Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has a step and a steep ramp/slope (which bypasses any steps).
- This entrance is the main entrance on Stone Court.
- 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.
- The first floor is not step free.
- 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, a BSL interpreter, a hearing assistance system which is not signed and sensory packs.
- The sensory pack includes: ear defenders and fidget toys. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- There is a separate exit.
- The exit has steps and a door permanently held open.
- The entrance can be used to exit by visitors with limited mobility.
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 (Showrooms)
- Exit the car park and the Gatehouse Tower is directly ahead. Go through the main entrance, proceed directly ahead through the arch to Stone Court and the Showroom entrance is ahead on the left.
- 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 at the far end of Stone Court.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The steep portable ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide, with no handrails.
- The ramp overcomes the step.
- There is 1 step, which is unmarked, with no handrails.
- The step is not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 152cm.
- There is a second set of manual doors which are permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 138cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
Ramp or Slope and Steps (The Great Hall)
- The ramp is slight and between 75cm and 150cm wide.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- There is 1 step.
- The step is not clearly marked with no handrails.
- The ramp overcomes the step.
- Lighting levels are low.
Stairs (The Great Staircase)
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are more than 20 steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
- The highest step is 15cm high.
- Lighting levels are low.
Tour
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- The tour takes approximately 1 hour.
- There is stepped access along the tour route.
- 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 video on tablet or mobile phone.
- 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.
- Tour information includes the following formats: information board.
- The tour has a hearing assistance system which is not signed.
- The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
- There are bench seats 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 uneven floorboards.
- Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Lighting levels are varied throughout the tour route.
- There is a slight ramp from the Great Hall to the Great Staircase. There are 3 unmarked steps to The Brown Gallery. There is 1 unmarked step to access Lady Betty's China Closet. There is 1 unmarked step to the Leicester Gallery. There is 1 unmarked step into the Venetian Dressing Room. There is 1 unmarked step into the Spangle Dressing Room and a similar step to exit the room. There is 1 unmarked step down into the Brown Gallery and a similar step up into Lady Betty's Bedroom. There are 3 unmarked steps with no handrails into the Ballroom. There are 3 unmarked steps with no handrails into The King's Room.
Stairs (Lead Stairs)
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, G.
- There are more than 20 steps between floors.
- The steps are clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
- The highest step is 19cm high.
- Lighting levels are low.
Exit
- The exit is located at the foot of the Lead stairs.
- There is not step-free access at the exit.
- There is 1 step, which is unmarked, with no handrails.
- The step is not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 89cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the exit with a height of more than 1.5cm.
- There is 1 step beyond the exit, which is unmarked, with no handrails.