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View to Stairhole near Lulworth Cove

Dorset is home to a plethora of walks, attractions, pubs, beaches and stunning vistas however, some can be difficult to explore with limited mobility. Have a read of our guide to making the most of your stay with limited mobility.

Lulworth Cove Durdle Door


Fully Accessible Cottages

Stables Cottage has been awarded the Mobility Impairment M2 award by Visit England. Mimosa also makes for a great stay if you have limited mobility. You can find ground floor Cottages here.

Dream Cottages Stables Cottage


Attractions 

Abbotsbury Swannery is a wonderful place to visit. It has existed for hundreds of years and was originally kept by the monks of Abbotsbury in the 1300’s. The Swannery caters well for those with mobility problems. The car park has a designated disabled parking area inside the Swannery and there are disabled toilet facilities at the entrance with the offer of free wheelchairs to borrow. Those with a disability badge are also able to take a companion in to the Swannery free of charge. Around the Swannery, the paths are flat and access is good for wheelchairs throughout all areas, with the exception of the telescopic platform.

Hardy’s Cottage at Higher Bockhampton has an accessible route up via a bridlepath, which although muddy, is suitable for those with limited mobility. For members of Countryside Mobility there are some all terrain mobility scooters available to hire. Going to see the upstairs bedrooms will be tricky, but people who can’t manage the stairs will still have plenty to see. In the area, there is also a café at Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre which is plenty spacious enough for wheelchairs and scooters.

There are also other National Trust places to visit in Dorset, with good limited mobility access. You will find many places offering these wonderful Trampers, which have been thoughtfully supplied by Countryside Mobility. It may be worth joining up for a fortnight if you are staying in one of our self-catering Dream Cottages.

Cottage for Limited Mobility


Fishing Boat Trips 

A fishing boat trip around the Jurassic Coast is such a special way to spend your break and thankfully, some fishing boat companies have adapted their boats to safely carry wheelchairs. One such boat moored in Weymouth Harbour is MV Freedom, which can safely hold 12 passengers including six wheelchairs. It is also easily accessible by ramp. Once aboard, enjoy the beautiful Dorset seas with a spot of fishing or a traditional English picnic. They offer trips between all the favourite spots; Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Portland Harbour.

Coastline Cruises offer a Jurassic Cruise April through to October and can accept wheelchairs on board. To note there are 3 small steps onto the boat.

Rowing Boats, Weymouth Harbour, Dorset


Pubs

Dorset pubs are amongst the best in the world. Dotted around the prettiest rural villages with their thatched roofs and open fires, they give you a very good reason to relax with a glass of wine or a pint of local ale. It might be worth checking before you head to a pub just to make sure they have the facilities that you require, but there are plenty of wonderful pubs in Dorset that are suitable for those with limited mobility.

Dream Cottages Sutton Poyntz


Country and Seaside Walks 

The South West Coastal Path is beautiful to wander along, however, some parts of it are particularly challenging to explore for people with limited mobility. Weymouth and Lyme Regis have fantastically accessible seafronts which make for picturesque ambles, with plenty of ice-cream stops on route.

A great wheelchair friendly walk along the South West Coastal Path is around Lulworth Cove and The Fossil Forest. This is such a stunning part of the path with beautiful views.

There are other sections along the path which are also suitable for people with limited mobility, pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The best way to check for a suitable section of the South West Coastal Path is by looking on this Walk Finder page.

Dorset South West Coast Path near S. Haven Point


Mobility Hire

If you are staying in the Weymouth area, Rapid Mobility in Westham has a special offer for guests staying in our Cottages. There is a 10% discount on selected lines’ upon quoting ‘Dream Cottages’. This should hopefully further support you to further explore our wonderful coastline and Dorset towns to be the best of your ability.