Suffolk's countryside has much to
offer all visitors and it could be easier to access than you
think.
The country parks at Brandon, Knettishall and Clare all have
easy access trails, parking on site and disabled toilets. Brandon
Country Park also has a sensory area in the walled garden with
sented flowers and a wheelchair swing. Clare Country Park has a
ramped access to the visitor centre and a free sensory trail
leaflet.
Many of the areas now mapped as open access have been provided with
kissing gates and on a number of the more accessible sites there
are larger gates which allow use with wheelchairs. Heathland can be
rough and may not be suitable for those who have difficulty walking
or are in a wheelchair but they are open to all and offer the
opportunity to stop and enjoy the countryside without having to
walk long distances. Sites such as Westleton Heath, Cavenham Heath
and Sutton Heath have parking areas nearby which allow easy
access.
On public rights of way new gates can only be installed if they are
needed to contain livestock and will be provided to a standard to
allow easy use by those with mobility problems. Although there are
still some stiles on footpaths we are working towards removing
as many as possible to allow better use of the network.
The Countryside Access team are currently investigating easily
accessible routes and will continue to update the webpage when
further information is available.
On the coast the RSPB's centre at Minsmere and the National Trust
site at Dunwich Heath both offer disabled facilities. Full details
can be found on their web sites. The RSPB, National Trust
and Natural England web sites also have details of all
the facilities and access details for the sites that they
manage.
For a chance to get out into the forest the Forestry Commission
centres at High Lodge and Rendlesham offer parking and disabled
facilities as well as marked trails.
If you are just starting to get out into the countryside you
can find some useful information from the Ramblers Association
about walking for everyone at
www.ramblers.org.uk/info/everyone/