sign in sign up
<<
Home , Old Ship Hotel, Old Steine

Sun, sea Adam Photo: Bronkhosrt & step-free

accessIt’s so easy to plan a getaway reinvention’. The result is Your guide to with our guide to some of the welcome news to the disabled most accessible English breaks by traveller; warm, disability-savvy the sea. Thanks to VisitEngland’s staff, mobility, hearing and visual accessible coastal Access For All project a selection impairment ratings for hotels of attractions and hotels across and improved accessibility to Margate and & the best attractions in the area. breaks in England have undergone an ‘accessible It’s brilliant by the seaside… What to do in MARGATE

RetroFirmly back on the cultural map, fallRevival for Margate’s unique old-school charms here’s a real buzz in Emin, its 2011 reopening marked Helter Skelter, Margate right now, and the start of Margate’s rebirth. It Dreamland you should make sure you showcases historic and contemporary get in on it. This grand art by international artists which has old seaside resort has included JMW Turner, Constable and undergone huge cultural regeneration, Van Dyck as well as Emin herself andT today, there’s a fresh and spirited and Grayson Perry. And it’s a striking vibe – although under the surface you’ll structure; the stark white angular still find that warm and welcoming lines are cutting-edge cool, but give retro twist. Yes, this candy-striped a nod to the surrounding coastline’s loving town on the East Kent coast is chalky cliffs. Next month the Risk buoyant with artistic energy. It’s a real exhibition opens; exploring the risk cultural melting pot fusing traditional factor in key artistic movements from seaside charms and golden sandy abstract expressionism, to post- beaches with world-class art, a hip minimal sculpture and performance café culture and vintage shops. art; it’s a hot ticket. There are seven The Isle of Thanet is rich in history, accessible parking spaces outside and Margate’s Old Town celebrates that the gallery and two wheelchairs are but adds a funky twist. The streets are available to hire. Plus, audio descriptive lined with chic eateries and laid-back tours and multi-sensory objects are cafés peppered with traditional fish and available for exhibitions free of charge. chip shops. And just as it embraces After a dose of culture indulge your diversity in its atmosphere, the town thrill-seeking side at Dreamland is fully committed to extending the Margate. The original 16-acre warmth of its welcome to anyone pleasure park has been reinvented with accessibility requirements. by award winning designer Wayne The acclaimed Turner Hemingway MBE. Soon to open is The Contemporary Gallery has led the Scenic Railway - the country’s oldest new generation creative charge. rollercoaster - restored to its Grade Supported by former local Tracey II listed timber clad glory. The Crazy Mouse is a hectic waltzer/rollercoaster hybrid and the tea-cup rides have been Turner Contemporary given a Wedgwood makeover. Staff are turnercontemporary.org, decked out in vintage Levi’s 501’s and 01843 233 000 T-Shirts adorned with high-octane logos like ‘scream if you want to go faster.’ Dreamland Wander round the fairground games dreamland.co.uk, or enjoy an outdoor sing-a-long movie. 01843 295 887 Fast Track passes allow you to queue jump on 5 of your favourite rides. Powell-Cotton Get your natural history and Museum & Quex Park green-space fix at the Powell-Cotton quexpark.co.uk, Museum & Quex Park. In the coastal 01843 842 168 village of Birchington-on-Sea just Margate Main Sands west of Margate, this estate is home to the fascinating Powell-Cotton Powell-Cotton visitthanet.co.uk/beaches-bays, Museum. Named after the family

Photo: Thanet Tourism, Britain on View, Rod Edwards View, Britain on Tourism, Thanet Photo: Museum 01843 577 577 dynasty that owned it, the museum Advertisement Feature

Need to know

Under VisitEngland’s Access for all a professional access advisor and many campaign key staff members have have received a mystery visit from completed disability awareness guests with accessibility requirements. training. Accommodation and All venues listed display full access attractions have been audited by statements on their websites. Turner Contemporary Photo: Alex Photo: Hare

houses a unique collection of natural sand. Margate Main Sands is a history, ethnography and fine and timeless beach destination with tidal Margate Main Sands decorative arts. Its dioramas (mounted pool, traditional rides and access for animals against backdrops of their all, thanks to the beach wheelchairs natural habitat) are a rarity and real that can be booked in advance. Hire highlight. And the new interactive a deckchair and work on your tan by gallery is an excellent choice for day and at dusk take in the sublime families; housing a series of fun and colours of the seascape and horizon informative exhibits that puts you over a picnic supper. Make up your at the centre of the action. Infrared own mind if Turner was right when hearing loop systems are available he branded Margate’s skies “the for talks or guided tours. And two loveliest in Europe.” Events are wheelchairs can be hired on-site. hosted throughout the summer And of course, a trip to Margate months here, like the RIBA wouldn’t be complete without some Sandcastle Challenge and the time spent right on the golden-hued family-friendly seashore safaris. Photo: Thanet Tourism Photo:

