Accessibility at Tattershall Castle

Accessibility at Tattershall Castle:

We are committed to ensuring Tattershall Castle is as accessible as possible for all our visitors. Whilst our medieval site can present challenges, we are working towards making sure that as many people as possible can access its spaces and landscape and experience its rich and interesting history.

We are always looking to improve our experiences and we welcome your feedback at tattershallcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Parking and arrival:

There are six accessible parking spaces on the left as you enter our car park. There is an accessible drop-off point close to the visitor reception building. Vehicular access to the drop-off point is via a gate; please let us know if you wish to use the accessible drop-off point so we can ensure the gate is opened for you. There are benches at the site entrance and a small number of seats in the visitor reception building.

We offer free admission to the essential companions or carers of disabled people.

Visiting with dogs:

Assistance dogs and assistance dogs in training are welcome across the site and inside in all buildings. Dogs on leads are welcome across and inside all buildings except the Great Tower.

Moving around the site:

Our site comprises three main structures: the visitor reception building and Great Tower, both dating from the early 1400s, and a modern toilet block. It also includes a double moat (containing water) and various ruins. Adjacent to the car park, a meadow, belonging to the National Trust, sits on our eastern boundary, stretching to the banks of the river Bain.

The distance from our car park to the site entrance is approximately 150 metres. The distance from the site entrance to the visitor reception building is approximately 45 metres, up a slight incline and over gravel. The distance from the visitor reception to the Great Tower is approximately 100 metres; there are lawns along this route which can be used as an alternative to the gravel paths.

The castle's surroundings include steep banks, sheer drops, and pedestrian routes lined with gravel, which can be deep in places. The gravel can pose a problem for mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and people using walking aids. We are currently taking steps to improve this, particularly on the route to the toilet block.

There are garden benches at the site entrance and around the inner ward (the grassy oval in front of the Great Tower, around which runs a gravel path). There are wooden benches on every floor of the Great Tower except for the lower and upper battlements.

There are two picnic areas on site: one next to the car park with three accessible picnic tables, and another within the castle grounds with six picnic tables, three of which are accessible. This picnic area is accessed via four steps or a short but steep incline up a grassy bank.

Moving around the buildings:

The Great Tower comprises a basement, a ground floor room (the Parlour), and five upper floors: the Great Hall, Audience Chamber, Private Chamber, lower battlements and upper battlements. The upper floors are accessed by a wide stone spiral staircase of 149 steps, with approximately 30 steps between the ground floor and each of the main upper floors. The staircase includes its original stone handrail, which is deep set with plenty of grip surface. There are 12 steps from ground level to the basement; this staircase has no handrail.

Access to all ground floor spaces is step free or via access ramps, the exception being two steps up into the men’s toilets (the accessible toilet, in the same block, is step free). The access ramp into the Parlour is relatively steep due to the historic design of the entrance area. Should you need it, please ask a member of staff for assistance.

Due to the age of the Great Tower and wear on some of the stone steps and floor surfaces, conditions underfoot can be uneven and slippery when wet.

Facilities:

Accessible toilet facilities are available in the main toilet block, approximately 80 metres from the site entrance and along a wide gravel path. There are no toilets in the Great Tower. When it is open, there are additional accessible toilet facilities at the neighbouring Holy Trinity Collegiate Church (this is not a National Trust site); the pedestrian route from the car park to our site entrance passes directly in front of the church.

Useful resources:

There is an induction hearing loop in the visitor reception building.

A sensory bag is available to borrow from the visitor reception building. It contains ear defenders, binoculars, a mixture of eight fidget and sensory toys, a magnifying glass, activity sheets, and a soft toy.

A picture folder showcasing the upper floors of the castle is available in the Parlour (the only ground floor room in the Great Tower).

Noise at Tattershall Castle:

Directly to the south-east of the castle is RAF Coningsby, home to the historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. RAF Coningsby operates two combat-ready RAF squadrons and is the training station for Eurofighter Typhoon pilots.

The noise generated by Typhoon aircraft is very loud. It is audible on most weekdays and very occasionally at weekends. You may also hear the noise of jet skis from the nearby Tattershall Lakes Country Park.