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Sandringham Estate - House and Gardens

Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EN

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Sandringham House is a country house in the parish of Sandringham, Norfolk. The gardens of Sandringham have been developed in turn by each Monarch since 1863. Set over 60 acres and enjoyed by the Royal Family and their guests when in residence, the formal gardens are open from spring to autumn each year.
    • Services and facilities available in the venue include: specialist tours of the House, self-guided tours of the House, trails around the gardens and lakes. There are exhibitions, a cafe, toilets with adaptations and standard toilets in the Old Stables Courtyard.
    • 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 step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: Queen Alexandra's Nest.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the walkway near the guns exhibition and some areas of the pathways and trails.
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and narrow walkways.
    • A free shuttle trolley is available at the entrance to the gardens, to transport visitors to the House.
    • Much of the flooring in the House is patterned.
    • There are floor mats in some areas of the House tour, which could cause a trip hazard.
  • 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.
    • Additional equipment which can be borrowed or hired includes: media guides with headphones for the House tour.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
  • Related Access Guides View
    • Sandringham Estate - Visitor Courtyard and Royal Parkland

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located off the Old Stables Courtyard, next to the Stables Cafe.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • Female and male step-free standard toilet facilities are located off the Old Stables Courtyard, next to the Stables Cafe.
  • Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the toilet with adaptations.

North Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the north of the Sandringham Estate, near the Visitor Courtyard.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • The height of the restriction barrier is 93cm.
    • There are 15 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 220cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 130cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 150m from the Visitor Courtyard.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors only.
    • Parking is not free for all users, including Blue Badge holders.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points View
    • There are no electric vehicle charging points designated for Blue Badge holders.
    • There are 2 electric vehicle charging points.
    • The dimensions of the surveyed electric vehicle charging bay are 250cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • The nozzle holster is at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • An online account is required to use the charging point.
    • The West Car Park is located to the west of the Sandringham Estate and is mostly used as an overflow car park.
    • There are no Blue Badge bays nor EV charging bays in the West Car Park.
    • The same payment charges apply as for the North Car Park.

Entrance to the Gardens

  • This entrance is located across the road from the Visitor Courtyard.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is more than 200cm.
  • The waiting area for the shuttle trolley is immediately inside the entrance to the garden.

Accessible Route to Sandringham House

  • The most accessible route to the House is signposted, once inside the entrance to the garden. The route follows a level pathway consisting of part cement/part compacted gravel. The pathway is uneven in some areas and it takes approximately 20-30 minutes to reach the House.
  • Alternatively, there is a free shuttle trolley available just inside the garden entrance, to transport visitors to the House.

Entrance to Sandringham House

  • This entrance is located at the front of the House.
  • 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 between 75cm and 150cm wide.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 150cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.

Sandringham House

  • The area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: the entrance and exit to the House and the walkway near the guns exhibition.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Display formats include: pictorial and audio description.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • There are talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
  • The tour is self-guided.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the tour.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps: the entrance and exit to the House and the walkway near the guns exhibition.
  • The tour also has uneven surfaces.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided throughout the tour.

The Old Stables Courtyard

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: walkways.
    • Additional facilities in this area include: courtyard, cafe, outdoor seating, accessible and standard toilets and exhibitions.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: tarmac and cobbles.
    • 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 seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: some areas of the courtyard.

The Stables Museum

  • The area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor colour contrast varies between low and high.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • Display formats include: pictorial, audio description, information boards and televisions/screens.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • The borders surrounding some displays in the Sandringham Fire Brigade Exhibition could cause a trip hazard.

Stables Takeaway Cafe

  • Location and Access View
    • The Stables Takeaway Cafe is located in the far left hand corner of the Old Stables Courtyard.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • This route has uneven surfaces.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 95cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
    • The door has a high colour contrast.
  • 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 in between the two entrance doors.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 100cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has 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.
    • Menu types include: wall-mounted and handheld.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, 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 covered.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • There is some 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.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Toilet with Adaptations (Stables Takeaway Cafe - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left hand side of the Stables Takeaway Cafe.
    • The distance from the left hand entrance to the Stables Takeaway Cafe is 4m.
  • 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 signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high colour contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the opening is 98cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door, with a low colour contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 167cm (width) x 244cm (depth).
    • There is 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 96cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a lever 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 low colour contrast.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown grab rail has a low colour contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 44cm 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 104cm 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 76cm from the floor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the right side of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low 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 95cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high colour contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 118cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low colour contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 118cm from the floor.
    • There is no emergency alarm.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 85cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

The Gardens

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: formal gardens, walkways and grounds.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: concrete and 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 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: Queen Alexandra's Nest.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: some areas of the pathways and trails.

The Upper and Lower Lakes, Queen Alexandra's Nest and the Grounds

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: parkland, woodland, formal gardens, gardens, walkways and grounds.
    • Additional facilities in this area include: the Upper Lake, the Lower Lake, Queen Alexandra's Nest, the Stream Walk, trails and walkways.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: tarmac and 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 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: Queen Alexandra's Nest.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: some areas of the pathways/trails.
    • Some routes have unsurfaced pathways, for example, the Stream Walk.