Devon
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 Devon
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Abbeyford Wood The Forestry Commission have this designated easy access but we could find no info on what is available.
Abbotsham and Westward Ho! A short Access for All route follows part of this walk along the coast path from Westward Ho!
Baggy Point The Coast Path out to a viewpoint at Baggy Point (¾ mile each way) has been levelled and compacted to make access easier for everyone.
Bedford Bridge Easy Going Walk - Now designated parking spaces, disabled toilet facilities and a purpose built path from the car park to the riverside make this a highly accessible area for all the family.
Bellever Forest The Forestry Commission have this designated easy access but we could find no info on what is available.
Bolberry Down This section of coast is relatively flat and the National Trust have undertaken work to ensure that a network of paths can be used by people in wheelchairs, or with buggies.
Buckfast Abbey - Despite the fact that many of the buildings at Buckfast Abbey are quite ancient, there are only two rooms in the area open to the public to which access for wheelchair users is difficult - disabled parking & toilets
Budleigh Salterton to Otterton The first stretch from Budleigh Salterton up the western side of the Otter Estuary to White Bridge is level and on a surfaced path suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
Burrator Lake For those looking for an enjoyable, easy-going walk, a lane runs around the edge of the entire reservoir. It's mainly wooded and you'll catch glimpses of the water as it glitters in the sunlight. You can start this 3.5 mile circular from the Quarry
Burrator Reservoir Arboretum Easy Going Walk - Parking is available on a large sandy area next to the Arboretum. Entry to the walks is via gates accessible for wheelchairs and scooters. Help may be required.
Cann Woods (also known locally as Plym Forest) The Forestry Commission have this designated easy access but we could find no info on what is available.
DartmoorThese are the walks on Dartmoor which are most suitable for people with limited mobility for whatever reason. Also see this site
Exeter Ship Canal Walks The towpath - a Public Right of Way - is flat and easy walking and a bird spotters paradise in certain places - you may need to watch out for the over enthusiastic cyclist. Access can be gained from many spots, one being the Double Locks pub near the Mars
Walks on Exmoor - easy access routes - A range of easy access routes are downloadable here (PDF, 872KB)
Exmoor - An interactive map showing easy-going trails that have been specially created to give people with limited mobility access to some of the most beautiful parts of Exmoor.
Fernworthy Way-marked walks around the lake and forest including a circular waterside walk of about three miles and a walk designated for less able visitors with seats and information en-route.
Fernworthy Reservoir Easy Going Walk - If you drive beyond the main car park, you will come to a grassy area used for parking. From here you can access a bird hide which is suitable for wheelchairs and built to standards set by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
Fremington to Anchor Wood Green coded - Flat level surface, gradient less than 1 in 12. Benches on route. Gates wheelchair accessible
Fremington to Instow Tarka Trail Here’s a hike anyone can do – wheelchair users included. It’s dead flat, the way is paved (or, at least, semi-paved) and you get great views of the Taw and Torridge estuary as you go.
Georgeham to Putsborough Brown Coded - min 1m wide - gates wheelchair accessible, varying gradients
Glebe Cliff, Tintagel A short and generally flat cliff top route suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. There is a slight gradient climb on the return journey.
Granit Way Most of the traffic-free section is wheelchair accessible although there are gates at the A30 underpass. There is no access for wheelchairs from Bearslake to Lake Viaduct. A Tramper is available for hire and can be used on a 5 mile section of the off-road route between Meldon Quarry and Southerly Halt - also see this site
Haldon Forest Park - Access at Haldon Forest Park has just got better thanks to a new hire scheme of an all-terrain mobility buggy, known as a Tramper also see this site
Haldon Forest Easy Going Walk - A fully wheelchair accessible path leads to a circular viewing area with a number of wooden benches. There are several disabled parking spaces close to the start of the path.
Hartland and Pattard Wood Brown Coded - min 1m wide - gates wheelchair accessible, varying gradients
Heddon Valley, Exmoor - 2 Tramper trails Hunters Inn to Heddon’s Mouth - 1.5 miles there and back and Victorian Carriageway towards Woody Bay - 4 miles there and back.
Higher Brownstone to Froward Point The walk out to the Day Mark is along a flat, tarmac track and so is suitable for mobility scooters, wheelchair users and pushchairs
Lydford The Forestry Commission have this designated easy access but we could find no info on what is available.
Lydford Easy Going Walk - This surfaced route is built along a stretch of disused railway that crosses the open fields of Fernworthy Down with superb views across the Tamar Valley to Cornwall
Lynton to the Valley of Rocks The Coast Path from Lynton to the famous Valley of Rocks is relatively level and has been surfaced with tarmac to make it easier for everyone to use
Newbridge Easy Going Walk - There are two disabled parking spaces but unfortunately the toilet facilities are not accessible
North Devon Easy Access Trail - Fremington - Green Coded - 2.1 miles Tarka Trail Fremington Quay to Anchor Wood
North Devon Easy Access Trail - Georgeham - Brown Coded - 1.4 miles Georgeham - Putsborough
North Devon Easy Access Trail - Hartland - Brown Coded - 1.3 miles Hartland - Pattard Wood
Noss Mayo and Revelstoke Drive Wide and even Coast Path; surfaced roads; tracks; optional woodland footpaths.
