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Danson House

Danson Park, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 8HL

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • Danson House is a beautifully restored Georgian Villa, whose once private grounds are now the public Danson Park.
    • The house is open to the public to view the interiors and special exhibitions.
    • The venue also hosts special events such as concerts and dinners.
    • The house is open to visitors every Sunday throughout the year, except for Christmas holidays.
    • The last entry for visitors is 15:15.
    • Danson House is also used on weekdays and Saturdays as the main register office for Bexley borough.
    • Please see the separate guide to the Bexley Register Office for details.

Opening Times

  • Comments View
    • The house generally opens to the public on Sundays from March to October and on Thursdays November to February.
    • Opening hours are usually 10.00 - 16.00 (last admission 15.15).

Location

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

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Danson Park Car Park.
    • The car park is located 100m further along the park access road, past Danson House.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop off point.
    • The drop off point is located in the forecourt of the building.
    • There is a dropped kerb from the drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Visitors are allowed to drive into the forecourt of the house to drop off disabled visitors, about 15m from the main entrance.
    • Wedding Cars are also allowed to drop off in this area.
    • No vehicles are permitted to remain in this area.
    • There are bollards to prevent cars getting too close to the house, as there is a basement beneath.

Outside Access (Visitor Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the grand staircase.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are light.
  • The width of the door opening is 106cm (3ft 6in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The door(s) is / are light.
    • The width of the door opening is 106cm (3ft 6in).
  • Comments View
    • The forecourt area is laid in bound gravel.
    • There is a drainage channel close to the house where this meets the stone paving.

Outside Access (Principal Level Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the centre front of the venue.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are light.
  • The width of the door opening is 94cm (3ft 1in).
  • Comments View
    • This door is not used by general visitors to the house, but may be opened for special events, wedding/ civil partnership photography etc.

Level Change (Principal Level Entrance)

  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • The steps are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is / are 20 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.

Outside Access (Tea Room Entrance from Terrace)

  • This information is for the entrance located from the Terrace, at the rear of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open away from you (push).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The doors are light.
  • The door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in) wide.
  • Comments View
    • There is an easy slope on the terrace area around the tea shop.
    • Please note the drainage channel set into the paving in front of the entrance.

Garden Entrances from Danson Park

  • There are two entrances into Danson House gardens from Danson Park.
  • These are on the side of the house facing Danson Lake.
  • When the tearoom is open the gates are held open.
  • The opening width is at least 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • There are long easy - moderate slopes on the paths up to Danson House from these gates.
  • The paths are finished with firm bound gravel.

Reception (Ticket Office and Shop)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is not level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • The ticket office is also used as a registration office on non-visitor days.
    • Staff can assist visitors in the corridor rather than the office if preferred.
    • Gift items are displayed on the dresser in the corridor.

Level Change (Ticket/Registration Office)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located at the doorway into the office.
  • There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance level (ground level) is known as Terrace Level.
    • The floor above (first floor) is the Principal Floor and the top floor (second floor) is known as Bedroom Level.
    • On the Bedroom Level, the meeting room at the west end of the building is accessed via a narrow space (65cm) between the stair balustrade and the wall.
    • At the other end of the building, the platform lift is used as a through access route from the front to the back of the building.
    • Some of the old floors in the building, especially on the Bedroom Level, are uneven or have an easy slope across the room.

Level Change (Victorian Basement Kitchen)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located on the left of the entrance corridor.
  • There is/are 12 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • Staff have photographs to show visitors unable to use these steep and worn stairs.
    • The external platform lift that was originally installed to give access to this area, has been out of service for some years and there are no plans to replace it.

Other Floors (Main Stairs)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1-2.
    • There are 18+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • The elliptical stairs have 18 steps from Terrace to Principal Level and 32 steps from Principal to Bedroom Level.
    • The lift overcomes the stairs.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located at the end of the entrance corridor, ahead from the visitor entrance (to the left after the register office entrance).
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-1-2.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the visitor entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 94cm x 125cm (3ft 1in x 4ft 1in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.
  • Comments View
    • The lift may not accommodate larger or heavier scooters or powered wheelchairs.
    • There is a manual wheelchair for visitors to borrow if required.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Fleur de The Tea Room)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • Comments View
    • The tea room is located on the Terrace (entrance) level of the house.
    • There is level access into the tea room from within the house.
    • It can also be entered directly from the outside.
    • It is open to the public as well as visitors to Danson House.

Museum

  • The availability of tactile signage depends on exhibition.
  • The availability of Braille signage depends on exhibition.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow.
  • To borrow the wheelchair, please speak to a member of staff.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 18m (19yd 2ft) from the Visitor Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located on the entrance (Terrace) level, at the rear, near the tea room.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex 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 93cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 220cm (5ft 3in 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are clinical waste and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the right.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not 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 cannot 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 poor.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • The route to the accessible toilet past the staff stairs is through a narrow doorway (65cm).
    • There is an accessible route to the toilet through the tearoom.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located within the park grounds.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.