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Beeston Castle - Visitor Centre

Chapel Lane, Beeston, Cheshire, CW6 9TX

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About this venue

Re-live 4,000 years of history as you explore the fascinating 'Castle of the Rock' exhibition. Travel through time from the Bronze Age to Beeston's glory days as a medieval fortress to its ultimate decline in the Civil War. What we see today is a picturesque ruin of a once formidable castle as captured by Turner in his 1809 painting.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • The exhibition and café are easily accessible by mobility impaired visitors, however, the actual castle and woodlands are not.
    • Please follow the link for more information.

Opening Times

  • For up to date opening times please refer to the website or contact the venue on 01829 260 464.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Chester.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located in front of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 32m (34yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • 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 loose chippings.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • There is a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The road is generally quiet.
    • 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 spaces reserved for Blue Badge holders are unmarked.

Outside Access (Main Entrance - Visitor Centre)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located beyond the castle ground to the left.
    • 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 175cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 80cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway leading to the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located on the pathway approaching the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Visitor Centre to Castle Grounds and Woodlands)

  • This information is for the entrance located leading out of the visitor centre.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in).

Reception

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the visitor centre entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 13/09/2021.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are good.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the visitor centre grounds entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located beyond the visitors grounds entrance to the right.
    • There is not 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 twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 167cm x 222cm (5ft 6in x 7ft 3in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • 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 non-infectious 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 53cm.
    • The shelf is not located where it is reachable.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • 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
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • 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 84cm (2ft 9in).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located next to the visitor centre.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 36m (39yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the standard toilets.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 88cm (2ft 11in).

Level Change (Standard Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located on the pathway approaching the toilets.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.