I arrived with my elderly parents for a day out and to my amazement and surprise, they had wheelchairs readily available to help me get my dad around the gardens. I had already spoken to my dad about leaving him on a nice bench in the sunshine but this wasn't needed. It was the first time he had been able to venture around and see everything without being in pain or tired. We visited all the gardens at a leisurely pace, taking in all the unusual plants and flowers on the way. The vegetable 'patch' was my dads favourite, bringing back many fond memories of his vegetable growing years!
My mum went mad with her 'digi camera' and took thousands of shots of the lovely flowers and plants. It took all my effort from preventing her from nipping off bits to grow at home! She was in paradise!
We stopped off for a lovely slice of coffee cake and a latte, watching all the children playing on the grassed areas. The place was full of young and not so young people! Everyone sharing the same interests of the well kept flower beds and wooded areas.
The staff were wonderful and were clearly there to please. (even when I got confused about where the forks were to eat our cake!)
I was also impressed about the electrical sockets readily available to recharge electric scooters and wheelchairs. The RHS have really got to be commended on their disability awareness which is subtle but extremely effective.
The day ended with a root around the shop where the plants and garden equipment were very well placed for those in wheelchairs. After getting my dad back in the car and returning the well maintained wheelchair, I then had the job of finding my mum still in the shop!
My mum is still talking about the lovely day we had and I am sure will be the centre of many conversations yet to come!
Well done to the RHS for providing such a lovely attraction for all ages and abilities to enjoy.
