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Hever Castle - Bed and Breakfast

Hever Road, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG

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Access Guide

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Accommodation Overview (Astor Wing)

  • Astor Wing.
  • About View
    • The Astor Wing is one of two wings adjoining the castle that offer Bed and Breakfast accommodation, with eight additional luxury rooms available in the Anne Boleyn Wing.
    • There are 27 bedrooms in total.
    • There is step-free level access to some of the bedrooms.
    • Only assistance dogs are welcomed at this venue.
    • Shared facilities include: a lounge and a dining room.
    • There is also a billiard room available, however this is accessed via two steps along the corridor.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the external seating area by the Dining Room/ Breakfast Room - with ramped and stepped access.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the Reception, the Dining Room, the Billiards Room and some of the bedrooms/ toilets. The Breakfast Room is step-free and used instead of the Dining Room when required.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair, bath mats and shower chairs.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: British Sign Language (BSL) and Autism Awareness.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located along the first corridor on the right from reception.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a left hand transfer space.
    • The male step-free toilet facilities are located by the Dining Room.
    • The female toilet facilities are located opposite the Lounge.
    • The shared toilet facilities are located opposite to the Billiard Room.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet, close to reception.

Access Point (Hever Road)

  • This access point is located on Hever Road, approximately 250m north of the castle’s main site entrance.
  • The access point is clearly signed.
  • Assistance is available at the access point.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 128cm.
  • There are double automatic gates.
  • The doors open away from you.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located approximately 140m from the gated entrance, in front of the Astor Wing/ Reception.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac and loose chippings.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is signposted but has no markings.
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 3m from the Astor Wing entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a steep ramp or slope.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building, facing onto the car park.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a steep gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • The ramp bypasses the step.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 5cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The fitted matt by the entrance has raised edging to one side.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Reception

  • The reception is located in the first room on the right from the Astor Wing entrance.
  • The distance from Astor Wing entrance is 5m.
  • There is stepped access to reception.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 13cm.
  • The height of the reception desk is 120cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: armchairs and chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of walkways.
  • The following areas have stepped access: Reception, the Dining Room, the Billiards Room and some of the bedrooms/ toilets. The breakfast room is step-free and used instead of the Dining Room when required.
  • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces and doors permanently held open.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches, chairs without armrests, chairs with armrests and armchairs.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • The steps along the corridor leading to the Billiards Room and the shared toilet are unmarked.

Lounge

  • The lounge is located along the left-hand side of the corridor that leads from Reception.
  • There is step-free level access into the lounge.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 96cm.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • The walls and floor have a medium visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the lounge includes: chairs without armrests, sofas, chairs with armrests and armchairs.
  • Furniture available in the lounge includes: coffee tables and tables.
  • The surface height of some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Dining Room

  • Location and Access View
    • The Dining Room is located at the end of the main corridor, approximately 75m from the main entrance/ reception.
    • The most accessible route has doors permanently held open and step-free level access.
    • There is stepped access into this area.
    • There are 2 steps with no handrails.
    • The steps are unmarked.
    • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm .
    • The height of the highest step is 17cm.
    • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has staff who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Full table service is available.
    • Menus are handheld and online.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, nut allergy, vegetarian, vegan, lactose free and dairy free.
    • The following are available: drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • The seating area is uncovered.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the external seating area is accessed via a steep slope that is approximately 100cm wide, with a handrail on the left-hand side when going up. The threshold at the entrance is uneven.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and chairs with armrests.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • Lighting levels are adjustable.

Breakfast Room

  • Location and Access View
    • The Breakfast Room shares its location, entrance and external seating area with the Dining Room. As it has step-free access, it is used for dining when required.
    • The most accessible route has doors permanently held open and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into this area.
    • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
    • The door is permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • Service View
    • This area has colleagues who can provide assistance with ordering.
    • Menus are handheld and online.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: vegan, vegetarian, lactose free, gluten free, dairy free and nut allergy.
    • The following are available: drinking straws.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the external seating area is accessed via a steep slope that is approximately 100cm wide, with a handrail on the left-hand side when going up. The threshold at the entrance is uneven.
    • There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under some of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located along the first corridor on the right after reception.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 83cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 266cm (width) x 185cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is not a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 43cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 115cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 97cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 190cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 82cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Access Point (Courtyard)

  • This access point is located between Reception and the central courtyard.
  • The access point is clearly signed.
  • Assistance is available at the access point.
  • There is stepped access.
  • There is 1 step with no handrails.
  • The step is unmarked.
  • The height of the step is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 12cm.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The door is easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 88cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • The courtyard has step-free access via the car park.

Outdoor Spaces

  • The following is available in this area: formal gardens.
  • Outdoor areas consist of block paving.
  • There are footpaths throughout.
  • The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
  • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • The paths have narrow gaps.

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