Hampshire
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 Hampshire
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Alice Holt Forest Discovery Trail - The Easy Access Discovery Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and has an optional shortcut. There are benches at points along the route - Short route 1 mile. Long route 1.5 miles.Limestone path. The route is level with some gentle undulations- also see www.forestry.gov.uk
Basingstoke Canal - 32 miles of restored towpath from Greywell in Hampshire to Byfleet, Surrey - wheelchair accessible - see www3.hants.gov.uk
Blackwater (Arboretum) - Take a stroll through the nationally important collection of trees in Blackwater Arboretum along our Sensory Trail or walk along the Tall Trees Trail
Blackwater Valley Path - Multi-user sections - From the A323 Ash Road to Frimley, these sections are suitable for cycles and wheelchairs:
Blashford Lakes - The main paths are all rolled gravel with shallow gradients. At access points the kissing gates have RADAR keys for wider opening to allow passage of wheelchairs and buggies. A key can be borrowed from the Education Centre by arrangement.
Butts Brow to Burling Gap - 11km / 6.5 miles - trail from Butts Brow car park
Cadman’s Pool - This is a good area for picnics, or just to sit and enjoy the view. There is an easy walk around the Pool on firm grass, gravel and concrete path. The gentle walk around the Pool is 500 metres (550 yards).
Devils Dyke - This trail is suitable for people with impaired mobility, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and push chairs.
Dyke Railway Trail - The path is a hard surface with no steps or steep gradients and it is in most parts wheelchair-friendly.
Eastrop Park Tree Trail - Green Flag Award - The majority of this trail follows a hard tarmac path and is therefore suitable for prams, buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway - (Charges) - The Gardens are fairly level with the main paths being suitable for wheelchairs. Carers are admitted free of charge into the Gardens on a one to one basis
Hatchet Pond (New Forest) - Wheelchair accessible next to the pond in the car park area. This is also a good place to head for to watch the sun go down.also see this site
Holly Hill Woodland Park - Recently refurbished toilets, including facilities for disabled people are situated at the main car park. See PDF for trail details
Hordle Cliff - Milford-on-Sea - Walk 1 - up to 3.2 km (2 miles);- Walk 2 - to Hurst Road East car park 4.2 km (2.6 miles) There are bench seats at frequent and regular intervals
Janesmoor Pond - it is a very short walk from the edge of the car park to the Pond. This is a good area for picnics, or just to sit and enjoy the view. There is an easy walk around the Pond on firm, slightly undulating grass. The length of this walk is 300 metres (330 yards).
Keyhaven Harbour - This is a gentle walk with lovely views. Choose the length of walk to suit your own circumstances.
Liss Riverside Railway walk - 8 miles - the route of the old military railway that runs alongside the River Rother. also see this site
Magdalen Hill Down - The new North extension has a disabled access track running from a small carpark down the track adjoining the cemetary (disabled access with RADAR key)to the St Swithin's school entrance.
Meon Valley Disused Railway Line - 10 miles - This leaflet is for the cycle trail though there is no 'accessibility' info ACE believe this trail is wheelchair accessible - varied surfacing and can get muddy
New Forest - A selection of accessible walks complied by a local disability group
New Forest Accessibility - Official website has much info on accessible attractions, pubs, toilets etc for the area. - There are designated accessible footpaths in The New Forest provided by the Forestry Commission see link above.
Pamber Forest - All the paths are firm in dry weather and are more than 1m wide. The path from Impstone Road to the forest entrance has a 10% gradient for 200m, but all other paths on the trail are more gently sloping - less than 2% gradient.
Rother Valley Walk - A relatively easy walk with no steep slopes, connecting Petersfield town with surrounding countryside.
Rufus Stone - it is a very short walk from the car park on a good gravel path. The surrounding grass is fairly undulating and in places very damaged by animal hooves. Parts of the field can be boggy after rain. A nice quiet place to have a picnic.
Shepherd Meadows - Disabled access to the river is available from the Marshall Road car park.
South Downs Walks - The walks and trails have been developed to inspire everyone to participate, whatever their abilities and fitness levels. In many cases, we’ve produced helpful and accessible accompanying leaflets, with maps, directions and information on what to look out for along the way.
Swanwick Lakes - Most of the paths are surfaced and have benches every 200m or less. There are slopes (10-20% for up to 50m) into the pits, but the paths are flat elsewhere.
