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. If you feel that it would be useful to contact the property in advance of a visit to discuss specific access requirements, please do so.

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, or carer, of a disabled visitor free of charge, on request, while the normal membership, or admission fee, applies to the disabled visitor.  

To save having to ‘request’ a companions free entry an 'Admit One' card can be issued.  This card is made out in the name of the disabled person, not the companions, so there is not a restriction to taking the same person on each visit.

To request an Admit One card, please e-mail the name and full postal address of the disabled person to the 01793 817634 or email accessforall@nationaltrust.org.uk for further details.

Resources

The majority of our properties offer Braille and large print guides. Many properties are also developing sensory information. These highlight items which can be touched, also particularly important sounds and scents that relate to the property.

Induction loops have become increasingly available at properties. We still practise the principles of the sympathetic hearing scheme that was previously administered by Hearing Concern.

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 2009 (PDF / 7MB) provides more detailed information about the accessibility at our properties. Please note this is a large file and so may take some time to download.

If you would like to order a hard copy of this book  please contact the Access office at accessforall@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01793 817634. Please quote ref no 7330909 for standard print, or 7331709 for large print.

The Access Guide is also available free on CD or tape. For National Trust members, the Magazine is available free on CD or tape To order these publications on tape or CD, please contact sound talking or phone 01435 862737.

Working with other organisations

We work with similar organisations, as well as national and local disability groups, to help us to assess ways in which we can make our properties more accessible.