Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and a gate.
- This entrance is to the right in the rear courtyard.
- There is not 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.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is located in the toilet block opposite Winthrop's Café. View information about this toilet (new tab).
- Additional toilet facilities with adaptations for disabled people are located within the plant centre courtyard area, to the right. View information about this toilet (new tab).
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.
- Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders and accessible maps.
- 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: mobility scooters. 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 North Side Gardens)
- From the visitor reception proceed down a slope, continue through an archway and turn left.
Cross the internal driveway and enter through the open gates.
Proceed ahead towards the main courtyard and turn right continuing through open gates.
Continue ahead into the rear courtyard and turn right.
Proceed ahead to the gated access point for the gardens. - The route to the area is step-free level and is step-free via a slight ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are tarmac, gravel, paving stones and bonded gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Outdoor Spaces
- This information is for the access point located to the right in the rear courtyard.
- There is step-free level access into the area.
- There is a gate at the surveyed access point which is permanently held open.
- The outdoor facilities also include: a picnic area.
- The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: concrete or tarmac, grass, block paving and bonded gravel.
- Footpaths are available in all of the outdoor spaces.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is step-free level access around some of the area.
- There are slight ramps/slopes without handrails in the main areas .
- There is a slight slope up to the plant shelter.
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
Picnic Area
- The following information describes the picnic area located in the north side gardens.
- 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 distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest picnic table is 66cm.
- The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest picnic table is 66cm.
- The standard height for the underside of picnic tables is 70cm.
- The following furniture is permanently fixed: all of the chairs and all of the tables.
- 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.