Disabled Travellers enjoy a drinks break at pleasant Kenilworth Inn
3
3
Date of visit: May 2023
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Average
A rather pleasant Inn located close to Kenilworth castle, with comfortable seating both indoors and in the gardens. But it is not really a wheelchair friendly little Inn, with to many steps to make it an ideal place to visit, and that’s a shame, because they have tried to make a more modern type of inn, although it does have its historical interest. The reason for low marks is only because of it not being disabled friendly. DO READ. www.khas. co.uk./the-Queen-castle-then-now. As it offers a lot of historical details that are worth reading. ==================================================================== It stands at the end of the row on Castle Green (photo 1) overlooking towards Kenilworth Castle, and we can show you an old photo (photo 19) thanks to the kindness of “Our Warwickshire” website www.our Warwickshire.org.uk It was first known as The Castle Inn, before being renamed as Queen and Castle, but have a look at our (photo 2) to see how it has changed from the 1800,s, and note that most of the side buildings have now gone and the area has been turned into a large car park entrance (photo 3) with quite a few disabled bays available (photo 4) There is a ticket machine as you head towards the Inns entrance (photo 5) normal cost of just £2.50 for three hours, but if you use the Queen and Castle, and YOU REGISTER YOUR CAR NUMBER AT THE RESTAURANT OR BAR AREA, IT IS FREE. There is an entrance as you approach the Inn, on the level (photo 6) but this way will only lead to the toilets, which are on the level, but then there are six steps to have to get up if you want to use the bar or restaurant. If it’s a nice sunny day, you may decide to use the lovely garden area, and sit there for a while (photo 7) or use the ramp next to gardens (photo 8) but even then there are two steps you will need to get up so as to be able to enter the bar and restaurant areas (photo 9). If you cannot manage these, then the Inn is of no use to you, and that’s a shame, as it is pleasant and comfortable in there. The bar has a reasonable choice of drinks available (photo 10) and its own seating area (photo 11) where it is very comfortable and warm, but if you find you now need the toilets, there are six steps to get down (photo 12) or go all the way out again and down the ramp to the side entrance. The toilets are plain simple ladies and gents (photo 13) but quite clean and tidy inside, but very difficult to get a wheelchair into, (Photo 14) although spacious enough inside, but the bar area is ideal for people watching (photo 15) The restaurant is very pleasant, very clean and tidy, nicely decorated with warm colours and easy to find a chair (photo 16) and if someone managed to lift your wheelchair or scooter up over the two steps on the ramp, then they will find a nice spot for you to enjoy a delightful lunch with them (photo 17) with a number of different areas you can ask them to seat you at (photo 18) OUR THOUGHTS If you are able to walk a little it is well worth a visit because we felt it was quite quaint although modern, it is a relaxing place, very clean, and it’s a shame it is not disabled friendly.
Disabled Access In and Around
Bad
This is not a very accessible Inn, to many steps to contend with, and no disabled toilet, but if a nice day, there is a pleasant garden you can use.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
It has its own car park which doubles up as the public carpark for seeing the old grade 11 listed buildings on Castle Hill. If you use the Inn for lunch, dinner, of a simple drinks break, then the car parking is free for Inn users, BUT REMEMBER TO ENTER YOUR CAR REGISTRATION AT BAR.
Accessible Toilets
Bad
Just public toilets with no disabled available, and these involve steps
Staff
Average
So so, more interested in the restaurant side of things, so disappointing.
Comments
shelleyandthebeans
13 Dec 2024
There is an accessible toilet, it is right inside the main entrance (at the top of the ramp, not the bottom bar door).
