Access Statement for Holkham Hall

Transcription

1 Access Statement for Holkham Hall The 2016 visitor season sees the opening of brand new visitors facilities with a new farming exhibition, courtyard café and gift shop. Over the last 12 months we have also been busy redeveloping the former Holkham Pottery building in the courtyard. Designed by Hopkins Architects, this will be a stunning, contemporary space for events and entertaining. The building work continues in this area and on completion in the summer this year, we will open our new, dedicated events venue, the Lady Elizabeth Wing. Introduction Our aim at Holkham is to ensure that the attractions, facilities and wider estate are managed and enhanced to the highest standards, so that we are one of the very best to be enjoyed. We are committed to delivering accessibility to all customers and an excellent level of service, which we continually strive to improve on. Pre-Arrival Contact us by , fax, post or phone. We operate an automated phone system and you will need to select from three options. Out of hours, our switchboard offers an option to listen to pre-recorded visitor and events information. There is no option for leaving a message on this system. A visitor leaflet is available upon request containing details of opening times, ticket types and admission, telephone, , website, access routes, events, plus information of other Holkham leisure and tourism enterprises. This information is repeated in more depth on our website A group booking form is also available on the Visitor Information section of our website. Holkham is located 2 miles west of Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast. Nearest rail stations are King's Lynn (25 miles) or Norwich (30 miles). The local Coasthopper bus service stops in Holkham village, 1 mile from the hall. See: Contact Information. The National Cycle Route no.1 runs through Holkham park. See Contact Information. Cycle hire, operated by Holkham bycycle, is available in Holkham park next to the main car park area. Cycles are available to hire during the visitor season, days and times vary so it is essential to check details on our website before travelling. Similarly our lake activities opening times vary, so please check before travelling. Holkham can be reached on foot following the Norfolk Coast Path. Our access statement is available via post, and from our website as a downloadable PDF. The hall has stair climbing equipment to transport most manually operated wheelchairs up the stairs in the Marble Hall. The maximum weight allowance for the equipment is 20 stone. The equipment is unable to accommodate wheelchairs with battery packs or thick tyres. If a wheelchair is incompatible with the equipment then the user is invited to transfer to one of the two wheelchairs in the hall where possible. A limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow, subject to availability and on presentation of personal ID such as a driving licence or passport. Please ask in the ticket office if you require a wheelchair.

2 Arrival & Car Parking Facilities Please be aware that the ticket office, gift shop and courtyard café have undergone development. Further specification details will be made available shortly. Holkham park is open to walkers daily except Christmas Day. The park is closed to vehicles from 20th December until the start of the 2017 season. There are no public rights of way and for estate management reasons the park can be closed at short notice. Pedestrian and cycle access is via the walk-in gates at the north, east, south and west entrances from 7am to 7pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from September to March, due to estate management reasons, entry is often only available after 10am. During the main visitor season March 20th to December 20th 2016, entry for cars, motorcycles and small commercial vehicles is via the north gates entrance, off the Wells-next-the-Sea to Hunstanton road (A149) following brown tourist signs. Gates are open every day 9am to 5pm from March 20th to October 31st During the winter visitor season November 1st to December 20th 2016, the gates are open 9am to 4pm every day. Due to height and width restrictions, the north gates are unsuitable for coaches which must use the south gates entrance following brown tourist signs indicating Holkham Hall Coaches. The route can be picked up on the B1105 Fakenham to Wells-next-the-Sea road. The south gates are automated and entry to Holkham park is only available using a keypad code. Coaches and unscheduled HGVs should contact the Holkham estate office for further information before visiting. There is level tarmac parking area for up to six coaches. Coaches bringing visiting groups are exempt from the daily parking charge in force. Group leaders should visit the ticket office to arrange tickets and payment where necessary and then distribute tickets to the rest of their group. Cattle grids are at all entrances into the deer park, with pedestrian gates to the side. Gates must be kept closed. It is recommended that pedestrians and cyclists should use the pedestrian gates and not cross the cattle grid as per signage at the gates. There is a 30 miles per hour speed restriction through the deer park. Visitors should be aware of deer and other wildlife crossing. There are two speed calming ramps to the north of the hall close to the car and coach parking areas. Directional signage in Holkham park is dark green with white lettering; the font is clear and large. Signage directs visitors to the main car park. An information sign is situated prior to the car park, detailing opening information for all of the attractions. On arrival at the car park, the attendant will issue your parking ticket and will provide a visitor leaflet containing a map and important information relevant to your visit. Visitors must park in the designated areas; there is no parking allowed elsewhere in the park. From 20th March to 20th December there is a parking charge for motor vehicles in Holkham park of 3 per day (or part of) which will be taken by the parking attendant at the entrance. The car parking charge includes a redemption offer. From 209 th March to 31 st October the car park charge can be redeemed on spending 10 or more in our gift shop. From 1 st November to 20 th December the car park charge can be redeemed on spending 10 or more in the gift shop or courtyard café. The perforated voucher forms part of your two-part parking ticket and should be handed to the sales assistant prior to making a purchase. There is no charge for pedestrians or cyclists. Annual car passes, which include options for parking at our two beaches, Freeman Street car park, as well as in the park, are available. The combined car pass also includes unlimited entry to the hall on hall open

