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Chiddingstone Castle

Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7AD

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This venue is a Grade II* historic house, stately home and castle.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a tea room, a gift shop and gardens.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a portable ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the first floor and the old dairy tea room.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
    • The first floor can be accessed via stairs.
    • The following facilities are available: a seat/chair, a manual wheelchair, an assistance dog spending area and a water bowl for assistance dogs.
    • The venue can provide large print documents and an audio description service.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.
    • Staff receive the following training: First Aid.
  • Toilet and Changing Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located in the courtyard.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located by the stairs in the centre of the main house and in the South Hall.
    • The male and female toilet facilities are located in the courtyard.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the female toilet in the centre of the house and within the accessible toilet.

Parking

  • The car park is located in front of the main house.
  • The car park is open air/surface.
  • There are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • The Blue Badge bays are signposted but have no markings.
  • There are no hatched/marked zones.
  • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
  • Parking is free for all users.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the house.
  • There is step-free access via a portable ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 3 steps which are unmarked, with no handrails.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 124cm.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 120cm.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Ticketing

  • Ticket Counter / Machines View
    • The ticket counter surveyed is located ahead and to the left hand side, as you enter.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 86cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • There is a portable hearing assistance system on request.

Getting Around

  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the main entrance, the toilets in the courtyard and the orangery.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the orangery inner court, the first floor and the old dairy tea room.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is background noise in some areas of the venue.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.

Exhibition Space (Ground Floor)

  • This area is indoors.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located next to the ticket counter.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors which are unmarked and have no handrails.

Exhibition Space (First Floor)

  • This area is indoors.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, manual doors and narrow walkways.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Shop (Gift Shop)

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • Access throughout may include manual doors.
    • Signage is provided.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Seating available includes: chairs without armrests.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • The counter surveyed was at the rear of the shop.
    • The height of the payment counter is 90cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The card payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the courtyard.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has uneven surfaces.
    • There is step-free access via ramp into the facility.
    • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
    • There is a small step up to access the ramp.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The width of the door opening is 91cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 92cm (from the side of the toilet pan to the wall).
    • There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • There is no vertical grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder, a wash basin, a soap dispenser and a hand dryer available.
    • The wash basin has a twist/turn tap.
    • The vertical grab rail is on the left as you face the wash basin.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • Additional features include: a mirror and a baby changing table.

Eating and Drinking (Tea Room)

  • Location and Service View
    • The tea room is located off the courtyard.
    • The most accessible route has steps, manual doors and narrow walkways.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are handheld.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Area (Courtyard)

  • The courtyard is located outside the tea room.
  • There is step-free level access into this area.
  • Services available in this area include: A gift shop, toilets and a seating area.
  • Access throughout the area may include uneven surfaces.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.

Outdoor Spaces (Orangery)

  • Outdoor areas consist of gravel, compact earth and paving slabs.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the entrance to the orangery.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the internal courtyard of the orangery.
  • There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • The paths have uneven surfaces.