Great day out - lots to explore if you've a robust set of wheels
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: October 2015
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
We did a long walk/wheel through to the castle, down to the lime kilns, out to the end, a little way round the coastal path (could've gone further but lunch called) then back through village and (after lunch) down to the shoreline. Simply stunning. Called in to Gertrude Jekyll garden behind the castle (garden not wheelchair accessible).
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
The wheel up to the castle is quite steep but my power trike managed it unaided for the most part. It would be tough with a manual chair. The rest of the castle walk is on grassy tracks - sometimes a bit bumpy and uneven so best to have a companion to help if needed; we found grass tracks or slopes to avoid steps to the lime kilns. The kilns are accessible as is the coast path (as far as we could go but looked fine ahead). Path through village is on road so smooth. Track by church down to shoreline is steep and gravelly (I made it's with help back up).
Parking & Transport
Good
There's a main car park which leaves a bit of a trek to the castle. So we drove to Blue Badge parking at the foot of the castle since we have elderly folk with us. You have to open a five bar gate to get through to park but there's usually a walker along before long, happy to do it for you. Check tide timetables to ensure causeway is crossable before setting out - it is impassable at high tide. There's a shuttle bus from car park to castle.
Accessible Toilets
0Used the accessible loo at our lunch stop (Manor House Inn) and didn't see one anywhere else,
Staff
0Obviously no staff ( other than those in hotels, castle etc).
Additional Information
We didn't venture in the castle. Looking at National Trust website, it's unclear how good the access is inside. Our favourite bit was the shoreline where we watched a colony of seals basking on a sand spit. Magical.
