by Joe WinfieldTips for Hiring a Beach Wheelchair or Carriage in North Devon
North Devon is inundated with beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. With so many picturesque locations to choose from, selecting a coastal stroll can be a challenging task!
Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we are dedicated to providing accessible outdoor adventure activities in Devon. Proud of our beautiful surroundings, we have put together advice when hiring a beach wheelchair or carriage for some of the top locations in the area for your next trip!
The North Devon Coast
In recent years, our glorious county has been a part of some incredible projects, including the Countryside Mobility Scheme. This non-profit organisation aims to ensure that the South West countryside is made accessible for all visitors. With their influence and the impact of other dedicated, individual companies, many places in the area now have available beach wheelchairs and carriages, a mixture of both manual and electrical.
How to Locate a Beach Wheelchair or Carriage
Wherever you are on holiday, the first port of call should be the tourist information centre in the location you want to access. Here, you will be able to find out about the accessible opportunities in the area as well as how to hire any available equipment.
Local Accessible Beaches
As we have mentioned, our location in North Devon is fortunate to have a few trampers, wheelchairs and carriages available at local beach locations. Below, we will discuss each location and how you can get hold of one.
Croyde Bay
About Croyde Bay
Croyde beach is a small surfers paradise situated just up from Saunton Sands. This lovely bay tends to attract surfers from across the country and offers surf lessons for anyone willing to have a go! Calvert Trust Exmoor are currently partnered with the Wave Project and Surf South West to provide one to one surf lessons to our guests in Croyde. If you are curious, why not discover the benefits of surfing for people with a disability in our blog?
Croyde is recognised as having disability access. However, similar to Saunton Sands, the entrance consists of a lot of soft sand which makes wheelchair access harder.
We have provided two of our own beach wheelchairs for the Wave Project and Surf Southwest which contribute to the accessibility of guests and students learning to surf at Croyde beach.
Saunton Sands
Wheelchairs & Carriages Available – 5
About Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is a stunning landscape three and a half-miles of warm, golden sands. Not far from the town of Braunton, the beach is home to the beautiful dunes known as the Braunton Burrows which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The beach features accessible amenities including two accessible toilets made available through the RADAR national key scheme. The car park hosts seven disabled car parking spaces. If these spaces fill up, the car park attendants are on hand to ensure another suitable space is found, and access to the beach is supported.
The entrance to the beach consists of very soft sand, which can prove to be challenging for wheelchairs, as well as a slightly steep ramp leading down to the sand.
However, Saunton Sands is home to a few beach wheelchairs and carriages located at the Saunton Sands Beach Shop. They are suitable for both adults and children and the range includes :
• Three Landeez beach wheelchairs
• Two NOMAD all-terrain carriages
How to Hire at Saunton Sands
To hire one of the trampers or carriages, please call the Saunton Sands Beach Shop on (01271) 890771.
During the summer, advanced booking is recommended due to the popularity of Saunton beach, especially when the school holidays begin.
The trampers can be hired for:
• Half a day
• A full day
• Or on a weekly basis
Two of the wheelchairs at Saunton Sands have been provided by the Calvert Trust Exmoor site.
Woolacombe Bay
Electric Wheelchairs Available – 1
About Woolacombe Bay
Woolacombe Bay is another dreamy coastal location, and host to a glorious landscape of golden sands. Extremely popular in the summer months, Woolacombe village is inundated with visitors and encompasses a lovely, fun atmosphere.
Accessible toilets are available in the village, and the beach is recognised as having easy disabled access, with a ramp that leads to the beach. However, soft sand can dominate the entrance of the beach when the tides are low. An electric beach wheelchair is available to hire from the Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre.
There are a couple of routes you can follow off the beach too, which go through the atmospheric sand dunes, also known as Woolacombe Warren. Be sure to look out for the rabbits which roam the area!
How to Hire at Woolacombe Bay
Due to the popularity of Woolacombe, booking ahead of time is thoroughly recommended. You can either call 01271 870553 or e-mail info@woolacombetourism.co.uk.
To hire the beach wheelchair, you automatically become a member of the Countryside Mobility, which has an annual fee of £10.00. Alternatively, you can try a £2.50 two week ‘Taster Membership’.
Once a member of Countryside Mobility, you are allowed to use the available trampers at any of the 36 sites in the South West.
A donation of £5 per session is also encouraged.
