Learning from what works
This stop brings together practical guidance and real examples of how organisations are making their nature spaces more inclusive. It explores how access to nature can be improved through thoughtful policies, changes to physical environments and clearer, more accessible communication.
The resources here include guides, toolkits, case studies, and practical examples drawn from a range of settings. Together, they show what’s possible, highlight approaches that are working well and offer ideas you can adapt and reshape for your own space or organisation.
By exploring these examples, you can build a clearer understanding of the kinds of changes that make a real difference for disabled people and people with mental health conditions. You’ll also see how organisations have navigated challenges, worked in partnership and embedded inclusion into the way they operate.
The aim of this stop is to spark ideas, deepen your understanding and support you to imagine what meaningful, lasting change could look like in your space.
General guidance for accessibility in nature
Getting started with accessibility
WWT’s guide on how to create a more accessible visitor experience.
A space for everyone
A good practice guide full of advice and resources to help improve accessibility at your site created by The Wildlife Trusts.
Access for all – creating accessible places and spaces
Created by Activity Alliance, this guide offers practical and cost-effective solutions to create accessible indoor and outdoor environments for everyone.
Know before you go
A guide from The Wildlife Trust on how to create and update access information on your site’s website.
Inclusive communications guide
A practical guide from the English Federation of Disability Sport on creating inclusive and accessible communications in both digital and print formats.
Playbook: an inside look at inclusive playgrounds
Scope’s resource compiles data, stories and case studies on creating inclusive playgrounds for disabled children.
Want to go into more detail?
Accessible outdoor places guide
Produced by Disability Sport NI (DSNI), these guidelines provide detailed technical advice and information to embrace optimum levels of good practice in terms of access for disabled people.
Outdoor Accessibility Guidance
Sensory Trust’s guide for making outdoor spaces, routes and facilities more accessible and inclusive for all is written for anyone managing land for public access and recreation.
Developing your organisational culture
Organisational culture toolkit
A toolkit by New Economy Organisers Network (NEON) for identifying what’s happening with your culture: what’s going well? How can you have more of it? How can you create change?
Racial equity in nature
A guide by Heritage Fund to recruiting and nurturing diverse early career talent, with a particular focus on young people aged 18-25 from ethnically diverse communities.
Learn from people/organisations in
Gloucestershire
Access to Nature and Neurodivergence
A presentation by Andrew Lansley exploring awareness and understanding of Neurodivergence and how it intersects with nature.
Hidden barriers to accessing nature – Part one
Ensuring inclusive, safe and meaningful outdoor experiences for all by highlighting hidden barriers to accessing nature, created by Parent & Carer Alliance C.I.C
Hidden barriers to accessing nature – Part two
Further guidance from Parent & Carer Alliance on hidden barriers to accessing nature.
Examples of accessibility information on a website
Forestry England
Accessibility information for Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.
Cotswold Listener
The Cotswold Listener brings local news to visually impaired people and people who are print disabled. They have done several audio recordings of walking around Gloucestershire nature sites, which we have included as an example of something you could consider doing at your site.
Walking around Westonbirt, the National Arboretum with The Cotswold Listener
Walking around Tewkesbury Nature Reserve with The Cotswold Listener
If you’ve introduced accessibility improvements, discovered helpful tools or created your own resources, we’d love you to share them with us. By contributing real-world examples, you’ll help make this space richer, more practical and more relevant. This is something we’re building together, so add your voice and experience. Email us at accesstonature@barnwoodtrust.org
Downloadable templates and examples to support your involvement work
Programme Action Plan
A template to help you plan accessibility actions and record the outcomes as you make your site or work more inclusive.