WHEELCHAIR users and those with limited mobility who visit Corfe Castle will now have the option of help getting up steep climbs and over rough terrain thanks to new equipment.
The National Trust site has purchased its first all-terrain wheelchair to make the property more accessible.
The MountainTrike ePush, which will be free to use and available seven days a week, has electric assist and has specifically been built to tackle challenging terrain and steep hills.
The electric assist helps remove the effort required to push but also has the option to be used manually on flat surfaces and down hills.
The route will take users from the ticket office to the top terraces of the Outer Bailey of Corfe Castle which is up a steep and uneven incline.
Due to the nature of the site and multiple sets of steep steps, at present the vehicle cannot access the entirety of the castle ruins.
Zoe Squirrell, volunteering and community officer, said: “I am thrilled we now have an ePush wheelchair for Corfe Castle.
“Our hope is that this will offer more visitors, of all ages and abilities, the opportunity to experience and explore this beautiful site.
“Where some may have previously thought they could not visit the castle, I hope they will now be able to say ‘yes’ instead.”
To compliment the ePush, an access guide has been created which is available from Castle View Welcome Centre and Corfe Castle Ticket Office.
The access map highlights the recommended routes for the ePush, which will be explained to by staff when visitors are leasing out the wheelchair.
Booking of the vehicle will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 01929 481294 or email corfecastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
I trust, that if this new ‘chair is used regularly, another will be purchased. I am pretty certain that there will be enough people needing this help to warrant there being 2 available. Visits to the ruin in Corfe need to be ‘savoured’. Such a wonderful view!