Access Guide

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Summary

View information about opening hours.
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: Braille information, maps and a large map in the car park.
This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is in the Granary Restaurant. 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.
You can borrow these from the Visitor Reception. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Powered mobility vehicles cannot be borrowed or hired.

Turn left on exiting the Visitor Reception, follow the path down to the right and then the pathway to the right of the Gift Shop leads to the route. A map of the route is available from the Visitor Reception.
The route to the area is step-free via a slight ramp/slope.
Path surfaces along the route are tarmac and gravel.
The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
There is no accessible shuttle to this area.

This information is for the access point located to the right of the gift shop.
There is step-free level access into the area.
Access into the area is via a slight ramp/slope.
The slope is over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
There is open access at the surveyed access point.
The following outdoor facilities are available: parkland, woodland and open countryside.
The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: loose chippings, grass, compact earth, uncompacted earth and loose stones.
Footpaths are available in some of the outdoor spaces.
The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
There is step-free level access around the area.
There are slight ramps/slopes with handrails and steep ramps/slopes without handrails in the main areas .
There are a number of slight slopes and steep slopes on the walking routes around the estate. It is also quite muddy in places.
There are not any bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
The paths have easy open gates which may create obstacles for some users.

The walk is approximately one mile.
The route starts at the visitor centre via the path to the left of the oast and continues to the right of the gift shop.
There is a left turn at the rear of the gardens which runs along side the moat.
The route then enters woodland, goes around the lakes to the left and joins the approach road to the Castle which leads back to the Visitor Reception.
There is a longer walk which is approximately three miles.
A map for both routes is available from the Visitor Centre.
The hike is not open 24 hours.
The route includes the following surfaces: loose chippings and gravel.
Some of the route contains steep gradients and very uneven surfaces.
These are found in the following areas: the route around the Lakes.
There are no alternative routes to avoid these areas.
The route is clearly signposted.
The route has handheld maps and online maps.
Seating is available on the route.
There are no toilet facilities along the route.