3 days. Application forms and terms and conditions are available to download from our website or from our ticket office. There is a general car park for visitors, when this area is full, there is alternative parking on grass. The car park attendant will instruct each car where to park. Accessible parking bays on tarmac surface are located away from the main car park, 20m from the area for coach parking. You should be aware of one speed calming ramp en route. Visitors with access requirements visiting the hall can be dropped off outside on the gravel driveway. It is 13m from this point to the entrance, the driver will be asked to re-park in the accessible car parking area. You should be aware of two speed calming ramps en route to the hall. Dogs are welcome in the park. They must be on a lead at all times. Dog waste bins are located at certain points in the park. There is no guaranteed parking in the shade during hot weather. Please do not leave dogs in cars during hot weather. Main Entrance & Reception Ticket Office The ticket office will open on the 20th March. The building is on the main approach from the car park. It is 139m from the car park. The entrance to the ticket office is through a large doorway with a step up. The ticket office It is a large and airy space with real wood flooring. There is both artificial and natural lighting. Details on other specifications will be published shortly. Holkham Hall Foyer Holkham Hall stands separately to the visitor facilities, 293m to the west of the car parking area, and is 154m from the ticket office, 66m from the café and 125m from the park lavatories. Access is via a hard core track, bark shavings and gravel drive with slight incline. The main entrance has four stone steps each 16cm high. To the left is an alternative all-weather metal walkway 1:18 gradient, with metal handrail either side. The doorstep is 10cm high and covered by a wooden ramp. The door into the foyer is half glass, sidehinged, inward opening and 125cm wide. There is stone flooring and rubber backed matting. Lighting is natural and artificial with wall lamps. Two stone steps, each 12cm high, lead from the foyer into the Marble Hall, with alternative wooden ramp to the left with 1:6 gradient. Staff are happy to assist wherever necessary. Admission tickets can be purchased at the hall entrance if they have not been purchased from the ticket office before arriving at the hall. There is information displayed about pricing and guidebooks.

4 Public Areas General (Internal) Holkham Hall Holkham Hall was built in the 18th century. Flooring ranges from worn flagstone, wooden floorboards and carpet. Lighting levels are good and even, with areas of both natural and artificial lighting. All state rooms are on the first floor, accessed by 19 stairs, each 14cm high, with central handrail. Our stair-climbing apparatus, operated by trained staff, allows access to the first floor for most manuallyoperated wheelchairs. We are unable to accommodate electrically propelled wheelchairs with battery packs or think wheels. Maximum weight allowance for the equipment is 20kg. Visitors with electric wheelchairs are invited, wherever practical, to transfer into one of our two house manual wheelchairs. An emergency procedure is in place. Fire regulations allow only four wheelchairs up to the first floor at any one time. Upstairs, there is an ambulatory, maximum width 124cm. This leads to two staterooms, which have a single step up 15cm high. A portable wooden ramp can be placed over the step if required. Exit from the hall is back through the main entrance in the foyer and is clearly marked from the final room to be viewed, The Old Kitchen. Access to the final room, The Old Kitchen, is via a ramp with a gradient of 1:5 and corridor with a width of 45cm at its narrowest point and with several wider areas to be used as passing places. The lighting in the corridor is artificial, leading to natural lighting in The Old Kitchen. Field to Fork Farming Exhibition The farming exhibition is located in the Stables Courtyard. Accessed is via a set of automatic glass doors. There are 7 exhibit rooms including the entrance lobby. There is a one-way system in place leading to the exit which leads back onto the cobble courtyard near to the gift shop. Floors are level and made from concrete. Lighting is artificial. A hearing loop system is in place. There are exhibits which are interactive to the user. Details on the other specifications will be published shortly. Gift Shop The gift shop is a light, airy large space with both artificial and natural lighting. The floor is made of polished concrete. There is a mixture of shelving and central counter display space with plenty of space for manoeuvrability around displays. Details on the other specifications will be published shortly. Courtyard Café There is currently only one entrance point from the cobbled courtyard with a slight step up. From June there will also be access from a second courtyard. The café is a light, airy large space with both artificial and natural lighting. The floor is made of polished concrete. The café is self-service with a separate serving area for drinks and food. The seating is made up of banquette seating as well as moveable tables and chairs.

