Accessibility at Lyveden

A visitor riding an off-road personal mobility scooter towards the manor at Lyveden. — Exploring the grounds with the Tramper, Lyveden's all-terrain personal mobility scooter. | © National Trust / Peter Stanton

We are committed to making Lyveden accessible to all visitors. This guide provides detailed information to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time at Lyveden.

All-terrain personal mobility vehicle

There is an all-terrain personal mobility vehicle or "Tramper", available for visitors to hire out for the duration of their visit. The Tramper has been designed to cover rough ground safely, including over bumpy grass fields, shallow puddles and soft mud. It's also more than capable of keeping up with a brisk walker, making the Tramper ideal for exploring Lyveden's grounds with friends and family. The Tramper is fitted with a holder for walking sticks or crutches, and a small storage compartment.

Staff will be on hand to provide an induction on how to safely operate the Tramper. While the vehicle is suitable for most terrain, there are some areas of the site with tight passageways and steep inclines that may be difficult to navigate. A recommended route will be shown to visitors to insure they are able to make the most out of their visit.

Due to limited availablilty it is recomended to book the Tramper in advance, by either calling us at 01832205259, or by email.

A visitor riding the personal mobility scooter around the garden lodge. — To ensure availability it's best to book the Tramper before your visit. | © National Trust / Peter Stanton

Access at Lyveden

On your visit to Lyveden you will find:

Parking - In Lyvedens carpark there are designated accessible parking bays located next to the visitor reception. These are available for blue badge holders, or for anyone with mobility requirements. The parking bays are on gravel surface and there is a short firm path to visitor reception.
Drop-off - For visitors with limited mobility, there is a drop-off point nearer to the manor, please speak to reception staff upon arrival if you need to use it.
Hearing impairments - Induction loops are available inside the manor and café.
Visual impairments - Braille and audio guides are available at the visitor reception. Some paths and garden features may have uneven surfaces, so visitors are encouraged to use mobility aids if required.
Assistance dogs - Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site, including indoor areas such as the café. Water bowls are available outside of the manor and café area.
Eating and drinking - Lyveden's café offers a range of food and drink options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. The café is accessible via a ramp and has seating available both indoors and outdoors. Accessible cutlery is available from the café counter. Rubber caps have been added to the bottom of the café chair legs to dampen the noise. Highchairs are available on request and staff are happy to assist with any specific needs.
Picnicking and relaxation areas - Lyveden offers beautiful, quiet areas perfect for picnicking and relaxing. Picnic benches are located near the manor house and are accessible via level paths. Benches and rest areas can be found throughout Lyveden's grounds.
Surfaces and terrain - The paths around Lyveden are a mixture of grass, gravel and compacted surfaces. Some areas have uneven ground, which may present challenges for visitors with limited mobility. Most of the site is accessible; however, some steeper inclines and narrow paths may be difficult for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
All-terrain mobility vehicle - An all-terrain mobility vehicle or "Tramper", is available for visitors who need assistance navigating the site, and can be hired out for free for the duration of your visit. Pre-booking is recommended to ensure availability.
Toilets - Accessible toilets are located in the manor courtyard as well as on the first floor. Lift access is available. The accessible toilets are equipped with grab rails, emergency pull cords, and ample turning space for wheelchairs. Baby-changing facilities are also available.
Ramps - Ramps are installed where necessary to provide step-free access to key areas, including the café
The manor - Lyveden's manor is a historic building with ramp access to the ground floor and lift access to the first floor. A volunteer lead talk is available on ground floor for those unable to take part in garden tours or access certain parts of the manor. Subject to volunteer availability.

To find out more about accessibility at Lyveden, visit our page on AccessAble. If you would like to discuss your own accessibility needs or have suggestions on how we can improve access to Lyveden and it's story, please get in touch.