Access Guide
COVID-19 Information
- There are external queuing points.
- The external queuing points are clearly marked/signed.
- Visitors are asked to queue in their cars.
- 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.
- 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 available.
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include gardens, woodland and lake walks, a restaurant, coffee shop, gift shop, picnic areas and exhibits.
Opening Hours
Location
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Staplehurst.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
- There is a £3 charge for every car that enters the car park.
- The car park is located at the front of the venue.
- 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 10+ Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 110m (120yd 11in) from the ticket office entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 150m (164yd 2in) from the ticket office 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 concrete.
- 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.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- There is a mobility buggy to take Blue Badge holders from the car park to the ticket office.
- The Blue Badge spaces are not marked out, but are signed.
Reception (Ticket Office)
- The desk/counter is 110m (120yd 11in) from the car park.
- There is not level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
- The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
Level Change (Ticket Office and Toilets)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in front of the ticket office.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
Parks and Gardens
- The park or garden does have footpaths.
- The path(s) has a / have concrete surface(s).
- The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There are easy and moderate slopes on the paths.
- There are some bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
Outside Access (Granary Restaurant Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 148cm (4ft 10in).
Eating and Drinking (Granary Restaurant Entrance)
- The following information is for the restaurant.
- The restaurant is located in the castle grounds.
- Full table service is not 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.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the restaurant entrance.
- The standard height for tables is 73cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- 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 hot and cold meals and snacks.
Outside Access (Café Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the café building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are single.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
Level Change (Café Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp/slope is located in the doorway.
- The ramp/slope is easy.
- The ramp does not have handrails.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 85cm (2ft 9in).
Eating and Drinking (Café)
- The following information is for the café.
- The café is located in the castle grounds.
- Full table service is not 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.
- Some tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests.
- The nearest table is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the café entrance.
- The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- The distance between the floor and the highest table is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The standard height for tables is 75cm.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
- Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- Menus are wall 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 hot and cold meals and snacks.
Outside Access (Gift Shop Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the shop building.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
Inside Access (Gift Shop)
- There is not level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are bright.
Level Change (Gift Shop)
- There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
- The step(s) is/are located beyond the entrance.
- There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are bright.
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
Accessible Toilet (Ticket Office)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the ticket office entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located to the left of the ticket office.
- There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The door is light.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 140cm x 175cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 9in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
- 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 not an emergency alarm.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are clinical waste disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- 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 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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 good.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (Ticket Office)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left of the ticket office.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the ticket office entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the female and male standard toilets.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 96cm (3ft 2in).
Accessible Toilet (Café)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is Braille and no signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the café entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the building, past the counter.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 164cm x 240cm (5ft 5in x 7ft 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 right.
- The lateral transfer space is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is push.
- 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 disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- 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 47cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 108cm (3ft 7in).
- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are bright.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).
Standard Toilet(s) (Café)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located at the rear of the building, past the counter.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the café entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are bright.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
- The assistance dog toilet area is located outside the grounds.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.