Sticklebarn & the Langdales Access Statement

Great Langdale, , LA22 9JU T: 015394 37356 E: [email protected]

Section 1: Sticklebarn Section 2: Langdale Outdoor Properties

Section 1: Sticklebarn

Introduction • Sticklebarn is a pub in the Langdale valley, acquired by the National Trust in 2012. • The property offers Lakeland food, real ales and crackling fires. Due to COVID19 some changes have been introduced in order to ensure the safety of our team and visitors. • Indoor seating and room hire for special events in our Hayloft are currently unavailable, however we provide lots of outdoor seating offering views of the spectacular Langdale Valley • Mobile phone reception in Langdale is very poor, with little or no signal on most mobile networks. The pub is equipped with an EE signal booster box, so EE customers may receive enhanced coverage indoors. Generally, in Langdale, Vodafone is likely to have a better signal than other networks, though this is still somewhat limited. • Assistance dogs are welcome. The pub is very dog friendly, with dog biscuits and a water bowl available. An outdoor tap is also available, underneath the fire escape to the front of the building. You are welcome to make use of this for dog water.

Arrival & Parking Facilities • Sticklebarn is situated on the main road through Langdale valley, next door to the New Dungeon Ghyll hotel. The pub is set back from the main road, on the right as you approach from Ambleside. • The pub is serviced by its own small car park, reached by following the small track between Sticklebarn and the New Dungeon Ghyll. This does not have designated disabled parking. • There is a large National Trust car park on the other side of the pub, where there are 3 marked disabled spaces, towards the head of the car park near the toilet block.

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• The pub car park is only for the use of Sticklebarn customers and does not have a charge. The large National Trust car park at Stickle Ghyll is free to National Trust members, otherwise parking charges apply. • Both car parks have a loose stone surface. There is level access from each car park to the Sticklebarn entrance. • If both car parks are full, you are welcome to arrange drop-off in either car park. The main NT car park is staffed by a membership recruiter (working patterns vary), who will be happy to offer assistance or advise on alternative parking locations.

Disabled parking spaces in Stickle Ghyll car park Toilets in Stickle Ghyll car park WCs • There is an accessible toilet at Sticklebarn, located on the ground floor next to the side door entrance. • The accessible WC is 197 x 155cm. The doorway is 83cm wide. • The toilet is left-hand transfer, with a fold-down railing to the right • The pub toilets are situated on the ground floor. (currently closed) These are lit with fluorescent LED lighting, and have standard cubicles. Automatic hand driers are fitted. We currently have closed access to our indoor toilets except for the accessible toilet. • Baby changing facilities are situated in both the male and female toilets for when normal service resumes, in the meantime facilities have been provided in the car park toilets. • The car park toilets can be reached by a short ramp (please note there is a slight concrete lip to get onto the ramp). These have wide cubicles and bench seating is available next to the sinks. Automatic hand driers are fitted. • Sanitiser and paper towels are provided in all toilets and are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected 3 times a day.

Inside the pub

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• A one-way system has been introduced at Sticklebarn to maximise the safety of staff and visitors. The system will help all on site to maintain social distancing rules and guidelines, all instructions are clearly displayed through signage across the property. The pub is only accessed by the public for placing orders or for use of the accessible toilet. • The accessible entrance is to the side of the pub. The doorway is 165cm wide double door; the inner double doors are 140cm wide. Through entrance hand sanitiser is provided. • A short corridor to the left and you are at till. The bar height is 110cm. Staff will come round to talk to you from a distance if you would prefer. • Clipboards are available if you wish to communicate through writing. • Menus are available on standard A4 paper and can be seen displayed on the wall whilst queuing. A menu will also be provided on every table outside and will be thoroughly sanitized once the order is placed. Staff can read the menus out to you and discuss items with you if you wish. • Please talk to our staff if you have any special dietary requirements. Allergy information for every dish is available on request. • Once an order is placed follow the one-way system and exit through front door. The front door is 95cm wide and there is a small step. • There are few soft furnishings and little to absorb sound echoes. The ground floor is tiled throughout, and the upper floor has hardwood floorboards.

• Indoor seating area is closed. (pictures refer to pre COVID)

• Downstairs seating

• The upstairs area closed. (information below refers to pre COVID)

Upstairs seating area

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Internal stairs to upper floor

External stairs to upper floor

Outdoor seating

• The outdoor seating can be accessed either from the Sticklebarn customer car park or from the Stickle Ghyll car park. Social distancing is signage displayed. • The surface is paved, in a crazy-paving style. • At the front of the pub is a terrace with rustic wooden tables and benches. More seating can be found in a sheltered wooded area between the terrace and Stickle Ghyll car park. The ground here is woodchipped and on a gentle slope. • All tables at Sticklebarn are laid out in accordance to social distancing guidelines, table 2metres apart and sanitized after use. • The host at Sticklebarn will help seat customers to a table where they will find a menu. One person can then follow the one-way system into the pub to order.

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• Extra camping chairs are provided for drink only customers. • Features outside include a fire pit, which is often lit during the evening. The fire pit is fully surrounded by a concrete raised seating area, roughly 60cm high. Social distancing signage is displayed to ensure government guidelines are met.

Outdoor seating on terrace area

Section 2: Langdale Outdoor Properties

The following are suggestions of more accessible routes or destinations within NT ownership in the Great Langdale area. We are aiming to improve accessibility across our sites, and will review this document annually to reflect any changes.

