Osborne

I do not recommend this English Heritage place for users of wheelchairs or scooters. Bad access to most areas and definitely not disabled friendly! Getting into the site using a scooter or wheelchair is virtually impossible.

Inaccessible in areas, rude staff and a mission to get to a toilet!

Visited Osborne House with my husband who uses a mobility scooter. Asked at reception about accessibilty and we were told everything was accessible except the route to the beach. I particularly asked about the house and we were told he could get around it in his scooter. On arrival at house we were told that mobility scooters were not allowed in the house & he would have to transfer into a manual wheelchair, which he didn't mind doing. However, wheelchairs are housed in a shed where scooter had to be left. It is a little distance from the house (maybe 100 yards) but access is via a gravel path & slope. Gravel is very deep & I got wheelchair stuck on the way back & had to get help. Wheelchairs have small wheels so he couldn't help. It also meant that he couldn't propel himself anywhere indoors and I had to manoeuvre the chair everywhere. When I mentioned access difficulties to staff they were not very interested. I don't know what a disabled person on their own would do or if their companion was not able to push the chair. Access inside the house was good and they have a lift. There are a couple of steep ramped slopes. The gardens are accessible although many paths are gravel. The terrace restaurant was not accessible as it can only be reached via a flight of steps or a steep slope. There is another cafe at reception. We enjoyed the visit but a few small changes could make it better.