Old Cotton Mill
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: June 2023
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
Entry was free to this interesting old building. The lower floor has a really nice cafe with homemade cakes, though they were not doing lunches the day we visited. The middle floor was an exhibition space, mostly information about castles in the area on boards on the wall, and a model of the Gatehouse of Fleet town plan, as this was a planned town. The mill wheel is not working atm. Could have done with more chairs on this floor. There was also a history of the area. The top floor had local crafts, which were interesting to look at, and a very crowded second-hand bookshop, which was not easy to look around on my walker and would also be impossible for wheelchairs. Not an antiquarian bookshop, but a decent range of books. All in all it was a fairly interesting afternoon out, but not without its challenges for a disabled person, despite it having a lift.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Step free access once you are there. There is a lift, to take you to two other floors. However, the lift is very small (I had to back in on my walker), and quite dark. The bookshop on the top floor was crammed and difficult to access with few clear walkways. The craft and exhibition area were easier. Cafe on lower floor had plenty of space for wheelchairs. There were some seats in the exhibition area but none on the 2nd floor where crafts and second hand books were for sale.
Parking & Transport
Average
We drove there and parked in the Spar car park, where there is a disabled public toilet. However, it was not an easy walk to the visitor centre. We discovered too late there is some disabled parking a lot nearer. When you approach the mill, do not take the tarmac path that branches off to the left, as the camber is very bad. Instead, stay on the brick path, which will take you to the exhibition floor.
Accessible Toilets
Average
There was one accessible toilet on the lower floor near the cafe. It was clean, and there were grab bars. However, the actual toilet was very low, lower than a normal toilet, so some people might struggle.
Staff
Excellent
Staff really lovely. So welcoming and smiley.
