ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Grounds

Most of the grounds are accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs, with accessible access up to the lawns in front of the Castle. The path within the woodland Valley Walk is woodchip and can be uneven in places but mostly suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs - please note this is dependent on the weather as the woodland paths can get muddy when wet. There is an accessible outside toilet in the grounds up by the Castle.

The Castle

Due to the protected status of the building, as an Ancient Scheduled Monument, regrettably we are not able to install a lift for access to the upper levels.

There is a ramped access to the ground floor, also known as the Tapestry Room. There are 36 external steps from the ground level up to the first floor and then there is an internal spiral staircase to access all floors within (approximately 25 steps between each level, 100 all told from the bottom level to the top floor), with an additional run of 11 steps up to the ceremony floor (Banqueting Hall), so regrettably it is not suitable for wheelchairs and prams. Lifting services can be booked for weddings and private events in advance if required, please contact us for more information about this service.

A 3D model of the castle can be found here, which helps show the internal layout better (please note, there is now a bedroom on the top floor instead of the full museum space).

Regrettably, the toilet facilities, which are located on the first floor, are not fully accessible due to the nature and regulations of the building. However, with assistance, it is possible to get a wheelchair in there. There is also an outside fully accessible toilet located in the grounds directly opposite the Castle.

The House & Ballroom Marquee

The House is only open for weddings and private events and we can provide a ramp for the few steps into the Hall from the front door. The terrace, where drinks receptions are held in the summer, can be accessed via a path with no steps, and the marquee is fully accessible including an accessible toilet.