Plymouth home to accessible visitor attractions

Visitors to Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, can enjoy many days out with the whole family as some of the most popular attractions cater for all.

Martyn Sibley, presenter of ‘Access all areas’ for Disability Horizons, recently visited Plymouth to see how accessible the city’s visitor attractions are.

Touring the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth Boat Tours, National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Gin and Theatre Royal Plymouth, Martyn has made a short video, filmed and produced by Geocast TV, showcasing how each of them caters for people with disabilities.

Duncan Currall, Chairman of Destination Plymouth, said: “Millions of visitors come to Plymouth every year and it’s great that an independent TV company has praised the city for its accessible tourist attractions. It’s extremely important that we encourage more businesses to think about catering for all abilities and ages.

“People with disabilities generally travel in groups and if a business is not accessible they are not only turning away one person, but several. I’m really pleased Plymouth has fared well for ‘Access all areas’.”

The video shows that people with mobility issues can visit the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery by the level access on the ground floor at the rear of the building where there is lift access to the upper floor galleries. Wheelchairs are also available and can be borrowed free of charge, there is also accessible customer toilets on the ground floor.

A fixed audio loop is also available for people with a hearing impairment with portable loops available for the café and shop areas as well as in the gallery during lunch time talks.

Martyn, who is a wheelchair user, went on to board The Spirit of Plymouth boat for one of the Plymouth Boat Tours. The boat has full wheelchair access on the lower deck and saloon and has accessible toilets on board. Guide dogs are also welcome on board and a written commentary of the tour is available for those with a hearing impairment.

The UK’s biggest aquarium, the National Marine Aquarium, also features in the video. Large walkways run through the majority of the building making it easy for people with mobility problems to get around. There are also ramps and lifts available in all areas where there are stairs. There are also a limited number of wheelchairs available to borrow free of charge, accessible customer toilets are also available.

A limited number of disabled parking bays are available on a first come, first served basis at the rear of the building which can be used by patrons displaying a valid blue badge. Carers and personal assistants accompanying a visitor with accessible needs will be admitted free of charge. Guide dogs and listening dogs are also welcome to the aquarium.

Plymouth’s tour also included a trip to Plymouth Gin at the Black Friars Distillery, an old Dominican Order monastery built in 1431. Lifts, stair lifts and accessible toilets have modernised the interior of this building making visitors with mobility problems welcome.

Martyn’s tour finished with the Theatre Royal Plymouth. As well as having accessible customer toilets on all four floors, lifts and ramps every seating area has an area for wheelchair users. They can also provide an additional seat free of charge for patrons that need to be accompanied. Audio described performances are also available.

Martyn said: “Disabled people face exclusions every day, especially when accessing tourism. Disability Horizon’s visit to Plymouth has shown that with a little thought, everyone can access many beautiful sites and fun features.”

The Geocast TV, ‘Access all areas’ video can be viewed at www.visitplymouth.co.uk/about-plymouth.