Wheelie Accessible Derbyshire

16/03/2026

📍Castaway Play, Congleton 🗺

We visited Castaway Play to check out their accessibility as an inclusive play centre.

When we arrived, we quickly found a disabled parking bay, although there are only two (plenty more additional parking spaces a little further away, navigating a speed bump which could be tricky for independent travel).

With seven different spaces, this play centre boasts an abundance of activities which will keep the children entertained for hours. From water play, sand play, jungle adventure, sledges, sports room, go karts, disco room and character meet and greets, there are so many things to do!

We started our day in the sensory room. It is an additional charge of £10 for 30 minutes. This space is great for younger children wanting to explore or for children with additional needs, benefitting from a calmer space and fulfilling their sensory needs.

My children loved it and it was totally accessible physically with lots of cool features.

The rest of the day saw us exploring the rest of the play equipment!

All spaces are wheelchair accessible and you can tell that access was at the forefront of their mind when designing the venue. Other than a couple of steeper ramps (you can see these on the video and even then, they were doable with a bit of help), everywhere was accessible for me and my manual wheelchair. Electric wheelchairs and any mobility aid would be fine to use here and even tables aren't too closely packed together, as well as low impact flooring for easy pushing.

There is one disabled toilet onsite which is usable for a manual or electric chair. I think a mobility scooter would struggle. However, there is a larger changing bed in there which has an easy pull down mechanism. This is fantastic as it allows for a more accessible toileting experience for all, rather than just a small baby changing bed- I loved this addition.

Castaway Play offer SEN sessions on their website too so please check those out if you would like to use the play space during quiter periods.

A fantastic, inclusive family day out! ♿️

Visit https://www.castawayplay.co.uk/ to book.

©️ Independent review written by Wheelie Accessible Derbyshire

*PR Invite*

13/03/2026

👋 Hi! Some exciting news for me and this page landed yesterday and it is exactly why I set up this space- to give people insight and knowledge, to feel informed and empowered when venturing out and about either as a disabled person or with a disabled person.

Did you know that 1 in 10 disabled people are scared to go out and about and disabled people are 4x more likely to feel anxious about going to places.

If this platform can help just one person feel confident in going out and even trying somewhere new, knowing that their mobility or disability needs will be met, I will see that as a success.

*also, apologies for the amount of pausing during videos, cognitive impairment... 🤣

12/03/2026

📍 Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne 🗺

I know many garden centres are wheelchair accessible disabled friendly but here is a corker of a garden centre!

Plenty of blue badge parking, accessible entrance that leads into the treasure trove of garden supplies, giftware, clothing, accessories and indoor plants.

Upstairs is a huge restaurant which is accessible by lift also (at the back of the shop towards the toys). They sell hot food, proper coffee, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and even alcohol if you fancy a tipple. They do vegetarian and gluten free options too.

Outdoors, you will find a fully stocked rose garden department as well as outdoor plants, shrubs, fencing and pots galore.

Toilets are located in the gift department and it has an ample disabled toilet. Sadly, no changing places on site.

You can also use one of their manual wheelchairs if you need to which I think is great.

This garden centre is accessible for all mobility aids with widened aisles and plenty of space to manoeuvre.

©️ Independent review published by Wheelie Accessible Derbyshire

10/03/2026

For those of you who don't know me personally, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in January 2015. I was 22 years old and at the time at university studying an Early Years degree whilst also being a teaching assistant in a Primary School. In that moment of being told, my life took a different path. Then came the incessant relapses and flares which left me unable to walk, work, function on my own at all. I had intense disease modifying drugs that thankfully helped slow down the progression of this lifelong, life limiting illness. Correct medication meant I could get married and have my two children. None of this was easy or without relapses and flares but I did it anyway. Now, more than a decade on from diagnosis, I am a full time wheelchair user, no longer a teaching assistant but loving my life because I am a wife, a mum and happy. In spite of this gruelling, relentless disease, I am happy with my life. Imagine a cure though, that would be pretty amazing. I set this page up to educate others, empower others who may feel that they can't go to certain venues and to also raise awareness that accepting disabilities and accessibility in this country still has some way to go.

01/03/2026

Happy International Wheelchair Day! ♿️

Forever grateful for the wheels that give me freedom to enjoy the things I love, with the people who I love!

13/02/2026

Do you have or know someone with a business or premises who would benefit from an independent review from a wheelchair user? ♿️

As I go about my days, I often visit places where managers approach me and ask for feedback- whether that is how wide aisles are, how easy it is to move around, how the toilet facilities are, the list goes on. And I love giving feedback because it helps all of us. Remember, not all disabilities are visible and sensory overload is definitely a thing!

