There are so many outstanding Cultural Delights for the Elderly in Cambridgeshire, that it is extremely hard to pick just five exceptional and accessible days out throughout the county. On this page, you can find all the information you need to indulge an interest in history, explore expansive city gardens, dive into early East-Anglian settlements or enjoy an accessible walk in the rolling Cambridgeshire countryside.
The Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridge
This World War Base turned War Museum tells its visitors the stories of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, among others, which were orchestrated out of this very site. Stories are often told by actual veterans and ‘windows to the past’ help put the observer into the action by lining up photographs with the actual scenery.Accessible toilets are available throughout the site and staff will do their utmost in all circumstances to make the site and its features accessible to all.
See The Imperial War Museum’s full accessibility overview here.
Parking
There are 19 designated parking bays for Blue Badge Holders.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs and registered assistance dogs are welcomed, water bowls are also provided at the Visitor’s Centre. They ask visitors to bring a relevant identification book for assistance dogs when arriving on site, where possible.
Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Hire
Available for loan, free of charge. Telephone 01223 497239 to reserve wheelchair or mobility scooter (subject to availability).
Visual and Hearing Aids
The IWM Duxford knows that many of its visitors might include the elderly, hard of hearing and of eyesight. Therefore, they have made an effort to help include them in the museum experience. This includes:
- Audio Guides
- Audio Descriptions
- BSL Film Interpretations and Subtitles
- Induction Loop Systems Throughout
Prices
- Adult: ยฃ26.35
- Child: ยฃ13.15
- Concession (65+ and disabled): ยฃ23.70
Opening Times
10:00am – 6:00pm, last admission is at 5:00pm.
Contact Details
- Address: IWM Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR
- Telephone: 020 7091 3067
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Cambridge University Botanic Garden, Cambridge
Hidden in the centre of Cambridge, the University Botanic Garden boasts grand lawns, heritage trees, a lake and stream garden, woodland and rock gardens and even a living demonstration of plant classification. Once you’ve finished exploring the many wonders this garden has to offer, you can take a rest in the onsite cafรฉ. Volunteer led tours are also available to pre-book.
Throughout the gardens, there are accessible pathways (mostly gravel), large stretches of lawn and accessible toilets. It should be noted that the Tropics House has some bark paths that are not suitable for wheelchairs.
Parking
There is no public parking available for the garden due the central location, however, you can find limited pay & display parking on Trumpington Road and Bateman Street. Visitor drop-off is also possible at the Brookside Gate entrance.
Guide Dogs
Registered Guide and Assistance dogs are welcomed.
Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Hire
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to borrow for free at Brookside Gate and Station Road Gate. Pre-booking is recommended by calling them on 01223 336 265.
Prices
- Adult: ยฃ7.20
- Child: Free
- Essential Carer: Free
- Opening Times
Subject to seasonal change, but open all year round. Find out aboutย opening timesย on the website.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 01223 336 265
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Flag Fen, Peterborough
Flag Fen, found just outside Peterborough, is famous for being the site of an ancient Bronze Age causeway that once led people to their place of worship. Learn what life was like for our pre-historic ancestors in the reconstructed village and through ancient objects; these include one of the earliest known examples of a man-made wheel, swords, jewellery and more. If all of that isn’t enough to incite some excitement, there’s also a great cafรฉ!
Parking
Free parking and disabled spaces are available in the onsite car park.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs only are welcomed but are to be kept on short leads.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters
Mobility scooters are able to be borrowed from the Visitors Centre when you call ahead (01733 864 468). There are wheelchair accessible pathways throughout the site with level access to museum buildings.
Prices
- Adult: ยฃ6.00
- Child: ยฃ3.00
- Carer: Free
Opening Times
Flag Fen is generally open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm, but daily on school and bank holidays.
Contact Details
- Address: The Droveway, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ
- Telephone: 01733 864468
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Houghton Mill, St. Ives
Houghton Mill is owned and operated by the National Trust. Built in the 18th century, the mill was almost completely lost in a fire before being saved and lovingly restored to working order in recent years, to be enjoyed by the public today. For over 1000 years milling has been carried out on this site by the Great Ouse River.Only the upper floors to the mill are inaccessible to wheelchairs, however, there is a virtual tour on the ground floor. The rest of the site and the neighbouring Waterclose Meadows Campsite are all accessible.
Parking
There are 2 designated accessible parking spaces that are on a firm surface at the entrance to main car park, the shortest distance to the visitor centre. A drop-off space is also available if the spaces are full.
Guide Dogs
Assistance Dogs are welcomed throughout the site and there is a water bowl for them outside the tea-room.
Wheelchair & Mobility Scooters
There is one manual wheelchair available to loan in the Mill.
Visual & Hearing Aids
There is a Braille guide to the Mill that is available on request. There are also a wealth of textures to experience throughout. An induction loop is available in the tea room.
Prices
- Adult: ยฃ7.00
- Child: ยฃ3.50
- Essential Carer: Free
Free for all National Trust members.
Opening Times
The admission times for the Mill are season-dependent and subject to variation. Check the Houghton Mill Website to find out more.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 01480 301494
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Accessible Countryside
Okay, so this may be cheating a bit, as it’s not one explicit ‘accessible day out’, but is in fact, many. The Accessible Countryside website has information on accessible walks, country parks, nature reserves and more. This includes information on the type of terrain to expect and the wheelchair-friendly routes available.
One such option is Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, which is open all year round with guided, accessible trails and even an all-terrain mobility scooter that is available to borrow from the visitor centre.
The site is open most days 10:00am – 4:00pm, depending on volunteer availability.
