Access at Charlecote Park

A gentleman leans out of his mobility vehicle to run his hand through the yellow sea of buttercups in the meadow. To his right, an older woman and man walk along the grass pathway, both wearing raincoats in different shades of blue. — Ask our team for a map of the suggested tramper routes around the parkland. | © Annapurna Mellor

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 history and beauty. Here you’ll find information about access at Charlecote and how to make the most of your visit.

What is a tramper?

It is an electric all-terrain 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 parkland for everyone visiting.

Explore the parkland

The all-terrain vehicle can be used to explore suggested routes through the parkland. These routes 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 terrain. It is important the all-terrain vehicles sticks to these specific routes to help us with the conservation of the parkland. A member of the team will provide this map and run through it during the induction.

Please note that due to narrow spaces on the visitor route, the all-terrain mobility vehicle is not able to access our historic buildings. However, the Orangery Restaurant and Wood Yard Café are easily accessible and the all-terrain vehicle is welcomed inside these spaces.

Who can use the all-terrain mobility vehicle?

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 due to a number of livestock gates in the parkland.

How to hire an all-terrain mobility vehicle?

We recommened contacting the team to book your slot as soon as you know when you'll visit Charlecote as the all-terrain vehicles are very popular. To book, please send us an email (This inbox is checked daily. However, we noticed that emails regularly end up in our junk folder, so please do give us a call if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours.). Please wait for a reply from one of our team to confirm your booking before travelling to visit.

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

Please be aware that all mobility vehicles users must be accompanied by one other person.

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

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

If you enjoyed your visit to Charlecote Park, donations are always welcome.

Access at Charlecote Park

Available at Charlecote for your visit you will find:

Parking – A number of designated accessible parking spaces can be found in the main car park for Blue Badge holders or anyone with mobility requirements.
Drop off – Spaces in our small, on-site car park are usually available on request on a first come first served basis. It is also possible to drop visitors off on site if all parking bays are full.
Buggy - A buggy occasionally transports visitors up and down the main driveway – please note that this is volunteer-led and only operates when we have volunteers available.
Hearing impairment – Induction loops are available in all our front-facing spaces.
Visual impairment – 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.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas and buildings at Charlecote Park. Dog water bowls are available around the main buildings. Please ask a member of staff if they need refilling.
Eating and drinking – Large-handled cutlery and mugs are available in our food and beverage outlets. Please ask a member of staff if you would like to use these.
Picnicking and relaxing – Additional picnic benches and café seats have been installed. Several picnic benches in the parkland are designed to accommodate wheelchairs or mobility vehicles.
Wheelchairs – There are four wheelchairs for visitors to borrow which have been generously funded by the Coventry National Trust Association. They are more mobile on our gravel paths and can be self-propelled too. Talk to our Visitor Reception staff if you'd like to borrow one for your visit when you arrive.
All-Terrain Mobility Vehicle – There is an all-terrain mobility vehicle to hire which has been generously donated by the Coventry National Trust Association. These are designed to enabled those with mobility requirements to access the wider parkland terrain. Please see above for details on how to hire it for your visit.
Surfaces and terrain – There are flat gravel paths around the gardens. In the wider parkland there are gravel and mown grass paths which can be uneven in places. These paths are accessible for chunky-wheeled child's pushchairs, but may be heavy-going for a wheelchair depending on recent wet weather conditions, and are easier to navigate using an all-terrain vehicle. Please ask for advice in Visitor Reception on your way in.
Toilets – Toilet facilities are located by the Gatehouse with an accessible toilet inside the first cubicle.
Ramps are available for access to the house and to the shop. Please ask a member of staff for assistance when using these. There is a ramp for access to the Orangery Restaurant and flat access from the side door (right-hand side as you look at the building). Access to the Wood Yard Café is across gravel, the shorter route is from the side entrance.
The house – All of the rooms that are open to the public are on the ground floor, and are accessible via the front porch ramp. Our upstairs rooms are only accessible through stairs, although a tablet allows visitors to view the rooms virtually from the ground floor.
Essential Companion card – 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.
Accessibility – Learn more about accessibility at Charlecote on AssessAble.