Lundy Island
Electric Wheelchairs Available – 2
About Lundy Island
Situated 12 miles off the Devon coast, taking the trip to Lundy is a main desire of many tourists who come to the North Devon area. The raw and natural landscape of the island is immense and the wildlife is spectacular. Though rare to see, both deer and puffin inhabit the island.
If you are lucky, you might see one of Lundy’s famous seals! They usually like to hang around the rocks near the harbour.
An exciting location to explore, Lundy Island has two electric wheelchairs available for hire. Both travel to the island, and staying overnight, can prove to be quite tricky and for some, it may not be possible. Before booking, both these aspects need to be researched and heavily considered.
How to Hire at Lundy Island
Booking in advance is essential to ensure someone is available to assist once the boat has docked on the island.
The electric wheelchairs are available for day hire. However, you will already need to be a Countryside Mobility member due to the reduced staffing on the island and the requirement of tramper induction for new members.
Hire will cost £20 for a full day and £50 for a week.
National Trust Wheelchairs and Accessibility
Not necessarily beach related, but the National Trust is responsible for many popular walks and attractions in the North Devon area. A few places include:
Baggy Point
Arlington Court
Watersmeet
The National Trust can hire out accessible wheelchairs at specific locations.
For more information on accessible places in Devon, take a look at our blog which selects our favourite National Trust sites in the area.
How to Hire at the National Trust
If you are interested in visiting a National Trust site and require an accessible wheelchair, it is recommended to ring the place to check for wheelchair availability. Contact details for each site are provided on the National Trust website.
Availability will depend on the individual location, and you may need to check if the wheelchairs can be used throughout the year or are seasonal.
Wheelchair hire is usually part of the Countryside Mobility Scheme, which means you will need to be a member.
The National Trust Essential Companion Card
The Essential Companion Card is also worth mentioning in regards to the National Trust. It is for people who require carers and allows one or two companions to join you on the trip for free. They will be free regardless, but it makes the entry process much smoother and quicker.
Hopefully, we have shared with you some useful information about hiring beach wheelchairs and carriages in North Devon so you can make the most of your next beach holiday. When are you next visiting the coast? We would love to know! Tell us on our social media channels.
If you are interested in the accessible activity breaks we have to offer, please feel free to contact us on 01598 763221 or e-mail us at exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk.
by Joe Winfield6 Rainy Day Activities at Calvert Trust Exmoor
Having fun isn’t only possible in the sun! Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we offer an array of accessible, outdoor adventure activities in Devon which can be enjoyed come rain or shine. Whatever the weather, our activities will continue as long as our instructors feel they are safe. It is worth noting that the water activities we provide are only available between the months of April and October. With the incentive of staying dry in mind, we have selected a few of our indoor based activities as well as those which do not depend on good weather that you can expect to experience while staying with us. Calvert Trust Exmoor is an accessible site that provides adventure activities for people of all capabilities, ages, experience and confidence levels.
The Giant Swing
Intending to improve self-belief, the giant swing is a fun activity which has been implemented as a sensory experience for all to enjoy. Situated in our indoor activity centre, our adaptive harnesses and supports can be customised for each individual and fulfil any requirements they may need. It’s up to you how high you would like to go. Just pull the release when you feel ready and away you go! If you would like to push yourself, we can heighten the hoist, or if you would like a relaxed swing, we will always make sure you feel safe and secure.
The Crate Stack Challenge
An excellent activity which can be used to bring together and improve the relationships between groups and school communities. It is a fantastic experience that can test problem-solving abilities and as a result, increase feelings of self-confidence upon completion. It is an activity which can be accessed by all, including wheelchair users.
Horse-riding
Our horse-riding sessions are only available on weekdays unless we have organised one of our ever-popular horse weekends. Our courses encompass extra activities such as learning to communicate with horses and understanding the behaviours of the animal. Stable management is also a possibility if guests would like a closer experience with the horses. It is the opportunity to groom, tack up and muck out as well as completing horse agility sessions. For children who are unable to support themselves, we can organise a tandem ride which is the arrangement of a member of staff sitting behind a child and acting as spinal support. For those who are unable to horse ride due to specific medical reasons, carriage riding is an alternative activity that we can provide.
