St Andrews Botanic Garden

3.8

Canongate, St Andrews, KY16 8RT, United Kingdom | 01334 461 200 | Website

Bellrock

Pleasant gardens, accessible in part as indicated on the website's accessibility statement.

Visit date: May 2023

This review is especially helpful for those who have or use the following: Walking Aid, Wheelchair

Overview

We had read the accessibility statement and a helpful previous review so knew only part of the garden would be accessible.

Transport & Parking

3.5

The car park has one space with a sign for a disabled person, even though the website says there are several. This is just a normal space with no wide bay, cross hatching or tarmac. However the car park is all level and is made of fine compacted gravel which is fairly easy to wheel a chair on.

Access

There is a loop suitable for a wheelchair. The paths are the same fine compacted gravel as the car park so again fairly easy for pushing a chair. The last two hundred yards or so (going anticlockwise) was a bit steeper than I expected but I managed. There are many seats alongside the paths, although unfortunately not in the last bit where I could have done with a rest from pushing. We knew the pond and tbe rock garden were in a deep ravine so were not accessible but we were able to look down on that area as there are some small side paths off the main loop which go through the top of the rock garden. To access the pond there is a very steep paved path or steps through the rock garden. The herb garden has paved paths which are just wide enough for a wheelchair- see photo. The small gift shop/ticket office now has ramp access. It also sells drinks and snacks. All the seating is outside and there does not seem to be a covered area. On the plus side all the chairs had arms - a useful aid to those who do not use a wheelchair but have mobility difficulties.

Toilets

The toilet had a drop down rail and one attached to the wall and there was room for a wheelchair user and assistant. It was a bit of a sharp right turn as noted by a previous reviewer but I suspect it may have been improved since then as I did not have to lift the back of the chair to get round. The red cord went to the floor (with a Euan's Guide card attached.) The toilet also has the baby change. I'm not sure if it us the only toilet - I didn't see any others.