Places Out there

A part of the Argyll Forest Park at Ardentinny. Here the forest comes down to the beach on the shore of Loch Long. It is a beautiful peaceful historic place. Besides the beach and walks along the shore of the loch there are three woodland walks to choose from.

On a beautiful August day back in 2016 we went to Westonbirt National Arboretum. This was a great afternoon out with some old friends. The Tree Top Walkway was a highlight.

Bedford River Valley Park  is part of Cycle Route 51 between Bedford and Sandy created on a disused railway route which by its nature is relatively easy to traverse and therefore gives a great opportunity for people of any ability to go out there. A good opportunity to get fresh air and exercise in the countryside and beside the Great Ouse River where there is plenty to see.

The grounds of Stowe near Buckingham has, for hundreds of years, been enhanced by many of the owners as well as renowned landscape designers including “Capability” Brown. Access-Out-There visited and walked around the lakes and temples. There are easy flat walks around the lakes, or be more adventurous if you have the energy and do the long walks around the temples.

Grey’s Court near Henley on Thames is a beautiful National Trust property. The Tudor mansion has a homely friendly feel to it and there are many discoveries to make in the gardens depending on the time of year. Access-Out-There visited in early spring 2016 when the cherry blossom was eye-catching and the bluebells in the Spinney were spectacular.  In 2017 we visited a  month later in the year when the wisteria which was stealing the show.  Whatever the time of year Grey’s Court is worth a visit.

The National Trust’s 700 year old Chirk Castle in Clwyd has a rich 700 year history where it has been owned and used in different ways. It stands in a 480 acre estate of parkland and woodland which can be explored. The Castle itself has a variety of historic rooms to offer.  There are walks around the gardens which lead to longer walks through the woodland.  Access-Out-There visited in early spring 2016. 

The National Trust’s Attingham Park is 4000 acres of park land surrounding a magnificent Georgian Mansion with stables and a walled garden.  The mansion is sumptuously decked out in its Regency finery and a lift enables wheelchairs access to all floors. There are several circular walks in the parkland.  Access-Out-There visited in early spring when the easy paths were bordered by golden daffodils.

The Walled Garden at Croome in Worcestershire covers over seven acres is one of the biggest there is. Over the last few years is has been recovered from  its abandoned state. Access-Out-There visited in early spring when we could see the bare bones of the garden laid out before us. The original cobbled and rough paved paths do cause some issues for people with limited mobility but there is plenty of interest in the gardens and glass houses if you are feeling adventurous.

The National Trust’s Hughenden Manor near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire was the country home of Benjamin Disraeli.  When Access-Out-There visited in December we found it decked in Victorian Christmas apparel. The ground floor was very accessible for Titania  but upstairs and the Second World War period basement were not practical. We also went out there and viewed the walled garden in winter, as well as doing an inadvisable (Mad!) trek through the woodland walk in the parkland. An interesting and fun day!

The Camel Trail in Cornwall  runs on a disused railway line between Bodmin and Padstow.  Passing through an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beside the river Camel it is an easy trip out there for  wheelchairs on a level well maintained path. Access-Out-There did half of the trail from Wadebridge to Padstow

The Eden Project is high on the list of must-visit attractions in the UK. Built in 2000 it is a great place for a day out there being very accessible for wheelchairs. The magic of the iconic Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes will not soon be forgotten.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is a magical corner of Cornwall.  It is easy to lose a day out there in the 200 acres of gardens even if a little is not wheelchair accessible because steep slopes and difficult paths.

4 Oct 2016

Mevagissey is one of the beautiful little fishing villages you find in Cornwall. We spent a few hours out there in walking around the harbour enjoying the sights and smells of the port.

2 June 2016

We found the Forestry Commission’s Cardinham Wood in Cornwall very moody and magnificent. There were easy to navigate trails around the woods which run beside the river.  A great place to go out there.

21 May 2016

There are circular walks around the Cornish Roseland peninsular on the South West Coast Path at the National Trust site of St Anthony’s Head. There are great views, birds to watch, and the remains of a Victorian gun battery to see out there .

5 April 2016

There are great country walks Out there at Rushmere Country Park near Heath and Reach in Bedfordshire. While walking the trails in the wonderful woodland you can see a variety of flora and fauna, or you can watch the activity at the heronry from the visitor centre.

18 Mar 2016

We went  out there to get up close to the magnificent sculptures created by Henry Moore on view at the Henry Moore Foundation at Perry Green in Hertfordshire.  A great day out with a bit of culture and a country walk all in one.

23 Feb 2016

We went out there to Ascott House a National Trust house and garden a couple of miles from Leighton Buzzard.  It is well worth a visit.  The part of the house on view is easily accessible and the gardens are extensive and on a beautiful day are a delight. The Ascott Circle is fantastic, and the Lily Pond is tranquil.

17 Nov 2015

Here is what we saw when we went Out There round Inveraray Castle near Loch Fyne, the seat and home of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll. Although the weather prevented us from going round the grounds and gardens the next day we enjoyed the magnificent trees and the delightful red squirrels at Ardkinglas Woodland Garden just down the road from the Castle.

29 Oct 2015

A summer day at Waddesdon Manor, getting around the grounds and house and enjoying the Aviary, and a Henry Moore exhibition.  A good day Out There.

 6 Aug 2015

A short tale of two visits Out There to the National Trust's Ashridge Estate.  The first, an autumn walk in the ancient woodlands surrounding the Bridgewater Monument, the second a walk through the spring bluebell woods.

20 May 2015

Perhaps we should have taken note that the only way in to the BBOWT Finemere Wood Nature Reserve was over a stile next to the locked gate on the track in as a sign that Titania would find this a problem. But - it was a sunny warm day, and had taken us a while to find the place, and we had come Out There for a walk.

5 May 2015

A walk through the woods and out onto Rievaulx Terrace, with magnificent views onto the Abbey below. 

1 Apr 2015.

A summer walk round Calke Abbey gardens and grounds in early August 2014.

29 March 2015.

A snowdrop woodland walk on a bright February day at Moggerhanger Park, Bedfordshire

3^rd March 2015.

Our first good read about our visit to College Lake, Tring 

26 Nov 2014