Beautiful gardens, mostly accessible. Disabled Toilets
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: July 2020
I have experience of challenges around: dexterity or coordination and moving around.
Overall Rating
Excellent
Some narrow pathways and steep inclines
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Short but steep slope to the ticket office with a bend halfway down for good measure! Concession tickets available for carers. Gated entrance onto mainly tarmac pathways, some quite narrow pathways and steep hills. Negotiable with a manual wheelchair but help may be needed on a couple of the shorter slopes and one steep longer slope. Some areas not suitable for mobility scooters due to gradient and/or camber but there is a marked accessible path on a map given at the entrance. Benches at regular intervals for a rest. One pathway stops at the upper balcony of the cafe building and you have to turn around and retrace your steps. There used to be a lift here to the lower level but it has been removed. A small tropical house at one end has a metal threshold/lip and hard to open manual door, plus another to enter the environment. Narrow but navigable pathway around. Manual door into small cafe but large balcony area outside reached by manual doors with lip. Very little wheelchair turning space onto balcony but just about manageable with my active manual chair. A second larger cafe is downstairs with large outside seating area next to an attractive pond. All dogs welcome with water bowls available. Small but well stocked gift shop, easily navigable by wheelchair.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
Bus stop nearby but the buses are hourly and irregular. Recommend you visit by car Large flat and smooth car park. Designated blue badge parking (free) plus electric car charging point.
Accessible Toilets
Good
2 accessible toilets (one in the downstairs cafe, one in the upstairs cafe) Plenty of room to manoevre in the upstairs toilet with a single handrail. The accessible toilet upstairs is the only one provided for all patrons. I did not use the toilet downstairs so cannot comment
Staff
Excellent
All staff that I met were very helpful and friendly The gardens are staffed by volunteers and some days there are very few members of staff available in the gardens if assistance is needed.
Additional Information
A map is provided when buying your ticket showing the accessible routes. Amazing smells from the varying trees and shrubs. I would definitely visit again