5 Seating is for customers to the café only. Visitors with picnics are requested to use the park where there is limited seating. The café offers counter service with hot and cold drinks, snacks and light lunches. Food is either prepared on site or locally sourced. The café can cater for vegetarians, dairy free and gluten free diets, staff are available to provide information on ingredients. Some food contains nuts and we are unable to guarantee that our food is nut free. Our catering manager is happy to liaise with customers with other special dietary requirements, in advance of their visit. Children s high chairs are available. Details on the other specifications will be published shortly. Public Areas Lavatories The lavatory complex is accessed via the courtyard or from inside the café. External access from the courtyard is via double doors that open inwards, or through the café and corridors. An accessible lavatory is separate to the ladies and gents lavatories. A baby changing unit is also separate. The lighting is artificial. The floors are polished concrete. Details on the other specifications will be published shortly. Hall Lavatories The lavatories in the hall are available for visitors to the hall only. They are located in an external courtyard on the ground floor and are signposted from the Marble Hall. There is no accessible lavatory in the hall complex, the nearest accessible lavatory is in the park. Access is via a half-glass door with 7cm step down to the courtyard. The Ladies lavatories are split into two blocks (two cubicles each) and have a step up of 12cm or 23cm. Both areas have side-hinged doors, min 60cm wide, linoleum flooring, a washbasin and hand dryer. The Gents lavatories (one cubicle and two urinals) have a step up of 6cm. There are side-hinged doors, min 60cm wide, a tiled floor, a washbasin and hand dryer. Walled Garden Lavatories There are lavatories (portable-style) at the walled garden. Outdoor Facilities Cycle Hire The hire centre is operated by a franchise Norfolketc. Adult and children s cycles, off road cycles, recumbent bicycles, as well as a limited supply of electric bikes, are available. Information on opening and admission and tickets are available at our ticket office. Alternatively visit our website s cycle hire page. The hire centre may be closed in extreme weather. Check with our ticket office prior to making a journey. The cycle hire centre is a wooden structure next to the main visitor car park. It is accessed via parkland and a bark chip path. The structure is 12.5m long and 6.5m wide. The ramp leading to the entrance of the hire centre is made of wooden decking with non-slip grooves, it has a gradient of 1:13. The handrail is wooden with wooden panels approx. 1m high. The entrance/exit is two double wooden doors (87cm each), which remain open during opening hours.

6 Lighting is natural, enhanced by artificial lighting when necessary. Flooring is wooden and even. The counter is 97cm high, 60cm deep and 2.2m long Payment can be taken in the centre by cash or cheque, customers paying by debit/credit card should go to the Ticket Office once they have been fitted with their cycles. There are hand washing facilities. There is an additional door on the adjacent side of the building to the main entrance. Security ID required. Hires to unaccompanied children can only be made if warranted by an adult. Trained staff will ensure you are fitted with the correct size cycles. Helmets are usually available but hirers should bring their own to ensure a good fit. Hirers are responsible for the security of their cycles and damage may be subject to a charge. Lake Activities The lake activities operate on high days and in the summer holidays by a franchise, Norfolketc, and include lake cruises on our electric launch, rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and water zorbing. Information on opening and admission and tickets are available at our ticket office. Alternatively visit our website s lake activities page. The lake activities are weather dependent and may not operate in high wind and heavy rain. Please telephone our ticket office to check before travelling. The wooden jetty is to the north of the hall and accessed via a tarmac roadway and parkland. There is deep water and signage not to enter the water. A lifebelt is located at the jetty. Trained staff are on duty to monitor activities and age restrictions apply for some of the activities. Payment for the hire is taken at our ticket office and at the jetty (cash only at this point). Walks In the park there are three designated walks and nature trail with quiz. A large, clear information panel with a map identifying the routes is just inside the north gates entrance to Holkham park. Marker posts with coloured arrows identify the routes to follow. The Lake Walk The route for the lake walk is identified by yellow arrow markers and is 3½ miles. The walk is via parkland and woodland tracks which can be uneven. The Park Walk The route for the park walk is identified by green arrow markers and is 4 miles. The walk is via tarmac roadways and woodland tracks which can be uneven. The Farm Walk The route for the farm walk is identified by red arrow markers and is 6 miles. The walk is via tarmac roadways, woodland and farm tracks, which can be uneven. The Nature Trail The route of the nature trail follows the 1¼ mile long lake, via parkland and woodland tracks and can be uneven. There are 28 information panels along the route identifying the flora and fauna to be found in the park. Each panel has clear images and text in large font. There are cattle grids at each entrance into the deer park, with side gate for walkers. There are wooden log benches around the lake.

