Pretty good for manual wheelchair access but with a few drawbacks
3
3
Date of visit: October 2018
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Average
Visited with my wife in her wheelchair. Most paths were good, though the walled garden was more difficult and the greenhouses not wheelchair accessible. We stuck to the main garden area, not going to the more park like areas, but came upon some unexpected steps (fortunately my wife has some mobility and was able to cope with the steps with my help - no rails to help.) As another reviews has said the entrance/shop/restaurant is cramped and depends on others' cooperation to negotiate. Restaurant has lots of outside space and tables if the weather is fine. But the recommendation for lunch is to get there as early as possible (service starts at 11:45).
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
Entrance, shop and entry to garden tricky and cramped for wheelchair. Main paths wheelchair friendly. Some lesser paths harder work - eg walled garden. Greenhouses not wheelchair accessible (steps).
Parking & Transport
Poor
Limited disabled parking spaces (4) but close to the entrance.
Accessible Toilets
Good
Accessible loo off the shop (doubled as baby change) was somewhat cramped - especially with a carer - and the toilet itself was low.
Staff
Good
Restaurant staff friendly and helpful - especially for accompanying grandchildren and diet restricted carer - though limited by cramped nature of the restaurant. Fortunately we were forewarned and arrived early for lunch and got a table at the entrance big enough for wheelchair and baby buggy.
Additional Information
We didn't explore the far reaches of this park like garden but concentrated on the gardens near the entrance and college. There were some steps in unexpected places. We would visit again if in the area.
