Jewel in English Heritage collection
5
5
Date of visit: October 2019
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Superb grounds and house with full access (ask for lift to fist floor). Cafe and shop. Some gradients in the gardens if you are in a manual wheelchair but you can avoid steep bits and still enjoy extensive grounds. Family history of legal wrangles are said to have inspired Dicken's Jarndyve v Jarndyce court case in Bleak House. Can easily spend a full day here but check limited winter openings.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Very good access. When you visit first floor you have to return to the lift and you miss the servant bedrooms, which predictably are very plain and scantily furnished!! Life below stairs was not the rosy picture of Downton Abbey I fear. There is a buggy service (check out of season) from entrance to cafe and house for those who can only walk limited distances.
Parking & Transport
Good
Excellent disabled parking next to entrance but public transport is a bus from Doncaster which stops well short of property so not ideal.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Disabled loo on a tarmac path about fifty yards from cafe building.
Staff
Excellent
Very friendly and helpful.
