Wonderful day out with stunning wheelchair accessible quarry gardens!
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: September 2023
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Excellent
We stopped off at this venue to break our journey home from the Scottish Borders. Belsay Hall is owned by English Heritage and we are members, so it was free for us. So we went not really knowing how accessible it would be. It was actually excellent!
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The Hall is undergoing refurbishment but instead of closing it, they have kept it open so you can see what the process involves. It was really interesting. It is currently completely unfurnished and the walls and ceilings have been stripped right back. I was able to get around the whole ground floor in my wheelchair. There is currently no lift but it did look like they might be putting one in. Getting into the gardens was a bit tricky. We had to go through a different gate because the doorway was too narrow. Once in though, accessible routes are well signposted. The quarry gardens are amazing! They have their own microclimate, which means that exotic plants thrive in it. I would love to go back during the different seasons. The castle was not as accessible but they have done a really good job with ramps and different ways in and around. We didn't stay there as long as we'd have liked as there was a large wasps' nest and I'm terrified of them. Once we'd seen it, we headed back to the gardens.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
We arrived by motorhome and parked in coach parking. There is a bonded resin path from the car parks up to the hall. This takes a winding path to make it less steep.
Accessible Toilets
Good
There were accessible toilets and I think I saw a Changing Places sign. I didn't use them though as I used my own in the motorhome.
Staff
Excellent
All staff were lovely and helpful!
