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Framlingham Castle

Church Street, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9PB

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About this venue

Once a fearsome fortress, muster your courage and explore Framlingham Castle's towering walls. It was behind these walls that Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. Discover more of Framlingham's stories in our exhibition, walk the ramparts of the castle to enjoy its breath-taking views or taste some Tudor inspired delights in our café.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include Café, Souvenir shop and Museum.
  • Services / facilities within the grounds include Moat and Castle surround walks. Picnic tables. Castle tours.

Opening Times

  • The venue has seasonal opening times and please contact the venue for details of opening times.

Location

  • There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Wickham Market.

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.
    • Parking is free for English Heritage members and free for Blue Badge holders.
      General parking is £3 per day.
    • The car park is located next to admission/ticket office.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot 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 300cm x 500cm (9ft 10in x 16ft 5in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the admissions office.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 8m (8yd 2ft) from the admissions office.
    • 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 loose chippings.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Admission Office)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • There is not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The door(s) is / are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 98cm (3ft 3in).
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a small raised threshold in the doorway.
  • Comments View
    • There is an exit door from the admission office that opens outwards. This door is 95cm wide and is held open during operating times.
    • There are bollards on the approach that are 95cm high and are more than 150cm apart.

Outside Access (Castle Gates)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at front of the castle.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 145cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading from the car park to the Castle Gates.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Outside Access (Museum and Shop)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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) is/are permanently held open.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 113cm.
    • 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 double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 120cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the door threshold.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • 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.

Reception (Admission Office)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the admission office entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is not signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/05/2023.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.

Inside Access (Castle)

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • The Castle grounds have gravel paths throughout. There are bench seats and picnic tables with a table height of 70cm.

Inside Access (Museum and Shop)

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/05/2023.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in the shop.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
  • Comments View
    • The floor of the museum is uneven in places.
    • Headsets are available for audio tours as you walk around the castle.

Counter (Shop)

  • The counter is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the entrance.
  • There is level access to the counter from the entrance.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is not a lowered section.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested on 23/05/2023.
  • The hearing assistance system was working at the time of testing.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.

Eating and Drinking (Cafe)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • The café is located to the left of the museum shop.
  • 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.
  • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the Musuem and Shop Entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 78cm (2ft 7in).
  • 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 clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.

Lift (Access to Museum)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located within the Castle Cafe.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The lift is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the Shop and Museum Entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 145cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is moderate to good.

Other Floors (Access to Museum and Wall Walk)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not 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 moderate to good.

Museum

  • Exhibits cannot be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • Video tours are available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Concessions are not available.
  • There is not a wheelchair to borrow.
  • Comments View
    • There are open doorways and small thresholds located in the museum.

Wall Walk

  • The Castle has a wall walk that circumnavigates the Castle top. This is accessed from the first floor museum. The wall is accessed by ascending a narrow very steep spiral staircase with a rope handrail on the right.
  • The wall has many stepped level changes ranging in height up to 20+cm.
  • The width of the wall walk is 95cm.

Moat and Mere Walks

  • There are walkways around the Castle in the moat.
  • These walks can only be accessed from steps ranging in height up to 20cm and various ramps and level changes.
  • The pathways consist of compressed earth.

Accessible Toilet (Admission Office - Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the admission office entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left of reception.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is not a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from reception.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 94cm (3ft 1in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 230cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 7in).
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 waste paper pedal bin 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 both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

Level Change (Standard Female toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading to and beyond door threshold.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not 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 the right going up the step(s).

Level Change (Standard Male toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

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.