12a – Trains
The small rail station at Radley is 2 miles away by road. It is not staffed, has no toilet and only the northbound (towards Oxford) platform is level or ramped following works completed in Oct 2009. The south bound (towards Didcot) platform is only reachable by a stepped high bridge. No further works are planned.
Much larger Rail Stations are 6 miles away at Oxford and 8.5 miles distant at Didcot Parkway with connecting buses that stop outside Abbey Guest House. Web sites state both Rail Stations are staffed, have accessible toilets and accessible platforms.
Please check these details with railway station operators First Great Western directly, along with the latest situation on accessibility. In the UK, advance notice of travel by disabled persons is often still required / recommended by train operators.
12b – Buses
Bus services are excellent and buses to Oxford and Abingdon Town Centre pass every 10 minutes and often more frequently at peak times. The buses used are most often modern, low level, ‘kneeling’ ones with frequent use by wheelchair users observed.
Both Oxford and Didcot Parkway Rail Stations are served by accessible buses that stop outside Abbey Guest House:-
The bus stop nearest to Abbey Guest House is named “South Avenue”, which appears on the bus stop signs.
The North bound stop (towards Oxford) is immediately in front of Abbey Guest House, some 45 metres by wheelchair route using the dropped kerbs. The South bound stop (towards Abingdon town centre) is across the road, about 180 metres from front door, using a dropped kerb route.
To demonstrate the range and frequency of bus travel options available, some old timetable leaflets have been scanned and can be viewed on the website version. Please note that those scanned are now well out of date and have been deliberately chosen. Ensure you always seek the very latest information from: bus company websites, phone lines or latest timetable leaflets at Abbey Guest House or at the nearby bus stops.
Main Bus Operators and Current Timetables
Click on the company name to go to current bus timetables for our area.
Oxford Bus Company, Freepost OF336, Oxford, OX4 6BR
Customer Services – 01865 785 400
info@oxford.co.uk
Heyfordian Travel, Murdock Road, Bicester, Oxon, OX26 4PP
Tel: +44 (0)1869 241 500 Fax: +44 (0)1869 360 011
Thames Travel, (Wallingford) Ltd, Wyndham House, Lester Way, Hithercroft Industrial Estate, Wallingford, OXON, OX10 9TD Tel: 01491 837988 Fax: 01491 838562
office@thames-travel.co.uk
Stagecoach services in Oxfordshire are more difficult to view as you need to know the destination or service numbers to get information out of their web site.
oxford.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com
12c – Taxis
Abingdon has many taxi companies and one company, Vargas Taxis, currently operates at least 9 Metrocabs – a taxi designed and built to offer transport to wheelchair users remaining in their chair. Vargas Taxis Tel: 01235 559 606
12d – Cycling
Abbey Guest House rear garden provides secure under cover storage for guests cycles.
Oxfordshire has an enviable network of cycle lanes, cycle paths that link the towns, villages and countryside. National Cycle Route no 5 passes through Abingdon and links to other national and major routes through Oxfordshire. Click here to visit the Sustrans Oxfordshire page.
12e – Walking
Mobility Scooters can be securely stored under cover in the rear Garden.
All local roads have vehicle free footways alongside and the majority of routes have dropped or lowered kerbs along them enabling wheelchair and mobility vehicle access.
Abingdon town centre is about 2 km from Abbey Guest House.
The Thames Path National Trail passes through Abingdon and is used by keen long distance walkers, local residents and, by permissive agreement, cyclists.
Gates are always found on public bridleways sometimes on those footpaths closest to the town. Further afield, stiles can be frequent on countryside footpaths and a total hindrance to most people.
Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for managing local Public Rights of Way including footpaths and bridleways and should be best placed to answer questions about inclusive access through the local countryside.
12f – Shopmobility
This is a mobility scooter, plus manual and electric wheelchair loan service for use in the main shopping centre of Oxford. A basic competence in use test and registration is usually required prior to first loan.
Oxford Shopmobility
Level 1A, Westgate Multi-storey Car Park, Norfolk Street, Oxford, OX1 1LR
Office: 01865 248 737
Fax: 01865 249 536
Email: a.francis@oxford.gov.uk
