Activities in and around Shropshire
Quad Biking to White Water Rafting
Quad Biking
This is an activity on offer from Border Quads at Builthy Hill Farm and offers a unique way to explore the surrounding picturesque countryside. The quad bikes are operated by simple hand controls but you do need to be able to transfer and have good seated posture. It is possible to operate them if you only have right handed control. A training period on flat even ground is essential to ensure sufficient control over the vehicle before being able to go over more challenging terrain. This is a group activity but small groups from four persons are welcome. It is possible to combine this with the archery and laser clay pigeon shooting (also available at the farm) to make a full day out. For an extra price a barbecue lunch can be included. The owners operate a policy of inclusion and will make every effort to assist you to take part.
If you would like to read a personal account of this activity click here.
Rifle Shooting
This takes place at Minsterley Ranges and it is possible to take part if you only have good use of one arm and hand. The rifles are on a small tripod and rested on a fixed table. The track down to the rifle range is rough and quite steep so you may need the assistance of an able pusher however it is possible to drive down nearer if you wish. Tuition is provided and is necessary for this activity. The friendly staff will make every effort to assist you.
Sailing
There are no facilities that we have found within the county to take up sailing as a sport or hobby at present. However details of clubs where Sailability courses operate and are within a 2 hour drive of Shropshire (at Sutton Coldfield, Tewkesbury and Shustoke) are given on the links page. Chelmarsh Sailing Club has an accessible clubhouse and toilet and states that it would be prepared to welcome wheelchair users as members if they have already attended a course (as they have no facilities for instruction for those with disabilities at present). However if they do have wheelchair users with some experience of sailing interested in becoming members then there are grants that are available to them to provide suitably adapted equipment.
Snow Mobiling
This is one of the activities on offer at The Snowdome in Tamworth in Staffordshire (about 45 minutes from Telford). You do need to be able to transfer and have a good seated posture. The snow mobiles can seat two, so if needed a carer can accompany you. They are full sized heavy machines and there are strict guidelines for use including no alcohol in the previous 12 hours. You need good hand control in both hands to be able to drive them. There is a small track for you to drive around.
All the activities at the centre take place on real snow and you will need warm clothing to protect you from the cold. There is tobogganing but in order to be able to participate you need to be able to walk about 15 paces and to be able to stand safely on the travelator to reach the top of the run and it is advisable to have someone to assist you. Also on site is an accessible skating rink, a family fun area for younger children, a swimming pool with hoist, a licensed bar and a café.
The Disabled Ski Club holds a session here for three hours every eight weeks and has adapted equipment (such as sit skis) suitable for wheelchair users. This might be useful if you wanted to try out the sport before booking a skiing holiday abroad.
Swimming
There are various venues for this activity in and around the county. The Flash Leisure Centre at Welshpool (tel: 01938 555952) has a pool with a beach area and special wheelchairs that you can transfer to and then wheel down a slope into the water as deep as you wish to go. There is a separate large disabled/family changing room that includes an accessible toilet and shower so there is plenty of room for carer/carers to assist you if necessary. The centre includes a café that serves hot meals as well as snacks.
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The Quarry Leisure Centre in Shrewsbury (tel: 01743 281555) has hoists (see photographs above) to enable wheelchair users to use the pools. Tokens are available at reception to allow wheelchair users to access the lift to the upper floor. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet that is large enough to allow carers to assist you should you need it at the far end of the downstairs pool, please ask at reception if locked. The wheelchair accessible changing room is in the family changing area. Also on site is a café and viewing area. There is a designated disabled parking space in the swimming pool car park.
Oswestry Leisure Centre (tel: 01691 659349) is all on one level and has a hoist for wheelchair users, single sex accessible changing rooms, a separate accessible toilet and a café.
The following venues have not been visited by any of our researchers; the information has been gathered by phone.
Market Drayton Swimming Centre has a hoist, a separate accessible disabled changing room and an accessible toilet and café.
Wellington Swimming Pool is all on one level and has a poolside hoist, 2 separate disabled changing rooms (one with a mobile hoist), an accessible toilet, a café and viewing area.
Newport and Whitchurch swimming pools only have single sex changing rooms and accessible toilets but they do have hoists on poolside.
Ten pin bowling
There are two Ten Pin Bowling Alleys in the county, one at Telford and one in Shrewsbury (tel: 01743 461353) and both are good for accessibility. Pre-booking is a good idea especially at peak times and it is advisable to state you are a wheelchair user when booking.
Shrewsbury serves refreshments, has a bar, a good accessible toilet and access to the lanes is via moveable ramps. There is a lane steward on hand to assist you if you require assistance. There is also staging to roll the bowls down if you cannot bowl in the normal way and sides that can be raised on the lanes if needed. It is also possible for groups of wheelchair users to access the bottom level of Quasar which is a laser game. There is disabled parking immediately in front of the centre.
Telford has parking behind the nearby ice skating rink. There are low level pool tables that are accessible. It also has a café and bar. The disabled toilet is through the entrance to the gents and the door is on the left. There are two designated accessible lanes and a moveable ramp for the others.
Water skiing
The Disabled Water Skiing Association has an active programme of courses and trial events within a couple of hours drive of the county. They take place at Nottingham and Llyn Gerionydd near Betws-y-Coed during the summer season. Details of these events and courses can be found on their website or by phone. They provide adapted equipment (including sit skis etc) to allow most people with disabilities to take part. The organisation has a positive attitude and as yet everyone who has wished to take part (even those with very little mobility) has been able to do so.
White water rafting
The Canolfan Tryweryn Centre is just outside of Bala on the A4212. It has a policy of inclusion and the friendly staff and the positive atmosphere will assist you to have a great time here. There is a ramped entrance, a small café, a unisex disabled changing room with toilet and an accessible viewing balcony over the river. Wetsuits, safety helmets etc are available for hire if you do not have your own. It is advisable to take swimwear to wear underneath the wetsuit and towels to dry yourself with. You may need assistance to put the wetsuit on as they are a tight fit and not easy to get in to. The single sex communal showers have a small seat for those who may need it.
There is an especially designed seat for those with limited mobility that can be attached to any of the rafts. Quite a bit of adjustment is possible via the straps to ensure you are sitting in a comfortable position. Also there is a quick release option for the straps that can be used if needed. A member of staff especially assigned to you will be aboard the raft to ensure your safety. If you have the ability you will be able to paddle along with the rest of the crew. There will be plenty of assistance to help you transfer to and from your wheelchair.
This amazing experience takes place on a very fast flowing stretch of the river, in and around rocks and you will need to be able to cope with jarring, jolting and getting very wet.
If you would like to read a personal account of this activity click here.