Excellent access for powerchair users
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: September 2015
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Millions of pounds refurbishment includes many access features including a hoist in the toilet.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Only a few cobbles into the grounds, otherwise flat and smooth terrain. You go up a lift onto the wall to look out. You can see from a low height through the wall opening. Inside the walls you can look around the prison (lift to all floors) and balcony view of the chapel. A lift and low light to easily see the Magna Carta underground. At busy times going around the prison may be a squash. Virtually empty on the Saturday we went. The light in the prison is bright and floors smooth.
Parking & Transport
Average
We used the easy access castle bus which departs from the garden centre and drops off a few blocks from the castle. Very friendly, good service. Limited parking I believe near the castle.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Next to the prison entrance lift that navigates a short staircase, is a toilet with a ceiling hoist. No changing bench as the room is a large size but not that big. The hoist wasn't advertised! The tall ceiling may mean the hoist doesn't reach the floor.
Staff
Good
Staff were helpful and offer various visual and auditory tours with 'acting' from staff which may be noisy experiences.
Additional Information
The lower and top floors are pretty much the same as the middle one that you enter into within the prison. Easy passing space on the walls but not on the prison cell balconies. Lots of access info on their website - we felt an afternoon was enough to see it all. I think carers went in free - couldn't find wheelchair access into the first ticket room (but I think you can by tickets also in the gift shop?)