For more information go to VisitKent.co.uk/plan-your-visit/ access-for-all

Quex House Rod Edwards View, Britain on Tourism, Thanet Photo: or call 01227 812 900 Advertisement Feature

The Photo: Adam Photo: Bronkhosrt

Only in Brightonf you fancy dipping your toes in tactile and sign language interpreted The city by the sea’s inimitable free Brighton’s colourful, eclectic waters, tours are available to book in advance. there’s some seriously good news. In the Royal Pavilion Garden you’ll spirited identity is open to everyone The coastal city’s sites and key find Brighton Museum & Art Gallery; attractions are more than well home to weird and wonderful artefacts prepared for you and your family fusing art and history. The Willett Iand friends if you’re disabled or Gallery houses a large pottery, fossil have any accessibility requirements. and natural history collection, while And with many facets to its cultural in the Performance Gallery you can personality, there’s truth in the “there’s take a look behind the scenes at something for everyone” saying here. masks, puppets, sets and costumes. Visit and you’ll find a host of quirky All areas are accessible for wheelchair boutiques in , bold street users. There is a hearing loop at the art and a vibrant, bohemian café information desk and shop, tactile/ culture in the , juxtaposed braille maps are also available. against the curved white façades of Change the pace entirely at Sea imposing . Life Brighton. Situated right on the The Royal Pavilion sits at the seafront next to Brighton’s iconic pier heart of the city. Built for George IV, – and with easy accessibility – this nineteenth century Chinoiserie this is the world’s oldest aquarium style palace is a symbol of Brighton’s and an excellent spot to take the love of the left-field. Inside, the Music kids or grandchildren. New for 2015 Room ceiling adorned by 26,000 is the Jurassic Seas exhibit, where gold plaster cockleshells is sheer you can feed a deadly Plesiosaurus visual spectacle. The ground floor is using state of the art technology, accessible to wheelchair users and meet Charlie the resident Snakeneck has an audio-visual room. Audio tours, Turtle and see the mighty Megalodon What to do in Brighton & Hove

– the most powerful aquatic It also hosts public exhibitions on predator from prehistoric times. the wider cultural arts. This year’s Fancy exploring around Hove? eclectic programme includes live No problem. dates from Duran Duran, Years & buses operate a fleet of 280 Years, Reeves and Mortimer and Harry accessible low floor buses that are Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. There wheelchair friendly and run 24 hours are accessible viewing platforms for a day. Plus, they have free Wi-Fi and wheelchair users, a low level counter talking bus stop announcements and induction loop in the box office with visual displays, so you can relax and accessible lifts and toilets. and enjoy the seascape scenery. Overall, both public and private From the stop at North Street/ organisations in Brighton and Hove , near Sea Life Brighton are fully committed to making the take the the 1 or 1A towards Hove city as accessible as possible to and arrive in just 15 minutes. each and every visitor. And it really The Hove Museum & Art Gallery shows. You can even download a is a treasure trove of toys, art and map detailing locations of dropped cinema. This majestic Victorian villa kerbs in the city centre. Plus, it also Turtle at Sea Life Brighton was where the first British film was displays photo-routes; indicating step- shot in 1898. Learn about film making free access to the key attractions. in one of two interactive galleries. And ‘Wizard’s Attic’ is packed to Brighton Museum the rafters with toys throughout Royal Pavilion & Art Gallery history; from Pierotti portrait dolls brightonmuseums.org.uk/ to Star Wars figures, all set to the royalpavilion, 03000 290 900 snores of the elusive wizard. Preston Manor is an elegant Brighton Museum seventeenth century historic house & Art Gallery which underwent substantial brightonmuseums.org.uk/ Edwardian remodelling by its upper brighton, 03000 290 900 class family owners; the Stanfords; who became one of the biggest Sea Life Brighton landowners in Brighton. Take a tour visitsealife.com/brighton, around to immerse yourself in the 08714 232 110 ‘Downton’ style upstairs/ downstairs life at the manor. Both tactile and Brighton & sign language interpreted tours can Hove Buses be booked to view all 20 rooms. buses.co.uk/ When the sun goes down, Brighton’s information/accessible- cosmopolitan credentials don’t buses-wheelchairs.aspx, disappoint. Indulge in some award- 01273 886 200 winning cuisine at one of its many notable restaurants and then head to Hove Museum a live performance at the Brighton & Art Gallery Need to know Dome. This premier multi-arts venue Brightonmuseums.org.uk/ presents over 600 events annually hove, 03000 290 900 Under VisitEngland’s Access for all a professional access advisor and many spanning classical and contemporary campaign key staff members have have received a mystery visit from music, theatre, dance, comedy, Preston Manor completed disability awareness guests with accessibility requirements. training. Accommodation and All venues listed display full access literature, visual arts and film. The Brightonmuseums.org.uk/ attractions have been audited by statements on their websites. Grade I listed Dome setting is pretty prestonmanor, special too. There’s three accessible 03000 290 900 performance venues here; the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and For more information go to Studio Theatre with Sennheiser and Brightondome.org, T-loop systems in the auditoria and 01273 709 709 for tickets. bar areas. You can also opt for sign 01273 261 541/525 VisitBrighton.com/plan-your-visit/ language interpreted and STAGETEXT for access enquiries captioned performances, relaxed accessibility performances and touch tours. The Brighton Centre is the place Brightoncentre.co.uk, to catch the hottest stars; from rock 01273 292 695 or call 01273 290 337 gods to high-profile comedians. Where to Stay Check in with confidence – these addresses offer great accommodation and are committed to offering you a warm welcome. Arrive, then kick-back and relax Brighton & Hove Margate

