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Castle Howard - Arboretum

Castle Howard Estate, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7BY

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • The Castle Howard Arboretum is 120 acres of peace and tranquility in the heart of North Yorkshire. Created in the 1970s, today it is home to over 7,000 trees from around the globe and a magnificent place to see trees, plants, flowers and wildlife.
    • Services and facilities available in the venue include: venue hire, café, guided tours including school visits, a red squirrel enclosure, interment of ashes and various children's activities.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is the main entrance.
    • There is 1 other entrance.
    • There is step-free level access at the other entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: route to outdoor spaces.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: a steep ramp bypasses the steps onto the outdoor spaces, some of which are sloped.
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
    • The 1 other entrance is not for general use.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair, a mobility scooter and mobility scooter charging facilities.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: The mobility scooter available to hire is specifically a Tramper all-terrain mobility scooter.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: First Aid, Disability Awareness.
  • Related Access Guides View

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the left of the visitor centre entrance.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m from the visitor centre entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Standard car parking spaces are available approximately 50m from the visitor centre entrance. The main car park takes approximately 7 minutes to walk to.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • Electric Vehicle charging points are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Toilet and Parent/Baby Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • The toilets with adaptations are located outside the entrance to the visitor centre and also inside the café, located through two sets of doors to the left of the counter. The toilet surveyed was outside the visitor centre.
    • The transfer space varies between toilets with adaptations.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located before the entrance to the visitor centre.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located inside the café.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the external toilet with adaptations before the visitor centre.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located before the entrance to the visitor centre.
    • The distance from the visitor centre entrance/exit is 5m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low colour contrast.
    • The width of the opening is 88cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a high colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 149cm (width) x 216cm (depth).
    • There is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 101cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush for the toilet.
    • The flush is on the transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high colour contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The wash basin and tap can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high colour contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 112cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 162cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 79cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located to the right of the Blue Badge bays.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 165cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low colour contrast.

Admissions/Gift Shop

  • Access to the Shop View
    • The admissions/gift shop counter is located on the left after entering the visitor centre.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into the shop.
  • Shop View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • There is a slight lip on the floor when transferring from carpet onto flooring.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • Some aisles did have obstructions at the time of the survey, these included: product displays.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • There is background noise which varies depending on the time of day.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Payment Counters and Checkouts View
    • The payment counter is located inside the visitor centre entrance.
    • Signage is provided for the counter.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • The height of the counter is 105cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 75cm.
    • The counter has windows which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.

Arboretum Café

  • Location and Access View
    • The cafe is located to the left of the visitor centre entrance, and through the gift shop.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is open plan access.
  • Order and Payment View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
    • The service counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located at the back of the café area.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 105cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has screens and patterned/distracting backgrounds which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The payment machine is portable.
  • Service View
    • This area also has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is not available.
    • Menu types include: wall-mounted (digital) and handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is both inside and outside.
    • The outdoor seating area is partially covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Some flooring is shiny and patterned.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary according to time of day.
    • The width of the opening of the door to the outside seating area is 96cm. The door is usually held open, but this is weather dependent.

The Tree Health Centre

  • The room is located on the right after entering the visitor centre.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 3m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is no signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 91cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The flooring is shiny and patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this room includes: tables.
  • None of the tables are fixed.
  • The surface height of the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under the tables/desks is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a water dispenser.
  • There is background noise in this room which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the use of large glazed walls.
  • There is a sink.
  • Tea and coffee making facilities on request.
  • The table and chair arrangements vary by event
  • There is a balcony with a sliding door to access. The balcony door is 170cm and the balcony depth is 98cm.

Outdoor Spaces

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: a grassed play area, parkland and woodland.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths in some areas.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: bonded gravel.
    • The majority of the surfaced footpaths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • Some footpaths have sections with potential obstacles such as: uneven surfaces.
    • There are also unsurfaced paths/trails throughout.
    • Path or trail surfaces consist of: grass, gravel, compact earth, uncompacted earth (muddy) and loose stones.
    • The majority of the unsurfaced footpaths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • Some paths/trails have sections with: uneven surfaces.
    • There is wayfinding signage in this area.
    • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the outdoor spaces from the visitor centre. The steps can be overcome using a steep ramp.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: the outdoor spaces from the visitor centre. Some trails have slopes into the woodland.
    • The route to the outdoor spaces has double automatic doors on the right of the admissions counter.
    • An all-terrain mobility scooter can be offered to assist around the parkland and woodlands.