Accessibility Guide for Lotherton Hall Estate

Travel by public transport

The nearest train station is Garforth. The train station is 4 miles / 6.4 km from Lotherton Hall Estate.

Situated just outside Aberford, Lotherton is approximately 12 miles from Leeds. It is 4 miles from the nearest train station at Garforth.

Lotherton is a 20-25 minute walk from the nearest bus stop in Aberford, along a public highway with limited footpaths.

From the main road outside Lotherton's entrance there is a 180 metre long drive leading up to the ticket booth.  This access is busy with cars and there is no dedicated pavement.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.

Lotherton's entrance is just off a fast moving country road and so is not ideal as a drop off point. You are able to drive into the estate and drop off after the ticket barrier. Once through the ticket booth, we have plenty of parking spread across three car parks. The cost of parking is included in the entry price. The first - which is closest to amenities such as the cafe, toilets and changing spaces, is fully tarmaced and includes designated spaces for disabled visitors. The second two car parks - straight on from the ticket booth - are "field based" and give ready access to our gardens and walks. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

The route is 1260mm wide, or more.

Please be aware that we have three separate car parks each with their own access particulars.  

From car park 1 - to the left of the ticket barrier - access to the grounds and Courtyard (cafe, shop and toilet facilities) has three options.  The most accessible is the tarmac path, width 1730mm, through the shubbery to the right of the Estate map, by the disabled parking bays.  Secondly there is access via a steeper sloped tarmac road up to the pavement (threshold of 40mm) and through a gate with a width of 1730mm.  The final access option is up 10 steps

From car park 2 and 3, access to the grounds and Courtyard is level access on surfaces which vary across grass, paved, gravel and hardpacked Quarry Limestone depending on the route taken.  All routes from these field car parks go via gateways that are a minimum of 1260mm wide.

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

Ticket/ information desk

Main entrance ticket booth

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

Entrance to Lotherton is controlled via our ticket booth that is situated on the main driveway from the road.  This booth is before any of our car parks.

At the booth, a Lotherton colleague will check either your membership/season ticket card or provide you with day tickets before you proceed to park.

Ticket/ information desk

Information desk and gift shop

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The door is 900mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

Visitors can get further help from the office and gift shop based in the Courtyard. 

Again - as we have three car parks, access to the Courtyard varies.

From car park 1 , access is either via 10 steps of 200mm height or less or the most accessible is the tarmac path, width 1730mm, through the shubbery to the right of the Estate map by the disabled parking bays.  There is also access via a steeper sloped tarmac road up to the pavement (threshold of 40mm) and through a gate with a width of 1730mm.  

From car parks 2 and 3, visitors will need to travel through the grounds to reach the courtyard.  This will be via a range of different surfaces depending on route taken eg grass/woodland, paved, gravel or hard Quarry type Limestone.  Gated entrances will have a minimum width of 1260mm

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

Cafe

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

There are seats.

Our cafe is situated in the Courtyard area and there is a separate ice cream booth just to the left of the cafe entrance.  

There is a slight threshold of 20mm to the cafe and the doorway is a minimum of 740mm but this can be opened on request to a double width of 1620mm.

The flooring of the cafe is wooden and there is matting immediately through the door up to the counter.

The counter is 890mm high. 

The cafe's internal tables are 730mm high and chairs are padded and without arms.  There is room to manouevre pushchairs or wheelchairs. 

Outside in the Courtyard there are a number of further tables (740mm height) with parasols to some.  Chairs are wooden and have arms but are very heavy so may be difficult to move for those with mobility or strength issues. 

The outside cafe area can get busy and it may not be easy to manoeuvre wheelchairs or scooters between the outdoor tables at busy times.  A good alternative would be the extensive seating inside the cafe.

Further covered seating is also provided in the historic stables which are across the Courtyard.  The door into this area is 1240mm and there is a slight threshhold. Internally the flooring is cobbled and there is a shallow drainage channel to cross to access tables.  This may not be idea for those with visual impairments or with mobility concerns.

The cafe has two unisex disabled toilet and baby changing cubicles.  Doors to these are 790mm and there is plenty of room for a wheel chair and carer.

Public toilet

Cafe toilets and baby changing

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The toilet door is 790mm wide.

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

The toilets have handrails.

The cafe has two toilet and baby changing areas.  These are both unisex and suitable for disabled visitors.