7 Nature trail quiz leaflets are available from the ticket office and there is a dispensing box for the trail leaflets attached to the orientation map found to the left of the toilet block. There is also a dispenser at stop one of the trail which holds a limited supply of leaflets. There is no lighting around the walks or car park. Deer and bird faeces are present. Conference & Meeting Rooms, Banqueting, Clubs, Entertainment The Lady Elizabeth Wing events space will open in June 2016 and provide a perfect space for corporate events and entertaining. More information is available on our Weddings/Venue section of our website. Outdoor theatre productions are held in the summer in the walled garden, where staging is erected. Terrain is gravel, with a central grass area. Visitors are encouraged to bring low back seating or picnic rugs. Lighting is natural and, at dusk, portable lighting illuminates the stage/platform. Exit to the car park and the lavatories are flood lit. The productions operate in all weathers. There are no microphones. Actors project narrative and acoustics are good. Other events operate throughout the year offer entertainment such as classical music and opera, open-air concerts, outdoor cinema, festivals, plus key events at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. During summer months cricket matches, family activities, workshops and education days offer added value for visitors. Bedrooms Not available at Holkham Hall, however the estate runs The Victoria Inn in Holkham village with twenty bedrooms. See: Holkham also operates Pinewoods Holiday Park in Wellsnext-the-Sea offering caravan and lodge holidays. See: Caravans, Holiday Homes & Twin Units See Pinewoods Holiday Park operated by Holkham Estate. See: Touring Facilities (Holiday Parks) See Pinewoods Holiday Park operated by Holkham Estate. See:

8 Attractions (displays, exhibits, rides etc.) Holkham Hall Our discovery trail is available for children as they go round the hall. Guide books can be purchased in the foyer. A Braille transcript on the history of the hall is available. A large-format transcript is also available for visitors with visual impairment. There are transcripts in French, German, Dutch, Spanish and Italian. There is no hearing loop system. In the Marble Hall, a large horizontal mirror reflects the plasterwork of the ceiling 15 metres above. Most state rooms have no barriers and visitors are free to walk into rooms to view exhibits. There is limited seating in all state rooms. All signage and labelling is clear and large print. Supporting information is available for the Statue Gallery and paintings in the Chapel. Most state rooms have room stewards on duty to assist visitors with information. Lavatories are on the ground floor. See: Public Areas Lavatories. Field to Fork Farming Exhibition Our discovery trail is available for children as they go round the exhibition. There is a hearing loop system. Some of the exhibits are interactive and involve sight, touch and smell. Details on the other specifications will be published shortly. Grounds and Gardens The Walled Garden The garden is open 20th March to 31st October, 10am to 5pm every day. A returnable orientation map is available at the entrance for visitors to the garden. There are lavatories (portable-style) at the walled garden. See: Public Areas Lavatories. The walled garden is situated to the west of the hall on the opposite side of the lake. Free transport to the walled garden is available and you should enquire about this service when purchasing your ticket in the ticket office to visit the garden. The buggy leaves from and returns to the buggy point. There is an A-frame sign with the buggy s running times and wooden benches for waiting visitors to sit on. The buggy may not operate in extreme weather conditions. A ticket is needed to enter the walled garden, bought either from the ticket office or on the gates into the garden. The 18 th century six acre walled garden is undergoing a sensitive restoration and visitors have the opportunity to see the work as it progresses. Support funding has been given by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Our discovery trail, available from the ticket office, will help to keep children occupied whilst visiting the walled garden. Interpretation panels in key areas within the gardens highlight the history and future of the garden. A member of staff is normally present during opening hours. Parking at the walled garden is limited and only available for visitors requiring accessible parking. For vehicles, the garden is approximately ½ mile drive from the main car park following the hard core roadway and over a cattle grid. For walkers the route is ½ mile following the hard core roadway and parkland tracks. All areas are external with the exception of some glasshouses and a small potting shed. The entrance and exit to the garden is via an iron gate which is suitable for wheelchair access.

