bet for a Quay side visit as there is parking just outside the harbour, but it does get packed,sadly id skip Fowey altogether as it 'ell of a hike to the car park, but does run the landtrain in the summer...being rude are you totally wheelchair bound? Boscastle is always worth a trip too,(Fantastic homemade icecream) do stop at Tintagel if you head that way the biggest best Pasty in the county to be found you can watch them being made thru the window, (im hungry now :)
    Truro is prob the best Town (sorry city) for shopping and there is a nice walk thru the town and gardens a very pretty place,
    what sort of things do you like to do Rags to Riches?
  • daska
    daska Posts: 6,212 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Thankyou, hills are out I am a large lady would finish hubby off.Like the sound of Polzeth and lost gardens.
    A friend here says I should try Trago Mills, what do you locals think?

    Oh Gawd! Trago mills! Aaaaargh! Grandad used to drive miles to fill up there because he approved of their politics. Depends. If you support UKIP, don't mind a healthy dose of hypocrisy and like bargain basement stores you're in for a real treat. My recommendation would be to visit en-route to somewhere else, goggle at the statues and ranting notices and quickly skedaddle off to somewhere more salubrious.

    If you want somewhere beautiful I'd go to Cotehele (National Trust). Don't be put off by the steep slopes, there's car access at both the top and bottom of the gardens.
    Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants - Michael Pollan
    48 down, 22 to go
    Low carb, low oxalate Primal + dairy
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  • RAGSTORICHES
    RAGSTORICHES Posts: 219 Forumite
    edited 29 May 2009 at 6:45PM
    Thanks Tori and Daska. I am not wheelchair bound I just cannot walk far due to Arthritis (sciatica) and Asthma.I have to keep sitting down so sometimes Hubby pushes chair and I keep stopping for a rest. I will have mobility scooter with me though but I wouldn't trust it on hills.
    Once again I have written all places you have suggested down and will look on search engine for directions.Thankyou all.
    I like lovely scenery, beaches Gardens animal wildlife and swimming.
    Think I will avoid Traga by the sound of it.
  • The Eden Project near St Austell is lovely and there is a lot of help available there for people with mobility problems. Well worth a visit.

    I had heard on the grapevine that there were going to be some beach friendly wheelchairs available for rent at places like Perranporth (which has a beautiful long, flat beach). May be worth calling local Tourist Information Office to find out?

    Between Plymouth and Truro there is a large historic house - Lanhydrock, and there are lots of houses with gardens in Cornwall - most are NT places.
    Hope the weather is good for you and that you have a great time.
    I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to break :D
    My attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W
  • RAGSTORICHES
    RAGSTORICHES Posts: 219 Forumite
    Thanks I leave tomorrow morning and now have lots of places to look forward to seeing thanks to you all. I noticed Cornwall show is on and the first day Thursday I could go.Have any of you been to that?
  • Hi
    Yes - its huge! A lot of agricultural stuff, classes for all sorts of animals, horses , carriage riding, jumping etc.
    It has disabled parking right near the entrance and is on a site at Wadebridge that is up a slight hill to the main event and then on the flat mostly after that. There's a food court area, fun fair part, crafts part and lots to see. It gets very crowded, particularly at the weekends, but is a good visit and a carer (someone pushing your wheelchair) can get in at a reduced price. I think it's about £15 to get in.
    I hope this weather holds up for you. It's beautiful here at the moment.
    I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to break :D
    My attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W
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