Ensuring that everyone can enjoy all that Queenswood has to offer, this year we have introduced new ways for people with limited accessibility to explore the country park and arboretum. These include two electric mobility scooters (“trampers”), a swing for wheelchair users, and an attractive “Map for all” that can be read by sight and touch thanks to its braille lettering.

Queenswood already has an accessible toilet, free parking for blue badge holders (when registering with us during gift shop opening hours) and paths accessible for mobility vehicles. We’ve been thrilled to hear positive feedback on the improvements made this year – visitors with accessibility needs say they enjoy their visit much more. Whether that’s being in nature, seeing the woodland flowers and magnificent trees in the arboretum or visiting the cafe and shop with their automatic doors. 

Arriving first in March and another in May, the two new sturdy trampers help visitors get further as they feel safe over uneven ground along the woodland tracks. Users get a quick tour around the controls before setting off with a printed map showing the stone surfaced paths and woodland tracks.  

People tell us what a difference this has made. One gentleman was delighted to be able to get as far as the viewpoint for the first time to see a tree dedicated to his wife. Another couple, both with accessibility needs, were able to take out the two trampers and explore Queenswood together. 

Another hit is a specially designed swing where the wheelchair sits in the swing and users enjoy a totally different experience. Installed in the picnic area, it was officially opened by the team at Accessible Herefordshire in May. Word has got around. Thanks to great feedback on social media, the wheelchair ability swing has become popular especially with care groups who come regularly.  

Near the start of the trails there’s a colourful “access for all” map designed by the RNIB (Royal National Institute for Blind People). The tactile elements use a clever mix of layers and colours to give good visual contrast. The large raised print, visual symbols and braille lettering allows the map to be read by sight, by touch or sight and touch together.  

For those that haven’t popped into the Visitor Centre to pick up a map, they can take a photo of the map with their phone and then refer to this as they walk around the extensive grounds of the woodland. 

All these improvements are made possible through our Accessible Queenswood project, a huge thank you to the E F Bulmer Trust, Eveson Trust, Nineveh Trust and the Turner Trust for funding this work.