Swimming
Here at the Calvert Trust Exmoor site, our centre has many facilities to enjoy, including an indoor swimming pool. Fitted with specialist equipment, each person of any capacity or with any condition can access the pool. Heated to a minimum temperature of 30 degrees, you can enjoy being in the water without any chance of feeling cold. Complete with a Jacuzzi, it is a lovely way to spend some leisure time while staying at our accessible site.
Surfing
While this isn’t an indoor activity, why be concerned about the rain when you are already in the sea? Surfing is a challenging but fulfilling sport which can be enjoyed in the sun or accompanied by rain. Our Calvert Trust Exmoor site is in proud partnership with both Surf South West and the Wave Project, and we love including surfing as an accessible activity for our guests. Our new one to one lessons are a welcome introduction and provide even further learning opportunities than our usual sessions of ten guests to one instructor. Surfing can be a fantastic sport for those with disabilities, for more information, take a look at our previous blog.
Evening Activities
After an exciting day challenging yourself in a fun and safe setting with our qualified instructors, our beautiful site has many areas you can enjoy and unwind in. Our courtyard is a peaceful place to sit back and reflect on the day. The Barn bar is a hub for socialising and a great place to share your stories from the day. The games room is available for guests entertainment, and the TV room is a place to relax for a bit. Our five-star accommodation is complete with free Wi-FI in all communal areas if you would like to report back home about your fun-filled day.
If you would like to know more about the adventure breaks we offer, including our themed breaks, and would like some guidance on the booking process, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to ring us on 01598 763221 or e-mail us at exmoor@calvert-trust.org.uk.
by Joe WinfieldFive Benefits of Surfing for People with a Disability
Five Benefits of Surfing for People with a Disability
Surfing is a highly active sport that requires the focus of both mind and body. Here at the Calvert Trust Exmoor, we believe everyone should have a chance to experience and enjoy such a fun sport. Our accessible site is idyllically located near the beautiful North Devon coastal village of Croyde, where we offer surfing as an offsite activity. We are in proud partnership with both Surf South West and the Wave Project and are excited to include surfing into our current list of accessible activities. The lessons will be a step above our regular sessions, and instead of having ten people to one instructor, one to one sessions will be available for our guests.
A dedicated charity to surf therapy, an impressive 2239 young people have been involved in Wave Project courses to date. The Wave Project believes that surfing can help children and adults with disabilities, mainly by improving their feelings of anxiousness through surfing. In this article, we would like to explore how surfing benefits those who attend the sessions.
Surf Therapy Research
As a relatively recent breakthrough, surf therapy has not been thoroughly researched. However, there have been a couple of examples such as the University of Rhode Island’s study on the ‘Benefits of Surfing for Children with Disabilities: A Pilot Study’ in 2012. The study discusses how limited participation in physical activities has a wide range of adverse effects, including increased obesity and secondary health problems down the line. It also touches on the psychological impact of not completing activities for people with a disability. Our article will go on to discuss its findings on why surfing should be used to combat this.
The Wave Project also produces a yearly evaluation, which is based on the completion of questionnaires answered by participants before and after they attend a surf session, focussing on feelings of self-belief. It also advocates that providing people with disabilities the access to complete exciting and challenging activities should be wholeheartedly encouraged for both the positive mental and physical implications it can have, as our article will explore.
It Can Improve Physical Fitness
Surfing is widely acknowledged as an intense form of exercise which involves healthy levels of aerobic activity. The 2012 study by the University of Rhode Island found that overall, surfing improved the physical wellbeing of the participants, especially in terms of their upper-body strength and their levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. The reference to cardiorespiratory fitness is especially relevant to children who have physical disabilities, as it is understood that it is generally relatively low compared to those children who do not have disabilities. As a result, the study suggests that surfing is beneficial for the physical improvement for those who have disabilities.
It Offers Dedicated One to One Time
An essential part of the surf therapy sessions at the Wave Project is to ensure each attendee is looked after in a one to one environment. Where this arrangement understandably assists in health and safety precautions, it also helps to form trusting relationships between the attendees and the dedicated volunteers. One to one time with the Wave Project volunteers has been described as one of the most meaningful parts of the experience by the children who attend the surf therapy sessions with the charity. The surf therapy experience can feel enriched due to the high level of interactive instructing devoted to the children. Furthermore, it can limit distractions as outside pressures are contained in a one to one environment. This set up also encourages attendees to rely on themselves to achieve the activity under the supervision of volunteers. As a result, it may enhance feelings of independence due to the encouragement while being in a stable and committed environment.
