Dorset is a wonderful county for getting out and about it and fortunately there are plenty of opportunities of places, activities and attractions to that have made special efforts to be accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Below are our top 5 spots for accessible days out in Dorset that are suitable for the whole family.
Find a Helper to help with accessible days out
Good Life Sorted will introduce you to a local Helper to take on any tasks you might need help with from companionship to cooking, from light cleaning to running errands.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Found on the Jurassic Coast, the Subtropical Gardens at Abbotsbury are a mixture of formal and informal plants, trees and exotics, world famous for their camellia groves and magnolias. Facilities include the Colonial Restaurant, a quality gift shop and a fantastic plant centre where many of the flowers grown in the Garden can be purchased.
The Gardens offers a great deal of accessibility to disabled visitors, or those struggling with mobility, including ramp access to the restaurant and a specified wheelchair or mobility scooter designated route.
You can see the Garden’s full accessibility information here.
Parking
Designated parking is available in the first row of the main car park 50 metres from the Gardens entrance.
Guide Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the garden, including the building, coffee shop, gift shop and plant centre (all of which are accessible to manual and electric wheelchairs).
Carer Admission
One companion is admitted free of charge per wheelchair user or visually impaired visitor.
Prices
- Adult: £6.25
- Child: £3.25
Opening Hours
The Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens are open every day of the week from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
Contact
- Telephone: 01305 871387
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
The Tank Museum Bovington
The Tank Museum in Bovington is perfect for anyone with an interest in military history or a family day out with the grandchildren. The exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare from World War One to the present day. Entirely under-cover, the Museum’s six large halls have vehicles that have seen action in all the major wars of the 20th century.
The Tank Museum has level entry or ramped access for wheelchair users throughout and lifts enable access to the higher floor. There are also disabled parking bays and a wheelchair friendly spectator’s area in the arena.
You can find out full information about the Tank Museum’s accessibility here.
Parking
There is ample disabled parking on hard standing near to the entrance of the Museum.
Guide Dogs
The Tank Museum welcomes trained assistance dogs, including guide dogs, hearing dogs and support dogs. These must be kept on a lead and accreditation may be required.
Wheelchair Hire
There are a limited number of wheelchairs available for use at the Museum, which are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
The majority of the museum is on a single level, with ramps or lifts providing access to higher floors. Pathways and entrances are broad, and there are several disabled toilets around the Museum.
Hearing Aids
There are hearing induction loops on all newer interactives, as well as subtitles on video content throughout the exhibitions.
Prices
All the prices displayed are for online pre-booking, as a small additional cost will be required for on the door tickets. You can see more about this here.
- Adult (16+): £17.55
- Child (4-15): £9.90
Opening Times
Every day of the week, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Contact
- Telephone: 01929 405096
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: The Tank Museum, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JG
- Visit Website
Durlston Castle and Country Park
Just one mile from Swanage, Durlston Castle and Country Park offers a fabulous, 320 acre countryside paradise and National Nature Reserve, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. There is also a café, gallery and shop on site.
They aim to provide the highest level of accessibility as possible for all visitors to the site, so a Ranger will always be on hand to ensure you can get the most out of your day.
For Durlston Castle & County Park’s full accessibility guide, click here.
Parking
There are accessible parking spaces available as well as a drop-off point with a dropped kerb by the main entrance.
There is level access all the way from the car park to the entrance, including a permanent ramp.
Drop off outside the castle is also available if required. An assistance call point is available in the main car park.
Guide Dogs
All dogs are welcome on site as long as they are on a lead.
Opening Times
The country park and car parks are open from sunrise to sunset all year round.
The visitor centre at Durlston Castle is open:
- 1st April to 31st October: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- 1st November to 31st March: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Contact
- Telephone: 01929 424443
- Contact Form
- Address: Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage, BH19 2JL
- Visit Website
Monkey World, Wareham
Set amongst woodland is 65 acres of sanctuary for over 250 primates. Monkey World was set up in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide abused Spanish beach chimps with a permanent, stable home. Today, Monkey World works in conjunction with foreign governments from all over the world to stop the illegal smuggling of apes out of Africa and Asia. At the park, visitors can see over 250 primates of more than 20 different species.
All of Monkey World is accessible for disabled visitors except for the Woodland Walk, due to the uneven ground. There is a fleet of motorised scooters which can be booked in advance.
You can read Monkey World’s full accessibility statement here.
Parking
Monkey World has a large, free car park with designated disabled parking spaces available to blue badge holders on the right hand side of the entrance gate.
Guide Dogs
Due to the nature of the site, most dogs are not permitted so as not to agitate the apes, however, Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs and Medical Alert Dogs are allowed with prior notification only.
To notify Monkey World about bringing a guide dog, you can get in touch by calling the office on 01929 462537 (Monday to Friday) or 01929 401012 (weekends). You will need to bring their ID book and veterinary vaccination records to be admitted on to the site.
No dogs will be permitted to go into the Malagasy enclosure, as the lemurs are free to roam around.
Wheelchairs & Mobility Scooters
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed from a local company, Rapid Mobility, who will deliver them to the park. You can contact them on 01305 759800.
You will need to get in contact in advance of your day of arrival.
Prices
- Adult (16+): £18.50
- Child (3-15): £12.50
- Senior (65+): £12.50
Essential Carers are admitted for free.
Opening Times
Monkey World is open every day from 10:00am – 5:00pm, closing on Christmas Day only.
Contact
- Telephone: 01929 462537
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Monkey World, Tout Hill, Longthorns, Wareham, BH20 6HH
- Visit Website
Kingston Lacy, Wimborne
Kingston Lacy is a lavish family home built to resemble a Venetian Palace in the rural Dorset countryside. With spectacular art, beautiful gardens and stunning landscapes, there’s plenty to see and enjoy for everyone. There are play areas, picnic areas, a Japanese garden and a cafe on site, as well as a dynamic history to discover.
You can find Kingston Lacy’s full accessibility statement here.
Parking
There are 14 designated spaces for disabled people, on a gravel surface. The parking area is 21 metres (22 yards) from Visitor Reception, up a tarmac slope.
Guide Dogs
Assistance Dogs are welcome throughout the property as long as they are wearing identity harnesses.
Mobility Scooter Hire
Three powered mobility vehicles are available for loan from Visitor Reception. Pre-booking is advised on 01202 883402 (line 2).
Hearing Loops
Induction loops are available at Visitor Reception and in the shop.
Prices
- Adult: £18.00
- Child: £9.00
Opening Times
Opening times to the property vary throughout the year, which you can check here.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 01202 883402
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA
- Visit Website
