Discover more at Charlecote Park
Find out when Charlecote Park is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Access at Charlecote Park
We want Charlecote Park to be accessible for all visitors, so we’re taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible can experience Charlecote’s beauty, nature, and history. Here you’ll find information about access at Charlecote and how to make the most of your visit.
Arrival and parking facilities
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Use the postcode CV35 9ER or what3words ///empire.pavilions.part to take you to the main car park.
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The main entrance is clearly signed.
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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.
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An overflow car park is available for use on busy days in dry weather. This has a grass surface and is reasonably flat.
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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.
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Visitor Reception is the red brick building in the corner of the main car park, near the main entrance.
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It is an open-plan building with level access.
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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.
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The internal glass doors open inwards and outwards, depending on need. They are 148cm in width if both are open, opening to 90 degrees.
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Wood flooring runs throughout the building, and the area is lit by both natural and artificial lighting.
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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.
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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).
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The main car park is separated from the main site by a road.
- Large print guides are available at Visitor Reception on request. We are indebted to one of our partially-sighted visitors who has reviewed Charlecote from her unique perspective.
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All-terrain mobility vehicles and mobility aids
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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.
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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.
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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.
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It can keep pace with a brisk walking companion, which is great for exploring the parkland together.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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However, the Orangery Restaurant and Wood Yard Café are accessible (see below), and the all-terrain vehicle is welcome inside these spaces.
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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.
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The all-terrain vehicle is available 10am–3pm on most days.
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Normal admission prices apply, but the all-terrain mobility vehicle is free to book and use.
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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.
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Please note that all mobility vehicle users must be accompanied by at least one other person.
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You are more than welcome to bring your own mobility scooter.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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- Personal wheelchairs can be used throughout the property; we can advise which paths and routes are most suitable for you.
- We have several wheelchairs available, so there’s no need to book them in advance, although you can if you wish to. They are free to hire and available from different locations, from Visitor Reception to the main site.
- Rollators and walking sticks can also be hired out in advance by emailing charlecote.park@nationaltrust.org.uk or on the day if available. They are all free to hire.
Toilets and accessible toilet facilities
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The main toilet facilities are located 320m from Visitor Reception, down the main drive, to the left of the Gatehouse.
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There are male and female toilet blocks, and a separate accessible toilet which is a right-hand transfer.
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Further information on our toilet facilities can be found on AccessAble.
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Accessibility in the House
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To enter the House, use the main doors on Green Court, which is 366m from Visitor Reception.
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Entry to the house is through a 100cm-wide door. There is one step, and a 70-cm wide access ramp. There are no further steps and the floor surface in the house is stone, marble, wood and carpet.
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We recommend that rucksacks and large bags are left in owners’ vehicles, as we may ask you to remove them upon entry.
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We ask that prams are left just outside the house (at your own risk). Two hip carriers are available for those with small children – please ask a member of staff.
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Access to the first floor is up either a narrow spiral staircase with 25 steps, each around 15cm high, or the main staircase with 21 carpeted steps and a handrail.
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Unfortunately, there is no ramp or lift available and there is no alternative level entrance.
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Most of the floor surface is carpeted and there are soft furnishings, keeping sound echoes to a minimum.
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At the bottom of the spiral staircase in the Drawing Room, there is a digital book of the first-floor rooms available for visitors who are unable to use the stairs.
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- There is a narrow corridor on the first floor, measuring 110cm wide.
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Lighting is both artificial and natural, and kept at a moderate to low level to protect the collection.
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Interiors are naturally dark, owing to the original decoration throughout the House.
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Some powered mobility vehicles can be accommodated on the ground floor of the House.
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Some areas of the House are not suitable for powered mobility vehicles due to narrow spaces and restricted turning circles. A member of the team will be able to explain the route available depending on the size of your vehicle.
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We can loan a wheelchair or rollator to help you visit areas not suitable for a mobility scooter.
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Small personal wheelchairs can be accommodated on the ground floor and first floor; first floor access is granted if the wheelchair user can manage the 21 steps between the ground and first floor.
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Accessibility in the cafés and picnic spaces
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The Orangery Restaurant is located 435m from Visitor Reception.
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All doors are non-powered opening, 135cm wide, opening inwards to 90 degrees.
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It has an uneven stone floor and is lit by natural and artificial light.
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Level access is on the patio around the side of the building – go past the main entrance and turn left.
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The counter is 90cm high with a facility to hold trays running the full length. Staff can assist with service and/or carrying trays.
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The Wood Yard is located 373m from Visitor Reception.
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All entrances to the Wood Yard Café are level access.
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All doors are non-powered opening, 170cm wide, opening outwards to 90 degrees.
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It has a natural floor colour and is lit by natural and artificial light.
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The counter is 90cm high with a facility to hold trays running the full length. Staff can assist with service and/or carrying trays.
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- Both the Wood Yard Café and Orangery Restaurant have seating available indoors and outdoors, and tables can be rearranged to accommodate wheelchair users. Chairs with armrests are available.
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Highchairs are available for toddlers.
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Large-handled cups and cutlery are also available on request.
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Induction loops are available at all till points.
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- Several picnic benches in the parkland are designed to accommodate wheelchair or mobility vehicles.
Accessibility in the shops
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The Servants’ Hall shop is located 400m from Visitor Reception.
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To enter the shop, you can either go through the Victorian Kitchen, up 3 steps and through 3 doors, or use the level access with a ramp. To use the level access, ring the bell on the shop sign by the building entrance, and a member of staff will open the level entrance and direct you to the level access. The level access is up 2 separate ramps, which are 70cm wide.
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The shop is lit by both natural and artificial light. The shop and Victorian Kitchen have old, uneven stone floor.
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The counter is 90cm high and staff can help you with reaching items down to view.
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An induction loop is available at the till point.
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Avenue Plants is located next to Visitor Reception.
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Entry is via level access through the gates.
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The plants are located just outside the shop building, in a small yard that is paved and gravelled.
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The shop building has a concrete floor and is lit by both natural and artificial light.
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The counter is 90cm high and staff can help you with reaching items down to view.
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An induction loop is available at the till point.
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Accessibility in the gardens and parkland
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Maps are available from Visitor Reception showing which routes you can take.
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The Long Border and Woodland Garden are approximately 450m from Visitor Reception. The paths are loose gravel and there is one slope to reach them.
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Several benches are located throughout the gardens.
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The Parterre is 415m from Visitor Reception and is accessed by 6 steps, with a handrail on the right-hand side.
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Maps are available from Visitor Reception showing which routes you can take. Our team members can help you decide which routes are most suitable for you.
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The paths in the wider parkland are grass. Due to the terrain, some areas are uneven and bumpy, and sometimes muddy.
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The longest walk around Front Park is 1.86km. There are several options to do smaller walks and there are some benches throughout the park.
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The longest walk around West Park is 2.77km. There is limited seating in West Park.
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General information about accessibility
- Assistance dogs are welcome in all area and buildings at Charlecote Park. Dog water bowls are available around the main buildings. Please ask a member of staff if they need refilling.
- Induction loops are available in all our front-facing spaces.
- 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. Find out more about the Essential Companion card for you and your companion.
- Learn more about accessibility at Charlecote Park on AccessAble.
- A visual story is available at the bottom right of this page.
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