Dunster Castle and Gardens Access Statement Dunster Castle and Gardens Dunster Minehead Somerset TA24 6SL T: 01643 821314 E: [email protected] Key points: Built over 1000 years ago the castle was originally designed as a defensive fortification. Occupying the top of a hill the paths to the castle are steep. The gardens are cultivated on terraces around the hill and are generally accessible. Our property Welcome map highlights in yellow routes that are steep, have varying surfaces or include steps. The site is unsuitable for three-wheeled and other smaller wheeled powered-mobility-vehicles (PMVs). We have two PMVs which are suitable for the terrain and can be used free of charge subject to availability and are available at our reception points. Our visitor transfer vehicle is also available for those who find access to the Castle and upper gardens too steep. The visitor transfer vehicle is adapted to accommodate one manual wheel chair and its user at a time. If your party has mobility issues please highlight this to our staff who will seek to accommodate this in your visit. There are a multitude of different surfaces from polished floors to loose gravel. We welcome all dogs to the property but allow only assistance dogs within the Castle. Dog waste bins are provided and are marked on our property map on the Welcome leaflet. We also have water bowls outside both reception areas and the shop which are topped up regularly. Mobile phone reception is sporadic and depends upon your provider. In case of an emergency our Duty Manager can be reached on: 07785 290463. We offer a Stair Climber for wheelchair users to gain access into the Castle ground floor rooms. Visitors need to transfer onto our stair climber from their wheelchair. The Stair Climber has a weight carrying limit of 130 kilos and can accommodate one manual wheel chair and user. At the entrance to the Castle wheelchair users who are able can ascend the steps (which have no handrails) and use their wheelchairs in the house. There are two manual wheelchairs available for use within the Castle. We are not able to accommodate powered-mobility-vehicles in the Castle. You are welcome to bring bags into the Castle, but you may be asked to leave these securely in the Porch – supervised at all times. Pushchairs can also be left in the Porch. Page 1 of 11 There can be strong contrasts in light levels depending on prevailing weather conditions when moving from outside to within the Castle and on sunny days paths can be dappled in shade. Arrival & Parking Facilities The site is easy to find with the entrance to the drive off the A39. There are brown tourist signs from Williton on the A39 and A358, and from Minehead on the A39. The entrance is signed and the driveway is single car width drive to the main car park with passing places. We have 5 designated spaces for blue badge holders located next to our visitor reception. These are hard-standing with clearly marked bays. The car park, located closest to the visitor reception building, is rolled tarmac; the lower half is grass with level gravelled access roads. Overflow parking is a five minute walk from the visitor reception building but it’s rare that it’s used. There is a transfer vehicle that is also adapted to carry one wheelchair per journey or up to 6 passengers. It travels between the car park, shop and Castle. To call the vehicle make contact at the reception points. If all blue badge spaces are full visitors are welcome to drop passengers off at the reception building prior to parking. Cycle racks are available next to the reception building Disabled parking Property transfer vehicle WCs We have one accessible toilet located near the shop which is left hand transfer. Taps and toilet are lever operated. All the toilets are lit by LED lighting. Hand dryers are electric and automatic. Taps and toilets are hands free to operate in the main facilities adjacent to the shop. The floors are tiled. The Tenants Hall WC is a push button flush with stone flooring and the Gun Room WC is very compact and has a handle flush and manual rotary taps with quarry tiled floor. All WC’s are marked on the property welcome leaflet. Baby changing facilities in all WCs. Watermill dual unisex WCs accessed via path with steps. One has baby changing facilities and both have manual taps and lever operated toilets. Page 2 of 11 Visitor Reception There are three entry points to Dunster Castle: the main A39 entrance up to the car park; one from Dunster High street and the other pedestrian access from West Street via Mill Lane from the Watermill. The first two are covered here. The Watermill has its own section. Powered-mobility-vehicles (PMV’s) are available for loan from the main reception and ticket office and can be pre-booked by calling the property or requested on the day. There is a short driver assessment and a declaration for users to sign and we ask that only people who have used a PMV before use one at this site. Main Reception – located in the car park Small timber building. There is a small lip between the outside and inside and a ramp to exit. There is a gradual slope form the car park to the reception building. The doors for both the entrance and exit open outwards and are 112cm in width. It can be very noisy as there is no sound proofing but in fair weather we often greet visitors outside so unless paying for entry there is no need to enter the building. The counter is over 850mm high, but staff will come round the front of the counter to assist anyone. Lit by natural light and halogen bulbs. There are seats available consisting of a wooden bench and folding chairs with no arm rests An induction loop is available. Slope from the main Visitor Reception Building Exit from Visitor Reception reception to the site Ticket Office reception – located opposite the shop There is a gradually steepening rolled tarmac slope from the main reception and car park to the Ticket Office and Stables. Built of stone and on the left of a steep slope, it is accessed up two steps with handrails, the doors open outwards. The width is 76cm. The counter is 92cm high and space is tight but a member of staff will always come from behind the counter to assist. Many transactions are done outside the Ticket Office. Lit by natural light and a florescent strip light. There is no seating provided as it’s a very small building. Page 3 of 11 Ticket office Stables Access to the Stables is by rolled tarmac path. The entrance door has a cobbled apron. The Stables are opposite the second ticket office and are approximately a 5 minute walk uphill from the car park. Our courtesy vehicle is able to transport people to directly outside the Stables. Access is through a 139cm wide door. All on one level the flooring is cobbled, light levels are low. Light is provided by natural light and LEDs. There is an audio track that plays atmospheric sounds. Entrance to Stables and shop. Retail Located within the stables the shop has a cobbled floor. The shop is accessed through a glass door that is 103cm wide. It is manual, opens inwards at least 90 degrees and is usually left in the open position. If it is closed staff members are available to assist. It is lit by LED lighting and natural light. There is 1200mm between display stands in all areas except one. Staff are on hand to assist in any way necessary. Shop counter Page 4 of 11 Crypt The Crypt is accessed separately to the main castle up a steep slope and via shallow steps. Access is up two steps through a 92cm wide doorway. The door is manual, opens inwards and is open during the Crypt opening times. Once through the main door the largest part of the Crypt is accessible. The bat exhibition and the history of the castle are in separate ante rooms and can only be accessed by two shallow steps up and down. These are well lit from above and have a handrail. The ceiling is also low. Low light levels inside and lit by tungsten bulbs, exhibition lighting and some natural light. The floor is made up of stone slabs and brick, uneven in places. There is an audio track that plays atmospheric noises including dripping water and voices There are three barrels that have been adapted for seating and two recessed seats. Crypt entrance door Steps to Crypt ante rooms Flooring in Crypt Steps inside Crypt to exhibition rooms Routes to the Castle All paths are marked on the welcome map From the ticket office there are two main routes to the Castle. The first is up a short and very steep incline – with rolled tarmac and shallow gulley to either side up to the Gatehouse followed by two sets of stone stairs with a hand rail on the right hand side. There is a bench (with stepped access) between the Gatehouse and the stairs. The second route is along the Vine Walk from the ornamental gates. This is a bound in path with a gradually rising slope which increases as you approach the South Terrace. There are two benches; one a third of the way along and one near the end of the path.