Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Hand and Sceptre

21 London Road, Southborough, Kent, TN4 0QB

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

About this venue

For WhatPub information about the Hand and Sceptre, please click here (opens new tab)

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is High Brooms.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • The car park is located to the side and the rear of the venue.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 2 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 220cm x 460cm (7ft 3in x 15ft 1in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the hotel entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 12m (13yd 4in) from the hotel entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
    • The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the left hand side of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance doors.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the entrance on London Road.
    • There is/are 6 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 17cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
    • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • Comments View
    • The steps are for pedestrian access to the venue from London Road. They are bypassed by entering the venue via the car park.

Outside Access (Hotel Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue opposite the Blue Badge bays.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 145cm (4ft 9in).
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with an open extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located directly in front of the entrance doors.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was not tested at the time of the survey.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played throughout the bar/restaurant.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Comments View
    • There is a portable hearing loop available from the hotel office. At the time of the survey (July 2024) it was not possible to check the operation of the hearing system as it was not available.

Eating and Drinking

  • The following information is for the restaurant.
  • The bar does serve food.
  • Full table service is available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 65cm (2ft 2in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Children are welcomed in the bar area.
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is Modern European.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the standard toilets and accommodation.

Level Change (Access to Accommodation)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located on the first floor directly ahead.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.

Standard Accommodation

  • There is step-free level access to the room surveyed.
  • The bed type is double.
  • The desk height is not between 73cm and 75cm.
  • The room surveyed has an armchair.
  • The room has: a bed which is not at a recommended height (between 45cm - 52cm), room for a wheelchair user to turn next to the bed (150cm x 150cm), light switches at a recommended height (between 75cm - 120cm), plug sockets at a recommended height (between 40cm - 100cm) and plug sockets next to the bed.
  • The room has soft flooring.

Ensuite

  • The ensuite has a manual door which opens inwards.
  • The ensuite does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The ensuite has hard flooring.
  • The ensuite has a non-slip floor.
  • There is no emergency alarm.
  • The toilet seat is not at a recommended height from the floor (48cm).
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 60cm.
  • The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: the toilet roll holder and the wash basin.
  • The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: the soap dispenser.
  • The ensuite has: a shower cubicle.
  • The height of the wash basin is 84cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • The height of the soap dispenser is 127cm.
  • There is an adjustable, detachable shower head at a recommended height (between 105cm - 185cm).
  • The shower control type is twist turn.
  • There are no dropdown rails for the shower.
  • There is no seat.
  • The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the internal door, the floor and the toilet seat.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the bar on the right.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 92cm (3ft).
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 177cm x 160cm (5ft 10in x 5ft 3in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 64cm (2ft 1in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • There is a high colour contrast between the external door and wall.
    • There is a low visual contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located to the right as you enter the toilet with adaptations.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 89cm (2ft 11in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Other Floors)

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.