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Dean Castle – Visitor Centre and Treehouse Café

Dean Road, Kilmarnock, KA3 1XB

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This is a visitor centre building for the castle and country park.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: the visitor centre reception, gift shop, auditorium, shared education function room and the treehouse café.
    • View information on opening times.
    • The Treehouse Residential Centre adjoins the visitor centre, please refer to the separate guide for details.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is a manual door to the rear that is signed from the car park which can be used to bypass the long ramp at the front. There is a short steep slope in its doorway, and a slight slope which bypasses a step to access this area at the rear outdoor seating. There are also double doors from the café to this area which must be opened from inside using a push bar.
      There is a sliding manual door to access the café terrace seating area, there are steps to access the seating area from the country park.
      There is a slight slope to the exterior auditorium double doors from the car park for step-free access to front row seating.
      There is a 71cm wide RADAR key operated entrance to access the Changing Places facility at any time.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: additional café balcony seating on the first floor, the central seating in the auditorium and the male toilets urinals.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • The ground and first floors can be accessed via stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and mobility scooter charging facilities.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located in the sensory room if the adjoining residential centre is free, or within the parent and baby changing room.
    • British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request), Makaton (on request), different languages (on request) and audio (on request).
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: equality and diversity training, manual handling training.
  • Related Access Guides View

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located to the left as you enter, opposite reception.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free standard toilet facilities are located to the left as you enter, opposite reception.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located round to the right as you enter, off the café.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located round to the right as you enter, beyond the reception desk.

Parking (Main)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Dean Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 245cm (width) x 490cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 90cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 5m from the access point.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has steep ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
    • There are two further designated bays with dimensions of 270cm by 600cm located on the access road to the castle, via the separate entrance further along Dean Road.
      The designated bays on the access road are not clearly marked.
    • There is also further parking with one designated bay to the rear of the castle.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 290cm (width) x 500cm (depth).
    • The controls are not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The nozzle holster is not at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • The charging points require tap and pay (contactless payment).
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (Visitor Centre)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the side of the Visitor Centre building (accessed separately from the main car park) off Dean Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with a handrail on the left going up.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception (Visitor Centre)

  • The reception is located ahead as you enter the visitor centre.
  • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 106cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has windows.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.
  • When the Treehouse Residential Centre is in use, this reception is staffed 24 hours for guests.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the first floor additional café seating area.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all walkways.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Eating and Drinking (Treehouse Café)

  • Location and Access View
    • The café is located to the right of the Visitor Centre building.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, staff who can provide assistance with ordering and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus are handheld, wall-mounted, available on a board and displayed on the counter.
    • 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 and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located to the rear of the café.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 91cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 77cm.
    • The counter has windows, glazed screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: additional seating on the first floor.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs, benches and high stools.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables and high tables.
    • Some chairs are fixed.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Stairs (Café Balcony Seating)

  • The stairs surveyed are located opposite the café counter.
  • The ground and balcony floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 16 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Theatre (Auditorium)

  • Theatre Information View
    • Advanced bookings are available.
    • Captioned performances are available.
    • Audio described performances are available.
    • Autism friendly/relaxed performances are available.
    • Sensory friendly performances are available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Auditorium View
    • The most accessible route to the auditorium has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access to a row of seating.
    • There is a designated seating area.
    • The following rows have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the front row via the slope at the auditorium's alternative external entrance.
    • The following rows have stepped access: the central rows.
    • Seating available includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • There is a slight slope to the exterior auditorium double doors from the car park for step-free access to front row seating.

Designated Seating (Auditorium)

  • The designated seating area surveyed is located at the rear of the auditorium.
  • The distance from the building entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the designated seating has manual doors.
  • There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
  • There is a single manual door with a medium visual contrast.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request .
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
  • The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed.
  • There are 2 designated spaces for wheelchair users.
  • The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
  • Companions sit next to you and in front of you.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and high stools.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • There is a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
  • There is a slight slope to the exterior auditorium double doors from the car park for step-free access to front row seating.

Changing Places (Treehouse Café - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located round to the right as you enter the visitor centre, off the café.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • There is not a sign at the entrance to the Changing Places facility indicating the location of the nearest toilets and baby changing facilities.
    • The distance from the entrance is 30m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a medium visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 260cm (width) x 390cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 140cm.
    • There is an elbow pad flush for the toilet.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 45cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 190cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is a detachable shower head.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There is a grab rail for the shower.
    • The shower grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a height adjustable wash basin.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • There are no vertical grab rails at the wash basin.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 87cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 86cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There is a RADAR key operated manual door to the right of the building entrance which may be used to access the Changing Places facility.
      The door opens towards you and is 71cm wide.
      The Changing Places facility is 5m from this entrance.

      Treehouse Residential Centre guests can also access the Changing Places facility or toilet with adaptations at any time via internal double doors, with reception staff on-hand 24 hours during stays.

Toilet with Adaptations (Visitor Centre - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter the Visitor Centre, opposite reception.
    • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is not a grab rail on the internal door.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 218cm (width) x 162cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • 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 80cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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 medium visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 117cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is a shelf, however there is an obstruction in front of it.
    • The shelf does not meet the AccessAble criteria for Stoma Friendly Toilets.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 83cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room (Visitor Centre)

  • The room surveyed is located round to the right as you enter, beyond the reception desk.
  • The distance from the entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 82cm.
  • There is a wash basin and a mirror in the room.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The room has a nappy/incontinence items bin.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.