Access Guide

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Summary

View information about opening hours.
Amenities in this building include: exhibition rooms and historic interiors.
The most accessible entrance has a slight ramp/slope and doors permanently held open.
This entrance is the castle entrance near to the ticket office.
There is stepped access once inside.
The castle is a ruin and has steps and steep slopes.
There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
Staff/volunteers can describe the layout and access around the site.
The following are also available: seating, Braille information, facilities for assistance dogs, maps and an accessible route map.
There is access to BSL via an electronic communication system using a QR code and a visitor's phone. This provides detailed information about the castle.
This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is adjacent to the Ticket Office.. View information about this toilet (new tab).

You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a mountain trike. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders.
You can borrow these from the ticket office. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: a mobility scooter. 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 ticket office. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Walking poles are also available to borrow.

From the Visitor Reception go through the gates, cross the road and enter the Wildlife Walk trail.
Follow the trail all the way along the Corfe River until you reach The Square, which is located at the top of a steep slope at the end of the trail.
Corfe Castle is located up the slope and on the left.
The route to the area is step-free via a very steep ramp/slope.
Path surfaces along the route are compact earth, tarmac, concrete, muddy and paving stones.
The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
There is an additional route to Corfe Castle via East Street which involves steep slopes, a busy road and narrow pathways which aren't suitable for wheelchair users.

The entrance surveyed is located at the end of the path leading from the ticket office.
There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
The slight slope is over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
There are double manual gates which are permanently open.
The width of the opening is 240cm.
The approach to and through the entrance has an uneven surface of cobbles.

The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
The tour takes approximately 60 minutes.
There is stepped access along the tour route.
There are doorways or openings used on the tour which are under 75cm wide.
The majority of walkway widths are under 120cm.
The tour can not be adapted to avoid inaccessible areas.
Different tour types are available which may vary the tour time and route.
There is background noise which varies, depending on the time of day.
Tour information includes the following formats: Braille and BSL.
Floor plans/maps are available for the tour route.
The tour does not have a hearing assistance system.
There are bench seats at regular intervals along the tour.
Flooring along the tour route is not smooth and even.
Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to uneven paving/tiles, grass and gravel.

The following information describes the picnic area located on the lower slope to the castle.
Access into the area is via a slight ramp/slope.
The slope is over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
There are tables.
All chairs have armrests on both sides.
Adapted picnic tables are not available.
The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest picnic table is 70cm.
The standard height for the underside of picnic tables is 72cm.
There is step-free level access around some of the area.
The surface in the picnic area is not smooth and even.
Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to grass.

The walk is approximately 800 metres.
From the Visitor Reception, cross the road and enter the Wildlife Walk trail which follows the Corfe River round towards The Square where Corfe Castle is located.
The route involves slight to steep slopes, a bridge, gates and a road to cross.
The walk is open 24 hours.
None of the paths are lit at night.
The route includes the following surfaces: tarmac, gravel and mud.
Some of the route contains steep gradients.
These are found in the following areas: the slope at the end of the route leading towards The Square.
There are alternative routes to avoid these areas.
The route is clearly signposted.
Seating is available on the route.
There are no toilet facilities along the route.