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Castle Howard - Christmas Marquee 2026

Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking (Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the grounds, to the right as you drive in.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 10 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 21m from the Stable Courtyard entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • There are six additional Blue Badge bays on loose chippings which are clearly signed but not marked into individual bays.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is a designated drop-off point available.
    • The designated drop-off point is located in front of the Courtyard building.

Parking (Electric Vehicle Parking)

Parking (Garden Centre Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the garden centre, to the right hand side of the grounds of Castle Howard as you enter.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 252cm (width) x 423cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 121cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 4m from the garden centre gates.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope.
    • The right hand side of this parking area is used for coaches only.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located in the courtyard area and opposite the Fitzroy café in the house.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a right hand transfer space.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located in the courtyard.
    • The male and female standard toilet facilities are located in the house opposite the Fitzroy café.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the courtyard toilets and in the house toilets.

Toilet with Adaptations (Courtyard - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the courtyard.
    • The distance from the courtyard entrance is 15m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has steep ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.
    • There is step-free access via slope into the facility.
    • The slope has a steep gradient.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 122cm (width) x 245cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 53cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush in the centre of the cistern.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 112cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual 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 visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 119cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 183cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (House - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located opposite the entrance to Fitzroy Café.
    • The distance from the Café is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has steep ramps or slopes, uneven surfaces and steps.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into the facility.
    • The ramp has a steep gradient.
    • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a medium visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 145cm (width) x 219cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 95cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 71cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 98cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 128cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Access To (the Christmas Marquee)

  • The Christmas Marquee is located to the right of the house.
  • The distance from the Kelly Train drop-off point is 90m.
  • The most accessible route has steep ramps or slopes and uneven surfaces.

Entrance (Tunnel)

  • This entrance is located in front of the house.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is 250cm.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.

Entrance (Christmas Marquee)

  • This entrance is located to the side of the main house, on the right.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 216cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is a second single automatic door.
  • The second door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 200cm.
  • The second door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • There is a buggy and scooter park in this area.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the shop and eating areas.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the shop and eating areas (alternative access).
  • Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There is background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Lighting levels are adjustable in some areas.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the shop floor (bypassing the steps)
    • The ramp is steep, 200cm wide with easy to hold handrails on both sides at a height of 112cm.
    • The ramp has a slight left to right camber.
    • Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • The visual contrast between the shelving and floor varies between low and high.
    • There is background noise.
    • Signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.
  • Payment View
    • The checkout area is located to the left of the ramp.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
    • The queue width for the main checkouts is between 120cm and 150cm and there is no need to turn.
    • The height of the payment counter is 115cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 91cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located halfway down the marquee.
  • There are 5 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps have open risers.
  • There are multiple sets of stairs, up to the eating and drinking level from the lower level of the marquee.

Exit

  • The exit area is clearly signed.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the exit.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There are double manual doors at this exit.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The doors are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 208cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The second set of doors open away from you.
  • The doors are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 208cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you exit.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • This exit leads to the gardens and exterior of the main house.
  • There is a buggy and scooter park in this area.