You are on Overview. Skip to the next section.

Overview

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• About View
  • Services available in the venue include: Exhibition rooms, a café and a gift shop with gardens in the grounds.
  • View information on opening times
• Parking and Public Transport View
  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking, on-street standard parking and a public car park nearby.
  • The nearest train station is Bishop Auckland.
  • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Northern (opens new tab)
• Getting In and Around View
  • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: St Peters Chapel, the café, the Faith museum and the accessible and standard toilets.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • The first floor can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
• Getting Help and Assistance View
  • There is seating available.
  • There are fixed and portable hearing assistance systems.
  • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
  • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Documents are available in the following formats: large print.
  • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
  • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
• Related Access Guides View
  • View information on Auckland Project - Car Parking (opens new tab) .
  • View information on Auckland Project - Deer Park (opens new tab) .

You are on Entrance (Accessible). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Accessible)

• This entrance is located at the front left of the castle.
• The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
• The entrance area is clearly signed.
• There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
• There is step-free level access at the entrance.
• There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
• The doors open by sliding.
• The width of the opening is 154cm.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

• There is step-free level access throughout walkways, this may include the use of a lift.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: St Peter's Chapel, the café, the Faith museum and the accessible and standard toilets.
• Access throughout may include manual doors, narrow openings, narrow walkways, uneven surfaces and automatic doors.
• Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
• There is a low visual contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of walkways.
• There is background noise.
• Wayfinding signage is provided.
• The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

You are on Exhibition Space. Skip to the next section.

Exhibition Space

• The venue is indoors.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: St Peter's Chapel, the café, the Faith museum and the accessible and standard toilets.
• Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, automatic doors, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
• There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
• Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
• The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
• The following may be experienced here: lighting effects.
• There is background noise.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
• Display information includes: audio guides, information boards, televisions/screens, touchscreens and pictorial.
• There is a fixed hearing assistance system which is not clearly signed.
• The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
• Seating available in this area includes: benches, chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
• Furniture available in this area includes: long tables.
• Some tables are fixed.
• Guided tours are available.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour, this may include the use of a lift.
• The following areas of the tour have step-free access via ramps or slopes: St Peter's Chapel, the café, the Faith museum and the accessible and standard toilets.
• Access throughout the tour may include uneven surfaces, manual doors, automatic doors, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
• Wayfinding signage is provided throughout the tour.
• Some exhibition areas have rugs that may be a trip hazard.

You are on Lift (Platform Lift to First Floor). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Platform Lift to First Floor)

• The lift surveyed is located through the door to the left as you enter via the accessible entrance.
• This lift is a platform lift.
• The distance from the accessible entrance is 4m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors and step-free level access.
• The Ground, Mezzanine and first floors are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a low visual contrast.
• The lift does not have a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 80cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 142cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast, tactile markings and Braille markings.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
• Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Lift (Standard Lift). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Standard Lift)

• The lift surveyed is located in the area at next to the Faith Exibition and Old Library, at the front of the castle.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 50m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has a steep ramp or slope, uneven surfaces, manual doors and a platform lift.
• The Ground, Mezzanine and first floors are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a low visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a medium visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 90cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 157cm (width) x 110cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast and tactile markings.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• Internally the lift has: a hearing assistance alarm system, an audible announcer, a visual floor indicator, a separate door to exit and a list of floor services/facilities.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Lift (Café, Toilets, Shop and Faith Museum Platform Lift). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Café, Toilets, Shop and Faith Museum Platform Lift)

• The lift surveyed is located in the corridor just before the café.
• This lift is a platform lift.
• The distance from the accessible entrance is 30m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has manual doors.
• The Ground, and Lower Ground floors are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a high visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 97cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 165cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a low visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
• Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Lift (Old Library Function Room and Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Lift (Old Library Function Room and Gift Shop)

• The lift surveyed is located in the corridor next to the Old Library, just before the gift shop, at the front of the building.
• This lift is a platform lift.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 55m.
• The most accessible route to the lift has uneven surfaces, manual doors, a platform lift and steep ramps or slopes.
• The Lower Ground and Ground floors are accessed by this lift.
• The lift door has a high visual contrast.
• The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
• The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
• All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift door opening width is 96cm.
• The internal dimensions of the lift are 104cm (width) x 165cm (depth).
• The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
• All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
• The lift is slow moving and the button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
• Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

You are on Stairs (Main Staircase). Skip to the next section.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

• The stairs surveyed are located at the rear of the Gentleman's Hall.
• The Ground and first floors can be accessed by these stairs.
• There are 20+ steps between floors.
• The steps are unmarked and have handrails on both sides.
• The handrail is not easy to grip.
• The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
• The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
• The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
• The height of the highest step is 16cm.
• The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
• Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

You are on Access To (Café). Skip to the next section.