Unfortunately, many businesses don't need to seek an independent review of a disabled person visiting their premises, they can simply follow the guided measurements of widths etc in guidelines found online. But personally? I think that system is poor. We are all different and therefore, getting those opinions from those who live everyday with disabilities will truly pave the way to a more inclusive society.

So... my plan is this. I would like to visit establishments, create reviews supporting their business but also offer advice for disability improvement in order to make their venue truly accessible for all.

If you are interested or know someone who would be, please send me a DM and I will get back to you!

07/02/2026

📍 Buxton Crescent Hotel & Spa 🗺

Spa review 💆‍♀️

I was lucky enough to visit the spa a few weeks ago with some friends!

Upon arrival, there are two disabled parking bays directly outside the spa entrance on the main road. If these are taken, there are more spaces directly outside The Cavendish Arcade.

This is the only spa in Derbyshire that has a pool hoist. I don't actually have a photo of the pool hoist on this review, but I have visited previously where I did photograph it. Sadly on that occassion, I was the first person to use it so there were some teething problems. Thankfully, all ironed out now with the staff knowing more about the lift and which areas this is available for. I think this is largely down to the fact that the spa is now run by Champney's.

The spa has three pools; a rooftop pool (the hoist is not available to use up there as it is too large to transport- a hiccup we realised on my first visit!) Having said that, if you can transfer to the floor, the entranceway to the pool is shallow steps that you can shuffle down. This pool begins indoors but then moves outdoors. The pool isn't too wide or deep and there are seating areas within it that also have intermittent jets.
To reach the rooftop pool, there is a lift. It is easy to use and quite speedy for a disabled lift.

To go back down to the lower ground, there is a lift to take you there where you will find all of the steam and sauna rooms, the thermal pool with Buxton spring water- unfiltered pure spring water, just warmed up a little, as well as swimming pool under mood lighting. The pool hoist is available to use for both of these pools as they are quite deep to get into. You just need to ask a member of staff and they will get it ready for you.

There are your classic Finnish steam rooms and saunas but also an infared heat room which works using hest pads with the aim to reduce muscle tenderness. There is also an aromatherapy room. All of these have widened doorways and step free access. The only critique I would say is that some slightly lower pegs to hang up gowns and towels would be useful in order to do this independently from a wheelchair.

The changes rooms are very spacious and there is a disabled toilet that is spacious and clean.

It was really lovely to access a spa with my friends where I felt involved from start to finish and that access was a forefront thought when planning the layout and design of the spa facilities.

Champneys Resorts
Buxton Crescent

©️ Independent review written by Wheelie Accessible Derbyshire

06/02/2026

Have a dog? Please pick up the poo! 💩 Not only is it just unpleasant, imagine standing in it, knowing you can't take your shoes off when you get home. Knowing that it will go all over your home and creating a clean up job that uses more energy than you have to give that day. All for 10 seconds of picking it up! Sadly, in my village, this has happened to me on several occasions. I also have a dog. I have picked my dog's poo up in my wheelchair whilst being surrounded by three others from other dogs that owners have failed to pick up themselves. This message will unlikely reach the culprits who do leave it but hey, who knows! Has this happened to you?

Today I popped out for tea with a friend and came home with my powered wheelchair wheels covered in dog p**p.

It is not just unpleasant. It means cleaning wheels, floors and carpets and bringing that mess straight into my home.

For wheelchair users, this is a hygiene issue and an accessibility barrier.

If you have a dog, please scoop the p**p. 💜

26/01/2026

What a fantastic sight to behold! With a fully accessible and well equipped Changing Places UK bathroom, shopping will be a more pleasant experience for everyone on Stockport.

19/01/2026

Not a good outcome at all for us with mobility issues. I haven't been able to use Chinley station for a number of years now due to its many steps. An impossible feat for wheelchair users sadly.

‘Very disappointing’ as Chinley station loses funding for step free access after years of campaigning

16/01/2026

📍Hassop Station 🗺

Along the Monsal Trail, not far from Bakewell is Hassop Station.

There is a large carpark which is pay and display (even for disabled users although you do get an extra hour).

If you are using just the café and shop and not the trail, there are a small number of free carpark spaces closer to the building and one disabled bay right outside the building. You will be lucky if you get that one as it gets taken usually.

On site, there is a wonderfully big cafe with a ramped entranceway. There is more than ample space inside for mobility aids and it is a lovely building.

A very wide menu selection and lots of cakes and treats to choose from!

The gift shop is full of pretty homeware, fashion accessories, clothing, books at discounted prices and a gift selection for women, men and children.

The trail itself if loose gravel but is flat and accessible. I usually use a power add on for my wheelchair to help me on the trail but it is easily doable depending on whether you need assisted pushing or if you know you can self propel, the terrain is atleast as flat as it can me for a nature trail that hasn't been tarmacked.

A lovely place that deserves a visit!