5 Accessible Days Out in Kent for the Elderly

5 Accessible Days Out in Kent for the Elderly

Kent boasts an unrivalled combination of beautiful landscapes and incredible sites of historical significance. Whatever your interests may be, there is always something to do in Kent across these and more! Some of these attractions are more accessible than others, so Age Space has put together the following guide to take you through Kent’s best accessible days out.

If you’re looking for more days out in Kent, you can check out Age Space’s guide to Cultural Delights for the Elderly in Kent.

Turner Contemporary Gallery

Turner contemporary gallery in Kent

The Turner Contemporary Gallery opened in Margate in 2011, named after JMW Turner who regularly visited this part of the Kentish coast throughout his life. The gallery showcases world class contemporary art exhibitions and is widely seen as one of the best galleries in the UK.

Entrance to the gallery is completely free and it has been purpose-built with accessibility in mind; making it a fantastic day out for those with limited mobility. They also offer ‘Quiet Hour‘ tours that are designed to be more comfortable and accessible to visitors with additional needs.

You can view the Turner Contemporary Gallery’s full accessibility statement, here.

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Parking

There are seven accessible parking spaces available on the sea-facing side of the gallery on Rendezvous. This is a two minute work to the gallery’s entrance.

Guide Dogs

All registered guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are permitted.

Wheelchair & Scooter Hire

The Gallery is fully wheelchair accessible, with step free access and a lift serving both floors.

Wheelchairs are available to borrow for visitor use. They ask that you get in contact beforehand to confirm availability either over the phone on 01843 233 025 or by email at [email protected].

Visual & Hearing Aids

Large print versions of the exhibition text and magnifying sheets are available.

Sign Language Tours, Audio-Described Tours and Quiet Tours all available to book on to.

Prices

Free!

Opening Times

Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am โ€“ 5:00pm

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Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle in Kent, a great accessible day out.

Leeds Castle is one of the UK’s most stunning castles and isn’t short of a rich and varied history. It has served as a Norman stronghold, as the property of six Medieval queens and as a palace used by Henry VIII.

Visitors to Leeds Castle have access to its fantastic historical exhibitions, as well as the Dog Collar Museum – the world’s largest public display of canine neckwear! The castle is accessible for the majority of visitors via the main front door, where there is a ramp. There is a wheelchair lift within the castle to reach the upper floors.

As well as the castle, there are its’ incredible grounds and gardens to explore, most of which are fully wheelchair accessible. A map outlining the accessible routes is available upon arrival.

You can find full details on Leeds Castle’s accessibility through their access guide.

Parking

A free and fully accessible mobility bus is available near the ticket office, running regularly throughout the day.

The car park has spaces reserved for visitors with disabilities. The maximum distance from the car park to the fully accessible mobility service is approximately 100 metres.

Guide Dogs

Registered Assistance Dogs are permitted in the Castle and grounds.

Wheelchair & Scooter Hire

Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge, subject to availability.

Prices

  • Adult: ยฃ30.00
  • Child (3-15): ยฃ22.50
  • Disabled Adult: ยฃ27.00 (+ free carer entry)

Opening Times

  • The Castle: 10:30am to 5:30pm (last entry at 5:00pm)
  • Grounds & Gardens: 10:00am - 6:00pm (last entry at 4:30pm)

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Kent Life Heritage Farm Park

Kent Life Heritage Farm Park

Kent Life Heritage Farm Park is an active farm, with a great deal of entertainment for people of all ages. It makes for a great day out with grandchildren, who can get involved in feeding the animals and take part in all manner of events that Kent Life put on daily.

Kent Life also has a gorgeous Vintage Village that gives you a look into how people from Kent lived over the last few hundred years, showcasing home design from the 1930s, 1950s and 1970s. The 1950s inspired tea room is also a popular spot at Kent Life.

You can find Kent Life’s full access statement here.

Parking

All parking at Kent Life is free, including an allocated disabled car park near to the entrance.

Guide Dogs

Dogs are welcome.

Wheelchair & Scooter Hire

Almost all of theย grounds and buildings have wheelchair access, with the exception of the first floors of the historic buildings.

Prices

Opening Times

10:00am – 5:00pm (last admissions from 4:00pm)

Contact

White Cliffs of Dover

the white cliffs of dover in Kent

The iconic white cliffs of Dover look out over the English Channel, towards the French coast. The cliffs have some of the best views that Kent has to offer, including a wheelchair-accessible viewpoint which overlooks the docks and harbour, as well as the coast of France on a clear day.

As well as the views onto the water, there is beauty to be seen in the wildlife atop the cliffs. Along the accessible path to the cliffs you will spot birds, butterflies and wildflowers, all of which enjoy the conditions of the rare, cliff-top grass chalklands. You can also learn more about the cliffs’ history in the fully-accessible Visitor Centre.

You can find everything you need to know about accessibility at the White Cliffs of Dover from the National Trust’s access statement.

Parking

There is a large car park with 300 spaces.

Guide Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome, including in the Visitor Centre.

Wheelchair & Scooter Hire

There is a manual wheelchair available to loan for free on request from the Visitor Centre.

Prices

There is a ยฃ5.00 car parking charge (except for National Trust members).

Opening Times

  • Car Park: 7:00am - 7:00pm
  • Visitor centre: 10:00am - 5:00pm

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Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral

With its roots dating back to 597 AD, Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian buildings in the world. There is so much rich history to explore in the Cathedral that you could easily spend days inside it.

Canterbury Cathedral has taken big steps in recent years to ensure that people with all mobility needs can enjoy what this historic Cathedral has to offer, including BSL tours, a map displaying an accessible route around the Cathedral for people with limited mobility and a wheelchair-lift to help people to access the Quire.

You can find Canterbury Cathedral’s full access statement here.

Parking

Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can be made available if you contact the Cathedral before your visit on 01227 865279.

No other on-site parking is available.

Guide Dogs

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.

Wheelchair & Scooter Hire

The Cathedral Welcome Centre has a small number of wheelchairs available for loan.

Visual & Hearing Aids

A Touch and Hearing Centre is available for people with a visual impairment. Large print material is also available.

Prices

  • Adults: ยฃ17.00
  • Children (under 17): Free

You can get 20% off of entry with an English Heritage membership.

Opening Times

  • Monday to Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday, 11:30am - 5:00pm

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