Exploring Outdoor Heritage Sites with Disabled Access: A Guide for All Ages in Wylam
Explore the local area in and around Wylam, with heritage attractions suitable for all ages, there are plenty of interesting local days out, with disabled access to enjoy.
If you’re looking for an accessible day out in or around Wylam, then look no further. With our rich local history and a range of heritage sites, you’re sure to find something that everyone in the family can enjoy. From the Wylam waggonway to a living museum and beautiful gardens, there’s no shortage of places to explore in and around the village. Discover how Home Instead companionship care and home care services in Wylam can support you and your loved ones.
Wylam Railway Museum
Learn about local railway pioneers and the train lines that came to Wylam at Wylam Railway Museum. Located in the village at the Falcon Centre, alongside the library you’ll find a source of interesting local history – stories of the old Waggonway and photos from the North Wylam line which closed in 1960s, as well as being easy to access, the museum can also be a source of conversation for older local people. The museum is free to enter, and open during library opening times.
Wylam Waggonway
A great community asset for all ages, the Wylam Waggonway is an opportunity to take time out along some of the local 2 mile stretch of Hadrian’s Cycleway between Wylam and Newburn. The Waggonway once allowed coal to be transported down the river Tyne and still passes the home of George Stephenson. The path was made wider and smoother in 2022, allowing better access for those using mobility aids, cycles and buggies.
Beamish Open-Air Museum
Just half an hour drive from Wylam is the award-winning Beamish Open-Air Museum! This outdoor museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, and life in the Northeast during the 1820s, 1900s, and 1940s.
While there are some steps and uneven ground, there is a good amount of accessibility allowing for a great day out. The museum has parking for disabled visitors, ramps and lifts, and wheelchair-friendly paths throughout the site. It is also possible to hire a wheelchair at the entrance, this is on a first come basis, so it’s good to call ahead. Finally, there is also an adapted vintage vehicle that is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, and allows many with limited mobility to get around the site! Plus, carers are provided with free admission.
Some of the museum’s highlights include the Victorian town, the 1940s farm, and the steam railway. There are also several cafes and restaurants on-site, as well as picnic areas for those who prefer to bring their own food.
Prudhoe Castle
Prudhoe Castle is nearby Wylam, is open from 1st April, and is a fantastic place for a day out. This English Heritage site is very popular and so it can be quieter to visit before 11 am. Located on a hilltop overlooking the River Tyne, this medieval castle has stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Although the castle is not fully accessible due to steep slopes and steps, there is a designated disabled parking space, a gravel path leading up to the castle, and the ground floor of the house is accessible by a ramp. Once inside, there are plenty of things to see, including the keep, the gatehouse, and the Barbican. Prudhoe Castle also has an exhibition room with interactive displays and a touch-screen computer, making it accessible for visitors with sensory impairments.
Gibside
Gibside is a beautiful 18th-century landscape garden. The garden is now owned by the National Trust, commissioned by a coal baron, it gives a glimpse into the past.
At Gibside there are designated disabled parking spaces, with level paths, and ramped access and slopes on the site. It is possible to book an accessible all terrain “tramper”, which is an electric mobility scooter that can allow better access to more of the gardens. If you ask at reception you can also get a copy of accessible routes.
Enjoying Wylam and Tyne Valley
Enjoying our local heritage while living with mobility issues, is possible in and around Wylam and the surrounding area. If you’re interested in local history, we hope this guide has sparked some inspiration for accessible days out that allow you to spend enjoyable time with your loved ones.
Contact Home Instead in Wylam and learn more about our companionship care and home care services in Wylam and how we can support your loved ones to maintain their independence with the support from our team of local Care Professionals in Wylam and the wider Tyne Valley area.