It Provides Social Inclusion
The 2018 Wave Project Evaluation also emphasises the feeling of social inclusion which has emerged from the network of people attending the sessions. It is a sense of community that not only applies to the participants who complete the therapy but also their parents, carers and the volunteers. Some of the volunteers initially participated at the Wave Project as attendees themselves and with this empathy in mind, have successfully created an incredibly welcoming and understanding environment. Furthermore, because of the energetic nature of the activity, the friendship between instructor and child can blossom, and children don’t feel as distant as they may do in a school environment, for example.
It Supports Feelings of Confidence and Self Belief
Both research by the University of Rhode Island and the 2018 Wave Project Evaluation suggests how taking part in an organised activity has the ability to improve self-esteem. The Wave Project Evaluation in particular, found that the relationship formed between child and volunteer encouraged the sense of belonging, and therefore produced the feeling of acceptance. These feelings are incredibly important in improving a person’s self-esteem and personal perception. By sparking these feelings towards oneself, confidence can improve, and the desire to challenge oneself is boosted.
It Provides a Challenging but Fun Experience
Surfing is a truly unique sport, and teaches so many skills including balance, as well as furthering water knowledge. The Wave project discloses different stories in their Report, which emphasises the fascination and pride participants feel when completing a session. One parent from Devon describes how their child goes to school feeling elated by the fact they surf and other classmates are not familiar with the sport.
For inspiration on accessible holidays in Devon, take a look at the dedicated adventure breaks we provide. If your child is already attending an activity break, and you would like some guidance on how to get your child excited for a residential trip, take a look at our blog!
by Joe WinfieldHow to Get your Child Excited for a Residential Trip
Spending time away from home overnight can initially feel like a daunting idea for both a parent and their child. However, a residential trip is an exciting time for a child to experience their first taste of independence. Residential trips are an opportunity to try new activities, make friends, grow in confidence and discover talents they may never have known they had outside of school! As an accessible site that provides school residential trips in Devon, we routinely witness the positive results of children experiencing our activity breaks. We have compiled some tips to help you to encourage your child to look forward to the week ahead if they are feeling nervous.
Discuss It
Begin by asking your child how they feel about the trip. Ask if there is something that they are worried about or a particular aspect of the residential they may not be looking forward to. It is healthy to help your child articulate any concerns into words if possible. By expressing their worries, it may release a lot of anxiety in itself. Areas they may feel anxious about are sleep arrangements, food and activities. Take the time to go through each worry and give reassurance by creating solutions together. Let them fully tell their story before offering comfort and express it is understandable for them to feel this way.
Create a List of Positives
Following the initial discussion, move the attention away from the initial concerns and create a list of all the possible positives to look forward to. Uncover together the activities your child is enthusiastic to try, the feelings they want to embrace and any scenarios they would like to laugh about.
Turn it into a Poster
After creating a fun and exciting lists of all the positives opportunities coming their way, form it into art! Create a poster of all the fun possibilities to help your child envision the positive outcomes of attending a residential trip. Not only will drawing it out help it sink in, but also the final product can be placed on a wall and used as a reminder of the exciting trip ahead!
‘Flip the Fear’
Natalie Costa, who is responsible for PowerThoughts.co.uk, has an excellent remedy to help encourage children to perceive worries from a different angle. Instead of using the words ‘nervous’, ‘worried’ and ‘anxious’ to describe the overall feeling towards the trip, insert ‘excited’ as a replacement. With the understanding that nervousness and excitement have incredibly similar physical responses, swapping nervous energy with positive energy can be an effective solution.
Look up the Location
The best way to feel more comfortable with a situation is to familiarise yourself. Look up the destination on Google and scroll through the area together. Have a look at pictures of the surrounding sites for your child to gauge what it will be like there. Discover anything the area is famous for and some landmarks to look out for on the journey there.
Arrange a Sleepover
Easing your child into understanding life with your temporary absence can be done through the organisation of a sleepover. This could be arranged at a friends house or grandparents. It will help your child to familiarise you not being there while encouraging fun with friends.
