Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
- This entrance is the main entrance in the corner of Green Court.
- There is step-free access once inside.
- There is restricted room to manoeuvre at this property.
- 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.
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.
- Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders and fidget toys.
- 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: an off-road/all-terrain 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 visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- Visitors should call 01732 462 100 to book the powered mobility vehicle at least 23 hours in advance. The rollator can be borrowed for use in the upper showrooms.
Route to (Bookshop)
- Exit the car park and the Gatehouse Tower is directly ahead. Go through the main entrance, turn right and the bookshop is at the far end in the corner.
- The route to the area is step-free via a slight ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are paving stones and bonded gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Entrance
- The entrance surveyed is located in the corner of Green Court.
- 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 91cm.
- There is a second manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 75cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of less than 1.5cm.
Shop
- The majority of aisle widths are over 150cm.
- Some flooring in the shop is smooth and even.
- Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to carpet (deep pile).
- There is step-free level access around the shop.
- There is no (or very little) background noise here.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 90cm.
- There is not a low level counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The counter has a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- Services/facilities available in the shop include: a portable card machine for payment.
Lift (to The Orangery)
- This lift is a platform lift (staff assistance required).
- A member of staff needs to be notified for use of the lift.
- The lift overcomes a small level change.
- Externally the lift has: a door with a low colour contrast to the surroundings, buttons with a high colour contrast to the surroundings, controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user and tactile markings.
- The lift does have a recommended turning space (150cm x 150cm) in front of it.
- The lift door opening width is 94cm.
- The dimensions of the lift are 126cm x 137cm.
- Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user, tactile markings and buttons with a high colour contrast to the surroundings.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Steps (to The Orangery)
- There are 4 steps.
- The steps are not clearly marked but there are handrails on both sides.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There are similar steps to access the Orangery from Green Court.