Devon has an incredible range of attractions that cater for visitors with varying accessibility needs. From historic sites and beaches to theme parks and nature reserves, many locations are now becoming more accessible for everyone, no matter what their disability. The importance of opening up not just Devon’s unique outdoor scenic spaces but also tourist attractions, towns and cities means there is much more focus on inclusivity and encouraging everyone to get out and enjoy what this county can offer.
At Devon’s Top Attractions we want all our visitors to have a brilliant day out in Devon so accessibility has always been an important part of the criteria of our annual inspections. All attractions have to show that they have taken as many steps as possible to ensure that visitors with accessibility needs can be well catered for. The facilities that we inspect include the provision of accessible toilets – are they located in the right areas of the attraction? Are there any mobility aids, sensory or auditory available for those requiring extra help? Are the pathways and any ramps in good condition and is there good, clear signage around the site? We ask pre-arrival questions to make sure staff have knowledge of their facilities for customers intending to visit and full details of facilities are on each attraction’s website so they can be checked in advance. Some attractions have given their staff disability awareness training too. If, like some of our attractions, such as Becky Falls where the woodland trails don’t lend themselves to easy access, it is best to contact the attraction in advance and make sure it is suitable for your particular needs so you don’t have a wasted journey.
More common facilities such as disabled parking spaces are quite readily available at our sites assuming the attraction has its own car park and wheelchairs/mobility scooters can be hired too. It is worth booking in advance if possible to ensure there is one available when you arrive. Many of our attractions offer free or discounted entry for disabled people and their carers – please check with each site first to double check or their website before making a journey.
Please see below a quick round-up of what our attractions can offer visitors with disabilities:
TORBAY & SOUTH DEVON
Babbacombe Model Village is built in a natural valley and as a consequence there are steep hills, entering and leaving the gardens. For motorised wheelchairs/mobility scooters due to the steep pathways there could be traction issues and a skidding risk (especially in wet weather), so good tyres and brakes are essential. You need to be certain that you and your vehicle can handle 1-in-4 gradients on winding pathways. For manual wheelchairs – access is possible but it is difficult and does depend on the strength and ability of the person helping. For your safety, due to the very steep slopes, your helper will need to be reasonably strong & fit and wearing sturdy, good-gripping, footwear. Your wheelchair will need to have well-functioning brakes. Wheelchairs are not available for hire. Please check the website or email in advance of your visit.
Bygones is arranged over 3 floors in an old building with no lift access and there is limited access for wheelchairs to the ground floor but not mobility scooters which can be left at reception. There are handrails on all stairs and seats. They offer a ground floor rate for disabled visitors and registered carers. Pushchairs can be left at reception and guide dogs are welcome.
Kents Cavern is probably Britain’s easiest cave to visit. All paths are concrete with only 9 shallow steps half way round. There are some steep slopes but handrails are provided. The caves are easily accessible for most visitors although assistance may be required by some, as there are natural slopes and steps. Access for wheelchair users is restricted to the first chamber but standard child pushchairs will be able to negotiate the cave.
Paignton Zoo – The zoo is very accessible, with wheelchair-friendly paths and ramps throughout. Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available for free at the visitor center (booking in advance is recommended). It has plenty of flat terrain and clear paths, and there are several areas with seating for rest. They also offer audio guides for those with hearing impairments.
Becky Falls are committed to accommodating disabled visitors as much as possible – however their ability to do this is limited by the fact that their walks are, by their very nature, through woodland and a boulder-strewn valley. They welcome visitors with any form of disability, whether physical or learning-impaired. Due to the nature of the woodland walks, the trails are not accessible to wheelchair users. However, the Café, Gift Shop and Animal Discovery Zone are all wheelchair-friendly. They advise visitors with ANY mobility problems to talk to their staff about the walks before booking or travelling.
Canonteign Falls is a natural environment and parts of their walks are steep and have tree roots so none of their walks are suitable for wheelchair users. There are ramps and an accessible toilet although this is reached across a gravel courtyard. It is best to call ahead and they will make every effort to help you. The waterfall walk Is not accessible to pushchairs although the circular walk around Lily Lake is passable in good weather. Baby carriers can be hired.
House of Marbles have disabled parking spaces near the main entrance.
