Accessible in places
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: October 2022
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
I was interested in the varying amount of stars given by previous reviewers. It seems to me the accessibility depends on which part you visit and the equipment used. A mobility scooter or powered wheelchair would allow access to more areas. I push my relative in a manual wheelchair. We first visited in September 2021 and were very dubious about returning this year as the gravel was so loose and thick there were times I had to tug the wheelchair by the front legs to get it moving. Some of the staff told us the gravel at that time was recently laid so we decided to try again, hoping the gravel was more compacted. It was, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
We like the walled garden which is to the right of the main drive. It seems that the hilly woodland walk to the left is advertised as the wheelchair route. We have avoided that partly because of the reviews here and partly because some staff suggested it might be challenging. The walled garden has gravel paths, some more compacted than others. It is on a slight slope with some terraces up steps at the back. I would say we could see about two thirds of it reasonably easily. The main pond in the centre is very attractive but only wheelchair accessible on one side as the others have steps or paths that are too narrow. The main drive is mostly gravel and it's a long push up to the greenhouse even though the Access Statement says it is a 1 in 12 slope(picture 4) There is not a seat at the top. The cafe is step free and spacious inside. There is some outside seating on the level, but on gravel and more outside seating up steps.
Parking & Transport
Good
The main car park has tarmac but is quite small. There are a few Blue Badge spaces but not in the best place. The overflow car park is much larger and has gravel but it is finely crushed and quite compacted so is reasonable for pushing a chair.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The toilet is too small for a wheelchair user and assistant to use easily. I had to put the bin into the basin to get in. On the plus side there are grips on both sides. The red cord does not go to the floor. There are steps from the cafe to the toilet so you have to enter from the main drive.
Staff
Good
Cafe staff very helpful and pleasant on both our visits. When paying for tickets be careful that you are given a choice as to whether to pay the price that includes a donation. Carers go free.
Additional Information
The walled garden is well worth a visit and had a lot of colour from various plants considering it was October. It is a very sheltered peaceful place. Pheasants from the nearby estate can often be seen. There is a detailed Access Statement on the website which has some useful information. However the gravel is not as compacted as is suggested and there are not as many seats as the picture suggests. Mobility scooters can be booked in advance.
