vanessagillian

I am taking my elderly mother back to Yarm (close to Stockton-on-Tees) for a holiday. She was born there in 1926.We have a cottage booked and a rental car. We did this trip two years ago and travelled extensively across the moors and also The Dales. I am thinking that day trips to Durham and Northumberland would be nice and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions of places to go that are wheelchair accessible and would be pleasant outings.
Thanks
Vanessagillian

janisj

If you want to go as far as Alnwick -- the Gardens are very handicap accessible.

Even the treehouse restaurant (rope bridges and all) is totally wheelchair accessible

http://www.alnwickgarden.com/explore/whats-here

sofarsogood

Bowes Museum
Beamish Museum
Washington Old Hall
Ripon, Richmond, Masham, Harrogate, Hexham, Saltburn by the Sea

If you want countryside head off into the Pennine: Teesdale and Weardale

If you want shopping try the Gateshead Metrocentre

For particular museums and sites you'd need to check regarding accessibility.

http://www.thisisdurham.com/

http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

janisj

Re Beamish -- I love the place . . . BUT it is <i>enormous</i> and while technically it partly is wheel chair accessible, in fact it would be a real slog. Pushing a chair from the tram stops to the various features/exhibits/activities could be rough on your Mom and exhausting for you. and with all the different pavements (and unpaved bits) -- I don't think it is a viable option for you.

One thing - at many sites w/ paid admissions, you would get in free as you Mother's attendant.

And - if your mom has a handicap car placard, take it. Technically it doesn't 'qualify' you for disabled parking, but IME most sites do accommodate those w/ blue hang tags. Can make a huge difference at places where the regular parking is some distance from the attraction.

vanessagillian

Thanks so much for responding. Your information will be very helpful when planning our trip. As much as I love my mother's favourite spots ( Osmotherley, Egglescliffe, Whitby, Beck Hole, to name a few ) it will be nice to have a change in our itinerary.