Good visit, not very accessible though
3
3
Date of visit: September 2021
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Average
So I went to Newhailes with a friend and didn’t ring ahead to check information about accessibility. Fortunately I took my walker and stick rather than the scooter and was having a good day generally in terms of ability. The small carpark has some disabled parking but all the parking is only a short distance to the Stables cafe and information office. The paths are mainly gravel, some a bit loose. The cafe is accessible as is the information office, and very pleasant. Staff are very helpful. The only disabled toilet I found was inside an ordinary toilet but I understand there is separate one somewhere. The house though is not at all wheelchair accessible, despite having a lift, due to fire regulations. So the actual entrance is up the stairs at the front which you can see in pictures, this is about 100m from the information office, you need to book a tour. If you can manage the stairs you do the tour on that level, it’s very interesting, but the stairs to the level above that are rather more difficult with a spiral staircase and I stayed on the main level. My friend carried my walker up the steps to the house and I went up with my stick, these stairs were even and safe enough. The rooms had one or two seats for people who needed them. I waited for the group to come back down from the upper level and the tour continued. We really enjoyed the visit and on the day there were various other things going on around the courtyard area, a small market and a sculpture display that would have been of interest to people who couldn’t go through the house.
Disabled Access In and Around
Poor
Parking & Transport
Average
As far as I know you need a car
Accessible Toilets
Average
Staff
Excellent
