Visitors with mobility impairments
Information for our visitors with mobility impairments. Accompanying Carers receive free entry to the House & Grounds.
For any additional support for your visit please email enquiries@waddesdon.org.uk or call us on 01296 820414.
For full accessibility details please see our downloadable guides below.
On arrival
- car park – our 1,000 space car park has dedicated places for Blue Badge Holders, and also ‘limited mobility’ spaces. After parking please use the shuttle bus to transfer to the House. Accessible spaces are available at Premium Parking (for an extra fee) on a first come first serve basis, and may suitable for those who want to return to their vehicle quickly.
- carers – accompanying carers receive free entry.
- toilet facilities – there is an accessible toilet on arrival at the Welcome Pavilion.
- shuttle bus – we have a regular shuttle bus service (which dogs are now allowed on) which is fully accessible and has spaces for up to two wheelchairs. Buses run regularly from the car park to the North Fountain, a small walk away from the Manor down the North Avenue, returning via the Stables and back to the car park.
- pathway to the manor – the pathway takes you from the car park is suitable for all bit is steep in some areas.
- assistance dogs are welcomed in the grounds, house, shops and catering outlets and on shuttle buses
If you have a timed ticket for the House we suggest you allow at least 30 minutes for parking prior to your timed entry. Our visitor car park has dedicated spaces for Blue Badger holders and limited mobility spaces. Once parked please use the shuttle bus to transfer to the House and Gardens.
Accessibility – A Rothschild Treasury Exhibition
Visitors using a wheelchair wishing to visit our new Treasury Exhibition need to follow an alternative access route. A member of staff will go with you in a lift to the second floor. You will then need to be able to transfer yourself from your wheelchair to a chairlift, and back again. This will take approximately 15 mins, so please allow more time in your visit.
House
- toilet facilities – we have a Changing Places facility on the ground floor of the manor, accessible through the Manor Shop (radar key provided upon request from Manor Shop).
- access –
- there may be queues to enter the house, please be prepared to stand
- there are ramps which enable entry via the main entrance of the House, visitors need to be self-sufficient entering and exiting the building. Once inside there is step free access. However, there’s limited access to the Prints and Drawings Rooms and Wine Cellars (not currently open)
- wheelchairs & mobility scooters –
- on occasion we may request that a mobility scooter or wheelchair user transfer into one of our house wheelchairs upon arrival at the entrance
- we have four wheelchairs suitable for use inside the house which are located in the main entrance on a first-come, first-served basis
- for safety reasons, we can only allow two wheelchairs or mobility aids on any floor at the same time, therefore on busy days there may be some waiting time during your visit
- seated areas – there are chairs available in most rooms, please ask a member of staff to point them out if needed. Some of the walkways are quite narrow, and to avoid congestion we don’t allow carry chairs or seat sticks to be used inside the house
- emergency evacuation procedure – we have an emergency evacuation procedure in place for wheelchair users and those with problems navigating stairs when inside the house
- large bags – when visiting the House, any large bags must be stored with Visitor Information or be kept on on your sides/ at the front of the body if smaller.
Gardens
- access – most parts of the garden are accessible. However, there are graveled areas immediately in front of the House, on the parterre, and also around the Aviary
- steep paths – you’ll find steep and uneven paths on the way to the Stables and down to the Dairy. The boardwalk through the Woodland Playground and the path from the Powerhouse to the Stables are steep in places so may be unsuitable for some mobility requirements. We advise you use our shuttle bus from the fountain to the Stables
- reflect and roam sensory map – download before your visit or use the online trail. Something that can be enjoyed by everyone, the sensory map explores nature through senses such as touch, smell, sound and sight. The map unlocks Waddesdon’s landscapes and corners of the grounds that you may not have previously explored using Widgit symbols to make it visually accessible for all.
Read more in our blog>