Travelling as a wheelchair user shouldn’t preclude you from seeing the very best that the UK has to offer. One of our country’s most incredible natural landscapes, the Lake District is a must for an English staycation. However, with all those fells and famed walking trails, you may be hesitant to pay a visit if you need wheels to get around.
Don’t be. The Lake District is perfect for disabled access holidays, providing visitors with a wide range of opportunities to enjoy everything the Lakes has to offer. Whether you’re itching to get out on the water, are keen to explore the almost 600,000 acres of unspoilt countryside the area has to offer or simply want to take in the Lake District’s many pretty towns and villages, keep on reading.
Our guide to wheelchair accessible holidays in the Lake District covers everything from the best wheelchair suitable Lake District walks to finding the best disability friendly accommodation.
Accessible travel to and around the Lake District
Remote as it is, getting to and travelling around the Lake District may seem like a challenge. However, though a little off the beaten track, the Lake District is well connected to the rest of the country and has extremely good travel accessibility and links, including a number of wheelchair friendly taxi firms, to get you from A-to-B once you’ve arrived.
Getting here: wheel chair travel to the Lake District
While arriving into the Lake District by car may seem like the simplest option, travel by train is surprisingly straightforward, even with a wheelchair. Connecting the region to major English cities, Oxenholme The Lake District station is completely step-free (though some ramps are steep) with day-round disabled assistance from staff. Travelers can reach Oxenholme from major cities, including London, Birmingham and Manchester with no need to change trains, making your journey even easier.
While Oxenholme puts you close to Kendal, further north, just beyond Ullswater, you’ll arrive into Penrith North Lakes. This station is recommended for those wishing to explore the northern Lakes and provides excellent step-free accessibility.
Getting around: disabled travel around the Lake District
The Lake District has reliable bus connections thanks to Stagecoach buses. With options for unlimited all day travel into all corners of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, most routes through the Lake District include wheelchair accessible buses. The 555 route, which takes visitors on a picturesque rumble through the heart of the region, runs low floor buses for ease of wheelchair access.
Finding accessible holiday accommodation in the Lake District
One of the main challenges you’re likely to come across when looking for disabled friendly holidays is finding wheelchair accessible hotels, B&Bs or holiday cottages. While accessible holiday accommodation is definitely improving there’s still a way to go. In the Lake District however, you’ll find plenty of wheelchair suitable places to stay.
Wheelchair accessible accommodation: what to look for
Accessibility isn’t standardised, which means one hotel’s idea of what wheelchair friendly means can be quite different to another. Perhaps you have your own personal checklist for stays to suit you, but if not here are some things to look out for:
- step-free access from the street to your room
- wide doorways and halls
- wet rooms or accessible bathrooms with support handles, shower seats and accessible sinks and toilets
- mid-height light switches and sockets
- manoeuvring space next to a bed
- lever door handles or automatic doors
- accessible clothing storage
- accessibility to local amenities and transport
- disabled parking
It’s a good idea to call ahead and make sure that your chosen accommodation can meet your non-negotiables and that your accessible room is guaranteed.
Wheelchair friendly stays with YHA
YHA was founded on diversity and remains committed to inclusivity. While the historic nature of some of our properties can make it tough to create fully accessible accommodation, a number of our Lake District destinations offer excellent facilities for disabled travellers:
YHA Ambleside
Boasting an unbeatable location right on the shores of Lake Windermere, YHA Ambleside offers a four-bed ground floor room with wheelchair accessible en-suite bathroom. Blue badge parking is available on-site and the hostel itself is located in easy reach of everything the pretty town of Ambleside has to offer.
You’re also just a few short feet away from the nearest bus stop where wheelchair suitable transport can be found. Staying in for the night? The hostel’s great café bar serves locally produced food and drink, including a range of real ales, and has easy access to a disabled WC.
YHA Borrowdale
One for wheelchair adventurers, YHA Borrowdale puts you close to some of the Lake Districts best trails and is situated in amongst glorious green countryside. Two three-bedded rooms with wider than usual doorways are best suited to wheelchair users here. Each has an in-room, pedestal-free basin and is in easy reach of nearby shared accessible bathroom facilities with grab rails and low level washbasin for hassle-free use.
At Borrowdale, classic hostel facilities such as a self-catering kitchen, drying and laundry room and dining room (with table service on request) are accessed directly from the ground floor reception with no steps along the way, making a self-sufficient stay entirely possible.
YHA Windermere
Overlooking England’s largest natural lake, YHA Windermere provides guests with unbeatable views as well as comfortable overnight stays. Despite its quirky layout, this rural hostel provides good access to ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms suitable for most wheelchair users.
Though wheelchair access up to the hostel from the road isn’t ideal, there’s plenty of car parking if you’re driving in. Staff will happily reserve you a spot close to the front door too, making arrivals and departures easy, while a permanent ramp takes visitors to reception. Inside, public facilities include a comfortable dining room where table service can be provided if required.
Wheelchair accessible days out in the Lake District
It may be most famed as a destination for hikers, climbers and fell runners but the Lake District has plenty to offer wheelchair users too.
Walks on wheels
You might be surprised by just how many of the Lake District’s most beautiful sights are wheelchair accessible. The region’s Miles Without Stiles guide details a whopping fifty routes suitable for visitors less able to scramble, wade and climb. Graded based on accessibility and with suitable routes for wheelchairs, pushchairs and visually impaired users, this guide includes routes that take in lakeside paths, woodlands, riverside meanders and even fell summits.
Offering hire of all terrain mobility scooters, both Whinlatter Forest and the Langdale Estate have beautiful routes to explore while the National Trust’s Tarn Hows can also provide visitors with access to a Tramper mobility scooter for rugged explorations.
Another National Trust area, Fell Foot, not only offers all terrain scooter hire, it also offers a Changing Places facility – a spacious changing room with adjustable bench and hoist for visitors with more complex requirements.
Wheelchair accessible sights for families
Whether you’re a parent in a chair or are taking a holiday with a disabled child, you won’t want a wheelchair to stop your little ones from enjoying a great day out. Fortunately, many of the Lake District’s best child-friendly days out are also a pleasure for those on wheels. Here are just a few favourites:
- Brockhole: located on Lake Windermere, Brockhole is one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions. In addition to its house and gardens, it offers adventurous activities like archery, kayaking and treetop treks. Free electric wheelchairs are available for use inside and out, while a minibus runs visitors with mobility difficulties from the car park and jetty to the visitor’s centre.
- Coniston Boating Centre: what’s a trip to the Lakes without getting out on the water? This boating centre has access to an adapted wheelchair accessible boat complete with moveable ramp.
- Alpacaly Ever After: animal lovers of all ages will adore walking alpacas at the Lingholm Estate. With organised activities suitable for visitors with both physical and mental disabilities, the friendly folk at Alpacaly Ever After are committed to diversity and inclusion and will adapt visits to suit all abilities.
- Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway: this heritage steam railway will appeal to young and old alike. Staff are trained to take good care of disabled visitors and the steam trains themselves are suitable for most chairs. A wheelchair accessible and dog friendly tea room with a wide range of snacks and meals for most dietary requirements is also found on-site.
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