Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- Amenities in this building include: historic interiors, a historic house and exhibition rooms.
- The most accessible entrance has a steep ramp/slope, a manual door and a door permanently held open.
- This entrance is the accessible entrance at the front right of the castle.
- There are 7 floors once inside.
- Other floors can be accessed via: stairs.
- There is step-free access to the ground floor only once inside.
- There is restricted headroom at this property.
- 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 and audio description.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is on the left side of the toilet block. View information about this toilet (new tab)
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- Equipment cannot be borrowed or hired.
- Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: ear defenders, fidget toys, binoculars, magnifying glass, activity sheets and soft toy.
- You can borrow these from the Visitor Reception building. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- Powered mobility vehicles cannot be borrowed or hired.
Route to (The Great Tower)
- Take the path to the right of the Guardhouse.
Follow the path until you come to the bridge, cross the bridge.
Follow the path on the right leading to the castle. - The route to the area is step-free level.
- Path surfaces along the route are gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Entrance (Basement Floor)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front of the castle in between the two other doors.
- There is stepped access at the entrance.
- There are 10+ steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
- All of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 127cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
Entrance (Ground Floor)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front right of the castle.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The steep ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide, with no handrails.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 144cm.
- There is a steep ramp under 75cm wide beyond the entrance, with no handrails.
Entrance (Upper Floors)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front left of the castle.
- There is stepped access at the entrance.
- There are 3 steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
- Some of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 101cm.
- There are 10+ steps beyond the entrance, which are unmarked, with a handrail on the left going up.
Tour
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours.
- There is stepped access along the tour route.
- There are doorways or openings used on the tour which are under 75cm wide.
- The majority of walkway widths are between 120cm and 180cm.
- The tour can not be adapted to avoid inaccessible areas.
- There may be background noise along the tour route.
- Tour information includes the following formats: pictorial, information board and television/screen.
- Floor plans/maps are available for the tour route.
- The tour does not have a hearing assistance system.
- There are bench seats at regular intervals along the tour.
- Some flooring along the tour route is smooth and even.
- Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to uneven paving/tiles.
- Lighting levels are varied throughout the tour route.