Essex
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Essex.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Chelmsford Borough Council - information on parks accessibility for people with disabilities
Great Notley and the Flitch Way - Many sections of the Flitch Way provided good access for wheelchair users
King George's Playing Fields (and Gardens) (Brentwood) - excellent facilities for the disabled and able-bodied alike. Parkmobility allows those who have difficulty walking to borrow battery powered scooters free of charge in King George's Playing Fields. To book the use of a scooter please ring 01277 214830.
Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum - (Charges) The Visitor Centre is all on one level with disabled access available at both entrances. There are wheelchairs available for loan. Toilets, accessible for wheelchair users. There are some hard surfaced, but also a number of grass and unsurfaced paths which can be affected by wet weather, stout walking shoes are recommended. Benches are provided throughout the estate.
Norsey Wood (Basildon) - There are two waymarked trails in the Wood: the Easy Access Trail and the Norsey Trail. Waymarks are posts bearing the trail logo situated at intervals and at junctions along the trail.
Thames Chase Forest Centre (Upminster) - Almost three miles (4.5km) of smooth-surfaced "wheel friendly" paths allow access around the site for buggies, wheelchair users and cyclists, as well as walkers of all ages (broken link reported)
Wat Tyler Nature Trail (Basildon) - A shady and peaceful route, suitable for wheelchairs, that includes three bird hides.
Country Parks
Aveley Belhus Woods Country Park - for details of accessibility visit the GisabledGo site
Cudmore Grove Country Park - Easy Access: Cudmore Grove is a flat Park with fine views and easy walking ground mostly accessible by wheelchair.- for details of accessibility visit the GisabledGo site
Danbury Country Park - The path around the lakes is suitable for most users including pushchairs and wheelchairs and takes a route alongside the tranquil waters of the lakes and past the gardens from where you gain tantalising views of the house and old chapel.- for details of accessibility visit the GisabledGo site
Great Notley Country Park (Rayne) - "an excellent visitor centre, housed in the award-winning Discovery Centre"
Hadleigh Country Park (Benfleet) - A multi-user path provides access to the bird hole on Two Tree Island
High Woods Country Park (Colchester) - Green Flag Award - Good physical access near to the Visitor Centre and to the toilets - most of the woodland paths are level, even and hard surfaced. The sign posted 'easy access trail' (1/3 mile) has a bench every 70 yards.
Hutton Country Park (Brentwood) - There are paths running throughout the site, one of which is a public right of way, which runs from Wash Road to Goodwood Avenue. Surfaces on paths are generally fairly flat and hard subject to weather conditions. There are also surfaced paths near the Wash Road entrance which is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and a boardwalk is in place over the wetland. Benches are in place at regular intervals.
Merrymeade Country Park (Sawyers Hall Lane) (Brentwood) - The section of the footpath which runs through the site is surfaced and is suitable for walkers, pushchairs and wheelchairs
St Faith's Country Park (Weald Road, South Weald) - A surfaced joint pedestrian and cycleway is provided across the site from Weald Road to London Road and provides links to Green Lane which in turn links Weald Road to Costead Manor Road. This is suitable for walkers and cyclists of all abilities and also pushchair and wheelchair users.
Thorndon Country Park (Brentwood) - A surfaced track connects the wooded and heathland areas of Thorndon North with the more open parkland of Thorndon South. The path runs through the Old Park, an area owned and managed as a traditional wood pasture by the Woodlands Trust, and is designed to be used by all, whether on foot, cycle, mobility scooter or horse.- for details of accessibility visit the GisabledGo site
Weald Country Park (Brentwood) - Level site with east/moderate access routes. Motorised buggy - linked to Brentwood mobility scheme - available on request.- for details of accessibility visit the GisabledGo site
Wick Country Park (Basildon) - Over 2Km of easy access trails take you around the site
Nature Reserves
Noak Bridge Nature Reserve (Basildon) - There are two nature trails accommodating wheelchairs, and rustic seating is provided.
Rainham Marshes Reserve (RSPB) (Purfleet) - The paths and trails are suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with limited mobility.
Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve (Chigwell) - 1140 metres. No accessible toilets. No access charge. Special all-terrain wheelchairs are available to hire free of charge for disabled visitors.
Stour Estuary Reserve (RSPB) (Harwich) - The woodland trail is accessible during dry periods. The two picnic tables are not built to disabled standard, but are still suitable for wheelchair access.
West Canvey Marsh Reserve (RSPB) (Canvey Island) - Two miles (3 km) of wheelchair-friendly nature trails.
Other Useful Links
Accessible Colchester - General visitor information, Shopmobility, parking, toilets etc.
Disability Essex - To enable people with any disability to control their own lives and enjoy to the full the opportunities which society, the economy and the environment offer.
Disabled sport in Essex - This page contains links to organisations, charities and support groups that offer advice and information on a range of disability sports.
Essex Coalition of Disabled People - ecdp is an organisation run by and for disabled people in Essex. You can read more about what we do or use the navigation to explore our website.
Essex Disabled Angling Club - We are a friendly club, that welcomes anyone, disabled, retired, or juniors. We also welcome able bodied anglers, who are willing to help the less able members. We have regular venues which are spread around Essex, that are accessible for all.
Southend-on-Sea Accessibility - General visitor information, parking, toilets etc.
ecdp - an organisation run by and for disabled people - Our vision Enhance the everyday lives of disabled people in Essex and beyond