South West
VIEWING BATH FROM A WHEELCHAIR
Bath City Centre
Bath is famous for its magnificent Georgian architecture and that there has been a spa there since Roman times. However modern Bath also offers a large selection of interesting shops and plenty of museums and parks. The pavements are old and do not all have dropped kerbs so sometimes it is easier to wheel along the road. There are some on- street disabled parking spaces a few minutes walk from the main square.
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Bath Abbey
Bath Abbey was built in 1499 on the site of the ruined Norman cathedral. There is no admission charge but a donation is welcomed. It is wheelchair accessible and the clergy encourage visitors to join in services. In the square outside the abbey is a street cafe called Binks that serves meals and light refreshment.
The Roman Baths
The Roman Baths have only limited access for wheelchairs but it is free to go around the terrace that overlooks the great bath and there are audio guides that explain about the history. At certain times there are open access evenings when the whole complex is ramped, to enquire about these please telephone 01225 477785. There is a disabled toilet on site. The adjoining Pump Room serves meals and light refreshment in very civilised surroundings.
Nearby is the Victoria Art Gallery which only has access to the ground floor but is worth a visit. Also in the vicinity are The Parade Gardens which are accessed via a ramp, the floral displays are superb and there are views over the river Avon.
A short distance away is the Bath Postal Museum which again only has access on the ground floor but has a twenty minute video explaining about the other exhibits in the museum.
An internal display at the Jane Austen Centre
The Jane Austen Centre provide ramps on request to negotiate the steps from the street, once inside all the exhibits are wheelchair accessible. The centre gives a fascinating insight into Jane's life especially the years she lived in Bath.
The Crescent
The Crescent is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture and it is possible to walk around it and the nearby Circus to give you an idea of what it was like several hundred years ago. Quite a number of period dramas have been filmed in the area.
Just a short walk away in Bennett Street are the Assembly Rooms which are beautifully decorated and have wonderful old chandeliers. Situated below them and accessed via a lift is The Museum of Costume. There are audio guides to explain the history of the exhibits which date from the sixteenth century to the nineteen twenties.
Bath Botanical Gardens
The gardens are situated west of the Crescent in Royal Victoria Park and there is parking including disabled spaces all around the park. The paths are all wheelchair friendly and as well as floral displays there lots of unusual shrubs and trees.
Signposted from the A36 Warminster road not far from the city is The American Museum although it only has partial access for wheelchairs it is still worth a visit.
There is a Travelodge in Bath which has disabled rooms but the bathroom only contains a normal bath. However I stayed at the Express by Holiday Inn at Lower Bristol road, Bath. The facilities here were excellent including the wheel-in shower and the staff were extremely helpful. The room price includes a continental breakfast.
Bath is a beautiful city with lots to see and do and although some of the attractions are only partly accessible, it is possible to have a really enjoyable holiday here.