Padstow to Gun Point An old military road, which is now part of the Coast Path provides a good surface enabling elderly, very young and mobility scooter users to experience the scenic Camel estuary.
Paignton and Preston's Seafront - 1.2 miles (2.0 km) This wonderfully flat walk provides a chance for anyone to enjoy a view and sensation of the sea in any one of its various moods and, at the same time, ponder on the fascinating past that has created the seafront of today
Paignton Harbour and Roundham Head - 1.2 miles (2.0 km) This very accessible centre-piece of the bay provides the walker with the colourful and varied activity of Paignton's picturesque harbour and a headland walk around which the entire bay is presented in its full majesty.
Penn to Teigngrace Causeway Access for All path - 2 hours plus -several places to start - ok for buggies and motor wheelchairs.
Plymouth Hoe The accessible route into the park is via the Blue Badge car park or the promenade.
Prewley to Meldon Viaduct Easy Going Walk - This walk follows a 2.5km (1.5 mile) section of the National Cycle Network Route 27 The Devon Coast to Coast from Prewley to Meldon Viaduct.
RHS Garden Rosemoor Charges - Formal garden - mostly accessible. Lady Anne’s garden, lake and woodland walks - limited access due to slopes and steps. Vegetable garden - accessible
River Avon Dam Distance and going: four miles easy going - especially on the dam's private approach road, which would be ideal for wheelchair users.
Saltram Estate (NT) - A Tramper can be hired from the National Trust shop to explore paths around the estate and the formal gardens.The main Tramper routes are mainly level with gentle slopes. Some optional routes can be bumpy and muddy in places. Also see the NT website
Staple Hill The trail has been designed and built to national ‘all ability’ access standards so it is easy for everyone to use including those with limited mobility
Start Point and Great Mattiscombe Sand The first section of this walk is a steady descent down the old lighthouse road to the headland, and so is suitable for many mobility scooters, and push chairs.
Stepper Point, Padstow A fairly level walk across farmland out to the end of Stepper Point, giving great views along the coast and up the Camel estuary
Stover Country Park Easy Going Walk - Pay & Display car park off the A382 to Newton Abbot. Access can be gained from here to the network of surfaced and unsurfaced paths and to the picnic areas
Tamar Valley - The Tamar Trails just outside Tavistock that separate Devon from Cornwall provide well surfaced hard tracks through the woodland, and provide spectacular view across the Tamar Valley; ideal for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Thanks to the introduction of a ‘Tramper’ all-terrain mobility scooter at Treesurfers in Gunnislake, the stunning woodlands of the Tamar Valley are now accessible to all.
Tarka Trail The Tarka Trail follows the line of a disused railway between Meeth and Barnstaple. It is surfaced throughout and is suitable for all users. Parking is available at many points along the way, but there is no wheelchair access at either Landcross or Loxdow
Tarka, the Taw and a Town Trail The walk is completely flat and well surfaced making it ideal for those who wish to take a push-chair. The good surface also makes it a good walk to do in the winter.
Templer Way 18 miles (29km) in total Divided into 6 easy stages Easy to follow, waymarked trail Largely flat and level surface
The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve - provides good access for wheelchair and mobility buggy users as the towpath is largely flat and even and is surfaced with compacted limestone chippings and dust. A ‘Tramper’ off-road mobility buggy is available to hire from Abbotshood Cycle Hire beside the Canal in Halberton. - also see this site
The Meadows, Tavistock 700 metres. Accessible toilets. No access charge. Parking close by. Picnic area.
Torridge Estuary Rail Trail Since the route uses a former railway, it is also suitable for use by cyclists, wheelchair users or as a pushchair walk.
Totnes - accessible walks Totnes to Dartington walk, a reasonably level footpath walk of about 4 km from town to the Cider Press Centre. Part of this route follows the River Dart and is accessible to wheelchairs and buggies. There are also braille information points along the walk
Westward Ho to Cornborough Green Coded Easy Access trail
Wistlandpound Easy access paths allow you to wander through the forest of majestic trees and catch stunning views of the reservoir and its wildlife.
