(AGENPARL) – Wed 17 September 2025 Please find our latest news release below.
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Andrew Fagg
Media Officer
Working hours: Mon | Tue | Fri
http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
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Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale | Bainbridge | Leyburn | DL8 3EL
News Release
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All-terrain wheelchair launched at Malham
Bainbridge, 17 September 2025
A new all-terrain wheelchair is available to hire at Malham National Park Visitor Centre, increasing accessibility to one of the Yorkshire Dales most popular locations.
The wheelchair, funded by clothing company Damart with support from Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust (YDMT), is the second based at Malham. Managed by the charity Access the Dales, visitors can hire the wheelchair free of charge via their website.
Suitable for a wide range of accessibility needs, the motorised wheelchairs enable users to access more of the Yorkshire Dales’ outstanding landscapes, taking in the spectacular views of Malham Cove. The wheelchairs can be used along a 1.5-mile accessible Miles Without Stiles route from Malham National Park Visitor Centre to the Cove and back, covering a short section of the Pennine Way National Trail.
A launch event for the new wheelchair was held at Malham Visitor Centre on Monday, where staff from Damart and YDMT were able to try the wheelchair out for themselves and see the impact it will have on people’s access to the countryside.
Co-Managing Director of Damart, Ed Friel, explained how the project reflects the company’s commitment to supporting senior communities. He said: “Helping to improve accessibility in the Yorkshire Dales is the biggest project we’ve been involved in. We’re proud that our funding will make such a lasting difference for visitors.”
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Access and Recreation Officer, Rachel Briggs, said: “It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come, from early accessibility projects with YDMT to now offering 19 different Miles Without Stiles routes across the National Park.
“Having two all-terrain wheelchairs at Malham means two people can now head out and enjoy the landscape together. We’ve had so much positive feedback, with people telling us how good it feels to get out with their family again.”
YDMT Development Officer Richard Hore added: “One of our core aims is breaking down barriers to nature, so it made a lot of sense to support this initiative. We’re very pleased to be working alongside the National Park Authority, Access the Dales and companies like Damart to make the landscape accessible to more people.”
The addition of a second all-terrain wheelchair at Malham builds on wider accessibility improvements in the National Park, including the introduction of Changing Places toilets in Grassington and Hawes, and the completion of a new circular accessible route at Aysgarth Falls, made possible with funding from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
Member Champion for Recreation Management Lizzie Bushby said: “Making the Yorkshire Dales more accessible is a priority for us, and initiatives like this mean more people can experience the joy of visiting places like Malham Cove. We’re extremely grateful to Damart and YDMT for supporting our efforts to make our landscape accessible to everyone.”
You can find more information about our Miles Without Stiles routes and how to book an all-terrain wheelchair on our Access for All page.
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Note to Newsdesk
Image:
1. YDNPA, Damart and YDMT staff pictured outside Malham National Park Visitor Centre with the new all-terrain wheelchair. Left to right: YDNPA Access and Recreation Officer Rachel Briggs, YDNPA Visitor Centre Volunteer Keith Pritchard, YDNPA Pennine National Trails Partnership Manager Heather Procter, YDNPA Head of Visitor Services Julie Barker, Sara Wicks (Damart), Ben Northrop (Damart), Richard Hore (YDMT), Ed Friel (Damart).
1. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, which has two main purposes: “to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage” and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities”. The National Park Authority comprises 25 members, made up of unitary, county and city councillors and members appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment to represent parishes or in recognition of their specialist skills or knowledge.
1. All of our work is guided by the vision for the future of the National Park set out in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan: “Through their passion for this special place, local people and businesses will keep the Yorkshire Dales National Park a thriving area. Its unique cultural landscape will be treasured for its stunning scenery, exceptional heritage and wonderful wildlife, and every year millions of people will be inspired to be a part of it.”