Testwood Lakes - A series of paths provide walks around the Lakes, to the Centre and to the bird hides. All surfaced paths are waymarked, most are relatively flat and have benches at regular intervals. Please note that some of the paths regularly flood during winter. If you have a large buggy or wheelchair you may need to get a RADAR key for the gates – keys are available from the Centre by arrangement.
The Vyne - Admission charge. 460 metres.Car parking available. Accessible toilets available. Path from the main car park through the gardens to the main house, the route passes two lakes, parkland with cattle, a walled garden and a tree lined avenue.
Whitefield Moor - Whitefield Moor - The marked Ober Water Trails start from Whitefield Moor car park, which is 3km. (2 miles) due west of Brockenhurst village. They are two circular easy-going walking trails.
Wilverley Plain - Easy Access Trail: Distance 2 miles.This path has been graded as difficult with some rough patches and occasional short, fairly steep slopes.
Winnall Moors - In the southern end of the reserve there is a circular path,suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, which leads you along the riverbank and along a new boardwalk through the reedbed. This gives great views of the bird and plant life that abounds here.
Country Parks
Itchen Valley Country Park - Our Forest Trail is accessible by all and an electric scooter is available to hire in the Visitor Centre
Lepe Country Park - An easy-going trail on the lanes and rights of way surrounding Lepe and Blackfield on the edge of the New Forest also see this site
Manor Farm Country Park - A network of mostly wide, well-surfaced trails allows easy exploration of the country park. also see this site
Queen Elizabeth Country Park - Three disabled toilets open during daylight hours daily, located adjacent the main visitor centre. Parking is free for blue badge holders.
Royal Victoria Country Park - The central area of the park and all facilities are accessible. Two accessible toilets, play area providing facilities for children who use wheelchairs.Sensory Garden .
Yateley Common Country Park - The Gravel Pit car park (off the A30 between Yateley and Blackwater) gives access to a pond and to a network of paths through open heathland and woodland. Additional easy access paths across grassland, heathland and woodland lead from Blackbushe airport car park (off the A30, west of Cricket Hill Lane).
Nature Reserves
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary (New Forest) - All the walks are well marked; the paths are fairly wide with a smooth gravelled surface and no gates.
Elvetham Heath Nature Reserve - Green Flag Award - All gates are suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. - gravel path and boardwalks
Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve - There is an excellent variety of walks for all abilities. There is disabled access on surfaced paths.
Martin Down NNR - on-site parking
North Solent NNR - There is disabled access and temporary toilet facilities at ‘Shore Hide’ located at Warren Shore on the western side of the river mouth, looking out over the salt marsh toward the Isle of Wight. Access to this hide and other hides in the area can only be used with permission, with the exception of a hide located on the Solent Way, North of Bucklers Hard at Keeping Marsh.
Old Winchester Hill NNR - There is a car park at the northern end of the reserve that gives access to a picnic area and an interpretation unit. RADAR key holders may use another car park on Old Winchester Hill lane and follow an Easy Access Trail to the hill fort. There is also parking for disabled visitors at the viewpoint along the lane.
Rowhill Nature Reserve - There are paths throughout the Reserve and in addition there is a trail for people with special needs that can be reached via Parkland Grove (off Weybourne Road) at the eastern end of the reserve.
Titchfield Haven NNR - Charges - Continual improvements are being made to ensure that visitors with disabilities can enjoy a visit to the reserve. We advise that wheelchair users are accompanied. There are accessible toilets in the Centre.
Beaches
Hayling Island - Efforts have been made in the last year to make the seafront area accessible to all with the provision of boardwalks over the shingle bank, which are wide enough to take wheelchairs.
Other Useful Links
Accessible Portsmouth - General visitor information, Shopmobility, parking, toilets etc.
Disabled Sailors Association - providing REAL sailing for ALL types of disabled people
Ellingham Water Ski and Wakeboard Club - Disabled Water Ski Association (South West)
Frensham Pond Sailability - a partnership between Frensham Pond Sailing Club (FPSC) and Farnham & District Sports Association for the Disabled (FDSAD).
Rushmoor Mallards - a disability sports club based at Farnborough
Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL) is an organisation of Disabled We work to the Social Model of Disability which defines disability in terms of negative attitudes and discrimination caused by a society which fails to meet the needs of people with impairments.
www.sotonabuzz - Forum & network for parent carers of children & young people with disabilities in Southampton
Walking Friends (Portsmouth) - for "People of all ages, backgrounds and abilities from the Greater Portsmouth Area"
Winchester Visitors with Disabilities - General visitor information, Shopmobility, parking, toilets, accessible places to eat, etc.