Date of Visit
19 June 2009
The needs apply to:
Me – manaul wheelchair user with limited ability to walk + upper limb issues.
Particular Needs Satisfaction Rating
| Automatic doors | Not Satisfied |
| Clear signage indicating uneven surfaces | Partially Satisfied |
| Disabled/Parent & Child parking bays with transfer areas | Partially Satisfied |
| Doors and aisles wider than 70cm (28in) | Not Satisfied |
| 
Doors and aisles wider than 80cm (32in) | Not Satisfied |
| Doors and aisles wider than 90cm (36in) | Not Satisfied |
| Doors and aisles wider than 100cm (40in) | Not Satisfied |
| Enough disabled parking near entrance to ensure at least one vacant space | Fully Satisfied |
| Flat walking surfaces | Partially Satisfied |
| Level or ramped access into and throughout the building | Not Satisfied |
| No threshold strips under doors | Not Satisfied |
| Rails on both sides of staircase | Not Satisfied |
| Dropped kerbs | Fully Satisfied |
| Drier or towels adjacent to wash basin | Partially Satisfied |
| Driers that don’t switch on automatically when you are close | Partially Satisfied |
| Outward opening door in toilet cubicle | Fully Satisfied |
| Space to turn wheelchair around in toilet cubicle | Fully Satisfied |
| Toilet facilities | Fully Satisfied |
| Toilet facilities with grab rails | Fully Satisfied |
| Wheelchair accessible toilet facilities | Fully Satisfied |
| Good lighting in toilets | Fully Satisfied |
Additional Comments
The castle itself is almost all out of wheelchair range (tiny winding staircases that cannot be adapted). A few of the more modern exhibits are accessible, and the outside displays (jousting/birds of prey etc.) are accessible. external paths mostly smooth and wheels friendly but very steep in places. The accessibility details on its website are fairly accurate. Disabled persons discount available, but given that so much can’t be accessed on wheels it was a slightly disappointing day out. Except the birds of prey/falconry display, which was marvelous and we watched it twice.
