Amazing day out
5
5
Date of visit: June 2023
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person and a general supporter of disabled access.
Overall Rating
Excellent
We had the best day. So much to see and do. Lots of interactive things and places to rest. So much space and nature. Just a really lovely place to visit. I am able to do steps (slowly) so I was able to access the monorail and the open top bus. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible. There are accessible loos. The cafe is accessible. The Manor House is accessible downstairs but to get to the kitchens they take you round the side. We didn’t go in the kids play area, but we did explore a lot of the gardens. The loose gravel was a bit tricky due to my small caster wheels but it was all manageable. No issues with my assistance dog. We did everything together.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The museum is fully accessible. There is a lift to go up a small fight of stairs. And then a proper lift to get down to the lower floor. The corridors are wide and easy to pass people. The cafe is fully accessible but only by one of the many entrances. It is signposted. The toilets are downstairs but you can access them by leaving and going in at the lower level. The monorail is not wheelchair accessible. You need to be able to climb 1 set of stone stairs and 2 flights of metal stairs. There are handrails on both sides. The open top bus is not wheelchair accessible. Even to sit downstairs you need to be able to do several stairs. The stairs to go on the top are very steep and narrow. We did it very slowly. Getting down again was harder. The war exhibit was fully accessible. The Manor House was semi-accessible. You can view the first 2 rooms from the main entrance but then you get escorted around to see the kitchen and dining room. Upstairs is not wheelchair accessible and we didn’t go up as I’d worn my self out on the monorail. I could have viewed a video of the upstairs on the iPad if I had wanted to see without going up. The gift shop is accessible.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Disabled parking right by the entrance and in the shade which was a bonus.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The accessible loos were fine. They could be improved. There was no changing places loo
Staff
Excellent
Everyone was amazing. So friendly and welcoming.
