Overview

We visited the castle along with my aunt and uncle at the end of May. We knew from previous visits to contact the castle direct about tickets for disabled and also use of one of their. Batericars . As I am a blue badge holder we had access via the main gate to park next to the gift shop . Which was ideal . Although we did encounter one issue before getting our tickets we had been told we would have a carer ticket . But turns out nobody knew of such tickets they didn’t exist despite our email saying other wise. But we didn’t let this spoil the visit. Unlike our last visit in October 2020 where you had a tour guide . It’s now all done via individual hand sets. You look for the numbers as you tour the gardens and information is told to you from the handset. There is a separate entrance for wheelchair users into the hall where you can see exhibits . It’s easy to get round in the scooter with display information at a height that’s easy to read for wheelchair users. We had lunch in the pipers cafe which was something a disappointment compared to when we last visited. I have a number of allergies and unfortunately none of the sandwiches were. Suitable . We asked if they could make cheese and tomato sandwich but were told that’s not possible. Given all the media attention about people with allergies we were disappointed with the response. I have to eat when take my medication so had to manage on a slice of cake. I did email the office at the castle about both the ticket information and pipers cafe but haven’t had any response. Despite these issues it was a great day out. And everything is very accessible no matter what your disability. Piper cafe is fully accessible and has disabled toilets.

Transport & Parking

Access

Toilets

Staff

Anything else you wish to tell us?

There were plenty of hand sanitizer bottles to use as you entered the gift shop and castle hall where the exhibit was. Plus in the toilets. We would visit again but would not eat in the. Pipers cafe given how unhelpful they were. There is room for more staff training for the ticket office given they didn’t know about carer tickets and the cafe staff need to be more understanding of people’s needs with regard allergies . The food that’s on offer needs to meet everyone’s needs. We got the impression that staff were only interested in being helpful if you had pre booked the afternoon jubilee tea. They were doing. We were told that we would have to use a table at the back of the restaurant . It felt like you were an after thought or in the way. I would recommend visiting as it’s easily accessible and a great day out , but don’t recommend the. Cafe unless your able to sit outside at the picnic benches but the menu is extremely limited.