Friday 19 May 2017

Accessible days out in Pembrokeshire plus family day out voucher giveaway

Like most families we love family days out. They are fun, allow us to make memories together and enjoy quality time together as a family. Days out with the kids are even more special when our extended family join us especially since we live quite a few miles from them. Because of the distance between us family days out with extended family are even more precious and important to us. As days out with our extended family are few and far between due to the miles between us, it is vital that the places we visit are appealing and suitable for the whole family so that the day is an enjoyable success.

With many members of our extended family suffering from varying mobility issues - my mum has fibromyalgia, cervical neck damage, spinal disc degeneration and arthritis, my Dadcu (grandad) suffers from various mobility issues due to old age and hip issues, and my father-in-law is in a wheelchair - we are very aware of how whether a place is accessible and mobility friendly can make or break a family day out.

Days out should be enjoyable and accessible for the whole family. The best days out are where everyone can join in or watch from close by and be part of the fun. Successful days out are ones where as well as having fun everyone’s needs have been catered for thanks to suitable facilities such as baby changing rooms and disabled toilets, and places being accessible to pushchairs, people who use crutches or walking sticks, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.

As I champion accessible friendly family days out I love the #DayOutForAll campaign that Fenetic Wellbeing are currently running.

Fenetic Wellbeing believe that days out should be for all members of the family, including those with mobility issues as well as the elderly. Their range of mobility scooters are tremendously helpful in making family days out more accessible for those who would benefit from the help of a mobility scooter.  

As Fenetic Wellbeing believe that family days out should be a #DayOutForAll they are keen to hear about our favourite days out with the whole family that have been accessible for all including the kids, elderly relatives and those with mobility issues. With that in mind I am sharing our favourite accessible and mobility friendly days out in Pembrokeshire -

Broad Haven beach
The stunning beach at Broad Haven near Haverfordwest is a favourite of ours. We love spending the day playing on the sand and splashing in the sea. We visit it regularly alone and with extended family who have mobility issues. With a small carpark near the seafront, slipway and ramped access getting to and from the beach is accessible for all.


Broad Haven is one of several beaches in Pembrokeshire where all-terrain wheelchairs that have extra wide wheels that cope with sand and shallow water are available to rent during the summer season. At Broad Haven the all-terrain wheelchairs that help make the beach accessible to disabled people are available to reserve and rent from Haven Sports Surf Shop on Marine Road.


Folly Farm
Being one of our favourite family day out locations in Pembrokeshire we have visited Folly Farm countless times (our Annual passes were hit hard and used week in, week out when we had them).The boys love Folly Farm as it has so much to offer; zoo and farm animals to see, outdoor play areas, indoor play areas and vintage fairground. As well as being a favourite place to visit with just the boys, it is also a top choice when family visit as it is mobility friendly so the whole family can enjoy and join in on the family fun with the kids.


Disabled visitors are given discounted entry and free entry for a carer. The majority of the park is accessible via tarmac or concrete pathways and seating is located throughout the park for those needing a break from exploring the grounds. The 2 car parks both have disability spaces. Guide dogs are welcome at Folly Farm. All toilet blocks located around Folly Farm have a unisex disabled toilet and a disabled ‘changing rooms’ toilet in the vintage fairground has a bed and hoist. Hiring a wheelchair is also possible.


As Folly Farm want to make visiting them an enjoyable and accessible experience for all they have provided mobility friendly access where possible throughout the park. The Big Wheel ride has a disabled carriage which is wheelchair friendly, the lead carriage on the Land Train Ride has been specially designed for wheelchair users with a dedicated access ramp, the Jolly Barn is accessible to all and specially designed fences around the animals allow viewing for children and those in wheelchairs, and the zoo has viewing opportunities to enclosures that are accessible to all with select animal enclosures having ramp access.


Welsh Wildlife Centre
The Welsh Wildlife Centre sits in the stunning surroundings of the Teifi Marsh which bridges the village of Cilgerran and the town of Cardigan. The wonderful wetland reserve has lots to offer; willow sculptures to see, outdoor playground that the kids love to explore and play in, and enjoyable walks through nature.


The centre provides disabled parking outside of the Wildlife Centre building, has accessible toilets and the during peak season there is access to the Glasshouse Cafe by lift.

There are various nature trails at the Welsh Wildlife Centre with varying levels of access, with the easy trail being accessible to all. There are two accessible walkways through the wildlife area, one being a wonderful trail through the Teifi Marshes to Cardigan Old Bridge.


Llys Y Fran
Set in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside Llys Y Fran is a 350 acre country park and reservoir. The reservoir managed by Welsh Water features a dramatic 100 foot high dam that sends water crashing down into the River Syfynwy.


The country park and reservoir is set in a tranquil and stunning location which is a haven to nature and wildlife. With children’s playgrounds, picnic spots galore and trails perfect for walking or cycling on we love a visit to Llys Y Fran. For those who love fishing this is also possible here with fishing permits available at the information centre.


Open seasonally there is an accessible cafe at the Llys Y Fran centre. Other mobility friendly facilities include disabled parking and accessible toilets. There is a 2.4km wheelchair friendly trail on the Eastern side of the reservoir. There’s a disabled anglers area with good access and 2 purpose built wheelie boats are available for disabled anglers.


Oakwood
Another local attraction that we love to visit for the day for fun and thrills is Pembrokeshire’s theme park, Oakwood. With attractions and rides for both young and old, Oakwood is a fun family day out. The kids love visiting Oakwood and with the park doing their utmost to make the place accessible and friendly for all it is a great place to visit with extended family who have disabilities and mobility issues. My mum loves joining us for a day at Oakwood and seeing her grandkids shriek with joy and excitement as they ride coasters and play on the family friendly attractions.


