Accessibility in Action
We are proud to support businesses and organisations leading the way in accessibility and inclusion across the Chilterns. The examples below showcase projects we have funded through the Defra Access for All grant programme.
Amersham Museum
In 2023, Amersham Museum engaged Bucks Disability Service to carry out an access audit that has informed a long term programme of change, including:
- New supporting material for SEND visitors launched in March 2025.
- Improved virtual access to museum collections, launched in 2025.
- Additional multisensory interpretation developed with more opportunities to touch.
- Discovery bags and a ‘Take a Break’ box enabling visitors to explore in their own way.
- Multisensory garden design with hands-on activities.
- Quiet mornings for SEND families.
- Free visits for SEND groups during 2026 (subject to availability and funded by King Cullimore Charitable Trust).
The Chilterns National Landscape funded improvements to make the Amersham Museum website more accessible for blind and visually impaired web users, including those using screen readers.
Breaking Barriers – Dadima’s Film
The film, commissioned by the Chilterns National Landscape in partnership with Dadima’s CIC and film-maker Nicola Schafer, explores the reasons why people from different cultural backgrounds can find it difficult to access the countryside. It shows how Dadima’s Community Walks are helping break down barriers and making walking more inclusive.
Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS)
BuDS, Buckinghamshire Disability Service, carried out access surveys at four popular countryside sites — Whiteleaf Hill, Brush Hill, Aston Rowant Nature Reserve and Captain’s Wood — with a view to improving online access information about these sites and advising the site managers on future accessibility improvements.
Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training (COAT)
COAT provides on-site training to raise awareness of the day-to-day difficulties faced by different groups of disabled people in the countryside. We have funded the following:
- 1 ICE Trike Recumbent Adaptive Hand Cycle.
- 1 Klaxon Scrambler power attachment for a wheelchair.
- 1 Ki Mobility Rogue 2 Wheelchair.
“We are really excited to be able to use this fantastic new equipment to promote countryside access so everyone can enjoy nature.”
Val Woods, National Land Access Centre Lead.
Chiltern Rangers
Chiltern Rangers CIC bought a seven-seat electric car and tools with their grant. This will help them get 200-300 more volunteers each year into caring for nature reserves and habitats in the Chilterns, including young people with special needs, people with dementia, and those without their own transport.
Funding also supported a programme of access and habitat enhancements at Kingsmead and the River Wye, helping to engage local communities while providing new access infrastructure and interpretation signage.
Chiltern Open Air Museum (COAM)
COAM has made continual improvements to the accessibility of their site and visitor experience following an access audit in 2022, including:
- A Changing Places facility, wheelchair-accessible paths, free hire of wheelchair / mobility scooters, adapted café crockery, buggy transport and adapted picnic tables.
- Supporting adult visitors through partnerships with community groups.
- A sensory trail and sensory backpacks that include ear defenders.
- Small portable loop systems installed at the ticket office and Skippings Barn.
The Chilterns National Landscape has funded a new changing table for their Changing Places toilet and an upgrade to their existing accessible toilet provision.
“We are very grateful for our Chilterns Access Grant. The new accessible toilet facility will improve the visitor experience for our guests with impaired mobility and encourage others to come in the first place.” Gill Whitehead, Fundraising Officer, COAM.
College Lake
At BBOWT’s College Lake Nature Reserve near Tring, a 280m section of deteriorated path was resurfaced to link accessible routes on either side of a species-rich chalk grassland area known as The Common.
Funding also supported two new Tramper mobility vehicles, available for visitors to borrow, as well as the installation of several mobility scooter and buggy-friendly gates. Together, these improvements are helping more people enjoy the reserve and enhancing the visitor experience for those with limited mobility.
“We are so pleased to be making these upgrades which mean that more people than ever will be able to come and see what an extraordinary place College Lake is. At BBOWT, we believe that people need to see nature to be inspired by it and take action to help it – but spending time in nature is also good for our physical and mental health, so this project really is a win for everyone in our community.”
Mark Vallance, Buckinghamshire Land Manager.
Countryways
Countryways at Road Farm provides care farming opportunities on a working farm in the heart of the Chilterns. Access for All funding has enabled the purchase of adapted trikes for use on the new, accessible Misbourne Greenway and accessories for mobility vehicles available for visitors (including special needs groups).
