Accessibility Guide for Helmsley Walled Garden

Welcome

Built 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden is a five acre site which sits beneath the imposing ruins of Helmsley Castle.

Filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables, Helmsley was the Kitchen Garden of Duncombe Park until just after World War 1 when it was leased as a market garden. Abandoned after it closed its doors for the final time in 1984, it fell into dereliction. Restoration started in 1994 and since then the garden has gone from strength to strength.

The garden is situated away from the town centre and can be accessed either by car, along a track to a limited number of accessible parking spaces, or via a wide foot path from the town centre.

Visitors can also enjoy the café, plant centre and gift shop.

Helmsley Walled Garden with Helmsley Castle in the background

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Ticket Office The Vinehouse Cafe accessible toilet The Vinehouse Cafe Shop Helmsley Walled Garden

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors have contrast markings.

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Helmsley Walled Garden,

Cleveland Way,

Helmsley, North Yorkshire,

YO62 5AH

Travel by public transport

You can get to Helmsley Walled Garden by bus.

The bus stop is in the town centre, which is a short distance from the gardens and has level access. The EYMS bus route 128 runs from Scarborough and Pickering to Helmsley and the Reliance 31x runs from York to Kirbymoorside via Helmsley. In the summer The Moors Bus has several routes that run through Helmsley. The bus stop is 0.2 miles / 0.3 km from Helmsley Walled Garden.

The nearest bus stop is 400 yards from the main entrance. Ask the driver to stop at Helmsley Market Square. All EYMS buses are wheelchair accessible. Rather than take the unmade road up to the main entrance, take the wide, paved, wheelchair accessible path that leads from the council and Cleveland Way car parks.

Parking

We have a car park. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The route is 1500mm wide, or more.

The Helmsley Walled Garden has three accessible parking bays which are free of charge. There are a number of accessible parking bays in the three town council car parks nearby but parking charges apply for Blue Badge holders.

There is a level access pathway to Helmsley Walled Garden from the town centre car parks. The pathway is clearly signposted, and it is a short walk from these town centre parks to the attraction.

Accessible parking area on a solid surface at Helmsley Walled Garden

Information Board at Cleveland Way Car Park in Town Centre

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

The path is 1000mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access through large double gates which are held open during opening hours. This leads to the entrance courtyard where the ticket office, shop and cafe are all situated.

Entrance to Helmsley Walled Garden with plant containers full of tulips.

Getting around inside

We have contrast markings on all glass doors and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Good visual contrast on garden path surrounded by colourful flower borders and Helmsley Castle in background.

Ticket/ information desk

Ticket Office

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 2000mm wide, or more.

The Ticket Office has a counter height of 900mm. There is no lowered counter.

A member of staff is available to sell admission tickets and general information.

Tourism information leaflets are available here about the local area.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Public toilet

The Vinehouse Cafe accessible toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 740mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

There is 1200mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The accessible toilet within the Vinehouse Cafe has relatively small dimensions, with a door measuring 740mm wide. Visitors requiring a wider toilet door and bigger facility can use the accessible toilet located in the Council Car Park which is just a five minute walk away.

The nearest Changing Places toilets are located at Thirsk, Pickering and Malton. See www.changing-places.org for further details.

Accessible toilet in the Vinehouse Cafe, viewed from outside.

Internal view of accessible toilet layout.

Larger public toilets in Helmsley Town car park nearby.

Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

In front of the shop doorway there are two flagstones. There is a slight threshold but this is manageable for a wheelchair user as assistance is available, if required.

The space within the shop is limited but there is enough circulation space for a wheelchair user. The central display tables are flexible to create additional space, when needed.

A wheelchair accessible counter is available.

There are a variety of sensory products for sale to smell, taste and touch.

The shop entrance with several colourful planters situated in the courtyard.

Tables and shelves covered in local products inside the small shop.

Place to eat and drink

The Vinehouse Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is background music sometimes.

The table and plates have high colour contrast.

We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs) and vegan specific diets.

The staff at the Vinehouse Cafe are passionate about delivering a great service to all our customers. Please speak to us about any dietary needs you have either prior to or during your visit.

Bowl of homemade soup in the Vinehouse Cafe with the cafe interior in the background..

Large glass of elderflower cordial and homemade sandwich and salad on the table in the Vinehouse Cafe.

Getting around outside

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.

The route is 950mm wide, or more.

The Gardens at Helmsley are located on a five acre site, situated below the ruins of Helmsley Castle. Filled with vibrant flower beds, fruit and vegetables, this wonderful garden is divided by a network of solid, level, wheelchair accessible pathways which give easy access to all areas and create intimate and unexpected garden rooms. Here you will find water features, orchards and even an Orchid House, as well as expansive lawns and plenty of seating where visitors can relax and enjoy these spelendid surroundings.

The formal gardens at Helmsley are set within the walls and comprise of the Clematis Garden, The White Garden, The Secret Garden, The Garden of Contemplation and the Physic Garden.

Another of the Gardens' highlights is the famous central border, known as the 'hot border', packed with glorious colour from July to October and which featured in the 2018 production of The Secret Garden.

The white conservatory currently under renovation with the wide pathway leading to the gardens and the Castle in the background.

The outside cafe seating area overlooking the gardens.

Water feature in the centre of the garden.

Pathway in Helmsley Walled Garden with colourful flower borders.

Customer care support

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

This outdoor site offers a variety of areas which may be used as a toilet for assistance dogs and there is also countryside directly outside the main entrance which may also be suitable.

We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

Please ask staff if you require assistance in charging a mobility scooter or battery powered wheelchair during your visit.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

The majority of our staff have undergone disability awareness training and will do everything they can to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable time with us.