Art, aperitifs & accessible loos Your guide to accessible city breaks in England It’s so easy to plan a short The result is welcome news to getaway with our guide to some of the disabled traveller; warm, the most accessible English city disability-savvy staff, mobility, breaks. Thanks to VisitEngland’s hearing and visual impairment Access for All project a selection ratings for accommodation of attractions and places to stay and improved accessibility across Lincoln, Nottingham and to the best attractions in Birmingham have undergone the area. City weekending an ‘accessible reinvention.’ has never felt so good… Advertisement Feature The Strait & Steep Hill, Lincoln Magnitude of history Lincoln’s stalwart heritage fuses with a fun, popular cultural scene mall, yet perfectly formed, bars, restaurants, luxury hotels Lincoln packs serious and a multiplex cinema fringe this cultural kudos into its picturesque inland harbour. And, as ancient heart. This historic a city with many cobbled streets, city captivates first with its accessible transport is high up on the web of medieval streets, magnificent agenda here. Wheelchair and scooter Seleventh century cathedral and loan is available from Shopmobility in Norman castle. Yes, it’s home to Lincoln Bus Station, and accessible one of only four surviving copies of taxis from Marks Passenger Services. 1215 Magna Carta; sheer historic The Cultural Quarter is where gold; but scratch below the surface the city’s artistic scene ignites. Its and you’ll also find a vibrant city in eclectic mix of theatres, museums, touch with its cool, cosmopolitan galleries, music, cuisine, bars and side. The Steep Hill area is lined café culture adds a fresh, directional with quirky vintage boutiques, cafés, dimension to a break here. restaurants and chocolate shops. And The Collection and Usher despite its inclines, the city is easy Gallery is the hub of the Cultural to get around thanks to the Steep Quarter’s action. Fusing an award- Hill Shuttle; a wheelchair accessible winning archaeology museum and bus that stops at 13 locations across the region’s premier art gallery in the The Collection Lincoln. At the Brayford Waterfront, same location is a genius move. the atmosphere is more lively; At The Collection design your own WHAT TO DO IN LINCOLN Roman mosaic, immerse yourself in was constructed between the 13th & the Stone, Bronze or Iron Age or learn 14th centuries, it claimed the crown Lincoln how archaeological treasures weather. as the tallest building in the world, Cathedral After all that ancient-inspired stealing the mantle from the Great activity, take time out at Stokes Pyramid of Giza. Take a tour around Collection Café. It’s a restorative the cathedral to learn more about the space serving a delicious menu building’s impressive history and its of speciality teas, coffees and connection to Magna Carta. Around homemade dishes using fresh, 85% is accessible by wheelchair. locally-sourced ingredients. Sunday The Museum of Lincolnshire Life brunches are excellent – standout charts the social history of the county dishes include the ‘Sweet Sunday’ from 1750 to today. The Industry and – an indulgent blueberry and white Agricultural Gallery exhibits farming chocolate crêpe – and the Latino machinery and a first-world-war tank. Benedict – eggs Benedict with And at Commercial Row you can step a fiery chorizo and salsa kick. into shops from bygone eras such as At the Usher Gallery accessibility the chemist or post office. 90% is a high priority. You enter through of the museum is on ground level. a wheelchair-friendly glass pavilion Intersperse that history and culture and a new, wider lift enables access with some natural beauty at the to the upper galleries. The space Natural World Centre in Whisby. is home to fine and decorative Set in the lush expanses of a nature art and horology (clocks and park, the centre hosts inspiring watches). Outside in the Temple exhibitions and creative events for all Gardens admire the elegant the family. Little Darters Adventure neoclassical sculptures and the play area is an activity hotbed for large commanding bronze known the kids. Or hire a mobility scooter as A Mighty Blow for Freedom. yourself and explore the woodland Arguably the most iconic of trails in Whisby Nature Reserve. Lincoln’s landmarks is the Cathedral Where to Stay and it’s neighbouring castle. The Check in with confidence – these addresses offer imposing Gothic cathedral towers great accommodation and are committed to offering over Lincoln like a medieval MUSEUM OF skyscraper. When the cathedral tower LINCOLNSHIRE LIFE you a warm welcome. Arrive, then kick-back and relax. Lincolnshire.gov.uk/ museumoflincolnshirelife, Prices from £80 Prices from £50 01522 782 040 per room per night per room per night inc. breakfast. inc. breakfast. Need to know THE COllECTION Under VisitEngland’s Access & USHER GALLERY for All campaign key staff thecollectionmuseum.com, members have completed 01522 782 040 disability awareness training. NATURAL WORLD CENTRE Accommodation and attractions naturalworldcentre.co.uk, have been audited by a 01522 688 868 THE LINCOLN HOTEL LONGDALES HOUSE professional access advisor, Set in the heart of uphill Lincoln This Bed and Breakfast is and many have received a LINCOLN CATHEDRAL and commanding exceptional located on the edge of the mystery visit from guests with lincolncathedral.com, views of the Cathedral, The Bishop Grosseteste University accessibility requirements. 