Overview

Despite the limitations of an ancient monument, I managed to access more of the ruins than I expected. We spent five hours here, taking the accessible route round the river and lakes, getting wonderful views of the grounds. We made a detour to the higher level of the grounds for which I needed considerable help - so wouldn't recommend that for most people. However the main route is gently undulating and well worth undertaking. A carer came free with me which made the day a bit more affordable! I was in my Team Hybrid electric powercycle. I did meet people being pushed in manual wheelchairs which whilst hard work was do-able in this landscape. The abbey ruins are extensive and well preserved.

Transport & Parking

Disabled access to the abbey is from the West Gate car park which has designated blue badge parking. However at the main entrance there is no sign marking the West Gate location (only on the way out of the main car park!). Passing the main entrance on your left, stay on the road until the bottom of the hill, where you will find the car park on your right. You then have to cross back over the road to get into the estate. There is no level access to the abbey from the visitor centre/main car park though there is blue badge parking there. Clearer signage is needed on the main gate re this.

Access

Access to the abbey ruins is via West Gate - see comments and directions above. The ruins are accessed via undulating grass, which is nice and short. Inside the ruins it's a mixture of compacted earth and gravel - al manageable by wheelchair. There are a few ramps enabling access to key parts of the ruins. They are a bit severe sometimes and I needed a helping push - however the ramps enabled me to reach most of the ruins. There were grassy slopes to access some other ruined buildings. Only a few sections were inaccessible but hey it's an ancient monument. We followed the accessible path round the water gardens which had a few slopes - I would advise even motorised wheelchair/scooter users to take a companion to help with the occasional push. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for hire but must be booked in advance. We went in the garden of Lakeside cafe which was level and had some tables with cutaway sections for wheelchair users. We didn't have time to visit all the other buildings eg Fountains Hall. However I visited the display in the Porters Lodge which was fully accessible.

Toilets

There are loos at the Visitor Centre, Lakeside cafe and near West Gate. I believe there are disabled facilities at all three however I can only vouch for Lakeside cafe as that's the one I used. It was basic but well equipped. It was outside the park entrance by the cafe so is also, helpfully, accessible to visitors to the deer park and cafe without needing to go into the abbey grounds. It wasn't radar key operated.

Staff

The lady in the admission office was helpful in outlining the accessible route and highlighting other areas we might want to consider and their possible access issues, eg the hilly path up to the Surprise View (we should have listened to her!). Other staff and volunteers were helpful and welcoming.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The extra path we took in did a loop up to the Surprise View. It was VERY steep and I needed considerable help getting up there and getting down, despite battery power. I wouldn't recommend trying it! It's clearly marked on the free map they give you and isn't part if the accessible route, so its easily avoided. My recommendations to the abbey would be to sort out the signage at the main entrance so that disabled visitors are directed better to the West Gate. Also I'd suggest resurfacing some of the slopes where there is loose shingle to provide better grip for wheelchairs and scooters. Otherwise I'd commend them on accessibility. To disabled visitors looking for a walk without the hefty admission fee, consider the deer park which does not have an admission fee (there may be a car park charge - park by the Lakeside cafe). I didn't go to the deer park so can't be assured of its accessibility but it looked possible with reasonably robust wheels and occasional help. I will check it out next time....

Photos