South West
IN AND AROUND REDRUTH WITH A WHEELCHAIR
The Tin Miners Statue in Redruth
We have chosen Redruth for the title page of this beautiful area of Cornwall because of its central location to the attractions and accommodation we have included. It was formerly the capital of the largest metal mining area in Britain. It is an ancient town and by A.D. 1300 the iron oxide from the workings at the bottom of the town had coloured the river water red. Hence its present name which is derived from the Cornish 'rhyd' meaning a ford and 'ruth' meaning red.
The town is on a steep hill but it is possible for manual wheelchair users to follow the town trail with the assistance of a fit and able companion. The town's visitor centre is in Alma Place adjacent to the mining institute which is no 1 on the trail. N.B. There is on-street designated parking and a small sandwich bar (with level access) opposite the visitor information centre (the trail maps are available from here tel : 0209 219048)
As always these pages can only offer a snapshot of the many places to visit in the area and please note there will be other accessible attractions we did not have time to visit.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page
An amusing sculpture (made out of tin miners boots)
As well as the trail which features many interesting buildings look out for the sculpture (pictured above) in Fore Street and the Tregellas Tapestries (an example of which is pictured below) which are located in Market Way Shopping Arcade which runs between Fore Street and Station Road. There is also a designated toilet (right hand transfer) in the arcade. Designated parking spaces are available at the top of the town in the main car park which is accessed off of Fore Street.
One of the locally embroidered Tregellas Tapestries
Treasure Park
One of the DeLorean Cars used in the 'Back to the Future' films
Treasure Park is situated approximately 2 miles from Redruth on the Poltreath road. There are a variety of attractions at the park including the Gold Showhall home of the Cornish Goldsmiths where the DeLorean (pictured below) and the 'James Bond' Aston Martin DB5 are exhibited and the Tolgus Tin Mine.
The Tolgus Tin Mine at Treasure Park
The site is home to the Redruth Town Museum which houses a wide variety of local exhibits and that is accessed via the mine. If you are able to transfer to one of the cinema seats there is also a 4D experience. Visitors can also browse in the various jewelry and gift shops at the park.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Falmouth Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum at Falmouth
The town of Falmouth is approximately 8 miles from Redruth and the Maritime Museum is situated on the quayside at the harbour. It is an excellent day out for visitors all ages with five floors of exhibits, a restaurant and an extensive reference library on naval history.
The boats which can be viewed both from above and below from various floors at the museum.
Access throughout the museum is excellent including the many interactive exhibits. Visitors can use the lift to allow them to look out below sea level on the lower ground floor and to use the binoculars and telescope on the top floor to see the ships anchored in the harbour.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral
Truro is an interesting city approximately 10 miles east of Redruth and is the home to the only Cathedral in Cornwall. It is also England's youngest cathedral with the foundation stone being laid in 1880 and the majority of the building being completed by 1910. It is mostly built of Cornish granite with some of the decorative features in Bath stone. This is a softer material and has suffered badly from the weather so although at present there is no entrance fee, donations towards repair work are warmly welcomed.
The magnificent vaulted ceiling in Truro Cathedral
Designed by John Loughsborough Pearson in a medieval gothic style , the arches above the south aisle draw the eye upwards to the ceiling. The Parish Church of St Mary has stood on the site since the thirteenth century and part of it including the original sixteenth century roof has been incorporated into the cathedral. Access for wheelchair users is via a ramp on the side of the building.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Royal Cornwall Museum
The Royal Cornwall Museum
Truro is also home to the Royal Cornwall Museum which houses a wide range of exhibits which as well as detailing local history includes collections from overseas e.g. from Egypt, China and Japan. Entrance to the museum is free and wheelchair users can access the upper floor via a lift.
Investigating exhibits in the Geology Gallery
Wherever possible the museum has worked to improve accessibility for all its visitors for example, the geology gallery has period cabinets which are too high for wheelchair users but copies of the contents have been placed in the drawers below.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Healey's Cornish Cyder Farm
The Cornish Cyder Farm
The farm is located at Penhallow near Truro and as well as looking around the shop or enjoying a home cooked meal in the restaurant, visitors are able to take a guided tour of the distillery, bottlery, jam kitchen and museum. Please bear in mind however this is a traditional working farm and some of the museum buildings and yard surfaces are cobbled and uneven, so the tour may not be suitable for those who cannot cope with this.
Homemade Jam Sampling.
If you are able to do so there is the opportunity to sample the cyders, wines and brandies and if you are not able to do so then you can try the wide selections of jams that are also made on the farm.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Kite buggying on Perranporth Beach
Kite Buggying on Perranporth Beach
Kite buggying is an extremely popular beach pastime in the area, an innovative locally based company called Mobius operate the only four wheeled, hand controlled buggy in the UK. Access to the beach is via a beach wheelchair which means that wheelchair users who are able transfer (or to be assisted to) can now try out this exciting kite sport. A half day training session and trial run is provided by a qualified instructor.
Using the beach wheelchair to get to the designated kite sports area of the beach
Our 'rather mature' researcher thoroughly enjoyed learning how to fly the powerful flexifoil kite and found the whole experience (including his albeit, some what short, maiden solo 'flight') profoundly liberating. The enthusiasm and support from the friendly instructor and his assistants served to enhance what was a very special day.
