Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- Amenities in this building include: exhibition rooms.
- The most accessible entrance has steps, a platform lift, a slight ramp/slope, manual doors and doors permanently held open.
- This entrance is the main entrance located at the front of the building.
- There are 3 floors once inside.
- Other floors can be accessed via: stairs.
- There is step-free access to the ground floor only once inside.
- There is stepped access to some rooms in the below the stairs rooms.
- 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, large print information and a virtual tour.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- The nearest toilet with adaptations for disabled people is located near the Visitor Reception. 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: ear defenders, fidget toys and soft toy.
- You can borrow these from the Visitor Reception. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: a tramper. 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. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Route to (the Mansion)
- Turn left as you leave the Visitor Reception, going through a large set of permanently held open gates.
At the far right hand side in the Formal Gardens go through an open gate over a small ramp.
The Mansion is on the right. - The route to the area is step-free via a slight ramp/slope.
- Path surfaces along the route are gravel and paving stones.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Entrance (Main)
- The entrance surveyed is located at the front of the building.
- There is step-free access via lift at the entrance.
- There are 5 steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
- Some of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
- There are double manual doors which are permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 160cm.
- There is a lift which bypasses the steps.
Lift (Main Entrance)
- This lift is a platform lift (staff assistance required).
- The lift overcomes a small level change.
- The lift does have a recommended turning space (150cm x 150cm) in front of it.
Ramp or Slope and Steps (Main Entrance)
- The ramp is slight and between 75cm and 150cm wide.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The ramp overcomes the step.
Entrance (Home Farm)
- The entrance surveyed is located within the Home Farm Courtyard.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 123cm.
Tour (Ground and First Floors)
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- The tour takes approximately 45 minutes.
- There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
- The majority of walkway widths are between 120cm and 180cm.
- There is no (or very little) background noise along the tour route.
- Tour information includes the following formats: information board.
- The tour does not have a hearing assistance system.
- There are bench seats and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests 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 carpet and uneven floorboards.
- Some of the flooring includes large repeating patterns in bold colours, which may look like steps or holes to some people.
- Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Lighting levels are low along parts of the tour route.
- For accessible access to the below stairs floor, visitors are advised to exit the house by the main entrance and use the entrance in the Home Farm Courtyard area.
Tour (Below Stairs Floor Only)
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- The tour takes approximately 15 minutes.
- There is step-free access via ramp along the tour route.
- The majority of walkway widths are between 120cm and 180cm.
- There is no (or very little) background noise along the tour route.
- Tour information includes the following formats: information board.
- 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 carpet and uneven paving/tiles.
- Lighting levels are low along parts of the tour route.
Stairs (to First Floor)
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are 15 steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
- The highest step is 15cm high.
- Lighting levels are varied.
Stairs (to Ground Floor)
- There are 15 steps between floors.
- The steps are not clearly marked with handrails on both sides.
- The highest step is 15cm high.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Exit
- The exit is located at the rear of the building, leading to the Home Farm Courtyard.
- There is step-free level access at the exit.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
- The width of the opening is 123cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the exit with a height of more than 1.5cm.