Access to our reserves

Access to our reserves
The Trust believes that everyone has a right to enjoy the natural environment and a contribution to make towards safeguarding it. To make this possible for people with mental, physical, sensory, or hidden impairments it is essential to provide the best facilities and opportunities to get involved. Our Access Project has been set up specifically to address this issue, and we have developed a number of initiatives over the last few years, in consultation with local groups and individuals. Some of our most accessible sites are listed below.
Willsbridge Mill Facilities include a wheelchair-accessible nature trail (following a circular route around Willsbridge Valley); electric scooter; wheelchair-accessible pond-dipping platform, exhibition, toilets and teaching/meeting rooms; recycled materials wildlife garden with raised pond, raised flower beds and tactile sculptures. Opportunities include specially targeted environmental workshops; volunteering. Folly Farm Facilities include a wheelchair-accessible nature trail (following a circular route through Folly Wood and incorporating a viewing platform overlooking a badger sett); wheelchair-accessible pond-dipping platform, wildlife garden, teaching/meeting rooms and toilets. Opportunities include horticultural therapy courses; volunteering. Walborough Facilities include a wheelchair-accessible Tidal Trail which follows the coastline and leads to a ramped bird hide on an adjacent site overlooking an area of newly-created saltmarsh; accessible public toilet near the reserve entrance. Further projects are being planned at other reserves, although topographical constraints and/or ecological sensitivity can mean that opportunities for physical access improvements are sometimes limited. However, there are many ways in which we can make a difference, for example by providing tactile interpretation features. Most importantly, information on accessible reserves needs to be easily available and in appropriate formats (eg large print and audio tape). Reserved parking is available at all of these sites. For further information please contact us.	planting raised flowerbeds at Willsbridge Mill
	wheelchair trail at Walborough
It is worth noting that disabled access facilities at reserves can provide wider benefits. For example, surfaced nature trails not only provide access for wheelchair-users and other disabled visitors, but also all-weather access for everyone, especially families with young children in pushchairs, or elderly people. Wooden boardwalks provide a stimulating surface as well as reducing the impact of path erosion, while sensory and raised features can enhance the enjoyment of all visitors.


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