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Access Guide

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Summary

  • View information about opening hours.
  • Amenities in this building include: historic interiors, parkland, a historic house, a cafĂ© and a garden.
  • The most accessible entrance has steps, a slight ramp/slope (which bypasses any steps), manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • This entrance is the main entrance at the front of the property.
  • There are 2 floors once inside.
  • Other floors can be accessed via: stairs.
  • There is step-free access to the ground floor only once inside.
  • There is stepped access to the Chapel from the first floor landing.
  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • Staff/volunteers can describe the layout and access around the site.
  • The following are also available: seating and a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
  • The sensory pack includes: activity sheets. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
  • At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
  • This site is part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
  • Toilet and changing facilities available include: a toilet designated as gender neutral and a toilet with some adaptations.
  • The toilet with adaptations for disabled people surveyed can be found to the left as you enter via the rear entrance..
  • This toilet with adaptations for disabled people is approximately 3m from the rear entrance.
  • The standard toilets surveyed can be found on the ground and first floors.

Admissions

  • At this location the following are free to access for all visitors: the car park.
  • At this location the following areas are free to access for National Trust members but payable for everyone else: all areas.
  • Parking is free for all visitors.
  • This site offers companion or carer discounts.

Public Transport

Parking

  • This site has a car park.
  • The vehicle route from the main road to the car park includes: uneven surfaces.
  • This is an open air car park with a grass, loose chippings, gravel and compacted gravel surface.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • Maps and information boards are not available.
  • There are 2 Blue Badge parking bays.
  • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 10m from the main entrance.
  • Obstacles from the car park include: grass, a lack of pedestrian walkways to cross the car park and loose chippings.
  • There are not parent and child parking bays available.
  • Blue Badge bays are located next to the main entrance.
    Visitors can be dropped off at the main entrance to the Hall.
    Standard parking is approximately 300 metres away.

Equipment and Resources to Borrow

  • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
  • Sensory packs can be borrowed which include: activity sheets.
  • You can borrow these from Visitor Reception. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
  • You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: mobility scooters. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance.

Visitor Reception (Gazebo - Car Park)

  • There is step-free level access into the area.
  • There is room for wheelchair users to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm) throughout the area.
  • The flooring is not smooth and even.
  • Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to carpet and gravel.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 86cm.
  • The counter does not have a hearing assistance system.
  • Services/facilities available include: a portable card machine for payment and a member of staff to provide assistance.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise here.
  • Staff can attend vehicles.

Entrance (Main)

  • The entrance surveyed is located at the front of the property.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The slight portable ramp is under 75cm wide, with no handrails.
  • The ramp overcomes the steps.
  • There are 2 steps, which are unmarked, with no handrails.
  • The handrails do not cover all steps.
  • All of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
  • This entrance has an intercom.
  • Features not positioned at a suitable height for a wheelchair user include: the intercom.
  • There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is a second set of manual doors (with one door locked) which is permanently open.
  • The width of the opening is 62cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
  • The portable ramp is permanently in place during opening hours.
    The threshold located at the second door is 4cm high.
    The locked door can be opened by a member of staff to provide wider access.

Entrance (Rear)

  • The entrance surveyed is located to the right hand side of the Hall.
  • There is stepped access at the entrance.
  • There are 2 steps, which are unmarked, with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails cover all steps.
  • Some of the steps are not at the recommended height (between 15cm - 18cm).
  • There is a single manual gate which is permanently open.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is a second manual door which is permanently open.
  • The width of the opening is 104cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of more than 1.5cm.
  • This entrance gives access to the toilets and Hall.

Entrance (Tea Room)

  • The entrance surveyed is located on the right hand side of the Hall.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The slight portable ramp is under 75cm wide, with no handrails.
  • There is a single manual door which is permanently open.
  • The width of the opening is 115cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance with a height of less than 1.5cm.
  • The portable ramp is permanently in place during opening hours.

Tour

  • The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
  • The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours.
  • There is stepped access along the tour route.
  • The majority of walkway widths are between 120cm and 180cm.
  • The tour can not be adapted to avoid inaccessible areas.
  • Areas with stepped access only can be experienced by visitors via an information booklet and a photo album.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise along the tour route.
  • The tour does not have a hearing assistance system.
  • There are sofas, bench seats and chairs without armrests at regular intervals along the tour.
  • The following furniture is permanently fixed: some of the chairs.
  • Some flooring along the tour route is smooth and even.
  • Where the flooring is not smooth or even, this is due to carpet.
  • Lighting levels are varied throughout the tour route.
  • There are raised thresholds at the majority of doors.
    There is stepped access to the Chapel on the first floor.

