Pleasant meal with easy access to restaurant but issues with accessible toilet
4
4
Date of visit: January 2020
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: accessing toilets, hearing and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hearing aid or cochlear implant, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
The Tullie was refurbished in recent years and the restaurant was made much more easily accessible. The accessible toilet is too small and awkward.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The entrance, restaurant and public bar are all completely level, with not even a threshold at the door. The door stays open when pushed back which is a great help with a wheelchair. The restaurant is spacious. Part of it is carpeted but the airy glass area at the front has a solid floor. Many seats in the bar are either settees or high stool type chairs but there are a few tables suitable for wheelchairs. There are accessible outside seating areas at the front and side.
Parking & Transport
Good
The Tullie has a small tarmacked car park (probably less than 20 spaces.) It has has one disabled space. There is, however, public parking across the road and there are bigger public car parks further along the road. The inn is a couple of minutes walk from the railway station and there is also a bus station about five minutes walk away.
Accessible Toilets
Average
The accessible toilet is also a baby change - not a problem in itself, but the changing platform would not stay up against the wall. While I was assisting my relative the platform was resting on my back. The toilet is on the small side. It might be difficult with a wheelchair and a carer. There is a drop down rail on one side but the one attached to the wall on the other side was a bit too far away to be really useful. Sadly this is often the case with accessible toilets. It was good to see the red cord went down to the floor. The toilet is at the back of the bar - about as far away as possible from the pleasant glass area at the front of the restaurant.
Staff
Good
Additional Information
There is a free standing public toilet opposite the Tullie, which can be opened with a RADAR key. It is the self cleaning type with a sliding door. It has drop down grab rails on both sides, though they seem very high - and I'm tall!
