Out and About in a Wheelchair

St Germans

While staying at St Germans here are a few recommendations specifically for places that will be suited to wheelchair users. For a comprehensive list of other suggestions please use the Explore button at the top of this page. If you'd like a more image led page, please visit our Pinterest board Places to visit from St Germans in a wheelchair. We have either visited or contacted all the restaurants and attractions, so hope that the information is correct. If you find errors, do please let us know!

Travel

Taxis

Anthony’s Taxis - our own village taxi service, has a specially adapted car that will accommodate a wheelchair and up to seven people. Anthony is very friendly and helpful. His number is 07788 900222.

Trains

GWR is our local train provider and offer an assisted travel service at GWR Travel Assist page. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 197 1329 (06:00 to 23:00), or by using type talk on 18001 0800 197 1329. There is also a Passenger Assistance app by Transreport that can be downloaded onto your phone.

Eating Out Locally

In St Germans

Although none of the eating options in the village is wheelchair friendly (we're working on it!) the Halfway House will deliver food as a special favour if you come by train and have no means of getting there. Their number is 01503 232986. The Eliot Arms is accessible for those with limited mobility (you can get a wheelchair into the bar, but there is no accessible toilet). Tel: 01503 232733.

The Stables at Port Eliot is a lovely cafe in the village at the old Port Eliot stable yard. The access is flat, but over cobbles. There is no accessible toilet. In the same location is The Elephant Port Eliot a bar selling quality ales and cocktails, with regular live music nights.

About one mile away

Kernow Mill at Trerulefoot offers a fully accessible experience, with cafe and shop.

The Windy Ridge Eating House at Trerulefoot aims to offer something to everyone, from families to those with limited mobility. Very popular for Sunday roasts, and does breakfasts and home cooked meals.

Also at Trerulefoot is Brightside We have not tried it, but it seems the style harks back to the golden age of 1970’s roadside diners. There is disabled access and space in the restaurant for wheelchairs.

The Halfway House in Polbathic does food and there is good access via a side entrance to the bar, with a fully accessible toilet. Parking can be tricky - there is a village car park on the opposite side of the road. If you let Lloyd and Kirsty know you are coming they will reserve a space outside the pub - 01503 232986.

Less than five miles

Our closest coastal villages Downderry and Seaton Seaton are a good place to head for, as there are a number of places to eat with wheelchair access. I’ve included everywhere accessible for good measure, but some places are better than others.

In Seaton The Beach House has great views over the beach, a lovely ambience and extremely well equipped wheelchair accessible facilities, with a shower included for autistic children who wish to wash off any sand. The menus looked interesting, including a vegan option. My polenta cake was very tasty.

Seaton Beach Cafe has parking right outside, and is a great place for chips, ice creams or fried breakfast. Access into the cafe and the beach terrace is good, but there is no accessible toilet, so it would be necessary to use the public facilities in the park a couple of hundred metres away.

I struggled to find the wheelchair access to The Smuggler’s Inn, but once I did (to the left of the building then round the front) inside was okay, although it was necessary to pull open the door into the toilet area, which would have been tricky from a chair. Fairly typical pub.

In neighbouring Downderry The Inn on the Shore has an accessible terrace and bar, with accessible toilet, but much of the restaurant is inaccessible, so I imagine it will be necessary to book in advance. Reviews are a bit patchy, but it is currently under new ownership.

Bewsheas by the Beach looks a rather lovely tapas bar, also serving Sunday dinner. We haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but the menu looks varied and includes vegan options. It is fully accessible, with an accessible toilet.

Other local eateries within a ten mile radius

Liskerrett Community Centre, Liskeard is accessible throughout and has a film club on the first Friday of the month, with showings at 2.30 and 7.30pm. The Hub is an excellent veggie cafe and open from 9-4pm daily, Monday to Friday (but check first, as it is closed when Cathy takes her holidays). 01579 340307.

Louis Tea Rooms - a lovely cafe with stunning views on the slopes of Kitt Hill. There is a ramp and accessible toilet, but there is a tiny lip into the cafe, so some assistance may be required. Comes highly recommended.

Tamar View Nursery, Saltash has a popular cafe, an accessible toilet, ramp and wheelchair space.

If you are in Plymouth, there are a number of places that are wheelchair friendly. This list is very much in its infancy at the moment - more to follow! I've started in the Royal William Yard, simply because this is a newly converted area that is likely to offer more accessibility that more traditional restaurants. Lack of accessibility statements in restaurants is becoming a bugbear!

Bistrot Pierre - Restaurant chain offering a French themed menu.

Le Vignoble - Wine bar. There is a small step in, which is negotiable by wheelchair, but they can borrow a ramp from next door if needed.

Entertainment Venues

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment. The majority of our suggestions are in Plymouth, which is well served by trains.

Liskerrett community centre Liskeard is an accessible venue and has some great acts, and a film club on the first Friday of the month, with showings at 2.30 and 7.30pm. The Hub is an excellent veggie cafe and open from 9-4pm daily.

Plymouth Theatre Royal is a world class theatre, and offers a free ticket to a carer accompanying a wheelchair user.