Standard Toilet (Ground Floor)

  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • The door is manual, opens inwards and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
  • The width of the door opening is 69cm.
  • The gender neutral toilet was surveyed.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever.
  • Lighting levels are varied.
  • There are no hand dryers.
  • There are 2 toilets available here.
    There is a door before the toilets that is 83cm wide.

Stairs (Main Staircase)

  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
  • There are more than 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are not clearly marked with no handrails.
  • The highest step is 16cm high.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • If handrails are required, please use the First Floor to Ground Floor and Tea Room staircase.

Steps (First Floor Landing to Chapel)

  • There is 1 step.
  • The step is not clearly marked and there are no handrails.
  • Lighting levels are varied.
  • There are 2 entrances which can be used to access the Chapel on the first floor. Each entrance has a step.

Standard Toilet (First Floor)

  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • The door is manual, opens inwards and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
  • The width of the door opening is 74cm.
  • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
  • The gender neutral toilet was surveyed.
  • The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
  • Lighting levels are varied.
  • There are no hand dryers.

Stairs (First Floor to Ground Floor and Tea Room)

  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are 1, G.
  • There are more than 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are not clearly marked with a handrail on the right going down.
  • The highest step is 18cm high.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • This staircase is for descending only; however it can be used (with permission) to ascend.

Eating and Drinking

  • This is a tea room which serves hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Staff can provide assistance and offer service to tables.
  • Menu types include: written wall menus.
  • Menus are easy to read (large clear font with contrasting colours).
  • The following are available here: drinking straws, easy grip cutlery and a portable card machine for payment.
  • Lighting levels are varied.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise here.
  • There is a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is a counter over 85cm high without a tray rail.
  • The counter is 94cm high.
  • There is not a section of the counter at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • There is step-free level access around the seating area.
  • There are sofas, coffee tables, tables and chairs without armrests available in the seating area.
  • The seating area does not have: a priority table and a mixture of chairs with and without armrests.
  • There are some tables which are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The surface height of the tables is 75cm.
  • All flooring in the area is smooth and even.
  • Some of the flooring includes large repeating patterns in bold colours, which may look like steps or holes to some people.
  • Some of the flooring has a very shiny finish, which could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There are 2 separate internal seating areas.
    These rooms are located next to the tea room and have door widths of 90cm.
    There is a single 50cm high coffee table within the internal seating areas.
    There are external tables and chairs within the garden area.
    The chairs have no armrests and the tables have a surface height of 75cm.

Toilet with Adaptations (Melford Hall Rear Entrance - Ambulant - Left Hand Transfer)

  • This toilet is located to the left as you enter via the rear entrance.
  • There is step-free level access into the toilet.
  • This toilet is approximately 3m from the rear entrance.
  • There is tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door is manual, opens by sliding and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
  • The width of the toilet door opening is 67cm.
  • The door has a twist lock.
  • Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 150cm x 190cm and it does not have a 150cm x 150cm turning space.
  • There is a lateral transfer space to the left of the seat.
  • The lateral transfer space is 84cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
  • There is a lever flush on the transfer side.
  • The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side and vertical grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: toilet roll holder and wash basin.
  • The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: soap dispenser and towel dispenser.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm.
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 118cm.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • The height of the wash basin is 72cm.
  • The height of the soap dispenser is 100cm.
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 105cm.
  • The height of the baby change is 98cm.
  • There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it is not at a recommended height (within 10cm from the floor).
  • There is not a shelf.
  • The cubicle has: a full length mirror, a nappy/incontinence items bin, a sanitary bin, a pedal bin and a padded back rest for seat.
  • The height of the coat hook is 135cm from the floor.
  • The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the dropdown rail, all grab rails, the floor, the toilet seat and the internal door.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is an 80cm wide door leading to the facility.
    The baby change table and nappy incontinence bin are located beyond this door and before the accessible toilet door.

Ramp or Slope and Steps (to the Lower Garden Terrace)

  • The slope is slight and between 75cm and 150cm wide.
  • The slope does not have handrails.
  • There are 4 steps.
  • The steps are not clearly marked with no handrails.
  • The slope overcomes the steps.

Outdoor Spaces

  • This information is for the access point located to the side of the Hall.
  • There is step-free level access into the area.
  • There is open access at the surveyed access point.
  • The width of the gap is 120cm.
  • The following outdoor facilities are available: formal gardens and gardens.
  • The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: grass, gravel and bonded gravel.
  • Footpaths are available in some of the outdoor spaces.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access around some of the area.
  • There are slight slopes without handrails and more than 3 steps without handrails in the main areas.
  • A large portion of the gardens is accessible.
    The lower garden areas are accessed via slopes or steps.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.