When Carrie-Ann Lightley, a travel writer and wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, talks about accessible adventure travel, the image that first comes to mind is a smooth path, a parking space and a nearby toilet.
Redefining what “accessible” looks like
At Calvert Lakes activity centre near Keswick, Lightley straps into a chair and prepares to lower herself down a purpose-built rock slab. The rope holds her steady while she hangs backward, a scene far removed from the gentle stroll she once imagined.
For years she measured countryside access by the presence of a paved trail and a level viewpoint. Those basics felt like winning the lottery, yet the wild environment still seemed designed without her in mind.
Natural features such as mud, gravel, steep gradients and narrow gates often turn a scenic walk into an obstacle course. Tree roots can even act like a personal vendetta against small front casters.
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Information gaps make planning harder. A route labeled “accessible” tells little about surface type, slope angle or the presence of steps, gates or rest spots, especially when rain turns a path into a slip.
The moment before the descent, a surge of doubt asks, “What the hell am I doing?” That fear fades quickly as instructors rig the adapted harness and the chair remains in place throughout the drop.
The slab at Calvert Lakes allows users to stay seated while a hoist lowers them safely. Adaptive harnesses and hoists are also available for other mobility needs, meaning the chair becomes part of the experience rather than a barrier.
Seeing the chair glide down the rock face changes the question from “Can Carrie-Ann manage this?” to “Where shall we go?” as Lightley says, “Not ‘Can Carrie-Ann manage this?’ But ‘Where shall we go?’
Adaptive options beyond the cliff
At Ladybower Fisheries on Ladybower Reservoir, a specially designed Wheelyboat lets Lightley launch directly from a wheelchair. The boat features drop-down bow doors and hydraulic lifts, enabling independent control on the water.
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The concept dates to the 1980s when founder Alan Faulkner built the first model for a friend who had become a wheelchair user. Since the inaugural launch in 1985, the site now offers an accessible pontoon and several adapted vessels.
Separate from commercial operators, the Miles Without Stiles initiative maps routes free of stiles, steps and steep sections. The Lake District National Park Authority maintains 50 such routes, while the Peak District lists 20, each graded for gradient and surface.
These maps provide the detailed data that travelers need: exact surface conditions, gradient percentages and any remaining barriers, allowing individuals to decide their own level of risk and comfort.
With the right equipment and information, Lightley can now explore the countryside with a new sense of freedom and adventure, and she believes that this is what truly makes the countryside accessible.