Fabulous and Accessible Gardens
5
5
Date of visit: May 2024
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
This is a fairly new garden, so some areas are still under development. What is there already is very much worth seeing. We went to eat in The Stables, which is quite a walk but my husband pushed me in the wheelchair. The stable area is cobbled and slightly tricky but it was also possible to sit outside it on level ground. We ate inside and had lovely stone-baked pizza. We looked round the vast walled garden. Lots of lovely things to see, including herbs, spring bulbs and blossoming trees. The paths are fairly smooth bonded gravel or paved. Lots of benches. We didn't try to get to the woodland areas, but steps were marked on the map so if we had, we would have been able to avoid those. The cafe in the visitor centre has a decked area outside, as well as indoor level seating area. There is also a garden centre. This is a great place to visit whether disabled or not, and it will be good to return in different seasons. Best on a nice day though. Not much shelter outdoors if irains. It's fantastic to see how much the RHS has considered the needs of disabled people.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
Level access to the large visitor centre, which includes a cafe, shop and the entrance to the gardens. Maps handed out with accessible routes marked.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
We travelled by car. Large car park with disabled spaces, and a drop off zone for those who don't have a blue badge. It's also possible to get there by bus.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
Excellent accessible toilets in the visitor centre. One was in the ladies entrance corridor, the other in the gents corridor. No need to go into the ladies nor the gents. The one near the gents had automatic door, changing places facilities. Further toilets in the gardens. We didn't use the ones on the way to The Stables, but it looked fine. There was another near the walled garden, which had a lip on the threshold. It was easier for me to walk into that one with my stick. It wasn't as nice as the visitor centre ones, but it did save trailing back. None of these toilets needed a key.
Staff
Excellent
All the staff were absolutely wonderful. I hadn't been able to book a wheelchair but they were still able to lend me one, and helped me transfer. They also loan mobility scooters, but I suspect booking is essential there.
