Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- The most accessible entrance has steps, slight ramps/slopes and a steep ramp/slope.
- This entrance is below the lowest level of the Terraced Gardens.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- Staff/volunteers can describe the layout and access around the site.
- The following are also available: seating, maps and on site-transport.
- The lowest level of the Formal Gardens is level and step free.
The venue provides a transfer vehicle to transport visitors Between the Blue Badge parking bays, the courtyard and the Garden Coffee Shop next to the Formal Gardens. - This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is just outside the Garden Coffee Shop. View information about this toilet (new tab)
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: manual wheelchairs. 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: fidget toys.
- Powered mobility vehicles cannot be borrowed or hired.
Route to (Formal Gardens)
- With the Blue Badge parking behind you, proceed up the hill towards the castle.
Before reaching the castle, bear right and follow the path until you reach the entrance to the terraced gardens on the right.
Go through the entrance and turn left.
Follow the path until you reach some steps on your right.
Go down the steps.
Cross the path and go down some more steps and turn sharp left at the bottom.
Follow the path through the yew tree topiary then immediately turn right.
Go down a gentle set of steps then turn left down a long set of steep steps.
Turn left at the bottom and the Formal Gardens will be directly ahead. - The route to the area includes more than 3 steps with a handrail and includes more than 3 steps without a handrail.
- Path surfaces along the route are gravel.
- There is a shuttle which can take visitors to this area, but wheelchair users will need to transfer into it.
Outdoor Spaces
- This information is for the access point located below the lowest level of the Terraced Gardens.
- Access into the area is via steps and a steep ramp/slope.
- The slope is between 75cm and 150cm wide, with no handrails.
- There are 10+ steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
- The access points to the area are located below the lowest level of the Terraced Gardens.
- There is open access at the surveyed access point.
- The following outdoor facilities are available: formal gardens.
- The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: bonded gravel.
- Footpaths are available in all of the outdoor space.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- There are steep ramps/slopes without handrails and slight ramps/slopes without handrails in the main areas .
- The slopes are located in the upper areas of the Formal Gardens.
- There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.