Knightshayes National Trust

Knightshayes National Trust have done away with the blue Disabled Parking and replaced it with a black sign board with white writing saying ‘Accessible Parking’ Sign! Now, no one visiting seems sure what that means so every Tom, Dick and Harry use the once disabled parking for their own use. Disabled Drivers now have only two parking spaces?? You have to wonder with dumbo came up with this idea

I really enjoyed my visit and adventured into the grounds on my mobility scooter. The accessible route round the gardens and surrounding woodland was bumpy on rough paths and shook me up a bit. However, I did admire the extensive landscape and it was my choice to try it out. The cobbles make it difficult to access the toilet and cafe, perhaps a matted alternative could be provided. Staff and volunteers were very helpful. Signage could be improved, especially to the disabled spaces in the car park as it is tempting to stop outside the house on the way along the very long drive, and better signs in the gardens would benefit everyone.

On arrival there is a bumpy path towards the ticket office . The ticket office has cobble flooring as does the courtyard which offers access to the tea rooms and toilets . The path to the house was mainly paved and flat and wasn’t too rough for my wheelchair . The house itself is currently only open downstairs all of which was wheelchair accessible. Floors are generally smooth with a few carpets which may be a little difficult for manual wheelchairs . Larger wheelchairs may also need to take care as one or two doorways where a little tight . The cafe was good with lots of choice including vegan options however you have to access the cafe through the courtyard which can be a bit of a rough ride . Please note if you are on your own and wish to use the outdoor seating transporting your food will be difficult as this seating is located back across through the courtyard and over the cobbles. To the right of the cafe there is the kitchen garden. For me this was very accessible with paved flat paths with gentle slopes throughout .There was lots to see and was very interesting definitely the highlight of my trip ! The main gardens are accessed via a path by the house . Upon arrival we were given a map and told to follow the red route as we were told this has step free access throughout and is suitable for wheelchairs . However the paths in the gardens at the back of the house were mainly small stones which was bumpy and not a smooth ride .The pathways are not marked clearly and better signage is really needed here. We tried to follow the map provided but we did end up on a path that was steep , extremely rocky and not suitable for wheelchairs ! The terrain and hill made my wheelchair skid and I needed a lot of help to navigate these paths. Whether this path was part of the red route or not was unclear but I wouldn’t recommend the main gardens due to the paths in general not being very smooth and at times narrow to. The price of a ticket was £11 which included the house and gardens . I did not see any discount for disabled however I think you can get a free carer/ companion in with you if you have the appropriate proof . I visited here as I recently joined the national trust but I was a bit disappointed with this visit due to the lack of signage , the uneven bumpy paths and the facilities being somewhat difficult to visit .