Access at Hidcote

Published:: 10 August 2024

A visitor in a wheelchair enjoys the gardens at Hidcote, Gloucestershire | © a visitor in a wheelchair enjoys the gardens at Hidcote

We believe Hidcote should be accessible for all. Read more to discover how you can best access the garden.

The garden presents challenges in creating access for all, but we are taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible are able to experience Hidcote’s history and beauty.

We are always looking to improve and recognise the variety of different needs our visitors may have. We always welcome feedback and suggestions which can be emailed to us at hidcote@nationaltrust.org.uk.

This page is designed to help support your visit by providing information on how to access the different areas of the garden and Manor House, and to make the most of your visit.

Accessible car parking

There are 9 clearly marked Blue Badge parking spaces, approximately 20 metres from Visitor Reception.
4 of the Blude Badge bays are on tarmac, the rest are gravel.
The Blue Badge parking spaces are approximately 55 metres from the Main Courtyard entrance.
If there are no spaces available, visitors can be dropped off and picked up at the top of the pathway by Visitor Reception located next to the Blude Badge bays.

Scooters and wheelchairs

We have three personal mobility scooters and one wheelchair available to borrow
Please ring the main office on 01386 438333 to make a booking. We will need to know your name, contact number, date you are planning to visit and your anticipated arrival time.

Accessibility at Visitor Reception

There is step-free access to Visitor Reception
There are two till windows - one is 760mm high and the other is 105mm high. Staff are always on hand to assist visitors with access needs
Both tills are on an induction loop

Accessibility in the garden

We offer a step-free route covering one-third of the garden. The route is clearly marked on the visitor map. While step-free, due to the nature of the garden, some of the pathway surfaces are uneven
There are benches located around the garden

A group enjoying the Long Borders at Hidcote — There is a step-free route covering one-third of the garden for visitors with reduced mobility or access needs | © James Dobson

Accessibility in the Manor House

The Manor House can be accessed through 3 different entrances, one of which is step-free and marked accordingly. The access door is 930mm wide. The upper floors of the house are not accessible to the public.
All doors and corridors are between 1200mm and 1800mm wide, so large powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters may struggle inside the house.
There is plenty of comfortable seating with armrests available for visitors to use

Accessibility in the café

Winthrop’s Café: there is step-free access to the servery, conservatory and outdoor terrace. The first door into the café is 100cm wide, while the second door into the café itself is 97cm wide. There is one step down into the lower room of the café. Around a quarter of the chairs have arms. The counter is 90cm high.

The Barn Kiosk: there is step-free access to the Barn Kiosk through the Plant Centre. None of the seating has arms.

In both cafés, the till points are on an induction loop and staff are on hand to assist visitors with access needs. Large-handled cutlery, double-handed mugs and straws are available.

Accessibility in the shop

The Main Shop: there is step-free access from the Gardener’s Yard entrance via a wide, automatic door. There are two till points, both with induction loops. Staff are on hand to assist with reaching items if needed.

The Plant Centre: there is step-free access to the Plant Centre, though the entrance to the indoor part of the shop, where the till is located, has a small lip on the threshold of the doorway. The door is 950mm wide. The till point has an induction loop. Staff are on hand to assist with reaching items if needed.

Chapel Secondhand Bookshop: there is step-free access to the bookshop. The door is 900mm wide. The shop is unstaffed.

Accessible toilets

Plant Centre toilets: these are the closest toilets to the main car park, with male and female toilets. There is an accessible WC cubicle which also has a baby-changing unit.

Garden toilets: there are male and female toilets located opposite the café, as well as a dedicated accessible toilet and baby changing room.

Organic sanitary products are available in all female, accessible and baby change toilets from our partner Dame, free of charge.

Sensory-friendly Hidcote

There are sensory bags available to borrow for both adults and children from visitor reception
These are free to borrow, and we ask that you return them at the end of your visit.

Dogs at Hidcote

Assistance dogs are very welcome everywhere in the garden and Manor House
We welcome dogs on short, fixed leads on Fridays only as part of a pilot scheme launched in August 2024.

Visiting Hidcote with your dog

Braille guides

A braille visitor guide is available at Visitor Reception.

Accessibility guide

A guide showing photographs through the seasons of areas which are inaccessible to visitors with mobility difficulties is available to borrow from Visitor Reception.