Country Parks
Cockington Country Park Cockington's Ark Play Area is specifically designed to be used by disabled and able-bodied children
Decoy Country Park Disabled parking, Disabled toilet (Radar key), The Blue Circular Trail around the lake – which is suitable for most wheelchairs, particularly if used in clockwise direction (avoids an uphill slope). A Tactile map with Braille text for people with visual
Grand Western Canal Country Park The Country Park provides good access for wheelchair and mobility buggy users as the towpath is largely flat and even. Cycle hire fo adults with special needs is available from Abbotshood Cycle Hire
Haldon Forest Park Access at Haldon Forest Park has just got better thanks to a new hire scheme of an all-terrain mobility buggy, known as a Tramper
Northam Burrows Country Park (Bideford) People with prams pushchairs and wheelchairs may experience some difficulty in accessing all parts of the Burrows. Toilets are easier access with one of the conveniences recently refurbished to accommodate wheelchair access and pushchairs
Roadford Lake Country Park A wheelchair accessible Wheelyboat is available to hire at Roadford Lake for fly fishing or pleasure boating. The boat can carry a maximum or 8 passengers or 5 wheelchair passengers. Slight gradients may mean the wheelchair user needs a helper on some of the paths.
Stover Country Park The circular walk around the lake is particularly popular and is suitable for wheelchairs. There is also a Tramper for hire see this site
Nature Reserves
Berry Head NNR Easy walk on good paths along the flat plateau. Most of this route is level and on surfaced paths suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, and a mobility scooter suitable for this walk can be borrowed from the visitor centre. Also see this site for a map of wheelchair routes and this site for more details
Dawlish Warren Beach - Nature & Wildlife Reserve All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors, Facilities for the Disabled
Dunsdon Nature Reserve (Devon Wildlife Trust) - A boardwalk runs from the car park, under the trees to a viewing platform overlooking a Culm field. This linear route is fully accessible to all abilities, including wheelchair users for a length of 400m.
East Dartmoor NNR Yarner Wood: Information panels have been provided at the site and there are two circular nature trails, one 2.5 km long, the other 3.5 km. There is a hide where birds are fed from November to March.
Exe Estuary Reserve (RSPB) Access to the public hide at Bowling Green Marsh is along a paved road. The hide has a paved ramp to the door. The viewing platform is down a short (100 m) path and has no wheelchair access.
Hackney Marshes Local Nature Reserve A network of level surfaced paths and ramped bridges suitable for wheelchairs, electric buggies and push chairs
Halsdon Nature Reserve (Devon Wildlife Trust) Access from the southern end is much easier with little or no gradient and a smooth well made surface for nearly a kilometre. This part of the site can be accessed by a wheelchair.
Jetty Marsh & Wharf Road Sidings Local Nature Reserve Access for wheelchairs, electric scooters and baby buggies
Slapton Ley NNR Wheelchair access to hides, information centre, disabled parking
The wildlife & forts of Berry Head NNR Easy walk on good paths along the flat plateau of Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Most of this route is level and on surfaced paths suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs, and a mobility scooter suitable for this walk can be borrowed from the visitor centre
Other Useful Links
Active Devon - There are a variety of opportunities for disabled people in Devon to get involved in sport.
Devon Disability football - Devon FA is committed to developing opportunities for footballers with a disability, whether as a player, coach, referee, or administrator.
Devon Disability Tennis - Devon Disability Tennis was formed in February 2007 from the former group Tennis for the Disabled, with the sole aim of providing everyone with a disability the opportunity to experience the game of tennis.
Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled Group - A unique equestrian facility in the South Hams area of Devon that strives to give disabled people of all ages the opportunity to both enjoy the sheer exhilaration and the therapeutic benefits of horse riding
Exeter Accessibility Info - General accessibility info from the local TIC
Hannahs at Seale-Hayne - Hannahs at Seale-Hayne is a vibrant, inclusive, innovative space that supports community participation, inclusion and cohesion. (Events Sports and Activities) - Hannahs has created an accessible outdoor pursuits department at Seale-Hayne and is now hiring 2 Trampers to allow people to explore this wonderful location and take part in other activities. see this site
Kingsbridge Accessibility Info - General accessibility for the local area
Seaton Disabled Visitor Info - General accessibility info from the local TIC
South Devon Railway - trains have disabled access - "All our stations are suitable for access by disabled people who are warmly welcomed".
The Calvert Trust Exmoor All activities are onsite and specifically designed and equipped to cater for all, you can even abseil in a wheelchair! The highly experienced instructors are qualified by national governing bodies such as the BCU, RYA and BHS and are specially trained
Torre Abbey Sands - A disabled beach wheelchair is available from the Beach Manager's office.
Torquay Access for all info - General accessibility info from the local TIC
Ilfracombe Access Guide - produced by the Ilfracombe Access Group
www.northdevon4mums.co.uk - "North Devon 4 Mums, a comprehensive list of Baby and Toddler activities in the area for children under 3"
www.devoncarerscentre.org.uk - Devon Carers Link, Devon Learning Disability Carers and Devon Young Carers services. All of these are now part of the Devon Virtual Carers Centre.