Accessible Britain

Parents of any disabled child will recognise instantly the special opportunity offered by
Thomley. From the moment you arrive and receive a friendly welcome, you’ll know that
your children will have a fun day and that you’ll be able to relax.
This centre has been designed with the needs of all children in mind. First-time
visitors are shown around the numerous activity rooms, which are located inside a
series of attractive red brick buildings, positioned around a courtyard. Here children
– regardless of any physical or learning disabilities – can create music, paint, read
and engage in soft and messy play. Outdoors, in the safe, enclosed, seven-acre play
space, children can spin on a wheelchair accessible roundabout, pedal around the onekilometre
track, bash the outdoor chimes and gongs, fly down the basket-seated zipwire
and swing to their heart’s content on the flat swings, bucket swings and bed swings.
There’s a dedicated facility for teenagers (usually available for use by all children, 0–19,
but call to check), which includes a mini-gym, vocational skills/hobby area and a “den”,
with an Xbox and Wii.
The activity centre specially reserves some days for different groups including
toddlers, teenagers and schools and also organises quiet days – so it is important
to check the website to see when a visit would be most suitable, and book ahead. In
general, on Saturdays and during school holidays, the centre is open to all disabled
children and their friends and family. There is plenty of parking outside the centre
– designated spaces for wheelchair users are on the left as you approach. There are a
number of adapted toilets and a changing area, including a Changing Places facility in
the teenagers’ area. Almost the whole site is wheelchair accessible, and members of the
disability-aware team are swift to point out any obstacles and suggest alternative routes.
FOOD & DRINK aa There isn’t a café at Thomley Activity Centre, but there is a wellequipped,
height-adjustable kitchen where you can prepare your own food, plus seating
areas for picnics inside and out. Tea, coffee and snacks are available in the kitchen in
return for a small donation.
THE SOUTHEAST
027 Lee Valley White Water Centre, Hertfordshire
Address: Station Road, Waltham Cross EN9 1AB Web: www.gowhitewater.co.uk Tel: 0845 6770606
Hours: times vary, call or check website Dates: check website Entry: prices start at £50 per person for a
half-day rafting session (minimum age 14)
Lee Valley White Water Centre is a state-of-the-art canoe and kayak slalom centre created
for the 2012 Olympic Games. Today, however, this world class venue is open to the public
for rafting and other white water activities including canoeing, kayaking and hydrospeeding.
Experience the thrill of tackling the waters as you paddle down the three-hundredmetre
Grade IV rapids with a little help from your experienced raft guide. With thirteen
thousand litres of water rushing down the course each second (that’s enough to fill an
Olympic-sized swimming pool in approximately three minutes), you’ll need a certain
amount of confidence in open water to take this on. Beyond this, no prior experience is
necessary, and the centre welcomes people with disabilities, but ensure you check what
is involved in the centre’s activity assessment before booking. All participants have to
successfully complete this before being able to partake in their chosen activity.
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