Decent access - for a stately home
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: May 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
Hatfield House is unusual for a stately home, in that it has a small lift inside so you can go upstairs in a wheelchair or very small mobility scooter. The usual problem of historic buildings being unwilling to put in lifts is overcome here by the fact that a past aristocratic owner installed a lift for himself. Nice to be able to have a good look around a stately home for once.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
It was a pleasant surprise that there was a lift inside the house at all, and there was step-free access to this through the basement (although you'll need someone to go up the steps for you into the main entrance and ask for someone to come to the basement door and let you in). Be aware that the lift is very small and old, and can only take a very small mobility scooter (e.g. Luggie) or lightweight wheelchair. Really nice to be able to look around one of the upstairs floors, and there were ramps as needed when rooms were separated by one or two stairs.
Parking & Transport
Good
It was easy enough to get a blue badge space in the car park, although people using manual wheelchairs or walking with a stick should be aware that the parking is quite far from the actual house.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The loo was spacious and reasonably clean, but be aware that it's in a restaurant and shop area near the car park rather than up at the house.
Staff
Good
Some were a bit on the terse side and the communication between them wasn't always great (you're not allowed to use the ancient lift by yourself, so they have to try and track someone down via walkie talkie to accompany you when you want to enter and leave). But they were obviously trying to be helpful and were polite enough.
Additional Information
Interesting place definitely worth a visit - they are trying harder with the disabled access than some other stately homes, and will no doubt see a reason to keep improving if they see increasing numbers of us spending our money there!