Access To (Café)

• The café is located at the front left of the castle. From the accessible entrance, turn left at the second door, into the gentleman's Hall, go through the door on the left in the Gentleman's Hall, use the Café, Toilets, Shop and Faith Museum Platform Lift and then the café is through the door on the right.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 40m.
• The most accessible route has a platform lift and manual doors.

You are on Eating and Drinking (Cafe). Skip to the next section.

Eating and Drinking (Cafe)

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• Location and Service View
  • The café is located at the front right of the castle, through the Gentleman's Hall, and to the right as you exit the Café, Toilets, Shop and Faith Museum Platform Lift.
  • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Full table service is available on request only.
  • Menus are displayed on the counter and handheld.
  • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
  • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups, two handled cups, easy grip cutlery and takeaway cutlery.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
• Order and Payment View
  • The service counter was surveyed.
  • The counter is located at the front of the café.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 86cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • The counter has windows and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
• Seating Area View
  • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • There is background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Access To (Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Access To (Gift Shop)

• From the accessible entrance, take the second door on the left to the Gentleman's Hall, go through the door on the left and use the Café, Toilets, Shop and Faith Museum Platform Lift. Then go through the café entrance on the right and through the door at the far right of the café, follow the corridor and turn right, passing the toilets, and turn left before the main lift. take the Old Library Function Room and Gift Shop platform lift and the gift shop is ahead.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 60m.
• The most accessible route has a steep ramp or slope, a platform lift, manual doors and uneven surfaces.
• The ramp has a steep gradient.
• The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.

You are on Counter (Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Counter (Gift Shop)

• The counter is located in the gift shop at the front of the castle.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 65m.
• The most accessible route to the counter has automatic doors, narrow walkways, manual doors and narrow openings.
• There is step-free level access to the counter.
• The height of the counter is 106cm.
• There is a lowered section at the counter.
• The height of the lowered section is 79cm.
• The counter has patterned/distracting backgrounds.
• There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
• The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
• There is background noise in this area.
• Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Getting Around (Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Getting Around (Gift Shop)

• There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
• Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
• Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
• There is a low visual contrast between the walls and floor in all walkways.
• There is background noise.
• Wayfinding signage is not provided.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

You are on Entrance (Castle Entrance to Grounds). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Castle Entrance to Grounds)

• This entrance is located on Market Place.
• The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
• The entrance area is not clearly signed.
• There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
• There are double manual gates at this entrance.
• The gates are permanently held open.
• The width of the opening is 360cm.
• The gates have a low visual contrast.
• There is a central bollard narrowing the entry width to 180cm. The entrance has a cobbled surface.

You are on Entrance (Castle Grounds to Castle Garden). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Castle Grounds to Castle Garden)

• This entrance is located on the main entrance path, on the left.
• The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
• The entrance area is not clearly signed.
• There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
• There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
• The slope has a steep gradient.
• There are double manual gates at this entrance.
• The gates are permanently held open.
• The width of the opening is 318cm.
• The gate has a high visual contrast.

You are on Outdoor Spaces (Castle Grounds). Skip to the next section.

Outdoor Spaces (Castle Grounds)

• The following is available in this area: gardens.
• Outdoor areas consist of loose chippings and cobbled surfaces.
• There are footpaths throughout.
• The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
• There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
• The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: The entrance to the castle main grounds.
• There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer). Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet surveyed is located in the corridor to the rear of the cafe.
  • The distance from accessible entrance is 45m.
  • The most accessible route to the toilet has a platform lift and a steep ramp or slope.
  • There is step-free level access into the facility.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 90cm.
  • The door has a lever twist lock.
  • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
• Dimensions and Features View
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 230cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
  • The lateral transfer space is 114cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
  • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
  • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
  • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
  • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
  • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
  • The toilet roll holder is 87cm from the floor.
  • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is 74cm from the floor.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
  • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
  • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
  • The soap dispenser is 84cm from the floor.
  • There is not a towel dispenser.
  • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer has a medium visual contrast.
  • The hand dryer is 94cm from the floor.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
  • There is a mirror.
  • There is an unobstructed shelf.
  • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
  • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a pedal bin.
  • There are no coat hooks.
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is a flip down baby change unit at a height of 80cm.

You are on Standard Toilet Facilities. Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet Facilities

• The male and female standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
• The toilets are located in the corridor to the rear of the cafe.
• The distance from accessible entrance is 45m.
• The most accessible route has a steep ramp or slope and a platform lift.
• There is step-free level access into the toilets.
• There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
• Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
• The wash basin has a sensor tap.
• Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.