Top days out not far from Fernhill House
Our residents love living at Fernhill
House, but sometimes it’s nice to get out and about too. If you’re keen to take
your loved one out for a day, or wondering where the next trip might be on the
Fernhill House minibus, here are our picks of some of the best days out which
are within easy reach of our home at Fernhill House.
Spetchley Park
Literally right on our doorstep, less than
10 minutes’ drive, these gorgeous gardens surrounded by ancient parklands and
lakes are the perfect place to re-engage with nature. Owned by the Berkeley
Family for more than 400 years, this garden is bursting with rare plants, trees
and shrubs from all over the world, and is a burst of colour and interest for
all ages.
The gardens are flat with easily accessible
paths, although some are gravelled which can make wheelchair use a little
challenging. The Fountain Gardens paths are narrow and stony, so care needs to
be taken when walking in this area. Spetchley Park offer a map on arrival which
details which paths and trails are most accessible, and the tea room has a ramp
to enable easy disabled access.
Worcester Cathedral
If you haven’t been to the cathedral yet,
you must put it on your to-do list. It’s been the seat of a bishopric since the
7th century, and even today is still the heart of a vibrant
community of clergy and laypeople serving the city of Worcester. It’s one of
England’s most beautiful cathedrals and houses the tombs of King John and
Prince Arthur.
Blue badge holders can phone ahead to book
a disabled parking space right next to the cathedral or can park in King Street
car park which is in easy walking distance. There is ramped access to the cathedral
entrance, and ramped access also to the cloisters where the shop and café are
located. Services provide a hearing loop, toilets and wheelchair accessible and
a tactile guide is available for those who are visually impaired.
Pershore Bridges
If you’d love to get out into the open air
and enjoy some of Worcestershire’s most beautiful countryside, Pershore Bridges
is a great place to go. Access is free, and there is a fantastic picnic area
nestled next to a medieval bridge which spans the river Avon. Take some
sandwiches and enjoy a relaxing hour or two on the banks of this beautiful
waterway.
All picnic benches are wheelchair
accessible, and the whole site is relatively flat with just gentle slopes to
negotiate. If you fancy staying a bit longer, there is a disabled fishing
platform available where you and your loved ones can enjoy some of the best
angling in the Midlands.
Eastnor Castle
The beautiful Eastnor Castle is a mere 40-minute
drive from Fernhill House. There are 500 acres of parkland to explore, as well
as the historical residence which is full of treasures and art. Wheelchair
users should keep in mind that many of the paths and the car park and laid to
gravel, which can make traversing these areas hard work.
For the house itself, there are some stairs
to the State Rooms, but the management of the site have helpfully installed a
stair climber for older and disabled visitors. There is also a lift to the
first floor, and the café which serves amazing cakes, coffee and tea is fully
wheelchair accessible.
ThinkTank
If you fancy a jaunt a little further
afield, ThinkTank is Birmingham’s Science Museum, and offers some amazing
facilities just 50 minutes travelling time from Fernhill House. Their science
and industry collection will certainly bring back memories, with devices
covering 250 years of technological advancement. They also have a huge exhibit
of steam machines as well as the Spitfire Gallery which tells the story of this
WWII icon.
The museum offers a wide variety of
resources designed to make their exhibits accessible to all. From portable
induction loops to large print maps and guides, magnifying glasses to
wheelchairs. The whole museum is disability friendly, so wheelchair users
should have no concerns, and one caregiver can go in for free with anyone in
receipt of DLA or a PIP.
For more information and advice on where to go
and how to organise a day out with your loved one, talk to any of our team and
we’ll be happy to help.