Venue Description

We explore 400 years of Edinburgh's Lawnmarket history on 3 floors throughout one of the city's oldest tennement houses. Our self-guided tours (between 10am and 2.30pm) and guided tours (3pm) are fully interactive, which means you're welcome to actually touch and sit on old furniture in a hands-on experience. Volunteer guides are happy to answer any questions during your visit and we offer specialty guided tours (4pm) on food ("Tables through Time") and intimacy through the ages ("Intimate Lives" 16+). Our brand new café and ice cream parlour is wheelchair accessible and offers a variety of delicious cakes, hot drinks, snacks and ice cream flavours - including one specially made for us after an 18th century recipe. Connections to the history of the House are dotted throughout the layout and design of the café that was once the main shop area for the various traders living in Gladstone's Land.

Accessibility

• There is level access throughout the Café with an accessible toilet in the back left seating area. • The right seating area is not directly accessible from the front area but is accessible via a ramp connecting it to the left seating area. • From the front area to the left seating area the narrowest point is 91cm/36’’. From the left seating area to the right seating area the narrowest point is 83cm/32’’. • The tables are 74cm/29’’ high, space for wheelchairs can be provided on most tables. • Highchairs for small children are available upon request. • There are retail shelves in the front and left seating areas. Staff are available to assist with price enquiries and carrying of items. • General toilets are downstairs, accessible through a narrow staircase consisting of 13 steps with a handrail (approx. 71cm/28inches wide). • The visitor experience is not wheelchair or rollator accessible. • Tickets for the visitor experience can be purchased at the main café till or at the ticket booth outside. • The entrance to the house is outside the property via 16 stone steps and a door with a width of 69cm/23’’ (this can be widened to 80cm/31’’). • The suggested route is to start at the top (third floor) but please speak to staff if it will be too much in one go. From street level to the third floor it is 49 steps to the top and most of your journey is spent on a turnpike spiral staircase (80cm/31’’ width at its narrowest). • There is seating on every floor. • There is a small step into most rooms, but once entered, all transitions within are level with no steps. • There are low doorways throughout the property, specifically between the main chamber and the kitchen on the first floor (177cm/69’’ height). • You leave the house via a narrow staircase (70cm/27” width at its narrowest) consisting of 17 wooden steps. Steps: Forestair (street to first floor): 16 steps First floor to third: 33 steps Third floor to second: 15 steps Second floor to first: 18 steps Back stairs (first floor to cafe): 17 steps Notes on the sensory experience; • There is an air curtain that blows warm air into the front doorway. We cannot guarantee if it will be on or off, but if it is a cold day it will likely be on. • The till does not have an induction loop. • There is background music playing. • Each table features a small cup with spices that were traditionally sold at Gladstone’s Land (clove, nutmeg ginger, liquorice, star anise, cinnamon). • There is a life-size mannequin of an 18th century noblewoman in the right seating area. • The visitor experience is fully interactive, visitors can handle 80% of the collection (and are encouraged to do so). • The information booklet for visitors is small print, a larger print version is available upon request. • Some areas are in low light on clouded winter days. Torches/flashlights may be used, room guides will assist upon request. • There are scents on all floors: tobacco, musk on the third floor, lavender on the second floor, orange, mint in the main chamber of the first floor, smoke by the fireplace on the first floor, and several spices in the back of the first floor. • The Exhibition Space on the first floor can be used as a quiet room if need be, please approach a member of staff. • We can never predict how busy the house will be. The rooms are quite small, so if the house is busy, it can be quite overwhelming if a specific room has a lot of people in it. Please notify a member of staff and they will assist you in making your way to the exhibition space or back out onto the mile. We offer noise cancelling headphones and detailed information for any sensory impacts throughout the exhibition, such as light chances, noises and scents.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://www.nts.org.uk/accessibility/gladstones-land-accessibility-guide

Awards List

Gladstone's Land is a National Trust for Scotland property, entrance into the House is free for any international Trust members. Free entry is granted to Carers, STGA and ASVA members, Edinburgh Bus Tour Guides, City Pass holders, Scottish Heritage Pass holders, the Scots Guards association, John Lewis partners, Dobbies Garden Club members, Hartfords Partnership Free Family Day Pass holders and Sky VIP Family Pass holders.

Toilets

The accessible toilet is located at the left-hand back of the Café seating area and features a handrail, an easy turn lock and a wide entrance as well as an emergency cord.

Staff

Staff have received basic instructions on ensuring a pleasant visit for disabled visitors.

Assistance dog facilities

Assistance dog exercise facilities

All dogs are welcome throughout the Café and provided with water and (if allowed) treats. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Museum.