The Abbey itself is currently closed but the grounds are open and semi-accessible
3
3
Date of visit: September 2023
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Average
We were staying in Melrose, so decided to find out whether we could get into the abbey for a look around. We are English Heritage members (2nd year +) so we get free entry into the Scottish equivalent properties. The website for Melrose Abbey explains that it is currently undergoing maintenance, so you can't go inside the abbey itself, but the rest is still open.
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
I had already seen that the grounds were mainly grass, so I visited in my mountain trike (off road chair). Unfortunately, this meant I was too wide to get into the entry building, so my husband had to go in and ask for access. Normal entry is through a shop/ticket office and then down a flight of stone steps. However, there is level access just around the corner on Cloisters Road. The abbey grounds are on two or three levels. There are ramps in place but they were too narrow for my chair. There is also a museum on the other side of Cloisters Road. That also had a narrow ramp but they removed it and I managed to climb the small step in my trike. Not all of the museum was accessible either, due to a large step inside, but what I did see was interesting.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is a car park nearby which has blue badge spaces but we were camping just behind the Co-op, so got their under our own steam.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
There are no toilets but there are toilets in town, very close by.
Staff
Good
The man who took us round the the accessible entrance was very pleasant and friendly. He seemed a little unsure what to say when he realised the ramp was too narrow. The lady at the museum was happy to remove the ramp to allow me access.
