Suffolk
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 Suffolk.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
18 Easy Going Trails - pack contains a selection of 18 trails, each of which gets you close to nature in the very heart of Suffolk’s countryside
Access for All in the Brecks part 1 of 3 - Access for All in the Brecks part 2 of 3 - Access for All in the Brecks part 3 of 3 - A5 leaflet (opens out to A3) includes detailed information on Access for all routes suitable for people with limited mobility, plus a summary of other relevant sites to visit
Abbey Gardens Bury St Edmunds - Green Flag Award - Sensory Garden
Barham Picnic Site - The toilets (including RADAR facilities) and visitor centre are open all year round. Both the river and lakes are handy for good angling - including disabled access - and there's plenty of wildlife
Bramford Picnic Site - hard-surface path - you can fish from one of three platforms (suitable for disabled access)
Dunwich Heath: Coastal Centre and Beach (NT) (Saxmundham) - (Charges pr vehicle) Visitors with disabilities welcomed. Access to tea-room and gift shop. Self-drive powered mobility vehicle (Tramper) and chauffeured three seater vehicle available for site tours upon booking. Accessible sea-watching centre with telescopes
Easy access trail - East Town Park (Bury St Edmunds) - This is a surfaced circular route of around 400 metres (about 370 yards) suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with reduced mobility
Foxburrow Farm (Melton) - The education centre is wheelchair accessible with a disabled toilet. Laminated trails are available in the car park, including a wheelchair and pushchair accessible trail.
High Lodge Forest Centre (Thetford) - Admission charge applicable - 1250 metres - Accessible Toilet. Car Parking available.
Ickworth House, Park and Gardens (NT) (Bury St Edmunds) - (charges) Outdoor wheelchair available from West Wing Drop-off point for passengers with disabilities Adapted toilet on ground floor of house and on lower ground floor of West Wing Braille guide Sensory experience Large print guide Induction loop Partly accessible grounds (map available), loose gravel paths, some steep slopes, terraces and steps. Trampers available. All-terrain pushchair available for outdoor use Children's play area
Lynford Lakes - Zig-Zag Covert - 1258 metres. A special feature of the trail are the recently installed seating benches. No accessible toilets. No admission charge. Car parking available.
Nowton Park (Bury St Edmunds) - Access for all - Major routes are wide and way-marked, but the terrain can be variable
St Helens Easy Access Path (Thetford) - 900 metres - The Forest Nature Reserve at the Little Ouse valley. Accessible toilets. Picnic area. Car parking available. No admission charges.
Thornham Estate - The walks also include a surfaced path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Country Parks
Brandon Country Park - Disabled visitors are especially welcome. The car park is situated next to the Visitor Centre and incorporates accessible toilets. Some paths are suitable for wheelchairs
Knettishall Heath Country Park - With an easy access trail close to the parking facilities , everyone can enjoy the heathland beauty of the Country Park. There are toilets (Radar key) on site for disabled visitors.
Nature Reserves
Barton Mills Riverside Reserve - Marked as wheelchair friendly - there is an accessible route shown on the map
Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve - In drier conditions wheelchairs can be pushed from the car park along several rides and paths within the wood. No toilets available
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve - The education centre is accessible to all and has a disabled toilet. Wheelchairs and pushchairs can use a firm path around part of the marsh including easy access gates. A disabled access route along the river wall from Oulton Broad is under construction.
Cavenham Heath NNR - The 2.3 km woodland trail starts at the car park and has a one km easy-access section suitable for wheelchairs. The 3.8 km heathland trail is also accessed via the car park and is reasonably accessible in dry weather
Hen Reedbeds (Near Southwold) - Wheelchairs can be pushed over the 75m grass path to a viewing area with seating. No toilets.
Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve (Bury St Edmunds) - Fully accessible visitor centre with allocated parking and toilet for disabled people. The 1.5km Kingfisher Trail is negotiable by wheelchair, with ramped access to five hides. The new Orchid Hide, reached by a firm 150m path from the car park, offers easy access for all visitors.
Lakenheath Fen (RSPB) - (Charges apply) Wheelchair/pushchair path (150 metres) from car park to riverbank viewpoint is possible with assistance. Most trails are accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs. The Brandon Fen family trail is the most suitable trail for easy mobility.
Micklemere Nature Reserve - The hide is wheelchair-accessible along a short path from the road. No toilets.
Minsmere (RSPB) (Saxmundham) - (Charges apply) Some nature trails and hides are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and work is continuing to upgrade many of the surfaces. See website for more details
Redgrave & Lopham Fen Nature Reserve - Fully accessible visitor centre with disabled toilet. Picnic area and designated parking. Wheelchair may be pushed in dry conditions over grass path to boardwalk with fen viewing platform (250m from centre). The longer Spider Trail can be used by a powered wheelchair in summer.
Sizewell Belts Nature Reserve - Wheelchair/pushchair Access to woodlands
Other Useful Links
Bury St Edmunds Visitors with disabilities - General visitor information, Shopmobility, parking, toilets etc.
Optua - Suffolk Disability Sport Academy - We launched the Disability Sport Academy to develop new opportunities for disabled people to take part in and train for disability and Paralympic and disability sports.
Orwell Panthers Athletic Club - Athletics for physically disabled persons or those with visual or aural impairment or learning disability in Ipswich and the surrounding districts of Suffolk and North Essex
Suffolk Spartans - is a powerlifting club which began in early 2007. The club is unique in that it is aimed at anyone who wishes to participate in powerlifting irrespective of age or ability. We are just as keen to welcome those who wish to try a new sport and we will support the outcomes you personally wish to achieve.
Time for Carers - Packed with details about breaks and activities, as well as useful information and factsheets about finding and taking breaks, this website is for all family carers aged over 18 who care for someone living in Suffolk
Wheels within Wheels (WWW) - is operated by the Volunteer Centre – Bury St Edmunds, as part of its Community Transport on behalf of Suffolk County Council and provides a Door to Door service for wheelchair users, people with disabilities, elderly and people rurally isolated by public transport.