Visitors with disabilities

The National Trust welcomes visitors with disabilities to our properties. We also welcome assistance dogs. Our staff and volunteers will do everything they can to ensure that you enjoy your visit.

Basic facilities

Most properties have a good degree of access. We are committed to developing and promoting inclusive access solutions at our properties that are creative and sensitive to the surroundings.

Unless otherwise mentioned in the relevant property entry, all properties have adapted WCs. Many properties provide manual wheelchairs for loan.

Self-drive and volunteer-driven powered mobility vehicles are available at some larger gardens and parks.

Wherever possible, the Trust admits users of powered wheelchairs and similar small vehicles to its historic buildings. This is subject to the physical limitations of the individual building and any other temporary constraints applying on the day. Please telephone the property in advance to check.

Entry fees

Our admission policy admits the necessary companion of a disabled visitor free of charge. This is on request and while the normal charge applies to the disabled visitor. An 'Admit One' card can be issued in this instance. Please contact our Access for All Office on 01793 817400 or email accessforall@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

Occasionally, visitors may be accompanied by a very severely disabled child or adult. In such a case only the companion pays for entry unless they are a member. In this case no charge is made for either person.

Resources

The majority of our properties offer Braille and large print guides. Many properties are also developing sensory information. We are highlighting items which can be touched and particularly important sounds and scents relating to the property.

Induction loops are becoming increasingly available at our properties. We also still practise the sympathetic hearing scheme previously administered by Hearing Concern.

The National Trust Magazine is available free on tape, as are several regional newsletters. Please contact our Access For All Office if you wish to receive these regularly.

All online property pages contain information about access and facilities available for disabled visitors. You can also perform a specific search for properties that offer facilities for disabled visitors. Find a place to visit.

Information

The National Trust Access Guide 2007 (PDF / 3MB) provides more information about the accessibility of our properties. Please note this is a large file and so may take some time to download. Or you can order a free printed copy in standard or large print or on tape by contacting the Membership Department on 0870 458 4000 or email enquiries@thenationaltrust.org.uk.

Working with other organisations

We work with similar organisations to assess ways in which we can make our properties more accessible.

We advised on the recent publication from English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, 'Easy Access to Historic Landscapes', which can be found on the English Heritage website.