Accessible Britain

depending on what you most fancy seeing. If you walk down the path to Minsmere
Beach, you may glimpse a sand martin returning to its nest in the cliffs. There is also
a sea-watch hut with lookout points where you may spot seals and harbour porpoises,
as well as many sea birds. On the heath, the wildlife-viewing is more certain, with the
area home to many different species, from glow-worms to red deer.
The car park has two Blue Badge bays within twenty yards of the visitor centre.
There’s a single powered scooter and one three-seater buggy with a driver for disabled
or elderly visitors, subject to volunteer availability (booking is recommended). There
are also two mobility vehicles that run along three defined routes – two take one hour,
the other takes two hours. The heath’s paths have the sort of gravel you can push a
wheelchair over, although the path down to the sea has seven shallow steps, while
the beach itself is shingle. On-site staff can advise about the suitability of the path for
wheelchairs as it varies throughout the year. Assistance dogs are welcome in the café
and on the heath, but limited to certain parts of the beach.
FOOD & DRINK aa The tearoom inside the old Coastguard Cottages serves lovely homemade
cakes and seasonal food, and there’s seating in the lookout area where you can
enjoy far-reaching views.
074 IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Address: Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QR Web: iwm.org.uk Tel: 01223 835000;
wheelchair & scooter booking 01223 499314 Hours: March–Oct 10am–6pm; Oct–Mar 10am–4pm;
last entry 1 hour before closing Dates: closed 24–26 Dec Entry: [D]£14 [C]free [A]£17.50 [under 5s]free
[5–15s]£8.75 [Disabled 5–15s] £7 [Fam] £46; prices vary for air shows and special events
Located on the best-preserved World War II airfield in Europe, IWM Duxford (which
was previously called the Imperial War Museum Duxford) takes you on a journey
through the history of aviation in times of war and peace. It’s a vibrant museum that
marries its fascinating past with contemporary displays, interactive exhibitions and
exciting events.
One thing that shouldn’t be missed is the Battle of Britain exhibition, which recounts
the dramatic air campaign waged by the German Air Force in the summer of 1940,
intended to crush the RAF – an objective it failed to achieve. The Blitz of 1940–41 is also
covered here, brought to life with evocative mementoes and personal accounts. Other
highlights include AirSpace, where you can climb on board Concorde (no lift access);
the Exhibitions Gallery, packed with child-friendly interactive exhibits; Air and Sea,
which allows close encounters with submarines; and the American Air Museum, which
re-opens in spring 2016. With one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and
artillery in the UK, the displays show the impact of technological development on war
and conflict.
Much thought has gone into making the museum as accessible as possible: there are
nineteen disabled parking spaces; a free on-site mobility vehicle is available for visitors
who require assistance (excluding air shows and special events); entry to all the main
buildings is wheelchair accessible; and there are plenty of disabled toilets. The hangars
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