Introduction
Getting out in the great outdoors is good for your mental health and wellbeing. Whether it is going for a walk, doing an outdoor activity you like or just being present in nature. There are lots of ways to spend time outside in nature.
You can do activities with your family and friends. Below are a few ways that you might like to get out and about that are accessible and can have fun.
You can also visit the events calendar to find out what other outdoor activities there are to do in your area – Nature based events.
Sensory walks and walking challenges
Sensory walks help people with complex disabilities to connect with nature and get active. They use their senses to connect with their surroundings and have meaningful experiences.
Sense have created a toolkit to help those who support people with disabilities and additional needs, to create sensory walks in their area. You can find sensory walking routes near you – accessible on foot, wheelchair or walker – and details of what sensory highlights to look for.
Exmoor National Park have developed sensory stories for popular locations like
- Wimbleball Lake
- Valley of the Rocks
- Tarr Steps
You’ll also find other sensory ideas in some of the links under ‘Other information’.
Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) has produced some inclusive challenges while out on walks in Somerset. From gathering pieces of nature to creating artwork to identifying colours and ‘Country Walks Bingo’, there is something for everyone. Visit SASP walking challenges for more details on how to get started.
Accessible routes
Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) describes accessible countryside and green spaces of Somerset. You can find accessible walking routes on the UK website walks with wheelchairs and walks with buggies.
You’ll also find nature reserves and protected areas describe their accessibility on their websites, for example
If you use a wheelchair or have trouble walking you can enjoy the countryside by hiring trampers which are all terrain mobility aids.
More adventurous activities
Get Outside in Somerset provides tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active outdoors whatever your ability. Covering a wide variety of activities, events and challenges, as well as information on a wide range of topics across health and wellbeing.
You can find out about accessible boating on the Canal River Trust and Somerset Boat Centre websites.
Learn to Cave is a company experienced in taking people of all abilities into the cases of the Mendip Hills. Led by caving experts you will go down into hidden caves to explore life underground. With years of experience working with people of different abilities, they can tailor routes to the group, so everyone can have their own slice of adventure.
For those that fancy something a little more adventurous, Adventure Therapy offers free outdoor activities to children and adults with unique health conditions, impairments, or limitations. From rock climbing and mountain biking to surfing and coasteering. They have a whole host of adventures to take part in, with specific projects funding in Somerset.
Visit Somerset
The Visit Somerset website gives you information about Shopmobility schemes, accessible toilets and other useful links and contacts.
Accessible toilets and changing places
You can find a map of accessible toilets and changing places here
The RADAR National Key Scheme (NKS) provides special keys for registered disabled people to access locked public toilets around the UK.
You can buy your RADAR key from the Council, find out more in Public Toilets.