Please see below for information on accessibility at Grimsthorpe. We aim to make Grimsthorpe a great day out for all, regardless of disabilities or impairments.
If you have any enquiries regarding your visit, please email visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk.
Car Park
We have a designated car park for blue badge holders, near the Ticket Hut and entrance. Please follow the signs for this when you drive into the estate.
Toilets
Although our main toilet block is currently being refurbished, we have plenty of accessible toilets to make your day out at Grimsthorpe comfortable. There is one disabled portaloo in the disabled car park, four accessible toilet cubicles to the left of the Castle, and a disabled toilet in the Walled Garden.
Mobility Impaired Visitors
There is roughly a 3 minute walk to the Castle from the Ticket Hut on a smooth, level concrete road. It is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Please note however that Grimsthorpe is a working estate and, as such, there are sometimes farm and estate vehicles utilising this road. Please be aware of slow-moving traffic.
For those with limited mobility, we have an electric buggy service which can take you down to the Castle and gardens. Please ask at the Ticket Hut if you would like to use this service, subject to availability.
We also have a wheelchair at the Ticket Hut for use on site, please let a member of staff know on arrival if you would like to borrow it. Please note that the wheelchair is subject to availability and cannot be booked in advance.
The gardens and parkland are mostly accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those who cannot walk unaided. Most of the garden paths are level, with a gentle slope and shallow steps up to the Kitchen Garden. Please note that the Woodland Walk, while all level, is uneven underfoot and can get muddy after inclement weather.
There are gravelled paths and areas around the Castle which may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair; we recommend wheelchair uses bring a companion to help in these areas.
There are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the gardens and two picnic tables near the lake for visitors to use.
Please note that there are small ponds close to the Castle and a large ornamental lake.
The Castle: The ground floor, consisting of four rooms, of the Castle is accessible, however regrettably the first floor is not accessible for wheelchairs. The Castle tour involves ascending and descending two flights of stone stairs. Folding walking stools are available to borrow at the Castle – please just ask at the Castle reception desk.
We have a 37-minute ‘virtual tour’ of the first floor rooms, complete with commentary. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to watch it.
Visually Impaired Visitors
Guide dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe in all areas, including the Castle.
We have a written tour of the Castle in Braille. Please ask at the Castle reception desk if you would like to borrow it for your visit.
Hearing Impaired Visitors
Hearing impaired visitors are welcome to take a guide book with them around the Castle to assist on their visit.
At the moment we do not have induction loop services available at Grimsthorpe.
Visitors with learning difficulties/disabilities
Please get in touch with us directly at visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk or on 01778 591205 if you have any concerns about your visit.
We can arrange, with a few days’ notice, a private tour of the Castle if that would make your visit more enjoyable.
Grimsthorpe is usually a very peaceful place, however we are a working estate which means that farm and estate vehicles, building works or other estate management works may mean that there are louder noises than usual. 2023 sees the continuance of our refurbishment of the Coach House Yard, which means that building noises may be frequent on the North Avenue.
Sensory experiences include the fountain in front of the Castle, birdsong and wildlife noises in the gardens and wider parkland, and smells of plants and flowers in the Kitchen and Walled Gardens. If you would like to know more about our current aromatic plant life, please get in touch with us.
Animals
There is wildlife throughout the estate, including red and fallow deer in the parkland. Farm animals such as cows and sheep are also often present in the parkland, which are fenced off. Please do not attempt to approach, touch or feed any of the wildlife or animals on the estate.
Excepting guide dogs, dogs are welcome at Grimsthorpe on short leads in the parkland ONLY.