Create a List of Things to Take Together
Compile a list of things your child would like to take on the trip. If your child is going on the residential through a school trip, the school will most likely have a list of essential items to pack. Work with this, and re-write it together, so your child feels like they have some ownership over the experience. You can decide which exact items of clothing you will take and the benefits. A small cuddly toy as a mascot might be an excellent addition too!
Pack Together
After you have produced a list of items, pack them together too! It will help them to feel involved and gear them up for the event.
Imply the Idea of Independence
This may be your child’s first trip without you, which may be scary but is also an exciting introduction to independence. Talk about the trip and all the things they will be able to accomplish on their own. Explain how they will have inspiring stories for you to hear when they return, and you can’t wait.
The Calvert Trust Exmoor is dedicated to providing all residents with a supportive and enjoyable experience. For some inspiration on places to explore in the area, take a look at our blog Six of the Top Accessible National Trust Sites in Devon.
by Joe WinfieldSix of the Top Accessible National Trust Sites in Devon
The National Trust is an independent charity dedicated to preserving the nation’s most beautiful dwellings. It focuses on maintaining buildings, but also gardens, nature reserves, coastline and countryside. With such an expanse of locations, it is almost an impossible task to select the best. We have concentrated this blog purely on the area of Devon, as it is close to our hearts and is filled with many scenic sites and locations.
Salcombe Hill
Salcombe Hill is a prominent part of the coastline, situated on the South coast of Devon. The stunning, rustic cliffside dominates the landscape, and it is no surprise the area is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The spot is an ideal location for a short, easy adventure, just under one mile in length. The route is maintained in perfect condition and consists of gravel paths, making it a fantastic course for wheelchair users or families with pushchairs. Located near Sidmouth, the area provides gorgeous views of Ladrum Bay and High Peak. Be sure to take a picnic to really take your time and enjoy the view.
Killerton
A popular site in Devon, Killerton is perfect for an exciting day out with a variation of activities. Constructed during the 18th-century, the Killerton estate consists of a stunning Georgian house surrounded by beautiful woods, parkland and farmland, stretching to 6,400 acres in area. The top places to see include a charming garden, fashion exhibition and the old chapel. There is an all-terrain tramper that can be hired for the day but booking well in advance is necessary as it is in high demand.
Baggy Point
Located in between two popular surf spots, Croyde and Putsborough, this magnificent section of coastline is an admired national trust location. Loved by many, Baggy Point provides the most stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean as the dramatic rock formation stretches out to sea. The surrounding sea is mesmerising in any condition and is a beautiful spot to take in, while in calm or rough waters. The west side of the point, reachable via Croyde, is an excellent, accessible route, here you may see seals if you’re lucky! The path is well maintained and level, ideal for wheelchairs, trampers and pushchairs.
Castle Droggo
Castle Droggo is a distinctive castle situated in amongst the dramatic backdrop of Dartmoor. The mighty castle overlooks the atmospheric Teign Gorge and provides an absorbing and fascinating visit for anyone who goes there. A tramper is also available in this site, which is fantastic for anyone who would like to explore the gorge. At the top of the gorge, lies a stunning view of Dartmoor and the proceeding valley. Again, this is also a top-rated site, so booking well in advance is a necessity.
Parke Estate
This charming location is situated in the surrounding area of Bovey Tracey. It is a delightful estate, consisting of beautiful beehives, fields, vegetable gardens, orchards and fruit gardens. The idyllic fish pond, in particular, is a pleasant area to relax. If you fancy a little stroll through the gardens or would like to explore further afield in the majestic woodlands, there is something to satisfy everyone.
Hiring the tramper here is free, but donations are appreciated.
Lydford Gorge
The undeniable charm of this stunning gorge lies in the impressive 30m waterfall. You will not be disappointed by the array of beautiful plantation along the river and captivating woodland surrounding the area. It is a magical destination whether in winter or summer seasons, each attractive in their own way.
If you require a tramper, the Lydford Gorge tramper is only available between March and October due to a reduction in Winter staff. It is recommended to book the tramper two days in advance to ensure there is a trained member of team onsite. There are a couple of routes you can take around the gorge; both require accompanied users for safety precautions. One will take you to the bottom of the Whitelady Waterfall. The second is a charming route along the old railway.
We hope we have provided you with some inspiring ideas for your next accessible holiday in Devon. If you would like to learn more about our very own accessible holiday breaks, take a look at our blog on How Can an Adventure Break Improve Confidence for a Disabled Child? for more information.