There are both fixed and pivoting handrails to allow for better transfer access

Public toilet

Courtyard toilets and baby changing - Male

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The toilet door is 940mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

There are designated male toilet and baby changing facilities in the Courtyard area.

The  external doorway is 940mm wide followed by a further doorway of 840mm.  Interior cubicle doors are 560mm wide

There is a baby changing area with an adjacent sink at a height of 790mm.

The toilet faciities then also have cubicles, urinals and a further three sinks at a height of 810mm

 

Public toilet

Courtyard toilet and baby changing - Female

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The toilet door is 940mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

The external door to the Ladies' toilets and baby changing is 940mm and there is a slight threshold. There is a further internal door of 790mm. Cubicle doors are 550mm wide.

The Ladies' facility has a standalone changing unit and a further cubicle that includes a toilet and changing unit.  The door to this cubicle is 810mm wide.

Sink height is 790mm

 

Public toilet

Courtyard Changing Place facility

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

The toilet is a Changing Places toilet.

You need a RADAR key to open the public toilet.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The toilet door is 860mm wide.

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

The toilets have handrails.

This is a full Changing Place facility with an adjustable adult size changing bed and a hoist.  There is a curtain for privacy and plenty of space for carers and wheelchairs.  The sink height is 850mm

The facility is locked and accessed with a RADAR key.  

 

Shop

Courtyard gift shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 900mm wide.

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

Lotherton's gift shop is sited along with our information desk, in the Courtyard next to the Cafe.

There is a slight threshold to the shop.

The shop has a tiled floor and a further internal doorway opening that is 980mm.  There is a range of levels to the merchandise shelving.

The route is sloped. From the main entrance to the gardens, there are 4 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

The route is sloped.

The Terrace Garden - sited at the back of the House drawing room, is accessed by steps.

The first set of 4 steps - 120mm high - lead onto gravel paths running in between the flower beds.

The second set has two steps 120mm high and these lead onto a paved area that is slightly uneven.

There is one bench with arms, seat height 400mm in the Terrace Garden.  Please note that at times, we may need to re-position benches.

Parterre Garden

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

The route is sloped.

The Parterre Garden includes the formal bedding areas and the herbacious borders.  Paths through this area of the gardens are all gravel with a width of at least 3730mm.  

There are numerous benches throughout the area and these seats have arms and a seat height of 400mm.

In the middle of the Parterre, walking up through the bedding areas towards the summerhouse, there are 3 wide steps of 120mm height

Wildflower meadow

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

The route is sloped.

The Wildflower meadow can be accessed from two areas of the grounds:

*  Through the Parterre Garden's gravel paths - there is a slight threshold onto the mown grass paths that are at least 1420mm wide

*  Off the paved path that runs from the house out to the main field car park

Within the Wildflower area there are mown grass paths of at least 1420mm

Walled Garden

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

The route is sloped.

The Secret or Walled Garden can be accessed through three routes:

*  From the Parterre Garden next to the house - the gravel paths of the Parterre lead through an opening of 930mm in the Yew, into the Walled Garden

*   From further up the Parterre Garden there is a wide entrance of 3290mm into the Walled Garden

*   From the William and Mary Garden - there is an open doorway of 1170mm with three steps of 130mm height

Within the Walled Garden, paths are gravel and 1430mm wide.  There is a seating area on pavers with a threshold of 30mm and a seat height of 440mm.  There is then an additional bench with arms - this has a seat height of 400mm.  Please note that at times we may need to move or re-position our benches.

William and Mary Garden

The route is sloped.

The William and Mary Garden includes the sunken pond.  Entrance to this garden is via one of three routes:

*  From the end of Parterre Gardens (away from the House and near to the Temple) - a wide entrance of 1780mm

*  From the Walled Garden - 3 steps of 130mm height and an open doorway of 1170mm

*  From the Woods and Temple area - gravel path from the woods with one step of 130mm height

Within the William and Mary garden the paths are paved but uneven with some overhanging foliage.  This area may not be ideal for those with limited mobility or visual impairment.

To reach the sunken pond in the middle of the garden, there are two opposing sets of 5 steps of 100mm height.

