Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has a slight ramp/slope (which bypasses any steps) and manual doors.
- This entrance is at the front of the castle.
- There are 2 floors once inside.
- Other floors can be accessed via: stairs.
- There is step-free access to the ground floor only 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: seating, large print information, Braille information and a virtual tour.
- There is a touch tour available with touch sensory markers in each of the castle rooms.
- This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- Toilet and changing facilities available include: a toilet with some adaptations.
- The toilet with adaptations for disabled people surveyed can be found to the rear of the castle, near to the dining room..
- This toilet with adaptations for disabled people is approximately 34m from the entrance .
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair. 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 visitor reception. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: trampers. 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 visitor reception. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Route to (the Castle)
- Exit the visitor reception and follow the path to the left.
Cross the driveway and continue ahead.
Pass through an archway and continue ahead down a long slope.
The castle is located ahead. - The route to the area is step-free via a steep ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are tarmac and gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is a shuttle which can take visitors to this area, but wheelchair users will need to transfer into it.
- The visitor shuttle can carry a folded manual wheelchair.
Entrance
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front of the castle.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The slight portable ramp is under 75cm wide, with no handrails.
- The ramp overcomes the step.
- Please contact a member of staff for use of the portable ramp.
- There is 1 step, which is unmarked, with no handrails.
- The step is not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There are double manual doors (with one door locked) which open away from you.
- The width of the opening is 97cm.
- There is a second set of manual doors (with one door locked) which open away from you.
- The width of the opening is 90cm.
Tour
- The tour takes approximately 45 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 over 180cm.
- The tour can not be adapted to avoid inaccessible areas.
- Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via a virtual tour and an information booklet.
- Different tour types are available which may vary the tour time and route.
- There is no (or very little) background noise along the tour route.
- The following may be experienced on the tour: tactile experiences.
- Tour information includes the following formats: information booklets, Braille and television/screen.
- The tour does not have a hearing assistance system.
- There are sofas and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests at regular intervals along the tour.
- Some flooring along the tour route is smooth and even.
- Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to carpet and uneven floorboards.
- Some of the flooring includes large repeating patterns in bold colours, which may look like steps or holes to some people.
- Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Lighting levels are low along parts of the tour route.
- Visitors are not allowed to sit on seating which has a teasel on it.
The entrance into the dining room on the ground floor is sloped.
Entrance (to Toilet Area)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the rear of the castle.
- 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 102cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Castle - Ambulant - Right Hand Transfer)
- This toilet is located at the rear of the castle, near the dining room.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- There is no signage on or near the door.
- The door is manual, opens inwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the toilet door opening is 102cm.
- The door has a sliding bolt lock.
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 237cm x 280cm and it has a turning space of at least 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the seat but it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 130cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a push button 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 and a vertical grab rail on the non transfer side.
- 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 and towel dispenser.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 65cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever.
- The height of the wash basin is 80cm.
- The height of the towel dispenser is 132cm.
- The height of the baby change is 93cm.
- There is no emergency alarm.
- There is a shelf located where it is reachable for seated and standing users.
- The shelf does meet the criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets. For the Stoma Friendly Toilets criteria click here and select the Stoma Friendly tab in the right hand pane.
- The cubicle has: a waste bin with lid, a nappy/incontinence items bin 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 floor, the internal door and some grab rails.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the dropdown rail, some grab rails and the toilet seat.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Stairs (Ground Floor Gallery to First Floor)
- There are more than 20 steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked with a handrail on the right going up.
- The highest step is 14cm high.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Stairs (First Floor Landing to Ground Floor Inner Lobby)
- There are more than 20 steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked with a handrail on the right going down.
- The highest step is 16cm high.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.