Accessibility at Buckland Abbey

You can download a PDF of Buckland Abbey's access statement here

Alternatively, this link will take you to Buckland's page on the AccessAble website: https://www.accessable.co.uk/national-trust/buckland-abbey-national-trust

You can download a visual guide to Buckland Abbey here

Arrival and parking

To find Buckland Abbey, please follow brown signs from the A386 Tavistock to Plymouth road. Do not follow Sat Nav.

There are eight designated accessible parking spaces in the main car park. You do not need to have a blue badge if you would like to use these.

There is usually a volunteer driven golf buggy operating from the car park to Visitor Welcome, the Ox Yard and the Abbey. This is free to use and can carry five passengers. It is not wheelchair accessible. If you particularly wish to use this service, we'd advise calling ahead to check that it is in operation on the day of your visit.

Bicycle posts are available near to the car park hut. Bicycles can be left here at the owner's risk - there is no car park security.

There is a site map in the car park at the top of the path which leads to the property. Visitor Welcome is approximately 150 yards downhill along a tarmac path. There is a flight of uneven granite steps leading to the Visitor Welcome courtyard, or it is possible to follow level access signage to enter the courtyard.

The Visitor Welcome team will provide a leaflet which features a map showing routes around the property. They can also advise on step free routes and answer any queries you may have.

Disabled visitors can be accompanied by one carer or companion free of charge. 

Moving around the site

Visitor Welcome will provide a map of the site, and can talk through step free access routes with visitors. 

Most paths around the site are tarmac or gravel, except on the wider estate walks.

There are a limited number of manual wheelchairs available to hire free of charge, and one Tramper - for details please see below.

Mobile signal is very poor everywhere on site. Public WiFi is available in the cafe.

Dogs on leads are welcome everywhere except in the Kitchen Garden. Dog waste bins are located at the start of the estate walks, opposite the Cart Pond.

Moving around the house

The entrance door is accessed up a metal ramp and is wide enough for buggies and wheelchairs. The Tramper cannot be taken into the house. A volunteer will be at the entrance door at all times during opening hours and can advise visitors as to the best routes to see the house.

The Nave Gallery, Kitchen and Great Hall are all level access rooms. There are two deep steps down into the Chapel, but it is possible to see into the room from the corridor. All other rooms are upstairs across two storeys. There is no lift. A visual guide to the upstairs rooms is available in the Great Hall.

Seating and interpretation sheets are available in every room. Some rooms such as the kitchen have items that can be handled or smelt. Please ask one of the room guide team for further information.

There is no mobile signal in the house.

Assistance dogs only are welcome in the house.

Facilities

Toilets

There are male and female toilets in the main car park. These are both accessed via a small step and are not suitable for wheelchairs. 

The main toilet block opposite Visitor Welcome is accessed via a small step, and there are male and female toilets in this building. 

The accessible toilet is located next to the male and female toilets in the main block. It has level access. The toilet is right hand transfer. There is an emergency cord.

There is a baby changing area adjacent to the accessible toilet with a changing bench and chair.

There is a single unisex toilet in the Ox Yard which is accessed via a small step. 

All of these toilets have tiled or lino floors and flourescent lighting.

There is one toilet available upstairs in the Abbey. Please ask a member of the house team if you need directions for this facility.

There are hand driers in the car park and main toilets, and hand towels in the cafe, Ox Yard and house.

We provide a basket of period products in every toilet for visitor use.

Access in the cafe

The cafe can be accessed on the level via a set of double, inward opening glass doors. The floor is wooden.

The main counter is low for accessibility. The cafe is counter service, but a member of staff will be happy to assist in bringing things to your table.

There is one low step into the rear annexe room where there are two unisex toilets available - these are not wheelchair accessible.

Two low steps lead down to a further seating area at the end of the cafe, where there is a woodburner with a railing around it.

There are some chairs with arms available.

There is outdoor seating directly opposite the cafe which can be accessed via a concrete slope or a set of shallow steps. The ground is gravelled. The picnic tables are hexagonal and wooden, and some have wheelchair spaces.

There is a selection of large handled cutlery, Dignity mugs and straws available. 

Families

Baby changing facilities are available in the main toilets outside Visitor Welcome.

There are step free routes around the garden - please be aware that most paths are gravelled or slightly uneven with slopes. Some parts of the yellow estate route are suitable for robust pushchairs.

The natural play area features a variety of intuitive play equipment such as balance beams and climbing posts. It is approximately half a mile from Visitor Welcome along a gravel and grass track.

We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Buckland Abbey. If there is anything you need such as a quiet space or hot water for bottle warming, please speak to a member of staff.

Highchairs are provided in the cafe.

Useful resources 

Wheelchairs

There are a limited number of manual wheelchairs available to hire free of charge. If you'd like to borrow one, please call 01822 856045 to speak to Visitor Welcome, or ask on the day.

The Tramper at Buckland Abbey

The Tramper is an electric all-terrain mobility scooter designed specifically to cover rough ground and grass safely. It's able to go up and down slopes, over bumps, through mud, soft ground and shallow puddles.

The Tramper can be taken around the gardens and on part of the yellow walking route on Buckland's estate. Due to its size and area required to turn, it cannot be taken inside any of the buildings. You'll receive a full explanation of where to go during your briefing with the Visitor Welcome team on arrival.

To book the Tramper for your visit, please call 01822 856045 to speak to the Visitor Welcome team, or email bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk. Bookings can be made more than a week in advance, but please do let us know if you change your mind.

If you would like to hire the Tramper, you must become a member of Countryside Mobility to ensure you are covered by insurance.  You can choose either a two week taster membership (£2.50) or annual membership (£10). Once you’ve signed up for membership, you can use Trampers at 50 Countryside Mobility sites across South West England, and return to your favourite spots again and again.

If you hold an Outdoor Mobility Scheme Membership (formerly known as Lake District Mobility), you are also able to use that membership.

On the day of your booking, we'll give you a briefing of the route, a map and a short introduction to the Tramper if you are a first time user.

Please be aware that all Tramper users must be accompanised by one other person, and that mobile signal is very limited on site.

Anyone can use the Tramper - as long as you are able to use the handlebar steering and hand controls.

You don't have to be registered disabled or have a Blue Badge to use the Tramper.

If you're a first-time user, please read the important medical and health information, terms and conditions and watch the introductory video.

Large print and Braille guides

Large print and Braille guides for the Abbey can be borrowed for free from Visitor Welcome or the Abbey.