Dalkeith Country Park

bellrock

01 Sep 2026

Easy Access to courtyard and cafe

4

4

Date of visit: July 2026

I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Good

Review of central area around Restoration Yard only

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

There was a slope from the car park to the cafe and shop but it was manageable. We were able to get a seat outside the cafe and later within the courtyard but these were freestanding seats. It would be helpful to have more permanent benches available. The cafe and shop were all on the level though the cafe had one entrance with steps and another step free. We did not explore the walking trails or the Fort Douglas play area. The Park website has a very detailed and helpful accessibility statement. Measurements of doors are given and notably (very rare!) there is a picture of the toilet. It is very helpful for us to know exactly where the grips are in a toilet.

Accessible facilities: Lift to all areas, Step-free entrance

Parking & Transport

Average

I travelled to this place by personal vehicle

There is a tarmac car park very close to the central Restoration Yard area. I was very surprised however that there only seemed to be six Blue Badge spaces. These had cross hatching. There is another car park fairly close but ithe entrance was up a slope. Much is made on the website of a new Laundry Yard car park, presumably, the one close to the shop and cafe, but I never saw a sign calling it that. When we left, just before the shop and cafe closed, the car park was fairly empty apart from a row of cars parked in the shady area (on a hot day) so I suspect most if these belonged to staff who would know where the shade was. Perhaps they could be encouraged to use the other car park so more Blue Badge spaces could be created. There is a £4 charge for parking which we had to pay to a member of staff at a kiosk. I was assuming it would be at a machine. My average rating is because of the small number of Blue Badge spaces in such a large and popular park.

Accessible facilities: Drop-off or pick up point, Dedicated on-site parking

Accessible Toilets

Good

The toilet has a drop down rail and a horizontal rail attached to the wall. The red cord goes to the floor, though, as is often the case, it is on the wall side making it more difficult to access. The position if the sink made it a little difficult to position the wheelchair in front of the toilet. I'm not sure if there would be room for a sideways transfer. Be warned, the accessible toilet is in the shop behind an unobtrusive white door. We had dutifully followed the toilet signs in the courtyard to another building to be faced with a lift. Fortunately a member of staff emerged who was able to tell us the toilet was in the shop. I suppose making it less obvious prevents everyone from using it instead of going up in stairs or in the lift.

Facilities: Accessible toilet

Staff

Excellent

Additional Information

The detailed and helpful website notes that you can enter from the City Bypass side or from the Town Gate in Dalkeith. All cars must exit by the Toen Gate. We entered the first way but if I was going again I'd use the Dalkeith entrance. It's a much shorter route in and avoids the dreaded Sheriffhall Roundabout.