For a personal account of this activity and a link to their website please click here
Newquay Zoo
Newquay Zoo Entrance
Approximately 16 miles from Redruth on the North Cornwall coast is Newquay and one of its main attractions is the Newquay Zoo New for 2009 was the African Savannah exhibit which has good wheelchair access and excellent views over the enclosure from the viewing platform.
A family group of ring tailed lemurs
General access around the site is good although manual wheelchair users may need some assistance to negotiate some inclined areas.
For more information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The gardens at Heligan are approximately 20 miles east of Redruth and are well worth a visit. A lot of effort has been given to making the site as accessible as possible for all visitors and there are plenty of accessible paths around the Northern gardens and some of the wider estate including the woodland walk with the mud maiden and giants head sculptures.
The Mud Maiden at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Jungle because of the steeply sloping terrain is not accessible for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility however for those who cannot see this part of the garden an excellent film tour can be viewed near the garden entrance. There is a cafe at the Stewards House where if they wish to, visitors who cannot enter the Jungle can wait for more able companions.
For more detailed information on accessibility at the gardens and a link to their website please click here.
One of the many accessible paths
The China Clay Museum
The China Clay Museum
The China Clay Museum is also east of Redruth and approximately 25 miles away. This is an extremely interesting site which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment to improve accessibility to the visitor centre. Although visitors with limited mobility will not be able to access the trails and pit viewing platform there is still plenty to see and do.
Trying out one of the monitors (water hoses) for size
The interactive displays and the museum provide a wealth of information about this extremely important contributor to UK exports. There is also a cafe and shop on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here.
The Eden Project
An overview of the Eden Project site
The Eden Project is a couple of miles south east of the China Clay Museum near St Austell. This provides an amazing experience for visitors of all ages and can take a whole day to explore. Again due to the natural topography of the area (an old clay pit), much attention has been given to providing good accessibility and there is a wheelchair accessible land train and a lift to and from the bottom of the site.
Inside the Med Biome
Unless they have extremely good upper body strength, manual wheelchair users will need assistance with some of the gradients particularly in the rain forest biome where the paths gradually wind up towards the waterfall at the top. N.B. For those who need it volunteer pushers can be arranged with prior notice.
For more detailed information on accessibility at Eden and a link to their website please click here.
The Screech Owl Sanctuary
Hands-on experience at the Screech Owl Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is approximately 20 miles north east of Redruth adjacent to the A30 near Indian Queens. It is home to the largest collection of owl species in the South of england and visitors can experience touching many of them.The friendly staff are extremely knowledgeable about the birds and their natural habitats.
A buzzard about to land during the falconry demonstration
Visitors can also enjoy the daily falconry displays which involve both owls and birds of prey. As the name implies this is a sanctuary and much of their work involves the rehabilitation and care of sick and inured birds.
For more detailed information on accessibility and a link to their website please click here.
Portreath
Our researchers stayed in Portreath which has an excellent viewing point from the sea front car park over the beach which is a favourite haunt for surfers. It is fascinating to sit in the car and watch them riding the waves while enjoying a 'fish supper' from the adjacent fish and chip shop.
A view of Portreath Beach
Places to stay near Redruth
All accommodation included has been assessed by one of our wheelchair user researchers for accessibility unless otherwise stated. Please note however whilst we have tried to ensure that the accommodation included will meet most wheelchair users needs we strongly advise you to consult with each provider about your own specific requirements. For accommodation inspection gradings e.g. Diamond ratings, follow the links to each providers own website.
Gwel an Mor
One of three accessible lodges at Gwel an Mor
Our researchers stayed at Gwel an Mor which is stuated on the headland above Portreath overlooking the sea and found the 3 bedroomed lodge not only accessible but stylish and spacious. There are three designated accessible lodges on site all with their own adjacent parking area.
Our researcher enjoying the outside space
As well as the self catering lodges, visitors to Gwel An Mor also enjoy the benefits of a licensed restaurant (within easy wheeling distance) and a pool (with hoist) and spa/gym.
The ground floor accessible bedroom
The ground floor twin bedroom, which includes an electrically adjustable bed, has an en-suite wet room and there is good access to the dining/lounge area as well as the outside decking with table (via low threshold french doors).
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Higher Laity Holiday Cottages
Outside 'Trotters' the accessible cottage at Higher Laity Farm
Higher Laity is situated in beautiful countryside just outside of Portreath. There are three self catering cottages on site and 'Trotters' is a two bedroomed cottage which is all ground floor and wheelchair accessible.
The twin room at Trotters
The twin room offers right or left hand transfer and the beds are at different heights to assist people who find transfer difficult. The shower room has good dimensions and wheelchair turning space and there is a seat raiser available if required.
The outside eating area
The outside eating area enjoys views over the farm and surrounding countryside. Assistance dogs are welcome but please bear in mind this is a working farm with livestock.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their website please click here
Our stay in the area was brief so on this visit we were only able to visit the two accommodations detailed above however there are other 11 properties in the area which we have not yet visited which are featured on our accommodation search.