Berkshire
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 Berkshire
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
6 Green Flag Parks - Windsor and Maidenhead - IX of the Royal Borough parks will be proudly flying the flag for excellence this summer after notching up successes in the prestigious Green Flag national awards.
Ambarrow Court - A disabled access path runs through Ambarrow Court, including handrails and passing places to allow wheelchair and mobility impaired users to access the range of habitats found throughout the site.
Braywick Park and Sports Ground (Maidenhead) - houses WAMDSAD, the Windsor Ascot and Maidenhead Sports Assocation for the Disabled - no accessibility info found.
Clinton's Hill - Surface paths give access to the picnic area at this site. This is adjacent to the play area.
Cookham (Easy Going Route) - The majority of the route is flat, and the surface is mainly either grass or tarmac. There are several bridges, the steepest of which has a gradient of 1:4. Benches along the route provide a welcome resting place and refreshments are available both in the village and at The Bounty Cafe and Bar (seasonal) on the furthermost point of the route at Cock Marsh
Frost's Folly & Warfield Church - Distance - 2.5 km. Surface - concrete or tarmac with one short section of well worn gravel. Gradient - moderate. Obstacles - one accessible gate and one large accessible kissing gate
Home Park (Windsor) - Green Flag Award, no accessibility info found.
Jock's Lane & The Cut - Distance - 3.75 km, Surface - Hard surface for most of the whole route, rough/bumpy in places. Gradient -Moderate. Obstacles - two road crossings and one easy access gate. Wheelchair rating - moderate/challenging
Kidwells Park and Play Area (Maidenhead) - Green Flag Award, Surfaced paths and lighting - no other accessibility info found.
Larks Hill - Six further pedestrian access points lead onto Larks Hill's hoggin paths which are predominantly suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs (although some may become soft in wet weather).
Larks Hill & West End - Distance - 2 km Surface - There is a hard surface for the whole route, half of which is tarmac; sections of Avery Lane and Larks Hill may be bumpy. Gradient - Slight, with one or two short moderate slopes. Obstacles - The footbridge over The Cut has an offcamber approach. Wheelchair rating - moderate / challenging.
Lily Hill Park - Green Flag Award - Accessible paths (suitable for mobility scooters) have been created as part of restoration works at the site.
Longhill Park - The site is generally flat and reasonably accessible for the mobility-impaired.
Maidenhead - Ray Mill Island - DISTANCE: 0.3 miles (500m) of paths on island SLOPE: Any steeper than 1:12 are marked CROSS SLOPE: Maximum 1:7 for 1m WIDTH: Paths mostly more than 1.5m wide with level grass to side
Pope's Meadow - Green Flag Award - A circular hoggin path starts in the main car park and provides easy access to the pond, picnic benches and open grassland.
Reading - River Thames Promenade - DISTANCE: 1.6 miles (2.6km) of riverside path SLOPE: Any steeper than 1:12 are marked WIDTH: 2m or wider. Lovely riverside path with choice of open parkland upstream or urban promenade downstream.
Shepherd Meadows and Sandhurst Memorial Park - Green Flag Award - Disabled access paths at this site in Sandhurst lead to fishing platforms that are suitable for the mobility impaired.
The Royal Landscape - (Charges) Details of disabled access to The Savill Garden and the Valley Gardens.
Walks for All by the River Thames - 12 short, easy routes - These are 12 easy, short walks by the River Thames that are likely to be suitable for people with reduced mobility, users of wheelchairs or mobility scooters and people with pushchairs and young families. They range from near the river's source in the Cotswolds to Hampton Court on the edge of London.
Westmorland Park - This is an eight-hectare parkland with sports facilities, open grassland, play areas, a pond and mature parkland trees. A surfaced path suitable for wheelchairs runs parallel to the west boundary.
Windsor Great Park - Many accessible routes though ACE has been unable to locate any published details of accessibility and facilities. WE have made a request and will update the site when we get a response.
Country Parks
California Country Park - The toilets, cafe and lake path are accessible.
Dinton Pastures Country Park - There is an access toilet and many paths are accessible by buggy and wheelchair. Reduced rates and special fishing swims are available for disabled anglers. There is a short waymarked route suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. Two mobility scooters are available for use on the park after individuals have gone through a short 'driving test'.
Nature Reserves
Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve- Getting around: 54.5 ha (135 acres) - Variable. Bomb Site flat and surfaced, disabled access. Bowdown gentle slopes, soft after rain. Baynes steep slopes, uneven under foot; long flight of steps.
Hungerford Marsh Nature Reserve - (No Specific Disabled Access info) - Getting around: 11.5 ha (28.5 acres) Flat site with a surfaced path. Can flood in winter. Gates and bridges to negotiate.
Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre (RSPB) - There's wheelchair and pushchair access to the new pond and paths around the lake, as well as the disabled toilets.
Other Useful Links
Windsor and Maidenhead (disabled visitor info) - Parking, toilets, attractions etc.
SportsAble - formaly the Windsor Ascot Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled - One of our key objectives is to promote awareness of disability through sport and recreation and particularly integration of disabled and able-bodied people. (Maidenhead )