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Welcome

Whinlatter, England's only true Mountain Forest, is home to stunning views, fantastic walks, exhilarating mountain biking, rare wildlife and adventure play.

We would like everyone to enjoy Whinlatter and pride ourselves on being a site that has great facilities and access.

The visitor centre facilities comprise a forest shop, Visitor Information Point, Siskins Café, Cyclewise bike shop and hire, Go Ape TreeTop Adventure and Forest Segway, Toilets, Picnic and WildPlay trail. Walking trails and mountain biking trails take visitors further into the forest.

Whinlatter Visitor Centre

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Shop and Wildlife areaVisitor Information Visitor CentreSiskins cafeForest shopWildPlay trailTramper hire and trail

There is level access from the car park to:

Visitor Centre

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness, BSL and Next Generation Text training.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Forestry Commission, Whinlatter
Braithwaite
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5TW

Travel by public transport

You can get to Whinlatter forest by bus.
During the summer months there is a bus service between Keswick and Whinlatter. The bus stop is in the Visitor Centre car park, 50 metres from the Visitor Centre building. The route is number 77/77A operated by Stagecoach. Route dates and times may vary so please check the Stagecoach timetable before you travel. The bus stop is 0 miles / 0.0 km from Whinlatter forest.

The bus stop is in the Visitor Centre car park, 50 metres from the Visitor Centre building.
 

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Davies by calling 017687 72676. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Folding, non-motorised wheelchairs can be accomodated.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

There are several designated spaces near the main facilities which are located 50 metres up a gentle slope but we have a drop off area at the rear of the building with level access for those with very limited mobility.

view from bus stop to Visitor Centre view of route to accessible parking spaces from car park entrance view of accessible spaces and route to Visitor Centre

Arrival

Path to main entrance

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The main door is side hung and manual.
The door is 930mm wide.
front entrance of Visitor Centre

Getting around inside

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Information

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
The desk has a low section.

Shop and Wildlife area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Within the Visitor Centre is the information desk, forest shop and wildlife interpretation area which lead through to the cafe, accessible by internal doors.

Access route to cafe through the Visitor Centre shop

Public toilet

Visitor Centre

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 870mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.
There is 900mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1200mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 440mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

Forest shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 930mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Place to eat and drink

Siskins cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 930mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is no background music.
We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs) and lactose free (dairy free) specific diets.
Cafe seating area

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Revelin Moss

The trail is 1500metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

There is a one mile way marked trail at Revelin Moss which is suitable for most wheelchairs and buggies. The surface is gravel forest road and relatively flat, with lovely views of Grisedale Pike. The route starts from Revelin Moss car park, a quarter of a mile from the main visitor centre car park. 

There are other short walks starting from the Visitor Centre.

Please contact us in the Visitor Centre for further information so that we can advise you about the best options for your specific circumstances. Call 017687 78469 or e-mail whinlatter@forestryengland.uk

Revelin moss trail Bench on Revelin moss trail

Picnic Area

Visitor Centre

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1300mm wide, or more.
The entrance is 1500mm wide.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

WildPlay trail

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1500mm wide, or more.

Our Wildplay trail has play equipment to suit all abilities, and includes a bird’s nest swing. It is a half mile route with a gravel surface path including some moderate gradients.

Bird's nest swing on WildPlay trail

Tramper hire and trail

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

We have a Tramper you can hire to enjoy an amazing 2 mile waymarked trail with spectacular views in the forest.
To hire the tramper you need to be a member of the Lake District Mobility scheme (£10 for the year), and once you are a member, it is free to hire the Tramper. You fill out the form on your first visit  - find out the full details and safety information on the Lake District Mobility website, www.lakedistrictmobility.org
There are 2 slots every day - 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm. This is proving to be a popular service, so please call in advance to book a slot (017687 78469).

Tramper trail at Whinlatter View from the Tramper trail

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

Tramper hire

For a list of more items, please go to https://lakedistrictmobility.org/.
There is a grassed area at the front of the Visitor Centre building, alternatively dogs could be taken to the start of the walking trails, a short and level 50m walk from the rear of the Visitor Centre.
We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

There isn't a designated charging area but staff can provide assistance to visitirs needing to recharge.  Please ask at the Information desk.

You can hire mobility equipment from Lake District Mobility by calling 07843 754239.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Some staff have Next Generation Text training.
Some staff have BSL training.
We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

4 wheeled mountain bikes through Rough Riderz is a 4 wheeled mountain bike club.  They aim to provide both wheelchair users and able-bodied riders with the opportunity to experience the thrill of downhill mountain biking.  More information, including details of taster days, can be found on the Rough Riderz website, www.roughriderz.co.uk

Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.