In addition, improvements were made to the goat shelter, making it more accessible for visitors and to facilitate better interaction and farm education.
“Thank you so much for the support, we have designed our new goat area to enable people to interact with the goats without necessarily going into their pen, and ensured that this is also possible for those in wheelchairs”.
Wendy Gray, Countryways.
Cycling Without Age
We recently funded two trishaws for Cycling Without Age Oxfordshire, enabling older adults and people with limited mobility to experience the freedom and joy of exploring their local greenspaces by bike.
We also funded a van and trailer, allowing the trishaws and passengers to reach more rural locations across the Chilterns countryside.
Dunstable Downs
Defra Access Grant funding helped create a new accessible path linking the Visitor Centre at Dunstable Downs with Chute Wood. The 1.5km circular route offers a more sheltered experience and opens up access to woodland habitats and play areas.
The Chilterns National Landscape also supported the creation of a sensory garden with touch-and-feel elements, to provide a calm space alongside the Chilterns Gateway Centre.
Other improvements include:
- Visitor leaflets in different languages reflecting local demographics.
- A range of outdoor clothing to borrow for children aged 2–12.
- Sensory backpacks available to borrow.
- Braille and large print guides to the site and its facilities available to hire.
- A sensory sculpture trail with points of interest.
- A new natural play area themed on the Five Knolls Barrow is due to open in 2026.
- Wheelchairs/scooters for hire.
Luton school photography workshops
The Chilterns National Landscape helped fund photography workshops for local schools at Leagrave Park, enabling pupils to explore the history of local landmarks such as Luton Henge, Waulud’s Bank and the River Lea. The Sharpshot workshops taught children how to use a camera and encouraged pupils to see their surroundings in creative new ways.
Goring and Streatley railway station
As part of a Mend the Gap project, a new orientation map has been installed at Goring and Streatley railway station. The sign highlights routes around the village and its neighbouring countryside that are accessible to users with different mobility needs.
“Goring and Streatley station is the most accessible and picturesque stop-off point for everyone to enjoy the Thames valley, including disabled people.”
John Boler, Chair of Mobility Issues Group for Goring and Streatly (MIGGS).
Luton Henge
We funded a new information board, giving visitors to Luton Henge the chance to learn more about the history and significance of the site, and encourage greater connection with the landscape.
National Trust – Central Chilterns
The Access Fund contributed to a major and ambitious programme of accessibility improvements at Hughenden Estate, Bradenham, Watlington Hill and Coombe Hill National Trust sites in the central Chilterns.
The project involved replacing over 70 pedestrian gates with accessible versions which meet British Standard.
New Shoots
We funded habitat and species monitoring equipment for New Shoots and other young volunteers.
“It’s really important that young people get to use the industry standard kit to experience first-hand how to survey and monitor wildlife in the correct way. It’s also great to see the awe and wonder on their faces when they use kit like hand lenses to see things from a whole new perspective ̶ it inspires passion for our natural world and instils a sense of wonder that we hope stays with them forever”.
Steph Rogers, Senior Ranger, Chiltern Rangers.
Wendover Canal
A Defra Access grant contributed to resurfacing a stretch of the Wendover canal towpath between Little Tring and Drayton Beauchamp, providing greatly improved accessibility for local communities, especially those with limited mobility.
Woodoakes Farm
Woodoakes Farm conducted an accessibility audit and purchased a new Tramper off-road mobility vehicle for volunteers and visitors.
“It’s changed my volunteering experience to know that I can travel wherever I like on the farm. Before the Tramper arrived there were areas that I couldn’t access with my ordinary wheelchair, which meant I simply couldn’t take part in some of the volunteer tasks. Now that’s all changed, as I can now move around with the team and take part alongside everyone.”
Gary Armstrong, Woodoakes Farm volunteer
Photo: Sue Lacey
Breaking Barriers - Dadima's Film
This film, commissioned by the Chilterns National Landscape in partnership with Dadima’s CIC and film-maker Nicola Schafer, explores the reasons why people from different cultural backgrounds can find it difficult to access the countryside. It shows how Dadima’s Community Walks are helping break down barriers and making walking more inclusive.