Beautiful accessible gardens
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: November 2021
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Excellent
I've been here a number of times but mainly in late winter/early spring. This time I went for an autumn visit and was not disappointed. It was really pretty! The gardens are built to be mostly accessible, although the rockery gardens are steep and quite narrow, so I couldn't get around them. On this occasion, the Victorian gardens were closed off for renovation work, which meant I couldn't do the full circular walk but it didn't spoil my visit. Assistance dogs are welcome but otherwise no dogs are allowed, which makes it a good outdoor venue if your assistance dog is new and still getting used to doing this sort of visit.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The grounds, museum, cafe and toilets are accessible and they have clearly put a lot of thought into this. In places, the garden path is a little uneven. I use my Freewheel though, and it was easy enough to get around. There's a variety of path surfaces. Mostly, it is concrete but the stumpery is compacted gravel and has a small hill to get in. The secret garden is accessed via a bark chippings path, which is a little soft but doable.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
There is free accessible parking on site, right next to the visitor centre. From here, you enter via the shop. The doors are all automatic, which makes things easier.
Accessible Toilets
Good
There is a small changing places toilet here. The entry is a bit narrow but otherwise it is good. At the moment, toilets are still signposted via the old Covid one way system. This takes you through the outdoor cafe area, which is quite tight with posts and tables. It is better to go round the other way to the toilets.
Staff
Excellent
All staff were extremely helpful and friendly.