01522 561 600 Lincoln is a glamorous hotel in campus. Inside the ambience is All venues listed display access StOKES a stylish 1960’s building with cosy and contemporary. There statements on their websites COllECTION CAFÉ beautiful manicured gardens. are 18 rooms and breakfast giving detailed information thecollectionmuseum.com/stokes, The Green Room is a unique is served in the university on their accessibility. 01522 523 548 aviation themed fine-dining Refectory. With an on-site restaurant. There are two Access Champion, Deafgards, well-equipped accessible a portable hearing loop, bed rooms with fully-adjustable risers and an accessible sanitary ware, wheel-in showers room, there’s a wealth of FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO and connecting rooms. very helpful facilities here. thelincolnhotel.com, Longdaleshouse.co.uk, VisitLincoln.com/accessible 01522 520 348 01522 583 681 Advertisement Feature The new Hood Nottingham is throwing off its more obvious shackles and emerging as one edgy culture-loving dude he Robin Hood green across the city. And fine Tudor, markets. Home to four galleries, a reception and performance spaces. tight-clad clichés may have Regency and Victorian façades sit performance and film space, learning The Galleries of Justice Museum stuck, but Nottingham is alongside the asymmetric industrial studio, shop and a café bar, its is another example of Nottingham’s so much more than a city lines of Nottingham Contemporary. changing programme of exhibitions offbeat identity. The unique concept with a charitable hero and It’s an eclectic cultural hub and one is sure to capture your imagination. fuses history with live performance. a multi million pound nineties movie to that’s fully committed to keeping its Their Access to Art for All scheme Based at the city’s old courthouse itsT name. Visit and you’ll find a vibrant colourful sites open to all. As the provides artist led workshops and and gaol it brings exhibits and stories county capital with cosmopolitan proud owner of the first accessible free gallery tours for a wide range of around crime and punishment to city ambitions. Today Nottingham’s tramway in the country, Nottingham groups with additional support needs. life. Walk in the shoes of one of the buoyant independent music, cinema is working hard on providing visitors The New Art Exchange is a cutting- city’s outlaws, or watch the villainous and performing arts scene gives it with improved accessibility. edge visual arts space that celebrates Sheriff of Nottingham put Robin a hip undercurrent. Fuse that with Designed by award-winning the region’s cultural diversity. And it Hood on trial. 90% of the exhibits award-winning heritage, medieval architects Caruso St John, certainly does it well. With an eclectic at this Grade II listed building are caves, independent shopping, hidden Nottingham Contemporary is one variety of art exhibitions, lectures, accessible for wheelchair users, cocktail bars and kicking nightlife and of the country’s largest contemporary film-screenings, live music, dance with virtual reality presentations you can see why this city’s got the cool arts centres at over 3,000 square and theatre, it’s clearly serious about available for harder to reach areas. kids talking. The art and architecture metres. Inspiration for the building’s shining a light on all art forms. All The city’s drinking and dining are pretty up there too; with classical, unique design came from the five floors can be accessed by lift. A scene is also flourishing. At Sinatra modern and landscape art showcased surrounding 19th century lace hearing loop system operates in the Bar and Restaurant the emphasis NOttINGHAM Council House, CONTEMPORARY Old Market Square nottinghamcontemporary.org, 01159 489 750 Photo: David Baird Photo: NEW ART EXCHANGE nae.org.uk, 01159 248 630 GALLERIES OF JUSTICE galleriesofjustice.org.uk, 01159 520 555 SINATRA BAR AND RESTAURANT sinatrabarandrestaurant.co.uk, 01159 411 050 THE NED LUDD thenedludd.com, 01159 484 221 SOBAR sobar-nottingham.co.uk, 01158 240 364 WHAT TO DO IN NOTTINGHAM is on seasonal fresh ingredients, Nottingham based drug and alcohol cocktails and fine wines. A Pre- recovery charity, with the support of Theatre or Express Lunch menu is a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, available and every Thursday they this venue is inclusive and friendly. host live music in the bar. Wheelchair A portable access ramp is available, access is provided at the entrance a hearing loop is installed and there and an accessible toilet is located is an accessible toilet with handrails.