Road trip ideas for those with low mobility

The UK is home to some spectacular roads that pass picturesque beaches and rugged mountains. It is considered by many that one of the best ways to explore the stunning scenery is on a road trip.

The great thing about a road trip is that people with low mobility can still enjoy all the sights from the comfort of the car, but there are some routes that stand out from the rest because of the accessible attractions you can stop off at along the way.

This guide looks at the best road trips for those with low mobility and the best attractions you can visit along the way.

Things to consider before a long road trip

Before you set off on your trip, it is recommended that you check that your car is ready for the journey by making several essential checks. Here are some of the checks you are advised to make and some other things to consider.

• Tyre pressure
• Windscreen washer and wipers
• Oil level
• Lights
• Fuel
• Emergency supplies

People who struggle with their mobility and need to use a stair lift at home or other aids to walk are also recommended to research accessible restaurants and toilets they can stop off at before setting off on their road trip.

The most accessible road trips

There are lots of accessible road trips for people with low mobility and here are some of the best you can enjoy:

• A4069 Black Mountain Pass
• Keswick to Buttermere
• Atlantic Highway
• North Coast 500
• The Yorkshire Loop

A4069 Black Mountain Pass

Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales

Accessible attractions: Carreg Cennen Castle, Dinefwr Castle

The Black Mountain Pass has been made famous due to its appearance on Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson was filmed driving along it.

The route is renowned for its spectacular scenery and one of the most picturesque spots is the Tywi Valley as it offers some stunning countryside views as you drive along this section of the route.

There are lots of things to do along the route as you can explore the Carreg Cennen Castle, which dates back to the 13^th century. As well as the castle, there is a farm at the site, a gift shop and an eatery where you can enjoy afternoon tea.

Continuing on the castle theme, people driving the route can also stop at Dinefwr Castle. The house is impressive, and it’s surrounded by a natural nature reserve and a deer park.

Keswick to Buttermere

Location: Cumbria

Accessible attractions: Honister slate mine, Great Gable and Bowder Stone

This mountain pass is regarded as one of the most picturesque drives in the UK, and as it’s located in the Lake District National Park, there are lots to see and do during your road trip here.

You will travel through Honister Pass as part of the route, and at 1,167 feet, it makes it one of the highest passes in Cumbria.

There are lots of stops you can make during the drive as Keswick is a beautiful town, Derwentwater has some unrivalled views of the lake, and there are several accessible attractions too.

The Honister slate mine, located at the head of Honister Pass, is a great attraction to stop off at as it offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventures for a range of ages and abilities. The Bowder Stone is one of the Lakeland’s most famous features and although visitors with mobility problems won’t be able to climb to the top of the stone, it is impressive to go and see the 2,000 ton and 30-foot high rock.

Great Gable is arguably the most iconic mountain in the Lake District and along the route, you can get some spectacular views of this mountain.

Atlantic Highway

Location: Somerset, Devon, Cornwall

Accessible attractions: Tintagel Castle, Museum of Witchcraft & Magic, Bude Sea Pool, Newquay Zoo

The Atlantic Highway shows off the best countryside of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall as you pass rolling hills, woodlands and picturesque villages.

This stretch of road might seem cut off from the rest of the country, but on the route, you will be driving through some of the county’s most picturesque areas and prettiest fishing villages. Port Isaac is one such village that you can visit, and it has been made famous as a result of the TV series Doc Martin being filmed here.

There are lots of impressive beaches and attractions at Bude, an eye-catching clifftop castle at Tintagel, which has links to King Arthur, and the world-famous surfing mecca of Newquay. You can either stop at Newquay and spend a few days there or carry on until you get to Land’s End, the most south-westerly tip of Cornwall and mainland UK.

North Coast 500

Location: Scotland

Accessible attractions: Inverness, Cape Wrath, Wick Heritage Centre, Ullapool

This 805km route showcases some of the stunning beauty that Scotland has to offer. From the coastline and its beaches to gothic ruins and historic castles, there are lots of different things to see and do.

Along the way, you will pass through picturesque villages such as Dornoch, Wick, Aultbea, Poolewe and Gairloch as well as enjoying the isolated but awe-inspiring Applecross Peninsula.

This route is perfect for people looking to escape urban life as instead of being stuck in traffic jams you are more likely to be stuck behind cows and stags. The route could take around four to seven days, so it is best to book your accommodation in advance.

The Yorkshire Loop

Location: Yorkshire

Accessible attractions: Ripley Castle, Aysgarth Falls, Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre, Jervaulx Abbey

This road trip will take you from moors and dales to bustling towns that will take you back to medieval times as this was once the backdrop to the War of the Roses, which was the battle between the royal houses of Lancaster and York.

You can start your journey from Harrogate and visit the likes of Ripley Castle before driving on to the historic market town of Grassington and then onto the Aysgarth Falls, a multi-tiered fall. The upper falls are accessible via wheelchair when the ground is dry.

If you’re a cheese fan, then you should stop at the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre at Hawes as you can taste Wallace and Gromit’s favourite cheese. You can drive to Reeth and then drive back to your start point, but another popular stop before you finish the drive is the Cistercian monastery called Jervaulx Abbey in the moors as it has a very popular tea room.

If you’re doing the drive in the summer, you will need to be aware that the roads can get busier than normal as the Yorkshire Dales are very popular with holidaymakers.

Handicare sells a range of mobility aids, so take a look at the different models available and choose a stair lift that is right for you.