The loo with a view on top of Mam Tor

Walkers could be forgiven for feeling a little flushed when reaching the top of a Peak District hill to find a loo with a view.

The mobile toilet was hauled to the summit of Mam Tor to highlight the importance of accessible facilities.

National park authority staff joined Accessible Derbyshire in carrying all the equipment of a changing places kit to the peak to mark World Changing Places Day.

The changing places kit included a full-size toilet, height-adjustable changing bench, hoist, sink and privacy screen.

There are 250,000 people in the UK who, because of disability, brain injury or age-related ill-health, need changing when they are out. But with only 1128 changing places nationally, campaigners say more are needed.

Accessible Derbyshire’s Jane Carver, whose daughter Megan needs changing facilities, said: “For families like ours, taking a trip out without a changing place being available can seem like climbing a mountain, so we climbed a mountain with a changing places kit to highlight the need for these vital facilities.

“Without changing places disabled people who want to go out face the prospect of being changed on a public toilet floor, or they have to stay at home. We are campaigning to encourage more businesses and organisations to provide them.”

What a relief: Gillian Scotford, left, and Jane Carver of Accessible Derbyshire, on the summit

The Peak District National Park Authority partnered with Accessible Derbyshire and Mobiloo to hire a mobile changing places unit for the day, placed at Castleton Visitor Centre, to support the event. The visitor centre provides accessible toilet facilities.

Sarah Fowler, chief executive of the park authority, said: “We’re highlighting the importance of access for all by putting the focus of our National Parks Week celebrations on accessibility with a wide range of opportunities for people who need wheelchairs, buggies and bikes to get around.

“We want everyone to be able to visit and enjoy the Peak District national park: accessible walking paths, cycling routes and even boat trips are waiting to be discovered.

“Our trails and visitor centres are accessible and we provide a range of equipment for all abilities at our cycle hire centres.”

Events during the week, which runs from 23 July to 29 July, include wheelchair-friendly walks, mobility-friendly caving trips and wheelyboat trips, as well as a family discovery walk, archaeology drop-in session and the chance to discover Derwent Dam.

More details are on the Peak District website. Information on changing places can also be found online.