The Barbican Theatre and B Bar is an absolute gem. Supporting young people, and hosting a variety of acts and music, it is a wonderful place to while a few hours. Information on accessing the theatre is here

Plymouth Arts Cinema - An independent arts cinema with an imaginative programme, located in Plymouth University of Art. Fully accessible.

Plymouth University Arts Institute holds a regular programme of fully accessible arts and cinema events in the modern Roland Lewinsky Building.

Plymouth Pavillions - The place to go for big name bands and comedians.

Cineworld and Imax Cinema - a brand new purpose built, mass entertainment cinema in the centre of Plymouth.

Vue Cinema, Plymouth - Another modern, characterless, but accessible, cinema. This is about a mile from the centre. If coming by car, there is a large car park.

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Days Out

In order to offer enough variety we are having to stretch our rules of only recommending attractions within a ten mile radius. Therefore this page is arranged in three parts - attractions close to St Germans, attractions by train and finally attractions further afield.

Attractions close to St Germans

Seaton Country Park and beach is a great place to spend time. There is parking adjacent to the beach and lovely walks through the park on hard surface, as well as toilets.

Cawsand Beach has good access, a wheelchair accessible toilet and is a great place to people watch. It is a very sheltered bay with a grey sand and shingle beach. There is a small beach shop serving fish and chips, hot drinks, pasties, icecreams and baguettes in the square. While this is not wheelchair friendly, if you are travelling independently they will come out and serve; call 01752 822505.

Countryside Mobility - This brilliant scheme has Trampers and other mobility aids at some of the most scenic locations in the country, including Mount Edgecumbe (pictured).

Mount Edgecumbe Country House and Estate - Beautiful gardens, accessible cafes and house with lift facility.

The National Trust has plenty of wheelchair friendly places to visit, and all have comprehensive access pages. We recommend going to our closest ones: Antony House, Lanhydrock and Cotehele in Cornwall and Saltram House and Buckland Abbey near Plymouth.

Saltash Leisure Centre has easy access for swimming - and you can ask for assistance into pool if you are on your own.

Attractions by train

Plymouth

There’s lots to see in a wheelchair in Plymouth. Head to the Hoe, and work around to the ancient Barbican, where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail. From here you can visit the excellent National Marine Aquarium which is beautifully designed for wheelchair users. Also at the Barbican is Plymouth Boat Trips, is a leisure cruise company with accessible boats. They comment; "Two of our cruise vessels, The Spirit of Plymouth and the Plymouth Venturer are wheelchair accessible, with disabled access toilets on board. Our crew are on hand to give help and assistance to disabled and less able-bodied passengers, while boarding and during the trip. Assistance dogs are very welcome on board and water bowls can be provided on request. Please contact our booking office on 01752 253 153 if you would like further information or assistance in planning your trip."

The Box is a superb museum. Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, the modern design of this building means it is beautifully designed for wheelchair users.

Totnes is a good place to explore the South Devon countryside, as there are off road tarmacked paths as part of the cycle network going in both directions from this lovely historical town.

The wonderful South Devon Railway is based at Totnes - follow the signs from the station. There is wheelchair access at all stations, and wheelchair space on every train.

If you do decide to catch a steam train from Totnes then you may wish to visit the Otters and Butterflies at Buckfastleigh. It is wheelchair friendly, but the site advises speaking to staff who will show the best vantage points.

Close to Totnes is Dartington Hall which is open all year. With it’s grade 2 star listed gardens and host of delightful features, Dartington Hall is worth exploring all year round. Call 01803 847514 to book the Countryside Mobility tramper.

The Eden Project, winner of the Visit England Inclusive Tourism prize in 2017, offers quality on every level. Lots to see and do for all ages. No trip to Cornwall would be complete without a visit to Eden. It can get very busy in the school holidays on wet days, so we'd advise planning around this. Catch the First Kernow 101 bus from St Austell station, which is wheelchair accessible.

New for 2022 is an exciting venture at the Cornwall Beaver Project where they have installed a boardwalk for wheelchairs! There's fairly rough terrain to the site, so before you visit, do make sure there will be assistance on hand.

Families with a wheelchair may wish to visit Newquay or Paignton Zoos. The access to the Newquay branch line at Par is something less than good for wheelchairs, so this may be one that requires a car. Paignton Zoo is accessible by train; change at Newton Abbott.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan has amazing facilities and sensory gardens too. Catch a bus from St Austell station.

Days Out By Car

Mylor Sailing School - We think this is brilliant. Specially converted sailing boats. Regular sessions available every week. Beginner racing, adult only sessions, and more! Gain RYA certification in sailing and powerboating. Pre-booking is essential. Visit the website or call 01326 377633.

Cardinham Woods - woodland trails among great scenery. The cafe has a fully accessible toilet and baby change facilities.

The Camel Trail. At Bridge Bike Hire, you can hire specially adapted bikes, or even a bike with room for a wheel chair on front. The toilets are located adjacent to the shop, however you need long legs to use the wheelchair bike.

Siblyback and Burrator reservoir have accessible paths. There are toilets at both, but in Plymouth they cost 20p to use.

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