Wheelchair Loan

We have 3 wheelchairs available if you would like to borrow one.

2 are standard chairs and 1 with thicker tyres for slightly rougher terrain, although it is not suitable for all the areas in the woodland, Parkland and around the lake.

If you would like to borrow a wheelchair, please telephone first and we shall reserve one for your use. There is no hire charge.

To make a reservation, please call 01748 818178.

Full Access Statement

Parking is provided in the main car park, with 4 blue badge spaces on hard standing. A hard standing path can be used from the blue badge parking to access the Visitor Centre. The path is at the top corner of the blue badge bays, in the direction of the Visitor Centre. The main car park is gravelled.

Coaches may book a parking bay on the driveway, halfway between the Visitor Centre and Hall. To make access to both the Hall and Visitor Centre easier for older or less able people visiting as part of a group.

Access to the Visitor Centre and Café is on one level. Access to the Hall is via a low stone step where a metal ramp is provided to assist access for visitors in wheelchairs, those with pushchairs or using crutches or a walking stick.

Toilets – An accessible toilet with handrails, a wide access toilet and baby change, and 3 additional toilets are located in the Visitor Centre. Another fully accessible toilet is provided in the toilet block on the drive, between the Visitor Centre and the Hall, with additional ladies and gents toilets. Inside the Hall there are 2 toilets on the ground floor, with a baby change table.

Three general purpose wheelchairs and one tougher terrain wheelchair are available for use by visitors.

The ground floor of Kiplin Hall is largely on one level, one room (the kitchen display) has three steps to access it.

Access to the First and Second Floors is via an 18th century staircase, which has shallow treads that many visitors with mobility limitations can manage to allow them to reach one or both upper floors. There is a landing with seating on the first floor. Due to the layout of the Hall and listed building regulations, it is not possible to install a lift.

For visitors who cannot gain access to the upper floors, a touch screen tablet is located in the dining room with a virtual tour and information about the upstairs rooms and their contents.

Access to the grounds for users of wheelchairs and pushchairs is via a combination of hard standing, gravel paths, grass paths, or earth/bark paths, with some areas easier to pass than others. Some other areas are accessible along the tarmac drive and over the lawns. Please note these conditions can vary depending on the time of year.

The Walled Garden has self-binding gavel paths which provide good access.

There is a grassed sloped down to the West Lawn, which leads to the lakeside path, which is part gravel and part grass. Depending on ground conditions and the type of wheelchair, and to some extent the person doing the pushing, it is possible to push a wheelchair some of the way around the lake. The total distance around the lake is approximately 1 mile. During very wet weather the lakeside loop can become impassable, requiring visitors to back track, rather than completing the loop.

Benches around the lake are placed at key viewpoints. Further seating, benches and picnic benches are throughout the gardens & grounds.

The Woodland is accessed either via the tarmac drive along a grass path, or through the Walled Garden. Near and in the woodland, paths feature some tree roots at the surface. The paths in the woodland leading to the pond are covered with wood chippings. The path leads slightly uphill further into the wood, over bumps and tree roots and is not easily accessible.

Access to the Hall and grounds is free-of-charge for one carer accompanying a visitor with disabilities.

If, due to visual impairment, a visitor requires assistance, a member of staff or a volunteer will accompany them around the house and explain the details of each room.