Survive - Devon and Cornwall - page 589

To call somewhere outside the UK, dial 00, then the country code (1 for USA, 61 for Australia, etc), the area code (usu-
ally dropping the initial zero) and then the number.
To call England from abroad, dial your country's international access code, then 44 (the UK country code), then the
area code (dropping the first 0), then the rest of the number.
Toilets
Public toilets tend to be relatively clean and plentiful, although sometimes unsavoury. Even rural petrol stations are
likely to have a customer toilet. In some seasonal tourist areas the toilets are shut in the winter. Charges are rare, around
20p where they exist.
Tourist Information
Universally helpful and brimming with local knowledge, staff at tourist offices are an invaluable holiday resource. There
are offices throughout the region; some information centres are also run by national parks. Tourist offices in the bigger
cities are busier, larger and open for longer; we specify opening hours throughout the topic.
Many have leaflets and free town maps. Some sell walking maps and local books and can help book accommodation
(sometimes for a fee). Staff that are fluent in other languages aren't that common; French and to a lesser extent Spanish
are the most likely specialities.
The regional tourist board, Visit South West ( www.visitsouthwest.co.uk ) has info on the region, and links through to
county-specific websites.
Travellers with Disabilities
Disability access in the southwest, like elsewhere in the country, is patchy. In some places successful efforts have been
made to make things accessible, in others they haven't and the situation is woeful. Sometimes best intentions are de-
feated by heritage and geography, in others more needs to be done.
Modern developments are required to have wheelchair access and in some places ramps, lifts and other facilities have
been put into existing properties, but it's not universal. You might also find inconsistencies within buildings: a restaurant
might have ramps and wheelchair-access toilets, but tables are 10in apart.
For long-distance travel, coaches can present problems, though staff will help where possible. On trains there's often
more room and better facilities; in some modern carriages all the signs are repeated in Braille. If the train proves diffi-
cult to access there's normally a phone and a sign detailing how to request help. In cities and towns you may find buses
with lower floors, but it's unlikely in rural areas. Some companies have taxis that take wheelchairs.
Exploring the region's wilder spaces can present challenges, but real efforts have been made. These include on the
South West Coast Path ( www.southwestcoastpath.com ) where some more remote parts have been made more access-
ible. You can search for easier-access options on the trail's website.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority ( www.dartmoor.gov.uk ) produces the Easy Going Dartmoor booklet for
less-mobile visitors (available online). This outlines facilities and has a good range of accessible routes to explore.
The Good Access Guide ( www.goodaccessguide.co.uk ) is a useful online resource.