Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- Amenities in this building include: a reception.
- Additional amenities in this building include: Ticket Office.
- The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and a door permanently held open.
- This entrance is at the front of the building.
- There is step-free access once inside.
- 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: accommodation with some adaptations for disabled people, seating, Braille information, a clearly signed hearing assistance system and sensory packs.
- The sensory pack includes: ear defenders. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- A BSL description of the castle is available via an online communication system which uses a QR code.
- At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
- This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- Toilet and changing facilities available include: a toilet with some adaptations for disabled people and step free standard toilets.
- The toilet with adaptations for disabled people surveyed can be found adjacent to the ticket office.
- This toilet with adaptations for disabled people is approximately 10m from the ticket office entrance.
- The standard toilets surveyed can be found adjacent to Visitor Reception.
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- 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.
Route to (Ticket Office)
- From the Visitor Reception, exit through the gates, cross the road and turn left.
Follow the roadside footpath, which has a steep slope, to The Square which is on the right.
Enter The Square and the ticket office is on the right. - The route to the area is step-free via a steep ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are tarmac and paving stones.
- The majority of the paths are not wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Entrance (Ticket Office)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front of the Ticket Office building.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 77cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
Counter (Ticket Office)
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 92cm.
- There is a low level counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is background noise here.
- The counter has a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- There are tables and stools available in the counter area.
- The following furniture is permanently fixed: some of the tables.
Entrance (Toilet Block)
- The entrance surveyed is located adjacent to the Ticket Office.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There are double manual doors which are permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 127cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)
- This toilet is located in the toilet block adjacent to the Ticket Office.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- This toilet is approximately 10m from the Ticket Office entrance.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
- The door is manual, opens outwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the toilet door opening is 87cm.
- The door has a locking handle (with a RADAR key to access).
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 148cm x 220cm and it does not have a 150cm x 150cm turning space.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the seat but it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 73cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the door, a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side and vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: toilet roll holder.
- The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: wash basin, soap dispenser and hand dryer.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 95cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- The height of the wash basin is 74cm.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 97cm.
- The height of the hand dryer is 100cm.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it is not at a recommended height (within 10cm from the floor).
- There is not a shelf.
- The cubicle has: a waste bin with lid and a sanitary bin.
- The cubicle does not have a full length mirror and coat hooks.
- The following have a high colour contrast with their surroundings: the dropdown rail, some grab rails, the floor and the internal door.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the toilet seat and some grab rails.
- Lighting levels are bright.
Standard Toilet
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- The door is manual, opens inwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 78cm.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- The male and female standard toilets were surveyed.
- The width of the widest cubicle door opening is 65cm.
- The wash basin tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There are hand dryers.
- There is a baby change facility which is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.