Access at Canons Ashby

A visitor reads an 'Accessibility' document while sat on a mobility scooter known as a Tramper in the parkland at Croome, Worcestershire — Accessible paths at Canons Ashby | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

We're passionate about making Canons Ashby as accessible as possible to everyone. The information below outlines the various ways that can help you enjoy your visit. We have an Access Statement that gives further information. If you have any questions when you arrive please do speak to a member of staff, they will be happy to help.

Arrival and parking

The entrance to the car park is signed from the Adstone and Moreton Pinkney roads. The car park has a hard surface with loose chippings in some areas. There are six spaces for Blue Badge holders and, if these are all full, passengers can be dropped off outside Visitor Reception. There is an overflow car park that can be used in drier weather; this has a grassed surface and is relatively flat.

Visitor Reception

Visitor Reception is in the main car park, near the path that leads to the House. It has two entrances, both of which are step free, level and have double doors. There is an induction loop at the desk and an access map on the wall, copies of which can be borrowed by visitors. A large print version of the visitor welcome leaflet about the property is available as are braille guides. Three manual wheelchairs are kept at Visitor Reception for anyone who wishes to borrow one and chairs are available that visitors can use if there is a queue at the reception desk. Sensory items are available to borrow and include ear defenders, fidget toys and soft toys. Assistance dogs are welcome at the property. The path to the House is step free and up a slight slope. A buggy is available to take visitors from Visitor Reception to the House, shop and main toilets.

Toilets

The main toilets are next to the Shop (opposite the House) and include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities in the ladies toilet. The accessible toilet has a left-hand transfer, has a hand dryer and is lit by a ceiling light with an LED bulb. There is also a toilet in Visitor Reception that has some adaptations and has a left-hand transfer.

Father holding his young daughter in his arms as they walk through — Visitors walking along the tree avenue in winter at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Accessibility in the House

There is a flight of seven steps up to the main entrance which are uneven and four staircases between the first and second floors in the House. There are also other steps, some curving, between other rooms in the older part of the property. There isn’t a lift in any area of the House. Seating without armrests is available for visitors in every room and can be easily identified as it is modern. There are items in every room that can be touched or handled and the Room Guides will offer these to anyone wishing to handle them. There is a portable hearing loop in the House and it can be taken elsewhere on the property if required. There are two copies of large print guides for the House which can be borrowed by visitors and there are braille guides to the property at visitor reception and at the entrance to the House. Ear defenders can be borrowed and an area has been designated as a quiet space.

Most rooms are lit by natural light and, where lighting is necessary, bulbs are not fluorescent or harsh. There is a video tour of the House and a photo album in the Great Kitchen, access to which is initially over pebbles in the Courtyard, but is then level with one left hand turn into a corridor. Pushchairs can be left in the Pebble Courtyard.

Accessibility in the Tea Room

The Tea Room is near the shop and is accessed by a gentle slope with one curve in it. There are two steps at the entrance to the Tea Room and a temporary ramp can be requested at the Shop. There is an induction loop and two handled mugs, large cutlery and plastic straws are available. There is 1200mm circulation space between tables and bays and a 1.5m radius for a wheelchair turning circle. There are rubber caps on the bottom of the chairs and several chairs have arms. Some of the chairs have arms. Staff are happy to help with carrying trays.

Assistance dogs are welcome in this area. There is also an outdoor seating space which has level access but a loose gravel surface.

Accessibility in the Shop

The shop is split level with both halves having a level entrance although the one opposite the house has three steps down into the upper level of the shop and a two more steps to the lower level. The counter is on the lower level which is accessible from the Tea Shop entrance. Staff are happy to give advice on items on the upper level and pick up items for visitors. There is an induction loop by the till.

Accessibility to the Book Shop

This is accessed over pebbles in the Pebble Courtyard and there is one small, uneven step into it. The space between bookshelves is relatively small but staff are happy to help anyone looking for a particular book.

Access to outside spaces

The main path up to the house is tarmac and there is thin gravel on paths in the top two terraces. Paths around the vegetable area are grassed. There are four stone steps with a handrail leading to the top terrace of the garden and two level access points to the Sundial Terrace and vegetable garden from the main path. Access between the garden areas is either by steps or a grassed slope. Several seats are placed around the garden and there are some accessible picnic benches with space for a wheel chair or pushchair in the Paddock. These are accessed over level grass. There is also level access to the Parkland but, as it is a field, it is sloping and uneven. The access map in Visitor Reception gives more detail about accessibility in the gardens and Paddock.

Access to the Church

The path to the Church is across well-trodden grass covered in bark chippings and across a road. There is then a hand gate. There is one step into the Church and, due to the narrow space between the entrance and the roadside, it is not possible for a temporary ramp to be safely put in place.

Learn more about accessibility at Canons Ashby on Access Able.