There are four benches within this garden with seat heights ranging from 380mm to 410mm.  At times these benches may need to be re-positioned

Dell rock garden

The route is sloped. From the main entrance to the gardens, there are 10 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

The Dell Garden is on the outer perimeter of the gardens and accessed by either:

*  Walking through the Parterre Garden on gravel paths

*  Accessing from the two field based car parks

*  Accessing from the outer Captain Woods walk

The Dell area has a paved 900mm wide path.  However, the route is very uneven with rough rock steps leading into/out of the garden.  These steps are all of uneven height and depth and are not recommended for those with mobility or visual impairment

Heritage Orchard

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

The route is sloped.

There are three entrances to the Orchard area

* A hard packed Quarry type limestone path from the field based car park 3

* An unmade natural grass/packed earth path from the Boundary walk - through a gate of 1340mm wide

* A wide 2480mm unmade grass path entrance from the Captain Wood area

Within the orchard there are multiple adjoining grass paths of at least 1200mm.  From the field car park 3 entrance to the Captain Wood entrance, there is a hard packed Quarry Limestone type path running along the boundary of the Orchard.

The Orchard has a picnic bench at the Captain Wood end.  This has fixed bench seats of 450mm height that allow for "sliding in".

Designated Walking Trail

Captain Wood

Some of the trail has a loose surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

From the Courtyard, The Captain Wood trail starts on a tarmac roadway going downhill slightly towards the main external road boundary and past the woodland playground.  Turning right at the boundary, the path then becomes hard packed Quarry Limestone type paths of 1950mm width. 

The route through the woods is fairly flat with just some slight inclines in places. 

There are benches on the route - two of a rustic wood nature - no arms and a seat height of 500mm and 370mm - and one bench with arms and a seat of 370mm.  Please note that at times these benches may need to be re-positioned.

When the trail reaches the Temple, the path changes to gravel as it skirts the Gardens.  There are then a range of side exits from the trail where the surface changes:

*  Boundary trail path and Orchard via a hard packed Quarry Limestone surface

* The old Tennis Court via a paved bridge of 1380mm width with a path of 1000mm leading to the court area.  This areas has a brick paver surface and the bench here has arms and a seat height of 340mm.

Ignoring these exits, the Captain Wood trail continues on gravel paths of 1950mm width until reaching a wide junction of:

*  paved path to the left (Boundary Trail, Deer Hide and the field car parks)

*  wide tarmac path ahead and to the right leading to the Courtyard and end of the trail

 

Picnic Area

Cabin picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The entrance is 1700mm wide.

You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

This shaded area just off the main Courtyard Car park and close to the Under 8 playground - has a bark chipping surface and 8 picnic benches with fixed seats that need users to "climb over" to sit at the table.

Note - the cabins are not open or for use as picnic locations

Picnic Area

Woodland playground picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1730mm wide, or more.

You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Throughout the area that borders Wildlife World and includes the over 8 Woodland Playground, there are a number of picnic benches.. These have fixed seats - one side having a back and a seat height of 560mm and the other side with no back and a height of 450mm  The seats are "slide in" type

Picnic Area

Outdoor classroom - Deer park

The entrance is 1900mm wide.

From the car park to the picnic area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.

Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Just into the Deer Park there are picnic benches and a covered outdoor classroom accessed by a hard packed Quarry Limestone type path.  This area is approxiamately 500m from the Courtyard car park

The three outside picnic benches are of the "slip in" type and have fixed seats of 400mm high.

The covered outdoor classroom is entered through a wide 2550mm entrance with a threshold of 210mm.  There are eight backless benches that can be moved.  Bench heights are 500mm

 

Deer Hide

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The path through the Deer Park to the hide is made of Quarry Limestone and ends in a bridge (mesh over wooden planks) that is 1700mm wide. 

The hide is approxiamately 700m from the Courtyard carpark

To enter the hide there is a ramp and doorway of 940mm.  Inside there are 3 fixed benches of 500mm height positioned to view through windows at 900mm height.

Outside of the hide there is:

*  a bird watching area with two benches of 440mm height with a gap between of 670mm.  The lowest viewing slot is at 970mm from the ground

* a deer viewing area with a bench and the lowest viewing slot being 870mm from the ground

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

There are three mobility scooters that can be pre-booked and following an induction, can be used throughout the gardens

Emergency evacuation procedures

In the case of an emergency evacuation, visitors in either our cafe or estate shop will be guided to the general assembly point within car park 1.  This area can be accessed either down the steps or via the sloped tarmac path.

Customer care support

To obtain free of charge access as a carer or Personal Assistant, you must register for the Leeds City Council Companion's Scheme through the Leeds Ticket Hub.