Herefordshire Accessible Countryside
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 Herefordshire
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Berrington Hall - (NT) Leominster (charges) - "neoclassical mansion by Henry Holland set in 'Capability' Brown's final landscape and gardens" "We’re pleased to announce that 2 wheelchairs and our Powered Mobility Tramper Vehicle are now available when you visit Berrington. Vehicles are loaned on a first come, first served basis, details of which can be found when you book your visit. To ensure we have one waiting for you, give us a call or email with information of your pre-booked entry tickets and we’ll be happy to help. You can reach us by leaving a message for us at Berrington on 01568 615721 by 4pm the day before your visit." "Grounds - partly accessible, loose gravel paths. Map of accessible route. Shuttle service available. An accessible toilet can be found in the car park and a Changing Place facility in the courtyard. - from the National Trust website
Bodenham Lake Nature Reserve - "You can picnic and stroll through beautiful orchards as well as river and lakeside meadows. There are surfaced and unsurfaced paths with clear signage. To prevent disturbance to sensitive wildlife there is no access to the western end of the reserve but the area can be seen from the public hides." "There are two easy access paths around part of the lake, both originating from the car park" - from the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust website
Colwall Miles Without Stiles - (PDF Download) - "access paths linking the village of Colwall with the Malvern Hills - Surface Gradients: There are two gradual slopes (between 1:20 and 1:50) between points 1 & 2 on the map. There are two steep slopes (greater than 1:20) over two short sections between points 2 & 3 on the map. - from the Herefordshire Council website
Cradley Miles Without Stiles - (PDF Download) - "Distance: 3 Mile Loop (Plus Additional Linear Route)" "Between points 6 and 7 there are sections of path which are only 1 metre wide. Surface Gradients: The route is mainly flat. There are 2 steep inclines (i.e. greater than 1:20) which are marked on the map. Other more gradual inclines (i.e. between 1:50 and 1:20) are between points 2 and 3 , 2 and 4 and 6 and 7 . - 14 Gates" - from the Herefordshire Council website
Croft Castle and Parkland - (NT) Leominster - (charges) - "Grounds partly accessible, loose gravel paths, slopes, some cobbles. Accessible route available. Paths around Walled Garden suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs." "Shuttle service from Visitor Reception to tea-room, castle and second-hand bookshop" - from the National Trust website
Dymock Woods - "This pocket of ancient woodland comprises of some very valuable and rare trees, such as the Sessile Oak and Wild Service. Dymock Woods is also important for rare moths and butterflies;" "From the main carpark at Queenswood, there are two waymarked walking trails suitable for all abilities, The Lake Walk and The Princes Walk. Dymock is the perfect place for a gentle stroll, with plenty of spots for a picnic." "The Lake Walk is a 2.5km loop marked by red waymarker posts, guiding you past the lake, with lots of places to stop for a picnic. The trail is easy and comprises of hard forest roads and smaller side tracks." - from the Forestry England website
Haugh Woods - "From the main carpark, there are two waymarked walking trails with information boards about the butterflies and the conservation work in the wood. Both trails have an easy grade, the north is 1.5miles (2.4km) long and marked by red arrows, the South is 2 miles (3.21km) long and marked by green arrows. The trails are mainly made up of hard forest tracks, with gentle slopes, suitable for all abilities and for pushchairs." - from the Forestry England website
Mortimer Forest - "Straddling the Shropshire and Herefordshire border this thousand hectare forest is a perfect place for some breathing space." "Vinnalls Car Park is the starting point for the Vinnalls Loop which take you to the top of High Vinnalls. The nine mile Climbing Jack Trail and the surfaced Easy Access Loop." "The easy access trail . . . is a 1-mile loop with the option to return to the car park halfway round. Explore a variety of habitats including broadleaved woodland, mature conifer and two wildlife ponds on an all-weather, easy access surface. There are two picnic tables and a number of seats along the way and you can learn about life in the forest with seasonal learning panels." - from the Forestry England website
Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum - "Queenswood is the only designated country park in the county. It includes an arboretum (a 47 acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees from all over the world) and 123 acres of semi-natural ancient woodland which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR)." "There are a number of easy access paths with hard surfaces and no steps within the Arboretum so those with limited mobility or using electric mobility vehicles (EMVs) can enjoy a circular walk." "There is an accessible toilet which can be accessed with a Radar key " - from the Queenswood & Bodenham Lake website