Exmoor Activities for the Disabled

CALVERT TRUST - ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY The Calvert Trust has three centres across England, each of which has been carefully designed to offer fully accessible catered and self-catering accommodation, along with a wide selection of adventurous outdoor activities.

An amazing experince

The Calvert Trust, which was established in 1974, has a centre at Wistlandpound close to Barnstaple on the West side of Exmoor. Experienced Trust staff provide the professional help and expertise necessary to enable their visitors to get the most out of their stay - whether they are a beginner or already have some experience in any of the activities offered.The centre has a climbing wall where you can learn new skills or further develop those you already have. A selection of safety equipment and adapted safety equipment enables many more people to experience what it is like to try climbing, abseiling, orienteering and cycling.Water activities are a mainstay of the Centre: Exmoor is beside Wistlandpound Reservoir in Devon. Options include Sailing, Canoeing, Canoe Rafting and Kayaking, with each activity geared towards the needs of both groups and individuals. If you wish to progress your skills, you can book onto a dedicated course.

Alternatively, if you just wish to try what it feels like to be out on the water, the option is there whether it be in a motor cruiser, a canoe or a sailing dinghy.Horse riding and Pony Driving also operate, where you can let the hooves take the strain (lessons are also available). If these or other outdoor activities (such as archery and orienteering) are not enough for you, each centre has an indoor swimming pool and sports hall (a place to play games, gather of an evening or have a disco!), while two of the centres have either a sauna or jacuzzi for you to relax in after a strenuous day's activity.A stay in one of the Calvert Trust centres includes all your activities, meals and accommodation. Alternatively, you can opt for self-catering accommodation, varying from Farmhouse style units through to log chalets. For further information, check out their web site (Calvert Trust) or phone the centre direct.National Trust. The National Trust, The Exmoor National Park Authority and other countryside organisations have created three "Easy Access" sites in the Exmoor National Park at

• Bossington Hill

• Webbers Post

• Weir Water, Robbers Bridge

These carefully constructed paths in wonderful locations are designed for use by disabled people, wheelchairs, buggies etc. Horse riding and cycling is prohibited. A leaflet with plans of the locations is available from the Exmoor National Park tel:01398 Exmoor National Park Authority665.

There is a charity on Exmoor in North Devon has been holding adventure holidays and relaxing breaks for disabled people and their families for over 30 years. The aim of the trust is to encourage people with disabilities to engage with the countryside in any of their three centres across the country. The centres have over 11,000 visitors annually and welcome them all into a friendly and caring atmosphere. By pushing the visitors to look past their disabilities and reach for the stars each person is encouraged by the well trained staff to fulfil their potential through outdoor activities with their families and old or new friends.

The centre opened in 1996 it was the last of the three to be established. The concept for the it was thought of by John Fryer-Spedding who took influence from the lack of accessibility in the countryside for disabled people. This led him to start up the first centre in Keswick situated in the stunning Lake District in 1978. The second centre was a follow on from the shear success of the first and was created in Northumberland. With two centres right up north the next move was bringing it down south. Buildings, land and money donations from a variety of people have helped the trust bloom into an amazing project with a fantastic array of activities all set in the lush countryside of England.

The activities on offer at the Exmoor centre include Horse riding, abseiling, canoeing, kayaking and orientation. Full use is made of the picturesque landscape, each part offers something a little different, the reservoirs are great for water activities, the woods and moors for navigation practice and the centre itself has archery and zip wire facilities. There are activities for all ages including an adventure playground for children and a Jacuzzi. All of the facilities are disability friendly and the brilliant staff make it an amazing experience.

The name Calvert comes from the surname of the family that gave the first building in Keswick to John Fryer-Spedding. The Calvert name goes back to a Raisley Calvert who whilst approaching his death wished his friend the famous poet William Wordsworth to stay at the building after his passing to fulfil his writing potential. Wordsworth succeeded and aspired to be an amazing writer. This is the ethic behind the trust as just like Raisley Calvert gave the building to his friend to inspire his works John Fryer-Spedding gave the same building to the trust to inspire and push people with disabilities to be the best that they can be.

To find the trust from the M5 follow junction 27 for the south west and north Devon. The next road to take is the A361 which will follow on to Barnstaple. Then follow the A399 at the Aller roundabout to Blackmoor gate. You should then look for the Wistlandpound reservoir with a left hand turn to the sign posted.

See also:

• Calvert Trust

• Whats on Exmoor

Contributed by: Sue Little, David James, Sue Evans