Out and About

Out and about 

I have been on lots of journeys in my time. I've been to many gigs, clubs, and pubs. My regular haunt is Bournemouth but, I also like going out in London, Brighton, Bristol and Bath.

Apart from late night venues, I like going on trips, like The Tank Museum, Beaulieu (The National Motor Museum), Bath Christmas Market, Moors Valley.... And many more.

Here are some of the ‘good and bad’ places with wheelchair access.

Canvas, Bournemouth 

Canvas is a club in Bournemouth, they have a lots of events going on from some big names DJ’s to top bands, such Toploader, A Night Of Oasis, The Real Thing and Pure 90’s nights. All of the nights that I like.

But they haven’t got any wheelchair access. No nothing at all! Why are they allow to keep going? I don’t know, it makes me very angry!

I have contacted them asking them, Have your club got any wheelchair access?  And their reply was

“ Unfortunately our venue is not wheelchair accessible as we are a loft bar situated above another venue so there is stair access only. "

Thanks 

Canvas

So that essentially means f@*k you 

Aruba, Bournemouth 

I went to Aruba on bank holiday Sunday afternoon.  I was really impressed by the help of getting about in there. The security guard was very helpful,  helping me to get in with the lift and ramps and he did stay close to me and he cleared the way for me to the loo and anywhere in there. I’d enjoyed the music and meeting some people. 

Top marks Aruba,  Hope to see you soon.

To see what’s on at Aruba  click here 

Accessible Beach Huts, Boscombe

I have been enjoying hiring the accessible beach huts by the Prom cafe Boscombe Seafront for the last four summers. They have got four accessible huts, but three are available because someone rents one all year around. 

They have got an accessible toilet and a shower next to the huts. There are some disabled parking spaces at the front of the huts, you can park for free if tax exempt.
(Not ideal if you want to look out to sea and cars going up and down all day)

There is a push along beach wheelchair with balloon tyres for going on the sand that you can get for a refundable deposit 

For some more information or book a beach hut call 01202 451781. Or click here

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Ringwood

Moors Valley is great for a day out for wheelchair users. They have got some accessible bikes with a wheelchair on the front of the bikes. You can ride anywhere taking in all of the country views.

To check out accessible cycling at Moors Valley click here

 If your vehicle is exempt from road tax due to disability reasons, that vehicle may park for free (hurrah!) To have your parking validated go to the Information Point in the Visitor Centre with your registration number and blue badge along with one of the following:

V5 vehicle registration document
Enhanced PIP certificate
Certificate of entitlement (in the form of Certificate of Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance, An Annual Certificate of Entitlement or a DLA 404 Certificate)













The Tank Museum, Bovington

The Tank Museum it is a nice day out with the family or with your friends.

They have got some tanks from 1915 to the present day. It is very interesting to hear about all of their history.

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The wheelchair access is very good, There are lifts and ramps everywhere and some nice and clean disabled toilets.

There is a Free Annual Pass included in your entry fee! Your Annual Pass entitles you to return to The Tank Museum as many times as you like - for a year, excluding Special Event Days


For the Tank Museum click here

Klikaway Hotel Bournemouth. 

I took my two nephews to a toddlers and baby disco. But when I got there I was confronted by this: no wheelchair access.

The hotel hasn't got any disabled access. I felt really disappointed that I couldn't share this time with my nephews. It is unfortunate that they haven't managed to make this venue accessible and inclusive. Hopefully in the future they will be able to put in a ramp or a lift.

Eden Bar & Club Bournemouth. 

Eden is a club and music venue in Bournemouth centre. I can get into their outside bar, but not inside the club because of the stairs. I'd sent them an email asking them about their disabled access. Eden responded with this

Hi Scott , unfortunately our Club venue is built on many different levels and we don't have any lifts or ramps for disabled access. We are unable to get the planning to make the required structural changes due to the Listed status of the building.It is possible to access the Garden bar in a wheelchair. All other parts of the venue involve the negotiation of a staircase.

I think that it is a big shame that listed buildings are not allowed to adapt their access to be inclusive for all. Surely this is something that needs to change for an accessible society. If anyone has any ideas about how to change this please contact me.

Bath Christmas Market

I went to Bath Xmas Market and a few shops. The wheelchair access isn't good at the shops. If there isn't any access then I was greeted with steps.

I was able to get around in the

Christmas Market easy.

I love Baileys and chocolate!