5 Wheelchair Accessible Things To Do In Swanage

Are you looking for wheelchair accessible things to do in Swanage? Below, I have put together all the details of five accessible things I did whilst I was there.

1. Walk/wheel along the promenade at Swanage and access the beach via the matting.

The promenade at Swanage is very accessible. It provides good views across the bay, and you can see Old Harry’s Rocks in the distance. If you walk up towards the pier the ride is a bit bumpier with the paving. However, the main part is smooth.

There are several access points on to the beach with slopes and then matting on the beach. Although the matting is only at the top end of the beach, it does mean you can get on the beach using your own mobility aid! Family or friends could always sit a deck chair next to you on the beach, and you are included and part of it.

2. Visit Chococo Chocolate Shop and Cafe

For any chocolate lover this is a must! The chocolate in the shop is quite expensive, however the cafe is quite reasonable. It is divine! At Chococo with every hot drink you get one of their handmade chocolates, although you obviously have to have hot chocolate at a chocolate cafe! 

My favourite hot chocolate is Madagascar, but there are lots of different types. They do incredible brownies, millionaires shortbread to name a few and delicious ice cream. There is ramped access into the shop and cafe.

3. Visit K’s Funworld Arcade

K’s Funworld archade is along the seafront on the main promenade. You can have a few pounds of fun! I enjoyed the 2p machines.

4. Walk/wheel up to view Old Harry’s Rock from South beach

There is an accessible tramper route of 1.5 miles from the South Beach car park, Studland bay. The parking is free in the national trust car park for blue badge holders.

You can book the tramper via 01929 450500 You need to pay a few pounds if you are not a Countryside Mobility member and provide a non monetary deposit, which is returned when you give back the equipment. I would recommend you book the tramper in advance. 

The walk was on stoney path or grass most of the way. There was one part which was a bit more off road style, with a bit of an incline. I am not sure my powerchair would have coped with this part of the walk, so I was glad I borrowed the tramper.

It was amazing! I found it quite bumpy, but do suffer with a lot of pain. I put a cushion on top of the seat to make it more comfortable for me, which helped a bit. Nevertheless, cliff top walks are often not accessible to me and other disabled people. I didn’t think I would be able to do a cliff top walk and see Old Harry’s Rocks. But I did, and that felt so good. Being able to access part of the world I didn’t think I would be able to!

It probably sounds silly, but that walk felt like my world and possibilities got bigger.

There is something special about being able to do something you didn’t think you would be able to.

5. Go on the beach at Studland Bay (Knoll Beach), access the shop, cafe and the changing places.

At Knoll Beach National Trust office, you can hire a beach wheelchair, beach powerchair or buggy for free. They take a non monetary deposit which is returned when you give back the equipment. I would recommend you book the beach powerchair in advance via 01929 450500.

The National Trust staff were so helpful. They took my powerchair as a non-monetary deposit and locked it safely in their smart shed/cabin. It is so important that personal, expensive, disability equipment is put somewhere safe, as it is a lifeline. With the staff locking it away safely, also meant for the first time in over 20 years the three of us could go on the beach together.

Previously, on the three times I have been on the beach using a beach wheelchair, my Mum has had to stay with my powerchair, to look after it, and my Dad pushes me on the beach. However, with the opportunity to put my powerchair somewhere safe, we could go as a family, together.

Furthermore, with the beach powerchair, I could be independent, and we could walk much further, together.

The beach powerchair also had an attendant control for people unable to drive it themselves

There is a changing places toilet as well as disabled toilet. This is great. It also meant that those that need hoisting could use the beach powerchair or beach wheelchair. Furthermore, the cushion on the beach powerchair could be swapped with your own personal cushion and having the changing places makes this possible for those who cannot stand. The National Trust really have thought it through well and couldn’t have been more helpful.

Shop and Cafe

The shop was accessible and great for a bit of browsing or retail therapy.

Adjacent to the shop is the cafe which is also wheelchair accessible and you can enjoy a bite to eat.

The parking for disabled badge holders was also free and there were paved or decking paths connecting the car park, national trust office, shop, cafe, toilets and changing places.

I can’t wait to go again and it is so nice when someone has thought it through properly. The difference it makes is incredible.

Where have you been in Swanage that was wheelchair accessible?

Check out my video on 5 Wheelchair Accessible Things to do in Swanage below:

@hannahedeakin

5 Wheelchair Accessible Things To Do In Swanage For full blog see bio or https://hannahshope.co.uk/5-wheelchair-accessible-things-to-do-in-swanage/ Video description: Hannah sitting in her wheelchair driving along the promenade at Swanage, then on the beach matting. she is then having a hot chocolate and chocolate brownie at Chococo cafe, this is followed by her having a go on the 2p machines. The next part of the video shows Hannah using a tramper at Old Harry’s Rocks then on the beach at Studland Bay using a powerchair that can go on the beach. @National Trust @Purple Tuesday #studlandbay #swanage #oldharrysrock #SouthBeach #knollbeach #nationaltrust #nationaltrustuk #nationaltruststudland #accessibletravel #accessibletourism #AccessibleDorset #wheelchairaccessible #wheelchairaccessible #hannahshope #HannahsHopeblog

♬ Calm background music with acoustic guitar and saxophone(1288148) – ame

Hannah x