See our virtual tours and leaflets here
Introduction
Somerset’s Accessible Coast is a new set of resources designed to help more people plan and enjoy a visit to the Somerset coast and the King Charles III England Coast Path. Our goal is to highlight accessible routes and provide information that helps you to plan a successful visit.
We have selected five sections of the Coast Path and developed leaflets and virtual tours that feature a range of paths to suit different levels of ability.
To see all the locations download the Somerset’s Accessible Coast leaflet.
Leaflets and tours
Each of the locations selected for Somerset’s Accessible Coast has a leaflet and virtual tour. Leaflets can be downloaded or printed copies can be picked up at visitor centres and libraries close to the destinations featured.
The leaflet includes a map showing the paths included and their accessibility rating, information about the location, and advice on how to stay safe during your visit.
The virtual tours enable you to navigate the paths and see information and advice via hotspots along the route and jump to any point to explore a specific area.
Use the links at the top of this page to navigate the tours or download an electronic copy of the leaflet.
Accessibility ratings
What feels easy for one person may feel hard for someone else. The virtual tours above are designed to enable you to preview the terrain and make a choice about where you are comfortable going.
Each section of path has been assessed with details on surfaces, path width, gradients, cross slopes and barriers, all used to create an overall path rating using one of the categories below.
1 – For all
- Smooth, firm all weather surfaces at least 1.5m wide.
- Gentle slopes no more than 10% (1 in 10).
2 – For many
- Good surfaces at least 1.2m wide with occasional softer or uneven ground.
- Slopes up to 12.5% (1 in 8).
- Class 2 scooters.
3- For some
- More varied mixed surfaces at least 1.1m wide, including grass, stony tracks and soft or uneven ground.
- Slopes up to 20% (1 in 5).
- Heavy duty Class 3 scooters.
4 – For the adventurous
- Narrow paths (800 mm+) with rough or muddy ground.
- Steep slopes up to 25% (1 in 4) and over longer stretches.
- You may need to go around pinch points or steep cross slopes.
- Use a Class 3 scooter designed to cope with this more rugged terrain and battery demand.
5 – For walkers
- Very narrow paths (<800 mm), unstable surfaces like shingle, and barriers such as steps, locked gates or stiles.
For a more detailed description of what you might expect and which mobility vehicles are suitable for which path categories, download our Accessibility Ratings document.
To find out how each of the routes featured has been rated, download the detailed route assessments below.
Help and support
There are organisations that can help you to get out and about and start enjoying the Somerset coast, whether you want to enjoy it alone or go out with a group. There is also lots of advice and resources on our SEND Leisure pages.
Disabled Ramblers
The Disabled Ramblers is a small charity working across England and Wales to help make the countryside more accessible to people with limited mobility. It organises a programme of rambles for its members who use mobility scooters and has advice on scooters and safety. Find out more on the Disabled Ramblers website.
Somerset Sports and Activity Partnership
SASP is dedicated to increasing the health and happiness of residents in Somerset through physical activity and sport. It organises regular Health Walks for all levels of fitness and its Walk Your Way section includes a series of filmed walks for all levels of mobility. Find out more on the SASP website
Useful links
- Get Outside in Somerset – Advice and activities in Somerset
- Countryside Mobility – Off-road scooter hire at selected locations
- Ramblers – Advice to walkers with health concerns
- Every Body Moves – Disability sport & inclusive activities
- Changing Places Toilets – Locations and information
Mobility vehicle hire
Not sure your mobility scooter is up to challenge? Would love to see more but need help with long distances or hills?
Some of the locations we feature are close to scooter hire centres where you may be able to find what you need to get out and start exploring. Some attractions also have mobility vehicles available for hire.
These outlets all offer day-hire for mobility aids and scooters and may be able to help you start exploring.
- Minehead – Independent Living Minehead
- Burnham-on-Sea – Apex Mobility
- Burnham-on-Sea – Burnham Mobility
- Brean – Brean Hire Centre
Coastal attractions with tramper hire
The following coastal attractions offer tramper hire to help you explore the coast.
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Steart Marshes
- National Trust at Brean Down (hire is currently suspended)
Getting to the coast
Getting to the Somerset coast by road is easy; from the M5, exit at junction 22 for Burnham-on-Sea, 23 for Bridgwater and the Quantocks or 24 for Watchet, Blue Anchor and Minehead.
The closest rail stations are Highbridge and Burnham, Bridgwater and Taunton, which are operated by GWR. Bus services to connect to coastal towns and villages are operated by First Bus.
To plan a trip on public transport visit Think Travel Somerset. Select the ‘Accessibility’ option to add any specific needs you may have to your request.
Community transport
Somerset’s community transport schemes offer transport for individuals or groups, including accessible and door-to-door services.
Parking
Find information on council run car parks, including opening times, prices and Blue Badge status.
There are also several private car parks on the coast. These are highlighted in the virtual tours and the Somerset’s Accessible Coast leaflet.
Tell us what you think
If you have used the Somerset’s Accessible Coast leaflets or the online resources we would love to hear your feedback.
Is there anything you’d like to see added? Or perhaps something you think we need to change.
We have created a short Feedback Form here where you can let us know.