Accessibility at Ashridge Estate

Arrival and parking

• There are 6 designated spaces for Blue Badge holders located in the main car park, closest to the path that leads to our Visitor Centre.
• There are 5 additional Blue Badge spaces through the gate at the top of driveway. These spaces provide closer access to our Powered Mobility Service.
• Spaces are marked by yellow bays and signs on wooden posts.
• Benches are available near the car parks and Visitor Centre. The path up to the Visitor Centre is concrete but can be uneven in places.

Moving around the site

• The Visitor Centre and shop have ramped access. There is laminate and wooden flooring throughout and space for wheelchair manoeuvre.
• The café is step-free and much of the floor is smooth and even.
• An orientation panel with waymarked routes can be found in our main car park and within our Visitor Centre.
• We have two surfaced mobility routes with are accessible to wheelchairs, buggies and powered mobility vehicles.

Powered Mobility Vehicles

• Two single-seater scooters, two two-seater golf buggies and one four-seater golf buggy are available to borrow on a first-come first-served basis from April until October.
• Vehicles can be borrowed for up to an hour, weather permitting, at 12pm,1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
• To guarantee access, we recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. To book please call us at 01442 851 227.
• Vehicles can be collected from a collection point located next to the 5 additional disabled parking spots behind our café.
• They can be used on our two surfaced mobility routes. There is no charge, but we rely heavily on donations to keep the service running.
• One manual wheelchair and running buggy are also available to borrow daily throughout the year.

Facilities

• There is one set of toilets available at Ashridge Estate, with men's and women's facilities and separate disabled and baby change rooms. They are all step-free, but the path leading up to them can be uneven in places. Accessible toilets do not require a radar key to access the facility.
• Chairs with armrests and adapted picnic tables are available in the café. We have large-handled cutlery and crockery available for use.
• We have induction loops in our Visitor Centre and shop.
• The height of the reception desk and till points are all between 75cm and 100cm.

Useful resources

• A defibrillator is located in the toilet corridor in an alarmed cabinet.
• All dogs on leads and under close control are welcome throughout the estate and Visitor Centre.  Please be aware of signage warning for grazing livestock and ground nesting birds.
• Bridgewater Monument has 172 steps to reach the top. Dogs, including assistance dogs, are not permitted. For those unable to visit, we have an access film avaliable to watch in our Visitor Centre.