9 The terrain in the walled garden consists of grassed areas with formed gravel pathways. Some surfaces are uneven. Some of the glasshouses can be accessed but there are also areas which are roped off to restrict access. Dogs are permitted but must be on leads and under control. Owners must ensure that any dog excrement is cleaned up. Children must be supervised at all times. There are limited wooden picnic benches and single benches along gravel pathways. Children s Woodland Adventure Play Area Our children s woodland adventure play area is open daily during the visitor season 20th March to 31st October 2016, 10am to 5pm. In the event of bad weather this play area may be closed. The adventure play area is situated 25m from the car park. The play area as a whole is surrounded by a fence, approximately 170cm high. There is one entrance to the play area, 110cm wide. The play area is accessed via the car park on a bark path, lined with logs approximately 20m long. CCTV is in operation. There is a log bike stand for three to four bikes. Signage at the entrance identifies the age and height suitability and other key information for using the facility. Signage in the play area identifies instructions that should be adhered to by all users of the equipment. All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. All persons use the facilities at their own risk. Entry to the play area is free of charge. If arriving by vehicle a parking charge of 3 applies. Equipment is made from wood, rope and a mixture of the two. The zip wire is made of metal covered with a plastic coating and has a plastic seat. The play area floor is wood bark. Please ensure suitable footwear and clothing is worn for the activities. Do not allow children to climb from the platforms onto the trees. A small refreshment facility offers hot and cold drinks, ice cream tubs and light snacks. It is open during high season and holidays. No food, drink, cycles or dogs are to be taken into the play area. A limited number of wooden log benches are placed inside the play area and also outside by the refreshment facility. A photo opportunity with comic cut-out is available at the entrance. The recommended age range to use the main equipment is 5-12 years and there is a minimum height requirement of 105cm. The area has a tree house, rope walks, platforms, crawl tunnel, split-level tower, climbing frame and zipwire. These are of varying heights and suitable for varying ages. There is a separate area for toddlers 5 years and under. This equipment consists of a sandpit, swings, raised wooden pathway and is fenced off by a wooden fence 64cm high and partitioned entrance 95cm wide. Additional Information Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas. Key staff receive in-house customer service training as well as First Aid training. Staff wear uniforms displaying our branded logo and all customer-facing staff wear name badges. There is no tannoy in any area. Key staff use estate radios. The ticket office is the main point of contact if you have any problems during your visit.

10 There is limited mobile phone coverage in Holkham park and at the attractions and no public phones. The nearest telephone kiosk is in Holkham village. We have a no smoking policy in all areas. We accept all major debit and credit cards except American Express (only for payments over 5 in the gift shop). Contact Information Address: Holkham Hall, Holkham Estate, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AB. Telephone: Estate Office Ticket Office Fax: enquiries@holkham.co.uk Website: Facebook: HolkhamEstate Pinterest: Holkham Estate Instagram: HolkhamEstate Google+: Holkham Hall YouTube: Holkham Hall Flickr: Holkham Estate Grid reference: TF Local accessible taxi numbers: Estate Cars Tel: or mobile: can accommodate passengers able to transfer into normal seating. Alan s Taxis Tel: or mobile can accommodate one wheelchair user. Local public transport: Coasthopper Bus Timetable Hours of operation: 2016 Main Visitor Season: 20th March 31st October. Holkham Hall: 12noon-4pm, Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. The hall is also open on Good Friday, Easter Saturday for our Easter event plus 28th and 29th October for our Halloween event. Farming Exhibition, gift shop, courtyard cafe, walled garden and children s woodland adventure play area: open 10am to 5pm every day. Cycle hire and lake activities: visit our website for details Winter Visitor Season: 1st November to 20th December. Farming Exhibition, Café and Gift Shop: Open 10am to 4pm every day. (Holkham Hall is closed). Ticket types available: Main Visitor Season Admission Holkham Hall, Farming Exhibition and Walled Garden - Adult: 15.00, Child (5-16 years inc): 7.50, Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children 5-16 years inc): Farming Exhibition and Walled Garden - Adult: 8.00, Child (5-16 years inc): 4.00, Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children 5-16 years inc): Walled Garden Adult 2.50, Child (5-16yrs) 1 (not available for events days). Winter Season Admission Farming Exhibition: Adult 6, Child (5-16 years inc) 3, Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) Future Plans Continuation of the walled gardens restoration project. Redevelopment project in the courtyard of the former pottery building to become a corporate and events area. Expansion of events programme.

11 We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve. If you have any comments please contact our Marketing Department tel: or Created on: 27/04/2008 Updated: 10/03/2016