Lindisfarne Access Statement

Lindisfarne Castle, Holy Island, Berwick-upon-Tweed, , TD15 2SH. T: 01289 389244 E: [email protected]

Introduction

1. A coastal castle perched on a rocky crag overlooking Holy Island. The Island is only accessible at low tide via a tidal causeway. 2. Mobile reception is sporadic, 3G/4G is available in certain areas of the castle. In emergencies visitors should call 999 and ask for the Coast Guard. 3. Assistance dogs only are welcome inside the castle. Dogs are allowed in the surrounding field and must always be kept on a lead. 4. Visitors can leave pushchairs at the visitor reception, prior to entry to the castle. 5. National Trust will not accept responsibility for loss, theft, or damage. Narrow areas in the castle along with the steep climb make this advisable.

Arrival & Parking Facilities

1. Following the road to Lindisfarne, east across a tidal dependent, five mile causeway. Please check safe tidal access times before crossing. 2. Holy Island has a Northumberland County Council Pay and Display car park as you arrive onto the Island. A separate, disabled person car park/coach is located further towards Holy Island village. Both car parks are about a mile away from the castle. 3. The car parks have gravel surfaces. 4. Visitors are welcome to drive along to the castle and drop off disabled visitors. 5. To enter the castle field there are two kissing gates and a main five bar field gate.

WCs

1. There are currently no facilities at Lindisfarne Castle.

Page 1 of 5

Visitor Reception

1. The visitor reception building is via an outdoor kiosk. 2. There is no induction loop available at the reception desk 3. We have no manual wheelchairs or powered mobility vehicles available for loan.

House

1. The castle is just under one mile from the main council car park. 2. The castle is accessed through a main gate and/or kissing gate and then via a cobbled road up to the visitor reception building, or a gravel road and a set of steps, followed by a grassy bank. 3. Access to the castle from the visitor reception point is via a steep cobbled ramp, followed by a set of steps up to the first level. 4. The door to the Entrance Hall is usually open but in poor weather is kept closed. Staff are available to help open and close this door. 5. The Entrance Hall door is 840mm wide. 6. Most of the castle has stone floors and walls, while some areas have timber floorboards. 7. The castle relies mainly on natural light, but all rooms have electric light as well. 8. There are three internal levels in the castle, all are accessed via stone staircases. 9. The narrowest corridor is located at the foot of the Long Gallery steps and is 750mm wide. Most timber doorways into rooms are 750mm wide. 10. The castle has limited seating points. 11. The castle visit is a self-guided tour. 12. There are no induction loops in the building. 13. There is no audio guide available. 14. Due to the nature of the building, powered wheelchairs and mobility vehicle users will find it very challenging to get into the castle. There is not space in every room to turn a wheelchair. 15. There are no designated quiet areas where people can sit if they don’t want to do the same amount of the visit as other members of their group, however visitors with this requirement can speak to a member of staff for advice.

Page 2 of 5

Catering

There is no catering offer at the castle.

Retail

1. The National Trust retail shop is in Holy Island Village. 2. The shop is 500m (approx.) from the main Holy Island Northumberland County Council car park and 200m (approx.) from the disabled car park. 3. The shop is located within Holy Island village. Approach is on a tarmac road to a stone-flagged pavement. 4. There are three steps up to the shop front door. 5. The entrance door is 880mm wide and is not power assisted. The door remains open during shop opening hours. 6. The shop is lit with LED panel lights. 7. There is adequate space between stands. 8. There is an induction loop in the shop. 9. Staff will assist reaching down items to view if they cannot be reached by customers. 10. Staff can assist customers when viewing price stickers. 11. The shop garden is accessed through the back door, and there is one step up and then one step down.

Garden

1. There are two steps into the garden, leading to the one gate entry/exit point. The steps do not have handrails. 2. There is a plan of the garden on the wall inside the garden. 3. There is no alternative route around the garden avoiding steps or uneven ground. 4. The paths are made up of uneven stone flags. 5. There are no slopes in the pathways. 6. There is a plan of the garden showing the planting plan 7. There are three benches available to sit on. 8. There are no water features in the garden.

Lime Kilns

1. The Lime Kilns are situated on the castle headland area.

Page 3 of 5

2. Access to the Lime Kilns is via a kissing gate entrance 1500mm in width approx. 3. There is an uneven, fine gravel floor upon entry into the kilns. 4. There is no lighting within the kilns which relies on natural light and is dimly lit in many areas.

Outdoor

1. The castle field area is rugged landscape consisting of grass and field area, a gravelled public right of way road track that runs to the left of the castle and a cobbled, right hand track that runs up an incline. 2. There are a set of steps directly behind the castle leading north towards the garden. There are handrails that can be used when ascending and/or descending. 3. A rugged, pathed wagonway runs around the castle headland to the land north of the castle. At the north entrance/exit point there is no gate at this section. 4. A small bridge section adjoins the wagonway to the Castle mound.

Contact details for more information T: 01289 389244 E: [email protected]

Page 4 of 5

Date 07/07/2020

Map

Page 5 of 5