Haldon Forest Park: their staff have undertaken disability awareness training and pride themselves on providing a great day out for everyone. Haldon Forest Park is a sunflower-friendly destination, their trails cater for all abilities with plenty of seating along the (green) walking trail. Visitors with limited mobility can hire an off-road mobility scooter via the Countryside Mobility Scheme, and their on-site cycle hire offers a range of disability bikes, including recumbent cycles and trikes. They are continually working to improve their accessibility and have published a full guide on their website.
River Dart Country Park has wide and level or just slightly sloping paths and access ways. Large print is used wherever possible. Restaurant and picnic tables accommodate wheelchair users. Carers can get 50% discount with valid ID.
The Front Lawn at Holne Park House
Pennywell is in a rural location and a working farm attraction and they have wild animals that affect the natural habitat but they do all they can to mitigate risk by carefully managing their site. When visiting wear sensible footwear and listen to the staff guidance. Voice boxes are located around the site, several food outlets and gift shop have step free access. There are Blue Badge parking spaces directly outside the main reception and there is an accessible toilet in the main barn on the farm. See the website for details.
South Devon Railway operates with accessible platforms and has made efforts to accommodate those with mobility issues. The trains themselves are partially accessible, and assistance is available for boarding. Customers who are registered disabled and their carers can purchase discounted tickets from the Booking Offices on the day. There is limited wheelchair space in a dedicated carriage on their trains. Buckfastleigh and Totnes stations have accessible toilets.
Blackpool Sands has disabled facilities – it has disabled toilets and level car parking.
Woodlands Theme Park have disabled parking on the front rows and they have endeavoured to create a wheelchair and pushchair friendly environment. All main paths are surfaced with tarmac and seating is available in all play zones. Due to the park’s location in a natural valley, gradients should be expected. They do not have wheelchairs to hire.
The National Marine Aquarium is proud to be a fully accessible public Aquarium. They make every reasonable effort to ensure that their facilities are accessible to all. The exhibition is fully serviced by ramps or lifts throughout, all corridors are wide and accommodating and they allow entry with assistance animals. They also run special after-hours events that allow families and people with autism, dementia and other sensory needs to enjoy the exhibits without the noise and distraction of usual daily shows. These are known as ‘Quiet at The Aquarium‘ sessions are run a few times each year.
The Box is committed to maximising access for everyone. Their main entrance on Tavistock Place is fully accessible. Disabled parking is available at the end of Tavistock Place and they have one mobility scooter and four wheelchairs available for visitors.
EXETER & EAST DEVON
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is fully accessible for wheelchair users and strives to make the city’s collections accessible to all. There are 3 levels in the building all accessible by lift. There is level access from the Garden Entrance to all galleries. There are hearing loops available at both receptions, three exhibition galleries and in meeting rooms A and B. Folders of large-print captions are available in the galleries and most galleries have low light levels. Free Wi-Fi allows access to online videos and collections information. RAMM has a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants or carers. There are three public toilets for disabled visitors.
Seaton Tramway offers accessible tram rides along the coast, making it easier to enjoy the scenic Jurassic Coast from a comfortable seat. It is step-free at all major stations. They have a BSL tablet for visitors and large Print Guides. All their staff go through awareness training. Seaton Tramway recently won GOLD – Accessible & Inclusive Tourism at Devon Tourism Awards.
Jurassic Discovery has parking near the venue with accessible parking spaces but parking is not free. From the car park entrance there is level access with a permanent ramp – the path is sloped.
The Donkey Sanctuary has a full accessibility statement on their website and is very accessible for visitors with disabilities.
At Diggerland, any paying disabled visitor is entitled to free carer entry. Also, there are wide flat paths for easy access, disabled parking with a valid permit and disabled toilets. Registered guide dogs are also permitted.
Devon Railway Centre aspires to offer a friendly accessible environment for all their visitors and widest possible access to their trains, buildings and events. They are based around a former Victorian railway station so some areas are more accessible than others. They offer a reduced price for disabled visitors and their carers with relevant documentation (see website for details). There is an accessible toilet alongside the tea rooms.
Killerton want to ensure that everyone has a great day out. The garden paths are suitable for power assisted mobility vehicles and pushchairs. Manual wheelchair users may find the hills and slopes challenging. Visitors with limited mobility can hire an all-terrain mobility scooter via the Countryside Mobility Scheme (call Killerton on 01392 883145 to book). They are continually working to improve our accessibility and have published a full guide in the accessibility section of the website.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort – the majority of paths are flat and tarmacked. All rides and indoor areas are wheelchair accessible. They require use of manual and motorised wheelchairs to be safe, sensible and controlled. There are a number of manual wheelchairs available for hire and assistant dogs are allowed in the park.