Introduction • Great Langdale valley boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the , with the most photographed mountains in the Lakes, the Langdale Pikes, rising dramatically from the valley floor. The National Trust cares for over 400 acres of this landscape (much of which is farmland, criss-crossed with a network of footpaths) as well as several smaller sites just outside the valley. • There are National Trust car parks at Stickle Ghyll, Old Dungeon Ghyll and Elterwater, as well as limited parking at High Close Estate, next to the Youth Hostel. • Mobile phone reception is generally poor. Vodafone has the best reception across the valley. There is an EE signal booster at Sticklebarn (NT pub), therefore EE signal is stronger here. • Dogs are welcome in all areas, but should be kept on leads due to livestock in surrounding fields.

Sticklebarn to Elterwater footpath Points 1-5 on map below

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The Sticklebarn to Elterwater footpath was upgraded in 2015 as part of the Lake District National Park’s ‘Go Lakes’ project, which aimed to make key off-road routes through the Lake District more accessible. This route is more suited to walkers, cycles and off-road mobility scooters. Key features: spectacular views of the Langdale Pikes from the valley floor; pleasant farmland, riverside, and forest sections. There are several gates along the route, all of which are suitable for off road mobility scooters such as the Tramper or Boma. Most gates come with long- handled gravity latches (pictured). Surface: mostly crushed slate surfaced path. After areas of heavy rain, particularly after the storms of December 2015, areas of the path are prone to flooding. This can have an effect on the surface and cause some potholes. Gradient: level in places, with some gradual, moderately steep inclines. Gradual incline through woodland section leading to Baysbrown Farm. One steep descent leading down from Elterwater Quarry, towards Elterwater. Parking: Stickle Ghyll car park, LA22 9JU. Large National Trust car park with 3 designated disabled parking spaces, towards the top of the car park by the toilet block. Parking is free to National Trust members and blue badge holders; parking charges apply to all other vehicles. Facilities: The car park toilets can be reached by a short ramp (please note there is a slight concrete lip to get onto the ramp). These have wide cubicles and bench seating is available next to the sinks. Automatic hand driers are fitted. A disabled toilet is available at the Sticklebarn pub (side entrance to the pub is more accessible). Public toilets are available at Elterwater (council run). Food & drink stops at Sticklebarn (NT), Wainwrights Inn at Chapel Stile, Britannia Inn at Elterwater, Maple Tree café at Elterwater.

Distance: 3.6 miles (7.2 miles as a circular route).

This route is part of the Langdale to Skelwith Bridge cycle trail. For the full route and route instructions, visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sticklebarn-and-the-langdales/trails/langdale-cycle- trail Page 6 of 10

Elterwater Points 5-7 on map above This route is a section of the Go Lakes route which links Langdale and Ambleside; this section leads from the National Trust car park at Elterwater village, past Elterwater, then alongside the river to Skelwith Bridge. This is a mostly flat, level route. Key features: lovely spots by the water for a picnic, stunning views of the Langdale Pikes and surrounding fells. Surface: level, crushed slate surface. Some sections which are prone to flooding are slate pitched, which can be a rougher surface. Suitable for all types of mobility vehicle/wheelchair, although non- motorised wheelchairs and pushchairs may find the surface a little bumpy at times. Gradient: minimal gradient, level surface.

Parking: National Trust car park at Elterwater. There is no designated disabled parking in this car park (although there are two disabled spaces on the road, just outside the car park). Parking is free to National Trust members (valid membership sticker displayed), parking charges apply to all other vehicles. Facilities: council-run public toilets (not disabled access) in Elterwater village. Food & drink stops at Britannia Inn pub in Elterwater, Maple Tree café in Elterwater, Chesters by the River at Skelwith Bridge. Distance: 3 miles as a circular route (Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge, and back to Elterwater).

High Close Garden & Arboretum High Close Garden covers eleven acres and was originally planted in the 1860s by Edward Balme, with exotic conifers from North America as well a variety of rhododendrons. The historic raised terrace overlooks the arboretum, leading out to wider views across , Loughrigg Tarn and Grasmere. There are woodland paths leading through the hillside arboretum; these can be steep with rougher surfaces and steps, but terraces and paths directly from the car park are more level, with seating provided. Key features: wide variety of trees and plants, newly restored viewpoints and footpaths. Surface: crushed slate footpaths, narrow in places, some steps (no handrails) Gradient: car park and terrace are at the top of the hillside site, connected by crushed slate footpath (some steps). Steep gradient leading from the terrace through the woodland paths. Parking: small NT car park, with limited parking spaces, next to Langdale Youth Hostel (no charge). Postcode LA22 9HJ Page 7 of 10

Facilities: YHA café is open when possible – contact YHA for opening days and times, 015394 37579. Nearest public toilets are in Elterwater or Grasmere.

The Chang Terrace in High Close Garden

Dora’s Field (Rydal) This semi-open woodland, renowned for fine displays of bluebells and daffodils, was once owned by William Wordsworth, who planted hundreds of daffodil bulbs in memory of his daughter, Dora. Key features: springtime is the best time to visit, when daffodils and later bluebells carpet the woodland floor. Surface: crushed slate surface, rough woodland path with steep steps at either end. Narrow paths in places. Gradient: terraced footpaths; level in places, with steep sections connecting different levels. Parking: no car park. Limited on-road parking on the road leading to Rydal Hall, next to Rydal Church. Lake District National Park car park at Pelter Bridge (pay & display), across the A591 (LA22 9LW nearest available postcode). Facilities: No facilities on site. There is a tea-room and toilets at Rydal Hall, just across the road from Rydal Church.

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Contact details for more information T: 015394 37623 (for Langdale Outdoor Properties) T: 015394 37356 (for Sticklebarn) E: [email protected]

Date: Feb 2019

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