Prices from £69 Prices from £69 Prices from £70 Prices from £120 per room per night per room per night per room per night per room per night

Jurys Inn Hilton Brighton In the , next Metropole to the mainline train station, the This elegant Victorian hotel commands Botany Bay Hotel Sands Hotel modern style Jurys Inn is a stone’s seascape vistas. The Salt Room serves This stylish coastal retreat perches If amber-hued sunsets and throw from the restaurants and British seafood cooked in a charcoal on the cliff-tops at Kingsgate, alfresco drinks sound good to vintage shops of the North Laine. oven on a chic covered terrace. overlooking one of the country’s most you, this is the place to do it. There are three en suite accessible Schmoo by the Sea is the onsite spectacular beaches - Botany Bay in Directly overlooking Margate rooms on each of the four floors. spa. Choose from eight accessible Broadstairs - with its glorious golden Sands, this gorgeous Brightonhotels.jurysinns.com, rooms, all adaptable to guests with sands stretching over 200 metres. boutique hotel is within 01273 862 121 visual impairment. Five have facilities Inside all 30 en suite rooms take easy reach of the Old Town for wheelchair users and all are inspiration from their coastal setting; and Turner Contemporary fitted with emergency pull cords. featuring sand and aqua-hued colour Gallery. Book into the Hilton.com/brightonmet, Prices from £79 palettes. Two rooms are adapted to designated accessible 01273 775 432 per room per night allow easy access and a Deafgard bedroom with en suite wet vibrating pillow alarm is available. room and wheel-in shower. botanybayhotel.co.uk, sandshotelmargate.co.uk, 01843 868 641 01843 228 228

Prices from £109 per room per night The Smiths Court Hotel Steeped in fascinating history, this This small, family-run hotel has 41 Georgian seaside property near the rooms ranging from single and double Brighton Centre was where the Prince The Waterfront Hotel to twin and executive rooms and three Regent held his wild birthday party in In the centre of the action, this hotel family suites. Located in the Cliftonville 1819. Today, it fuses contemporary backs onto The Lanes and is a short area of town, it offers accessible facilities style with its original 17th century distance to the Brighton Centre and and a room with lowered surfaces, roots. Enjoy private dining in the 400 mainline station. It’s a luxurious address Prices from £40 wheel-in shower and hand rails. year old cellars to immerse yourself with lots of facilities; including Otium per room per night smithscourt.co.uk, 01843 222 310 in its historic spirit. Two accessible Health Club with heated swimming pool, rooms have facilities for older and Promenade Restaurant and impressive less mobile guests and a Deafgard atrium. All public areas are accessible A full access statement giving detailed vibrating pillow alarm is available. via lift access from the car park. thehotelcollection.co.uk/hotels/ thehotelcollection.co.uk/hotels/ information on accessibility can be downloaded old-ship-brighton-hotel, brighton-waterfront-hotel, from each hotel’s website. 01273 329 001 01273 206 700 Advertisement Feature

Understanding VisitEngland’s The Accessibility National Accessible Key: Decoded Scheme se this handy, at- a-glance guide to decipher if a hotel is Older and less mobile guests Guests with hearing loss likely to meet your Suitable: If you can climb a flight of stairs, Suitable: If you have a slight hearing level of accessibility but banisters or grip handles would make difficulty, are deaf, wear a hearing aid or needs. Accommodation that it easier. have hearing loss. Udisplays any of the official logos have been independently Part-time wheelchair users assessed against demanding Visually impaired guests criteria. Assessed properties Suitable: If you have problems walking Suitable: If you have difficulty reading may have facilities such as or can walk a maximum of three steps, or need to use a wheelchair some of small print, are registered blind, have handrails, ramps, level-access poor sight or are visually impaired. showers, hearing loops and the time. colour contrast. Ratings are split into three categories; As everyone’s accessibility needs are unique, please do check your mobility impaired and older people, visually impaired and individual requirements can be met before booking. blind people and hearing impaired and deaf people.

Sun, sea and GO TO VisitEngland.com/ step-free AccessforAll to download more guides to accessible breaks access in England

When taking a break you don’t want to think about how to get around, whether your hotel has a lift or which attractions are accessible.

Download your free guide and win an accessible break in England VisitEngland.com/AccessforAll