Access at Tattershall Castle

Accessibility at Tattershall Castle:

We are committed to ensuring Tattershall Castle is as accessible as possible for all visitors. Whilst our medieval site can present challenges, we want as many people as possible to be able to access its spaces, 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:

We have 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 low benches on the route to the site entrance, benches just inside 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. There is also 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 our visitor entrance gate is approximately 150 metres. The distance from the entrance gate to the visitor reception building is approximately 45 metres, up a slight incline and over gravel, which can be deep in places. The distance from the visitor reception building to the Great Tower is approximately 100 metres; there are lawns part way 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. There is a mesh layer on top of the gravel between the entrance gate and the toilets to facilitate movement across the gravel in this location.

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 is seating on every floor of the Great Tower except for roof and battlements.

There is an area with three step-free picnic tables adjacent to the carpark. A step free picnic table is also available in the garden behind out visitor reception building. Other picnic tables can be accessed by 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, roof and battlements. The upper floors are accessed by a wide stone spiral staircase of 149 steps, with approximately 30 steps between each floor. The staircase includes its original stone handrail, which is deep set with plenty of grip surface. There are 12 steps down 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 can be slippery when wet.

Facilities:

Accessible toilet facilities are available in the main toilet block, approximately 80 metres from the site entrance and along a gravel path fitted with a mesh layer. 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 (not a National Trust site); the pedestrian route from the car park to our site entrance passes directly in front of the church.

Resources and activities:

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.

An information folder showcasing the upper floors of the castle is available in the Parlour (the only ground floor room in the Great Tower and in the visitor reception building).

There are various play activities throughout the Great Tower including books to read, foam bricks with which to build a wall, children's costumes for dressing-up, and games like quoits, dominoes, and giant noughts and crosses. If you require a particular game to be moved to ground level please ask a member of staff.

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 and of traffic from the main road that runs parallel to our site. Ear defenders are available to borrow from the visitor reception building.