ACCESS THE DALES
Children with mobility disabilities and their families will be able to access more of the Yorkshire Dales National Park thanks to new charity Access the Dales,
New charity Access the Dales is committed to making the Yorkshire Dales more accessible by growing the number of locations where those with mobility disabilities can borrow an all-terrain wheelchair.
I started the charity in memory of my late husband Andy North, who passed away last year. An inspirational teacher, Andy was passionate about getting children outdoors, so the trustees are concentrating their efforts and resources on getting all-terrain wheelchairs specially designed for children, meaning families and carers can enjoy the great outdoors together.
The charity will launch in April, with the first of the children’s Terrain-Hoppers coming into use at Ravenseat in Yorkshire, home of Amanda and Clive Owen. TV celebrity and Dales farmer Amanda is patron of the charity and is delighted to be involved in getting children with disabilities into the countryside. “We look forward to welcoming families with children with disabilities to Ravenseat and for them to enjoy a walk on the fells together. The all-terrain wheelchair will be a huge success,” Amanda says.
As well as the all-terrain wheelchairs, the charity will be promoting all things accessible in the Dales, including places to eat and drink, attractions, accommodation and accessible walks. It will also be hosting the first accessible walking festival (2–10 April), which has the support of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
DOZING IN THE DALES
Cottage in the Dales near Leyburn in Wensleydale is an award-winning luxury selfcatering cottage. It is also the only holiday accommodation provider in the national park that meets the National Accessibility Standards, meaning it has facilities for guests with mobility, hearing and visual impairments.
Depending on your needs, there are other holiday accommodation providers in the Yorkshire Dales also suitable for disabled visitors. King William the Fourth Guest House, a cosy bed and breakfast in the heart of Settle, has a ground-floor room with a wheel-in wetroom. It’s an ideal base for exploring the famous Settle to Carlisle railway, said to be the prettiest railway journey in England.
YHA Kettlewell welcomes guests with disabilities and has accessible bedrooms with adapted en-suite bathrooms. Assistance dogs are welcome in the hostel, too.
Or why not try Lund Farm Caravan Site near Ingleton? It has a newly built adapted toilet and shower block and hardstanding pitches, suitable for people with disabilities. Nearby is the Ingleborough Nature Trail where you can borrow an all-terrain wheelchair.
Discover more accessible places to stay in the Dales. access-the-dales.com