The New Forest National Park has developed a collection of resources and facilities under the banner of Accessible Visits. The offerings include a series of Miles Without Stiles trails that begin from car parks with designated accessible parking bays and nearby easy-access toilets.
Beyond walking routes, the park supports inclusive cycling through providers such as Pedall and Cyclexperience, which offer specialized cycles, including tandems and electric bikes. New Forest Sailability at Blashford Lakes and Lymington, on the other hand, provides boat access for people of different abilities. Visitors can also reach the area via Brockenhurst station, which features lift access to all platforms and accessible toilets, or through seasonal open-top bus services that accommodate wheelchairs.
The goal of New Forest National Park's Accessible Visits is to allow visitors with mobility challenges to enjoy woodland and heathland scenery without encountering barriers.
Image Credit: New Forest National Park
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Universal-design Trails
- An expanding inventory of low-gradient, surfaced routes and accessible trailheads enables rethinking trail infrastructure and wayfinding for persons with diverse mobility needs.
- Inclusive Outdoor Mobility
- Specialized cycles, electric-assist options and adaptive watercraft highlight shifting demand toward multimodal mobility solutions tailored to varied physical abilities.
- Integrated Accessible Transport
- Seamless links between accessible rail, parking, toilets and seasonal bus services point to opportunities for end-to-end accessible journey platforms.
Sectors Adopting This
- Outdoor Recreation
- Parks and activity providers are positioned to offer differentiated accessible experiences that expand market reach beyond traditional able-bodied visitors.
- Mobility Equipment Manufacturing
- Design and production of adaptive cycles, electric-assist drives and modular watercraft reflect a move toward scalable, inclusive mobility hardware.
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Accommodation, guide services and transport operators are becoming focal points for curated accessible tourism offerings that demand standardized accessibility credentials and integrated booking systems.
