Access Guide

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Summary

View information about opening hours.
The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and a narrow entrance opening.
This entrance is located in the cobbled courtyard.
There is step-free access once inside.
There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
The following are also available: seating, a clearly signed hearing assistance system and on site-transport.
At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is just off the courtyard near the entrance to the castle café. View information about this toilet (new tab).

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, fidget toys, binoculars, magnifying glass and torch.
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: 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 visitor centre. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.

After leaving the visitor centre follow the path up the hill.
Turn right then bear right, keeping the castle on your left.
Turn left before the first archway, and the stepped entrance to the café will be on the left.
The step-free level entrance (74cm wide) to the café is via an uneven cobbled courtyard. This will be observed on the left shortly after reaching the castle.
The route to the area is step-free via a steep ramp/slope.
Path surfaces along the route are gravel and paving stones.
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 take a wheelchair but it needs to be folded up first.

The entrance surveyed is located at the west side of the castle.
There is stepped access at the entrance.
There are 2 steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
All of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
The width of the opening is 92cm.
There is a second set of manual doors (with one door locked) which open away from you.
The width of the opening is 81cm.
The steps are between the first and second entrance doors.

This is a café which serves hot and cold snacks.
There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
Staff can provide assistance and offer service to tables.
Menu types include: written wall menus and menu boards.
Menus are easy to read (large clear font with contrasting colours).
The following are available here: drinking straws, takeaway cups, easy grip cutlery and a portable card machine for payment.
Lighting levels are moderate to good.
There is background noise here which varies, depending on the time of day.
There is a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
There is a counter over 85cm high with a tray rail.
The counter is 104cm high.
There is not a section of the counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
There is step-free level access around the seating area.
There are tables and chairs without armrests available in the seating area.
The seating area does not have: a mixture of chairs with and without armrests.
Tables are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
The surface height of the tables is 75cm.
Flooring in the area is not smooth and even.
Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to uneven paving/tiles.
Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.