South West
IN AND AROUND TAUNTON WITH A WHEELCHAIR
Vivary Park Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset and is surrounded by beautiful countryside including The Blackdown Hills, The Brendon Hills, The Quantock Hills and the Somerset Levels. It is a busy town with a very good variety of shops and plenty of street cafes. The pavements are easily accessible with sufficient dropped kerbs. In the town centre is Vivary Park, this covers a large area and includes gardens, a lake, putting green and golf course. During August a flower show is held in the park. There is a car park and disabled motorists park free of charge, nearby is a disabled toilet ( RADAR key operated ). There is a shopmobility scheme operating in the town.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for a wider accommodation search for other areas of South West and the UK click here.
Carved Cabinet made locally for the Great Exhibition
The Somerset County Museum is situated in Taunton Castle in the town centre. It houses a variety of exhibits including the cabinet shown above, most of which are accessible for wheelchair visitors and entrance is free. There are several disabled parking spaces outside the museum.
Somerset Cricket Museum
Within walking distance from the County Museum is the County Cricket Ground which houses a museum devoted to the history of cricket. Although the museum is small it is very interesting. There is parking inside the cricket ground adjacent to the museum.
The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre
East of Taunton at Stoke St. Gregory is the Willows and Wetlands visitor centre. There is free parking and entrance is free. The shop and exhibition are wheelchair accessible and so are the tea rooms, where there is a video explaining the process of basket making from the growing of the willow to the end product. Unfortunately the museum is not wheelchair accessible but this is a problem that they are hoping to address. However it is possible to go on a tour of the basket making works for a small fee. There is a disabled toilet on site.
West Sedgemoor Nature Reserve
A short drive away at Fivehead Ridge on the A378 Langport Road is an RSPB reserve. Park at the car park at the top of the reserve and there is a trail that is wheelchair accessible down to a viewpoint overlooking the Somerset Levels. There is also a short trail to a bird hide which gives views over a heronry, it has a ramp for access. The trail guide leaflet shows disabled parking at the bottom of the reserve but the Moorland Hide there is not wheelchair accessible.
Sheppy's Cider Farm and Museum
Sheppy's Cider Museum is situated midway between Taunton and Wellington on the A38. There is a shop with samples of the farm's ciders and a licensed tearoom on site. There is also a disabled toilet, however because of a fixed baby changing shelf it was not easily accessible. The museum is very interesting and wheelchair friendly.
Part of the Formal Garden at Hestercombe
Hestercombe Gardens are at Cheddon Fitzpaine north of Taunton. Only part of the garden is accessible to wheelchairs (with a strong pusher) but there is a new circular walk for wheelchair users . The wheelchair user has a reduced admission fee. There is a cafe and disabled toilet.
The West Somerset Railway
The railway runs between Bishops Lydeard approximately five miles northwest of Taunton and Minehead on the coast. The track is twenty miles long and the scenery viewed during the journey ranges from beautiful views over The Quantocks to the picturesque coast of North Somerset. There is wheelchair access to most of the stations along the route but advanced booking is essential for groups. There are RADAR key disabled toilets at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead. The staff are very helpful and willing to assist with boarding and disembarking via the ramps. There are refreshments available during the journey, please ask a member of staff. We have been advised by the railway company that in high season Mondays and Fridays are the best days to avoid overcrowding and to ensure good accommodation on the train. At other times most days are suitable. When booking your journey on the train it is well worth leaving time before returning, to explore Minehead. The town itself is easily accessed and has a good variety of shops and cafes. There is a very pleasant park called Blenheim Gardens and quite a long promenade.
A View from the Promenade at Minehead
The area of Taunton Deane with Taunton at its centre is beautiful and offers a wide variety of visitor attractions for wheelchair users.
There are a number of places to stay in the area including Express by Holiday Inn , Travelodge, Travel Inn and if you want something a little more homely then try Wick House at Stogumber which is a small village approximately 13 miles from Taunton just off the Minehead road. The latter provides a twin bedded room suitable for a wheelchair user with a carer.