Access at Charlecote Park

Use the postcode CV35 9ER or what3words ///empire.pavilions.part to take you to the main car park.

The main entrance is clearly signed.

There are several designated accessible parking spaces in the main car park for Blue Badge holders or anyone with mobility requirements. If all designated parking bays are full, visitors can be dropped off outside Visitor Reception.

An overflow car park is available for use on busy days in dry weather. This has a grass surface and is reasonably flat.

There is also a small on-site car park near the house. Please go to Visitor Reception first to pay for admission or scan your membership card, and inquire about spaces in the on-site car park. Spaces are usually available on request on a first-come, first-served basis. If all these parking bays are full, it is also possible to drop visitors off on site, before parking in the main car park.

Visitor Reception is the red brick building in the corner of the main car park, near the main entrance.

It is an open-plan building with level access.

All entry and exit doors are non-powered opening, 170cm in width, opening outwards to 90 degrees. Staff and volunteers can assist with opening doors if required.

The internal glass doors open inwards and outwards, depending on need. They are 148cm in width if both are open, opening to 90 degrees.

Wood flooring runs throughout the building, and the area is lit by both natural and artificial lighting.

The reception desk is 90cm high. Chairs are available for visitors who may find queuing difficult. An induction loop is available at the reception desk and a portable hearing loop.

Please note there are no visitor toilets at Visitor Reception. The nearest toilets are on the main site by the Gatehouse (320m down the main drive).

The main car park is separated from the main site by a road.

It is an electric all-terrrain (off-road) mobility scooter designed specifically to cover rough ground and grass safely. It can go up and down slopes, over bumps and tree roots, through shallow puddles, mud and soft ground.

Our all-terrain mobility vehicle has been kindly donated by the Coventry National Trust Association to improve access to the wider parkland, gardens and cafes for everyone visiting.

It is for use by anyone over the age of 14. You don’t have to be registered disabled or have a Blue Badge to use it.

It can keep pace with a brisk walking companion, which is great for exploring the parkland together.

You will need to have someone with you when you hire the all-terrain mobility vehicle to open the various livestock gates in the parkland. The gates may require some strength to open and close.

It can be used to explore suggested routes through the parkland, which have been thoroughly tested by ambassadors from other local access charities including Dogs for Good and the Disabled Ramblers.

These routes may change seasonally to work around annual weather challenges we experience across the parkland. It’s important that all-terrain vehicles stick to these specific routes to help us with the conservation of the parkland. A member of the team will provide a route map and run through it with you during the induction.

Please note that due to narrow spaces on the visitor route, the all-terrain mobility vehicle is unable to access our house, scullery, Victorian Kitchen and Servants’ Hall shop, but we can provide a wheelchair or alternative mobility aid on request to help you visit these areas.

However, the Orangery Restaurant and Wood Yard Café are accessible (see below), and the all-terrain vehicle is welcome inside these spaces.

We recommend contacting the team to book your slot as soon as you know when you’ll be visiting Charlecote as the all-terrain vehicle is often in high demand. To book, please send us an email at charlecote.park@nationaltrust.org.uk (this inbox is checked daily). Please wait for a reply from one of our team to confirm your booking before travelling to visit. The vehicle may also be loaned out on the day if it has not been reserved.

The all-terrain vehicle is available 10am–3pm on most days.

Normal admission prices apply, but the all-terrain mobility vehicle is free to book and use.

The all-terrain mobility vehicle is very easy to operate. We provide you with a briefing, test drive and route map before you set off; this takes around 10–15 minutes.

Please note that all mobility vehicle users must be accompanied by at least one other person, who must preferably be over 14 (as they must be able to assist the person on the mobility vehicle if necessary).

You are more than welcome to bring your own mobility scooter.

Our Welcome team are happy to discuss how you can best visit Charlecote Park, and which areas are suitable or not to access on your own scooter.

Some areas are restricted in the house due to narrow spaces and restricted turning circles. Where possible transferring to a manual wheelchair (that we can provide) or using smaller mobility aids is preferred.

On busier days, it’s best to visit the house in the last hour before it closes if you plan to use a mobility scooter, as it tends to be quieter then. If you have any questions about how best to visit Charlecote Park, please speak to a member of the team when you arrive or email charlecote.park@nationaltrust.org.uk.

The main toilet facilities are located 320m from Visitor Reception, down the main drive, to the left of the Gatehouse.

There are male and female toilet blocks, and a separate accessible toilet which is a right-hand transfer.

Further information on our toilet facilities can be found on AccessAble.