Part accessible but work to be done
2.5
2.5
Date of visit: July 2025
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Average
Enjoyable visit to the castle and gardens. We also enjoyed lunch in the cafe. The walled gardens were lovely and largely accessible. Most of the castle was not accessible, just the ground floor. The staff present had not used the ramp previously and the door mats presented a serious hazard. The mat under the ramp moved with my chair on it leaving a gap between the door and ramp. The inner mat became wrapped around my wheels. Fixed mats would be better. A previous review states that there is a video of the upper floors but this was not offered. Signs to indicate where to turn around on the ground floor would be useful. The accessible toilet was very small and turning a chair to get a wheelchair in was very difficult. This was made more challenging as there was a step at the door to go out so there was no option but to turn round in a tight space. Space between tables in the cafe was very tight and I disrupted a number of people trying to get to a table. There are tables inside and outside that are accessible. Overall we had an enjoyable visit which could have been improved with more attention given to accessibility and information about access.
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
See above, work to be done to improve access. The walled garden is accessible as is the cafe. The castle has very limited access. The accessible toilets are difficult to get in and out of and one door to the toilets has a step.
Parking & Transport
Good
There are several accessible parking spaces near the cafe.
Accessible Toilets
Average
It was difficult to manoeuvre in and out. The toilet itself was clean with adequate grab rails.
Staff
Good
Staff at the castle were helpful but inexperienced which caused issues using the ramp. It would have been helpful to have the accessible routes around the garden highlighted. There was no video for the upper floors of the castle.
