Beautiful accessible gardens
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: September 2024
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
Excellent
This review is only of the Abbey Gardens which are across the road from the Abbey itself and free to enter.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The two gated entrances from the street have steps. However there is a sloping track with a fairly hard surface which was easy to wheel on. Somewhat unprepossessing, as you can see from the last picture but at least it gives access. It leads to a large grassy area with some picnic style tables in the middle. There is a narrow paved path down the side of the grassy part which leads into the flowered area shown in the first pictures. It has several seats with backrests and arms and is a lovely place to sit in the sun. The paths are wide smooth paving. There is also an attractive garden area at the other side of the house, but it has gravel paths and no seats.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is a public car park a couple of minutes walk/wheel from the gardens, though it gets busy. Cars were also parked on the street outside.
Accessible Toilets
0There are no toilets at the venue. Public toilets are situated about 100m up the road - a bit of a slope as you approach. The accessible toilet has a horizontal rail on one side. There is not a drop down rail on the other.
Additional Information
The gardens are run by Historic Environment Scotland and are beautifully maintained. It looks as if the planting is regularly changed.
