Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Basing House - Museum, Garden and Basing House

Barton's Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 8AE

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

About this venue

Visited by Henry VIII, besieged by Cromwell.... Unearth the amazing stories of Basing house, a nationally important historical site. This magnificent attraction dates from the Norman period, was the site of the largest private house in Tudor England and suffered at the hands of Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. The visitor centre entrance houses a gift shop and light refreshments.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the village.
  • This venue is situated in Old Basing.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Basingstoke.

Opening Times

Parking (Accessible Parking)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders can be booked in advance.
    • The venue recommends visitors to call in advance to book the accessible bays and for the venue to explain the location of the parking area.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is grass.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • This parking is located along The Street, Old Basing.
    • There is a designated parking area for Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no standard marked parking bays.

Parking (Main Car Park)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 340cm x 600cm (11ft 2in x 19ft 8in).
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The main car park is over 200m from the visitor centre.
    • There are signs signposted along the route to help visitors reach the venue.
    • The route to the venue is very uneven due to loose stones, and the surface varies from stones, to grass to ground which may be muddy depending on the weather.
    • The route will lead visitors past Barton Mills.
    • The photographs show the route from the car park to the venue.
    • The venue recommends calling in advance to give a chance to explain how to get to the venue from the car park.
    • There is accessible parking near the visitor centre.

Approach from the Accessible Car Park to Main Entrance Gates (House Ruins, Museum and Walled Garden)

  • The route from the accessible car park to the main entrance gates contains steep and slight slopes, as well as uneven surfaces.
  • Once visitors have parked, they must go through two sets of similar single doors which are permanently held open. These are found behind the accessible car park.
  • Both the doors have a lip and are 86cm wide.
  • Once past the doors, follow the path until you reach a step which has a maximum height of 15cm.
  • Past this step, take a left and continue straight for 25m. This part of the route is on brick slabs.
  • Finally, visitors must cross a flush road to reach the main entrance gate to the house ruins, museum and walled garden).
  • This an unmarked crossing on a busy road depending on the time of day.

Outside Access (Main Entrance Gate - House Ruins, Museum, and Walled Garden)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the exhibition area.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The width of the door opening is 168cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located before and after the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • Comments View
    • There are handrails available on the right, once beyond the gate.
    • The slope at this entrance, before and after the gate, is very steep.

Outside Access (Kiosk Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the right of the kiosk.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 77cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the kiosk.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • The kiosk is not for buying tickets to the venue, but is used for information displays.

Access Point (Gates to the Museum and Walled Garden)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located before the museum and walled garden.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 139cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located before the gates.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • The route to these gates have slight and steep slopes.
    • The slope at the gates is slight.
    • The slopes beyond the gate vary from slight to steep.

Access Point (Bridges to the Old House (Ruins))

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the front of Old House.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is no gate at this access point.
    • The width of the gap is 130cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the first bridge.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • From the walled garden to the museum, there is a slope and a bridge crossing a ditch, leading to Old House.
    • There is a slope that leads to Old House.
    • After the entrance to Old House there is another bridge leading into Old House (photograph 3).

Outdoor Spaces

  • The following is available in this area: gardens and open countryside.
  • Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac, grass and gravel.
  • There are footpaths in some areas.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: throughout the whole site.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Playground View
    • There are many areas of the outdoor exhibition site that are difficult for a wheelchair user to access as the ground is not level and there are slight and steep slopes throughout.

Level Change (Basing House)

  • The route from Garrison Gate to Old House, the museum and walled garden, has a grass surface with easy and steep slopes.
  • This is the same throughout the whole site.

Level Change (Walled Garden)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading down to the walled garden.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading down to the walled garden.
  • There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The most accessible route to the garden which bypasses the steps is accessed by going around clockwise from the stairs to a more gentle slope.
    • All routes are on grass which may be muddy or slippery depending on the weather.

Outside Access (Museum Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the walled garden.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading up to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
  • Comments View
    • The rails do not cover the whole ramp, only closer to the door.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is available.
  • The availability of tactile signage depends on exhibition.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system is a portable loop.
  • A deposit is not required for the hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • Concessions are available.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are not welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Museum and Walled Garden)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the museum entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right of the museum entrance.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 235cm (5ft 7in x 7ft 9in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and clinical waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (Garrison Gate)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the left side of the Garrison Gate toilet block.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 210cm (5ft 7in x 6ft 11in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 94cm (3ft 1in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Garrison Gate)

Additional Info

  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.