Hello and welcome to the latest Accessible Travel Newsletter. This issue has my review of the FreeWheel wheelchair attachment, and a new #SafeAccessibleTravel interview, as well as the usual accessible travel news roundup, some late availability in a gorgeous, accessible Peak District cottage and podcast ramblings from me. More on those below. 

How are you doing, lovely readers? I’ll be honest – today, fatigue is kicking my arse. But as I write this newsletter, looking back at everything I’ve done over the last couple of weeks, that’s no surprise! 

I’m still, mostly, staying at home, and still feeling pretty isolated. What that’s taught me over the last few weeks, is that the power of conversation can’t be underestimated, and I’m very lucky to have been chatting about accessible travel with some of my favourite people.

Matryn Sibley and I caught up on The Daily Sib, chatting about all things work, life, travel and blogging. Watch the livestream here

I had my first (spoiler alert: of many!) guest slot on the Invisible Not Broken podcast, where Monica and I covered life post COVID, travel memories, and my favourite accessible city. Watch/listen here 

And just last Friday, lovely Liz Wright and I recorded the second episode of the Conscious Being podcast – by, and for, disabled women. You’ll learn a little bit more about what makes me who I am, we had a really deep and insightful conversation. I’ll share the link to that one once it’s live, and in the meantime, you can read my Conscious Being article: Disability and the Travel Mindset

WHAT IS A FREEWHEEL WHEELCHAIR ATTACHMENT? (AND HOW DOES IT HELP?)

Whenever I share a photo of my wheelchair online, the most common question I get asked is, what’s that big wheel on the front of your chair?  So, I thought I’d write a blog post to tell you all about the FreeWheel wheelchair attachment and how it helps me to travel. 

LATE AVAILABILITY AT CROFT BUNGALOW

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL NEWS ROUNDUP

• The value of accessible tourism in England is now estimated at £15.3 billion. Check out the latest Purple Pound statistics 

• Rail Advent reports that the multi-million pound upgrade at Tring station is now complete 

• More transport improvements - Stagecoach West is making buses in Cheltenham more accessible for visually impaired people 

• Want to influence better transport? Have your say on the future planning of transport for Wales 

• The headline has a hint of ableism, but the podcast episode is worth a listen. These Black Female Travelers Aren’t Letting Their Disabilities Stop Them from Seeing the World 

• Fancy a bite of the Big Apple? I Love NY Unveils Accessible New York Initiative 

• Sophie Mogan writes about The 10 Most Accessible Beaches in the UK for Conde Nast Traveller 

• iNews shares 10 easy walks and day trips on the South West Coast Path, including accessible sections 

• Another one from iNews - Adventurous days out that are accessible for all, from white water rafting and coasteering, to a mountain gondola and flying 

• Forest cabins, country parks and cosy pubs scoop VisitEngland awards - and guess who featured in the virtual awards ceremony? Watch my message to the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award winners 

NEW SAFE ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL INTERVIEW

Is it possible for a holiday cottage to be luxurious, accessible, and COVID safe? In the latest #SafeAccessibleTravel interview, I chat with Diane Howarth from Cottage in the Dales, tranquil, beautiful, and accessible self-catering cottages in the Yorkshire Dales.

You may have noticed that as well as this newsletter, I’ve been sending out email notifications when I publish a new blog post. I need your help to decide if I should continue this way, or go newsletter only. If you wouldn't mind spending a quick minute answering this poll, I’d be so grateful.