The countryside around Yorkshire Water’s 115 reservoirs was opened to the public in 1989. About two million people visit these reservoirs, moorlands and ancient woodlands every year to walk dogs, picnic, cycle, run, or just enjoy time in the countryside.

In a bid to further widen access, the water company has teamed up with Experience Community, a not-for-profit group that specialises in helping people with disabilities to enjoy the countryside.

Experience Community has identified small changes to infrastructure, such as widening gates and improving paths, which Yorkshire Water can make to improve access on its land. The group has also led organised rambles around Langsett in South Yorkshire and Swinsty in the Washburn Valley, making use of mountain trikes and hand cycles.

Geoff Lomas, Recreation Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Many of our reservoirs are now recreational hotspots and we want to make them as inclusive as possible by providing information and access that is both informative and enticing to disabled people. Our partnership with Experience Community will help achieve this.”

Craig Grimes, Managing Director of Experience Community, added: “Gaining access to the countryside for disabled people has been an uphill battle, but co-operation from landowners such as Yorkshire Water really makes a difference.”

There are four Club Sites in Yorkshire providing an ideal base for exploring the county – Boroughbridge, Scarborough, Sheriff Hutton and Slingsby.