Parents Stories - places to go in Co Down

This park has a miniture railway, adventure playground, runs boat trips, has miles of pathways and a gift shop. Its a pretty good place to spend the day.

Exploris

Tropical butterfly House and Garden

This is situated on the main road between Ballynahinch and Newcastle. Its a very small park so it is suitable for those who can walk but because of the bad state of the paths and the amount of gravel it is very hard going for those in wheelchairs, even if you are being pushed. There are no specific disabled parking spaces. There is a disabled toilet beside the car park which is kept locked. The key is available from the shop just inside the park. The path down to the shop and through the garden centre is steep but doesn't have much gravel. Its also ok inside the butterfly house, though there isn't that much room inside. Its when you go into the gardens towards the maze that the gravel appears, and its part of pretty much every path inside. So unless you have very strong arms or several people to take turns pushing, its hard work. The maze itself isn't too bad, the path is both dirt and gravel but its manageable. There are no reduced rates for wheelchair users/disabled. Butterfly House and gardens £5.50, child £3. Butterfly
House or gardens £3, child £2.

Butterfly House
Seaforde Demesne
Seaforde
County Down
BT30 8DG
(028) 4481 1225
email plants@seafordegardens.com

Castlewellan Forest Park

In the main car park there are 12 car parking spaces for disabled customers. There is a disabled toilet which is only locked when the park is closed. There is also a disabled toilet in the caravan site, open when the site is.The core area of the park including the peace maze is wheelchair friendly, although the gravel in the maze may present difficulty to some wheelchair users. The blue trail around the lake may also be suitable but it is advisable to check this out yourself, prior to use. Most of the park area is definitely not suitable due to the nature of the terrain. It is possible to book mobility scooters by prior arrangement with the ranger. Phone 028 4377 8664.There are no discounts available for disabled customers. Current entrance charges are as follows - Car £4, Minibus £10, Coach £25.

Ulster folk and Transport Museum

The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum has special rates for disabled visitors and a carer. It's free! You can park right outside the transport part, and also there is a car park up near the folk park with great wheelchair parking. Many of the houses in the new town in the folk park have level access, although a big part of the folk park is not accessible due to the nature of the old houses. But the paths around the folk park are very good and quite level. The transport museum is fully accessible, but some of the old trains and buses will not be accessible to those who are wheelchair bound. There are plenty of accessible toilets all around the park, and these are sign posted clearly on the maps you are given at the entrance.

Downpatrick and County Down Railway

There are no zoned disabled spaces at the station. This is because the car park belongs to the Road Service, and the railway are actively lobbying for spaces but they have not been installed as yet.There is a ramp to gain access to the station, at present this is through main gates and directly up on to the platform from the yard. In the next couple of months a new ramp to the front door and booking office will be built. As far as the railway are aware they are able to accomodate all types of wheelchairs. There are two carriages that are wheelchair accessible, and have a portable ramp that allows access to and from them from the platforms. There are disabled access toilets in Downpatrick station. There are no specific rates for particular groups, with the exception of a 10% discount for large groups booking the train on an advertised running day.Having been on this train recently with my son, I must warn that I did not find the staff at all helpful. I made myself known to them yet when the train came no-one approached with a ramp. By the time I found someone to help there were no seats left. When we got back to the station no-one was available at all and there was no ramp so I had to lift my son out with the help of another passenger. Of course this isn't safe. I have been in touch with the railway and they have promised to make some changes and address their problems.

Downpatrick & County Down Railway
Market Street
Downpatrick
County Down
BT30 6LZ 028 44615779
downtrains@yahoo.co.uk

St Patrick Centre

This is a very modern building so the access is good. Its found in the centre of Downpatrick and is an interactive centre telling the story of St Patrick. It has 2 main exhibitions, one takes 2 hours to get around and the other takes around 20 mins. There is also a cafe/restaurant on the first floor accessible by lift. The exhibitions are aimed at all the family. The centre has no parking but there is a pay as you go car park across the street. I found the lift to be very small, only enough room for a wheelchair and helper and no room to turn. Also the wheelchair toilets are inside the men and womens toilets, there is no individual one. Which means if you happen to need someone to help with the toilet and your carer is not of the same sex then you are in trouble! There is no access information on the website but they are updating that soon.

St Patricks Square
Downpatrick
BT30 6LZ
028 44619000
email: info@saintpatrickscentre.com

Castle Espie

There are 4 parking spaces directly in front of the shop/entrance and a further 4 across a small courtyard suitable for disabled/less able visitors The courtyard is gravelled but not so deep that it is impossble for wheelchair users to go on. Other paths around the Centre are of well compacted small stones/screenings. One area in the Grounds involves a steepish climb to a viewpoint but this area may be easily bypassed. There is one wheelchair accessible toilet adjacent to the shop/education area. This toilet is not locked. Essential helpers of disabled visitors have free admission The majority of the Centre is readily accessible with the exception of an upstairs classroom and Observation Room which would not be accessible to those in wheelchairs. Two wheelchairs are available for the use of visitors (info supplied by Alison McCready)

The visitors centre is being revamped and rebuilt over the coming months, so hopefully it will be better for wheelchair users. I found the building itself difficult to navigate due to the narrow hallways and doors, and the shop was very small and this made it difficult to get about. The gravel made the day a bit bumpy, but overall the paths weren't too bad. The sustainable garden was easy to get around, and the staff were friendly and helpfull. The gift shop was lovely, with some lovely ornaments and jewellery. Great value for money too, with the carer getting in free. (review submitted 18/5/09 by Gina)

Places to go in Co Down

Ark Open farm

Delamont Country Park