Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and an open entrance with no doors.
- This entrance is in the visitor centre, to the left before you reach the welcome desk.
- There is step-free access once inside.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- The following are also available: seating and a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
- At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is to the left of the visitor centre welcome desk. View information about this toilet (new tab).
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: manual wheelchairs. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- You can borrow these from the visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: a tramper. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance.
- You can borrow these from the visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- There are charges to borrow a tramper.
- A volunteer driven buggy shuttle is available to transport between the visitor centre and castle.
Wheelchair users will need to transfer from their chair.
Entrance (Main - Visitor Centre)
- The entrance surveyed is located within the visitor centre.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is an opening without doors .
- The width of the opening is 217cm.
Picnic Area (Front)
- The following information describes the picnic area located at the front of the café, before you enter the visitor centre.
- There is step-free level access into the area.
- There are picnic tables.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- Adapted picnic tables are not available.
- The standard height for the underside of picnic tables is 69cm.
- The following furniture is permanently fixed: all of the chairs and all of the tables.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- All of the surface in the picnic area is smooth and even.
- The tables and chairs are only for the use of café patrons who have purchased food or drink at this location.
Entrance (Front Picnic Area)
- The entrance surveyed is located in the front picnic area.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 84cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
Ramp or Slope and Steps (to Rear Picnic Area)
- The slope is slight and over 150cm wide.
- There are 10 or more steps.
- The steps are not clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
- The slope overcomes the steps.
Picnic Area (Rear)
- The following information describes the picnic area located to the rear of the café.
- There is step-free level access into the area.
- There is an alternative access point located from the drop off point, down a slope.
- There are picnic tables.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- Adapted picnic tables are available.
- The standard height for the underside of picnic tables is 68cm.
- The following furniture is permanently fixed: all of the chairs and all of the tables.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- All of the surface in the picnic area is smooth and even.
- The tables and chairs are only for the use of café patrons who have purchased food or drink at this location.
Entrance (Rear Picnic Area)
- The entrance surveyed is located in the rear picnic area.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which opens towards you.
- The width of the opening is 84cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
Eating and Drinking
- This is a café which serves hot and cold meals and snacks.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Staff can provide assistance and offer service to tables.
- Menu types include: menu boards.
- Menus are easy to read (large clear font with contrasting colours).
- The following are available here: drinking straws, takeaway cups, two handled cups, easy grip cutlery, takeaway cutlery, a portable card machine for payment, large-handled mugs and large-handled cutlery.
- Lighting levels are bright.
- There is no (or very little) background noise here.
- There is a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- There is a counter over 85cm high with a tray rail.
- The counter is 87cm high.
- There is not a section of the counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is step-free level access around the seating area.
- There are tables and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests available in the seating area.
- The seating area does not have: room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm) and a priority table.
- There are some tables which are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The surface height of the tables is 77cm.
- All flooring in the area is smooth and even.