Pecorama has Blue Badge parking bays and Blue Badge holders and their carer may enter free of charge (a complimentary ticket needs to be booked). Pecorama is a hillside environment so these steep paths may pose challenges for wheelchair users. Wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on the train carriages. Please contact Pecorama in advance if you require more details.
Powderham Castle this historic castle offers wheelchair access to the ground floor and the stable courtyard. The castle grounds are accessible, but some parts of the castle are difficult to navigate due to stairs and uneven flooring. The parkland and grounds are ideal for leisurely strolls, and the powderham park has many paths that are good for mobility scooters and wheelchairs. See more details online.
Stuart Line Cruises endeavour to make access as easy as possible for all their passengers but wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility need to call the booking office to confirm which sailing is most suitable as some vessels are not suitable for wheelchairs or those that cannot manage stairs.
World of Country Life is easily accessible via wide paved paths with plenty of benches. Wheelchairs are available for loan free of charge plus two mobility scooters which are £5 for the day, they need to be booked in advance.
NORTH DEVON
Watermouth Castle: Wheelchair users go free! And yes, you can enjoy a special route for wheelchair users. Although not all of the site is accessible due to the natural topology, a portion of the Castle and gardens is accessible to wheelchair users – all their pathways are tarmac, but some are steep in places and it is recommended that you are accompanied by someone willing and able to help in these areas.
RHS Rosemoor– there is a full accessibility guide on their website but briefly the Visitor Centre, Garden Centre, Rosemoor Kitchen Garden Restaurant, Lecture/Exhibition Hall, Reading Room, the Garden Room and Peter Buckley Learning Centre and Teaching Gardens and buildings are all accessible. However, please note some areas of the garden such as the Woodland Walks do have limited accessibility. Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire is available, hires may require reservations in advance of your visit.
The BIG Sheep aspires to be accessible to families and individuals of all ages and abilities. All of their team are trained and enabled to recognise the individual needs of their guests and will do everything possible to ensure all guests with additional needs have a safe and memorable visit. If you have any specific needs, please contact us before your visit.
Quince Honey Farm The entire attraction is accessible, with level access to all buildings and easy to navigate paths through the central Nectar Gardens. All our daily activities are accessible to wheelchair users. Disabled parking bays are situated nearest to the main entrance. Accessible toilets are located in all the main buildings. Carers go free!
The Milky Way is very easily accessed by wheelchairs and the vast majority of the flooring and access paths throughout the inside and outside of the site are relatively level tarmac or concrete. Walls, floors and doors are painted in contrasting colours wherever possible. Doors throughout the majority of the site have low level handles or operate automatically. Signs around the site are in large, clear print with high colour contrast. There is discounted entry for disabled guests plus discounted entry for one carer per disabled guest (excluding Christmas event days). See details online. You need to present documentary proof of your disability on arrival.
At Clovelly if you are unable to manage the steep cobbled street you can book a seat on the Land Rover service to take you down to the harbour and back up for a small charge (usually available Easter to October). The high street in Clovelly is not suitable for wheelchairs although the visitor centre, donkey stables, craft workshops and Mount Pleasant are all accessible, as are Clovelly Court Gardens. There are disabled toilets at the visitor centre and court gardens.
Dartington Crystal has disabled access for their shop, café and visitor centre but unfortunately due to there being stairs on the factory tour they cannot offer disabled access for this area.
Additional Accessibility Information:
- Public Transport: Many of Devon’s public transport options, including buses and trains, are accessible, but it’s always good to check specific routes for wheelchair access. Stagecoach Buses have Journey Assistance Cards are available for you to use if you need a bit more help when using the bus. They’ll make it easier for you to let their bus drivers know what extra help you need. They can carry wheelchairs, disabled buggies and approved mobility scooters on suitable low floor buses. For more details: Accessible Travel FAQs | Stagecoach
- Accommodation: Hotels and accommodations in Devon are increasingly offering accessible rooms, some with fully adapted bathrooms and facilities. It’s best to check availability and book in advance.
- Go to the Visit England website www.visitengland.com for your guide to exploring England for those with access needs.
Tips:
- Always check ahead for specific accessibility needs at each venue, as some attractions might have seasonal changes in accessibility or temporary barriers.
- Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are often available at the larger attractions, but advance booking is recommended, especially during busy periods.
- You usually need to show proof of disability on arrival for free or discounted entry
