Planning a trip is pretty stressful, especially when you need to think about wheelchair access throughout your visit. Planning and researching beforehand can help make your trip stress-free! If you’ve never been to Barnard Castle, you’re missing out. It’s a haven for history lovers, foodies, and keen shoppers. Barnard Castle town is home to antique shops and cute independent cafes. You can find anything from designer clothing to second-hand books; there is truly something for everyone!
Many attractions at Barnard Castle are wheelchair accessible, from historic castles and museums to gorgeous parks and riverside trails. This post will talk about just a few of the gorgeous wheelchair-accessible things to do in Barnard Castle.
Barnard Castle is a historic market town situated in the North of England. The name is taken from the castle which the town surrounds. Barnard Castle is named after its founder (Bernard de Balliol), back in the 12th Century! The Beauchamp family then developed it, then passed it down to Richard III. The town of Barnard Castle has plenty for families to do, and many of the attractions are entirely wheelchair accessible! This makes Barnard Castle the perfect holiday destination for anyone who requires wheelchair access.
Where Is Barnard Castle?
Barnard Castle is placed upon a rock, looking down over the River Tees from the North. The town which surrounds the castle is also named Barnard Castle. The river is popular with anglers and for riverside walks alongside Teesdale Way, Deepdale, and Flatts Wood. Nearby towns include Bishop Auckland, Darlington, and Richmond in North Yorkshire.
Bowes Museum
Built by John Bowes during the late 19th Century, Bowes Museum is a French-style chateau surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is home to a fine arts collection and is regarded as one of the most significant museums in England.
Bowes Museum welcomes all visitors with disabilities; they ensure that staff will always provide a ‘hassle-free and enjoyable experience’. It is unavoidable that some of the premises are hard to access; due to being built in the 19th Century and being a Grade 1 listed building. Despite this, everything has been done to make the visit as easy as possible for wheelchair users. They also have wheelchairs available for use, and there are fully accessible toilets located on the ground and first floors.
The Witham
If you’re into the arts, this is the place for you! The Witham is an arts centre with a programme jam-packed full of theatre, film, music, and comedy. It has been the heart of Barnard Castle’s cultural events scene for the past 150 years! Located in a grand Victorian building, with a lovely outside seating area in a gorgeous, well-kept garden. The perfect place to enjoy a few drinks and some food before experiencing the arts The Witham has to offer.
The rear of The Witham is fully accessible; you can access all three floors via the lift. There’s also an accessible toilet, and wheelchair seating in the Music Hall, along with free tickets for carers! The Witham ask that wheelchair users call in advance and let them know they’ll be visiting. This way, they can make sure the visit is as enjoyable and breezy as possible!
Eggleston Hall Gardens
Known as the ‘Secret Garden Of The North’, Eggleston Hall Gardens boasts 4.5 acres of winding paths, leading you along a border of gorgeous flowers. The gardens are home to a magnificent stream and a 16th-century churchyard. If you’re a keen gardener or enjoy the outdoors, you’ll absolutely love it here.
The gardens are wheelchair accessible. Although there are some grass paths, they are wide and pretty firm; avoid visiting during wet weather. To reach the old churchyard from the gardens, there are down steps. But, there is a side gate outside the main entrance allowing different access to the churchyard for wheelchair users! There’s also wheelchair accessible toilets in the tea rooms.
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue is a family-run animal rescue centre and visitor attraction. They take in injured and unwanted animals (including domestic pets) and give them a new home and a fresh start in life! Animals not yet rehomed are looked after at Wetheriggs. Visitors can get up close to the animals, even getting the chance to feed some of them. There are regular handling sessions with snakes and lizards if that’s your kind of thing! If you prefer animals a bit fluffier, you can choose to hold rabbits or guinea pigs instead.
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue centre has fully accessible toilets, and all indoor areas have enough space for wheelchair use. Some of the outdoor areas may be difficult to get around during wet weather, so it’s best to visit Wetheriggs during dry, sunny weather.
At Mellwaters Barn, we have disabled holiday cottages designed by a wheelchair user who understands the problems of accessibility. The cottages are fully accessible, with a farm (featuring purpose-built footpaths) where everybody can take in the magnificent views of Barnard Castle! Our holiday cottages are also dog friendly, and we welcome flexible stays. Get in touch today to find out more; we can’t wait for you to come to stay with us and experience an exceptional, accessible holiday.
