Overview

We were directed to the accessible car park where staff were waiting to greet us and take us through to the accessible entrance to the house. We were given a map of the house of the areas which I would be able to reach in a wheelchair and given advice about the upper level if felt able to get up the stairs. The grounds are a little hilly to get around the wider garden but we managed it and the staff all went out of their way to guide us through the easiest routes.

Transport & Parking

We asked the car park attendant who was taking payment where we should park as we didn't have a blue badge but did have a wheelchair user. We were told to go to the orangery wheelchair carpark where a member of staff was waiting to greet us. He was very patient while I got out of the car and into the chair. He then took us through a side gate and into the rose garden. He asked whether we would like to go into the house and then took us to an accessible entrance where we were greeted by another member of staff.

Access

The house has an accessible entrance as mentioned above. A member of staff was on hand to provide a map showing everywhere I could reach in the wheelchair. This was everywhere on the first floor. As we went around the floor, there were lots of staff on hand to answer questions. As we got to the grand staircase, a member of staff explained what the stairs were like if I wanted to try to get upstairs. I decided against it however the stairs themselves looked quite wide and not steep therefore it didn't look impossible however it was a long staircase which put me off trying it. When we came to leave the house, a member of staff advised us on a route around the garden and lake. We didn't go into the orangery however there is only one low step into this building. The path around the lake is quite steep and a little bumpy in places so may not be possible for some. I'm not sure if there is a step free route to get to the courtyard and front of the house as we didn't see one however the route we took involved 5 concrete steps. there is a handrail and the steps were quite wide and not very steep so it was possible for me with crutches. The cafes and shops are in the courtyard so I'm not sure how you get to these if you can't manage steps, short of going all the way around the house and car park. The was a short ramp into one of the café's, the ale cellar, which was incredibly steep! Wound recommend trying the restaurant instead as my partner found this very difficult to push me up. The restaurant appeared to be level entrance however we didn't see this until we were leaving! When leaving, I waited outside the courtyard while my partner brought the car to the front entrance (following advice from staff) as it was very steep to get to the carpark via this exit.

Toilets

The toilets were fine, I went to an accessible toilet in the courtyard which was a decent size and clean. The floor is old tiling which is a little uneven but I didn't have a problem. There were two doors into the toilet but it didn't seem particularly heavy. The only issue would be getting to the courtyard, as mentioned above, I'm not sure there is a step free route to get into the house as well as getting to the courtyard.

Staff

The staff made me feel very welcome and were obviously used to visitors with disabilities and mobility problems. We were given advice whenever we needed it. I would definitely go back because of this.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Overall I really enjoyed it. It is possible to do some of the house and some of the garden without any hilly parts or steps but to see any more would require a bit more strength than I can manage on my own so needed my partner's assistance to see more of the estate.