Challenging terrain but worth it for the experience
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: June 2021
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Excellent
We visited Holy Island whilst on holiday and prebooked a visit to the Priory. I used my Mountain Trike because I had seen from photos that the ground is mostly grass, uneven and a little tricky for wheelchairs. My expectations were spot on! I was very glad to have my trike and the visit provided just the right balance between challenge, fun and relaxation.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
The normal entrance to the priory is up steps but they have an 'accessible' entrance round the back. It was down a little road, up a dirt track, over some grass, through a large gate and then we were in. I loved it, because I had my trike but we passed several people making the return journey who were really struggling. I should have been on commission for Mountain Trike that day! Everyone wanted it! Getting around... well it depends on what you want and expect. The whole place is ruins and it is largely grass, some of which is very uneven. I found it quite fun working out which of the ancient rooms I could get in and out of. There is a ramped bridge to get you between sections of the grounds, which seemed sort of out of place - sudden amazing accessibility in the midst of challenges. The museum is level entry and very easy to get around. All the exhibits were low enough for me to see and it was lovely and cool. Plenty of room for me, my chair and my assistance dog. They say they only allow assistance dogs (not others) but this isn't true. Pet dogs were in the grounds and the museum. For most assistance dog owners this wouldn't matter but if I'd been in the first few months with mine, it might have been quite stressful with other dogs yapping at her.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
We travelled by motorhome and that meant we couldn't park in the accessible/coach parking, whichis nearer to the priory. We parked in the main carpark, which is essentially a huge field. Motorhomes are asked to park along the back, which means a long trek uphill on grass (mountain trike needed). The path from the car park to the priory is good, if a little narrow in places and very busy. It probably goes without saying that you can only cross to Holy Island when the tide is out. They publish safe crossing times online. Don't attempt to cross outside of these.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
Toilets are in the accessible car park. At the moment there is a lot of renovation work taking place, so it is all portaloos. There are two 'accessible' portaloos but they aren't big enough to get my chair in and they weren't particularly clean. I opted to go back to the motorhome and use my own.
Staff
Good
The priory staff were really friendly and helpful. They asked me if I was wheelchair dependent before offering to take me round to the accessible entrance, which I found a bit rude. I don't think she meant it to be offensive though - maybe just needs training. Otherwise, everyone was really pleasant. I won't mark them down for fussing an assistance dog, as she is seriously cute!