There are a limited number of disabled parking bays in the car park near the entrance to the park for disabled badge holders. Disabled visitors can be dropped off and picked up from the bottom of the coach park for easy access to the theme park by talking to a member of security. Oakwood provide concession rates for disabled visitors and allows access to the park for one carer. Entrance through the tills is fully accessible for wheelchairs however the park entry train is unsuitable for wheelchairs, access to the park can be made via the wide pathway instead. Whilst the park is widespread and there are a few steep inclines there are smooth pathways throughout making the whole park accessible, plus there are plenty of benches if you need to take a well deserved break. Wheelchairs can be rented from the park entrance tills.


Oakwood boasts changing places disabled toilets that have extra features and more space to meet the needs of disabled users. Ride suitability is determined by age, height and certain health restrictions whether disabled or not. For people who are able to use the rides and meet the health and safety requirements but have a disability, social or behavioural issues or use a wheelchair a Ride Access Pass can be provided which allow alternative access to most rides via entry points designed for ease.


Scolton Manor
The 60 acres of park and woodland at Scolton Manor (5 miles outside of Haverfordwest) is loved by us as we explore and have adventures in the heart of nature. The woodlands are a joy to wander through as not only do we enjoy what the wild woods have to offer but we also love the wooden sculptures depicting myths and legends which are scattered through the woods and park grounds. The kids also adore the children’s play area and sensory play area. We also enjoy the events and activities that are hosted throughout the year which are family friendly.


The Manor House transports you back to the Victorian era, showcasing life ‘above and below stairs’ over 3 floors. Visitors to Scolton Manor can also walk through the Walled Garden and visit the Pembrokeshire Beekeeping Centre and Honey Kitchen. A cafe and gift shop is also located at Scolton Manor.


As we love Scolton Manor even though it is not fully accessible and mobility friendly in all areas I wanted to include it and highlight where it does provide mobility friendly facilities and access.

Disabled parking is available at the top of the park near the Manor House and further down in the main car park near the children’s play area. Concessionary fee for wheelchair users. Disabled toilets are available.

The grounds are accessible for people in wheelchairs, those with limited mobility and small children in pushchairs. Likewise the walled gardens and the beekeeping centre are accessible for wheelchairs.

Unfortunately though the Manor House itself has limited accessibility. Access to the house is accessible for wheelchairs however due to the age of the house wheelchair and step free access is restricted to the ground floor which limits accessibility to those in wheelchairs or with mobility issues.

Ramped paths are available down the side of the manor house which leads to the grounds as well as access to the woods. Within the woods there are many paths and trails, some of which would be difficult for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues. However there are paths through the woods which are wide and of solid, compressed ground that would be accessible to all. For visitors with mobility issues who want to explore the woods there are benches scattered in the woods where you can rest and enjoy the wonderful surroundings.


For more accessible friendly places here in Pembrokeshire and the rest of Wales take a look here.

As I know the importance of mobility friendly and accessible places for making family days out fun and enjoyable for all, allowing everyone to be part of the day regardless of disability or age, I fully support and champion the #DayOutForAll campaign.

To celebrate the #DayOutForAll campaign Fenetic Wellbeing are offering my readers the chance to win a Family Day Out Voucher.

There are over 180 different family days out all across the UK to choose from. There are a wide selection of days out to choose from including animal parks, city tours, paintballing and many more. The voucher is valid for 10 months and is for 2 adults and 2 children.

For the chance to win a Family Day Out Voucher please follow the steps on the rafflecopter below. This giveaway is only open to residents of the UK. The winner will be contacted by email after the giveaway has ended and the winner’s details will be passed onto a PR team who will arrange delivery of the prize. The giveaway will close at midnight on the 31st May 2017. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

* In collaboration with Fenetic Wellbeing * 

39 comments:

  1. Great prize for any family - especially this time of year.

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  2. This would be great to treat my grandchildren to a lovely day out

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  3. Great giveaway would love to win

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  4. Summer is a great time for days out

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  5. Your days out look like fun!

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  6. fab! i love to find new places to go with the family x

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  7. I would love to be picked has your winner, fab prize, liked & shared, thanks for the chance :)

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  8. Great blog, being a wheelchair user myself posts like this are so help full :)

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  9. This would certainly come in handy for the little ones!

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  10. Fabulous prize, thank you!

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  11. Would be lovely to win a day out x

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  12. This would be amazing to win

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  13. Would love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  14. Fantastic - thank you for the lovely competition!

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  15. This is a great giveaway, thank you

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  16. Looks like you had a lovely time, thanks for the giveaway

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  17. I would love to be able to treat my family to a day out. Thank you for the chance

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  18. I love days out we try to get out and about as much as possible and prefer to put money towards than lots of toys as my son loves being outdoors

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  19. I love family days out - We went to puzzle recently in the Forest of Dean - a great experience to explore and did you know they filmed some scenes from starwas there! - lovely blog post :D

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  20. i'm originally from pembrokeshire and so love coming back to visit family - trip down memory lane reading your blog!

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  21. This would be great for the school holidays!

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  22. I'm always looking for new and interesting places to visit with my kids.

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  23. Pembrokeshire has to be the most beautiful place in the UK! Fab giveaway x

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  24. My family love exploring different places

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  25. Pembrokeshire is so beautiful. It's definitely on my list of places to visit.

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  26. what an amazing prize! Im keeping everything crossed

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