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Scotney Castle - Garden

Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JN

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About this venue

Relax in our picturesque garden with the glorious backdrop of our fairy-tale castle. Venture into the wonderful woodland and parkland with over 770 acres to explore. The estate is open all year, offering a variety of walks through our beautiful parkland, woodland and hop farm. Children can enjoy our natural play area in the garden and wilderness camp on the estate.

Access Guide

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Introduction

COVID-19 Information

  • The information in this section was taken in March 2022.
  • The hand sanitisers are hand held.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 58cm.
  • The height of the hand sanitisers range between 58cm and 80cm.
  • Hand sanitisers are available inside the venue.
  • There are protective clear screens located at desks/counters.
  • Toilets are available.
  • The venue is not certified with the 'We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard.

Opening Times (Feburary to October)

  • Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Saturday 10:00 - 17:00.
  • Sunday 10:00 - 17:00.

Opening Times (November to December)

  • Monday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Saturday 10:00 - 15:00.
  • Sunday 10:00 - 15:00.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the village.
  • This venue is situated in Lamberhurst.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located at the front of the castle.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 6 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 440cm x 500cm (14ft 5in x 16ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 87m (95yd 5in) from the visitor centre and shop entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 108m (118yd 4in) from the visitor centre and shop 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 uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is an overflow car park which has a grass surface.

COVID-19 Information

  • The information in this section was taken in October 2020.
  • There are separate doors for entering and exiting.
  • There is a member of staff available at the entrance.
  • There is hand sanitiser available at the entrance.
  • The hand sanitisers are hand held.
  • The height of the hand sanitiser is 110cm.
  • Hand sanitisers are not available inside the venue.
  • There is a limited number of people allowed inside.
  • There is a one-way system throughout.
  • The one-way system is clearly marked/signed.
  • There is clear signage inside to help with social distancing.
  • There are protective clear screens located at tills/counters.
  • Toilets are not available.
  • The venue is not certified with the 'We’re Good To Go’ COVID-19 industry standard.

Access Point (Garden Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located to the right of the main car park.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is no gate at this access point.
    • There are bollards at this access point.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading down to the access point.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • Comments View
    • The route from the car park to the garden access point is uneven. There is also a speed hump on this route.

Second Hand Book Shop

  • There is a second hand book shop located opposite the payment booth at the garden access point.
  • The entrance is a level access with a double with set of manual doors that open towards you.
  • The width at the double doors is 160cm and they are permanently held open.
  • The aisles are over 150cm wide.
  • Payments are taken with a portable chip and pin machine located at the access point payment booth.

Parks and Gardens

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • The Old Castle in the gardens was under refurbishment at the time of surveying.

Level Change (Gardens)

  • Throughout the gardens there are a series of easy, moderate and steep slopes.
  • Members of staff can mark out on a map of the gardens the most accessible route to avoid the steep slopes.
  • Most paths are surfaced but some of the paths along the spring walk and loose chippings.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have compact earth, concrete, gravel and muddy surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are steep and steep slopes on the paths.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the tea room / shop.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the toilet block, to the left as you enter the venue from the car park and near the tea room/shop.
    • 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 226cm x 300cm (7ft 5in x 9ft 10in).
    • There is 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 left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 160cm (5ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary, non-infectious waste, waste paper pedal bin and open waste paper bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 140cm from the floor.
  • 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 both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are 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 towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • 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
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within this accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 1 shows the toilet block.
    • Photograph 2-4 shows the accessible toilet surveyed with the flip-down baby change.
    • There is another similar accessible facility in the toilet block with the lateral transfer space on the right. This facility has baby change that is 92cm high. This facility is shown in Photographs 5-8.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the toilet block near to the shop / tea room.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the tea room / shop.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 1 shows the toilet block.
    • Photographs 2-6 show the male standard toilets in the block.
    • There is one ambulant cubicle within the male toilets shown in Photographs 5 and 6.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.