Tewkesbury Nature Reserve aspires to be a place for people of all ages and physical and cognitive abilities to enjoy the outdoors and connect with wildlife in a safe and welcoming environment.
To help us with this aim, The Barnwood Trust has generously funded Nature Without Barriers – The Inclusion Project. Over a 2 year timescale from June 2026, we will be making improvements to several aspects of the reserve’s accessibility.
Following an Access Audit by Inclusion Gloucestershire and consultation with people with lived experience of disability, we identified key priority areas for improvement.
- Installation of 7 new benches to ensure that resting spots are frequently available throughout the reserve.
- Replacement of 18 inaccessible gates with 2 way self closing gates, suitable for independent use by those using mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
- Installation of 2 marked disabled parking bays.
- Improve all public Accessibility Information to ensure that all people can make an educated choice about planning their visit.
- Improve all physical signage on the reserve to ensure that people feel welcomed and knowledgeable about the site.
Throughout the project we will also be delivering tailored events for groups and individuals with a range of support needs, so that we can keep learning and improving our vision for an accessible future.
This project is facilitated by Beth and Sarah. If you are interested in the accessibility of the reserve, or in attending events with support needs, we would really love to hear from you. Please email : access@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk to find out more.
