Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- Amenities in this area include: a food kiosk.
- The most accessible entrance has a slight ramp/slope.
- This entrance is the entrance along the path at the left hand side of the grounds from the Visitor Reception Building.
- There is not a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- The following are also available: a companion/carer discount.
- Toilet and changing facilities available include: step free standard toilets and an accessible toilet for the use of everyone.
- There are 1 toilets with adaptations for disabled people.
- The toilet with adaptations for disabled people surveyed can be found in the toilet block in the area ahead and on the right as you enter the playground, at the rear of Muddy Hands kiosk.
- The standard toilets surveyed can be found in the toilet block in the area ahead and on the right as you enter the playground, at the rear of Muddy Hands kiosk.
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders, fidget toys and sunglasses.
- You can borrow these from the Visitor Reception Building. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: off-road/all-terrain mobility scooters and trampers. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- You can borrow these from the Visitor Reception Building. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- The accessible visitor shuttle bus operates from the rear of the Visitor Reception Building.
Route to (Outdoor Adventure Playground)
- The playground is on the left hand side of the grounds as you exit the Visitor Reception Building.
After crossing the access road for the Blue Badge bays and vehicle exit, there is a path which leads to the playground.
Alternatively, the playground can be reached from an access point opposite the Stable Yard. - The route to the area is step-free via a slight ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are bonded gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is an accessible shuttle which can take visitors to this area.
Outdoor Spaces
- This information is for the access point located on the path at the left hand side of the grounds.
- Access into the area is via a slight ramp/slope.
- The slope is between 75cm and 150cm wide, with handrails on both sides.
- There is open access at the surveyed access point.
- The following outdoor facilities are available: woodland and a playground with play equipment.
- The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: concrete or tarmac, wood bark, compact earth and grass.
- Footpaths are available in some of the outdoor space.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is step-free level access around some of the area.
- There are slight ramps/slopes with handrails and steep ramps/slopes without handrails in the main areas .
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
-
Playground
View
- There is a route around the play equipment which is not firm and even, but is over 150cm wide.
- The play equipment is in easy reach for seated and standing users, and users of different heights.
- The following play experiences are available: swinging, sliding, rocking, rotating, climbing, balancing, crawling, viewing, sensory (visual, audible, or tactile) and social play.
- There is a gate which is open when trains are not operating. When trains are operating the gate creates a staggered entrance with a minimum width of 115cm.
Some of the play equipment has a log surround to step over.
Eating and Drinking (Muddy Hands)
- This is a kiosk which serves hot and cold snacks.
- Access into the area is via a steep ramp/slope (which bypasses any steps) and steps.
- The slope is over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
- There are 2 steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
- There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- There is a counter over 85cm high without a tray rail.
- There is not a section of the counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is step-free level access around the seating area.
- There are long tables, bench seats and room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm) available in the seating area.
- The seating area does not have: a priority table and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests.
- Tables are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- All flooring in the area is smooth and even.
- The seating is outdoor on decking which is partially covered.
The kiosk was closed at the time of the survey (May 2023).
Toilet with Adaptations (Outdoor Adventure Playground - Accessible - Right Hand Transfer)
- This toilet is located at the right hand side of Muddy Hands.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- This toilet is approximately 25m from the Muddy Hands counter.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door is manual, opens outwards and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the toilet door opening is 102cm.
- The door has a lever twist lock.
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 186cm x 313cm and it has a turning space of at least 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the seat but it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 125cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the door, a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side and vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: toilet roll holder and wash basin.
- The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: soap dispenser.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 99cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 88cm.
- The height of the hand dryer is 105cm.
- The height of the baby change is 65cm.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it is not at a recommended height (within 10cm from the floor).
- There is not a shelf.
- The cubicle has: a full length mirror, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- The height of the coat hook is 132cm from the floor.
- The following have a high colour contrast with their surroundings: the floor, the internal door and some grab rails.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: some grab rails, the toilet seat and the dropdown rail.
Standard Toilet (Outdoor Adventure Playground)
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- The door is manual, opens inwards and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 78cm.
- The female toilet was surveyed.
- There is also a male toilet in the same location.
- There is an ambulant cubicle available with a horizontal grab rail on the left and a vertical grab rail on the left.
- The wash basin tap type is push.
- There are hand dryers.
Parent and Baby Room / Baby Feeding Room (Outdoor Adventure Playground)
- There is step-free level access into the room.
- The door is manual, opens inwards and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 100cm.
- The wash basin tap type is push.
- There is no seating available in the room.
- Waste bins include: a nappy bin.
Picnic Area
- The following information describes the picnic area located at the right hand side of the playground.
- Access into the area is via a steep ramp/slope.
- The slope is under 75cm wide, with no handrails.
- There is an alternative access point located along the main driveway, opposite the Stable Yard.
- There are picnic tables and bench seats.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- Adapted picnic tables are not available.
- The standard height for the underside of picnic tables is 70cm.
- The following furniture is permanently fixed: all of the chairs.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- The surface in the picnic area is not smooth and even.