Somerset Bristol & Bath Heritage & Gardens
Castles, Abbeys, Churches, Houses, Estates and Gardens, Industrial Heritage attractions and museums (English Heritage / National Trust / others), many with brief details of disabled access.
Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Somerset, Bristol & Bath Attractions and Nature pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.
We support ‘Accessible Countryside for Everyone’ in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.
American Museum in Britain - The only museum of American decorative and folk art outside the United States, the history of America, from its early settlers to the twentieth century - Bath - "All buildings are fully accessible via ramps and a lift is fitted within the main Museum building. In order to ensure the safety of our visitors and collections, mobility scooters and very large electric wheelchairs are not allowed within the Manor", Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow at Reception. "The first section of the Backwoods Trail is accessible; however, the slope of the property makes wheelchair and pushchair access into other parts of the grounds difficult.", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.americanmuseum.org
Barrington Court (NT) - Ilminster - Beautiful Gertrude Jekyll-inspired gardens, kitchen gardens and beautiful manor house - "Six-seater electric buggy service from car park to house...Building - step to entrance. Ground floor accessible. Many stairs to other floors" accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court
Bishops Palace - Home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years this stunning medieval palace is open for all to enjoy - Wells - "interpretation of the site is available through a choice of video guides (no subtitles), guided tours, guide book or self-led visits". There is a lift to the upper floor, garden pathways are flat, mostly made of gravel or tarmac, accessible toilets
bishopspalace.org.uk
Cleeve Abbey (EH) - Watchet - With possibly the finest cloister buildings in England, visitors can get a glimpse of monastic life 800 years ago. 15th century refectory with glorious angel roof and 13th century heraldic tiles - "There is disabled access to the grounds and ground floor of the Abbey (including the disabled toilet) only. There is one ramp, and two crossing points for wheelchairs where areas of foundation walls have been flattened to allow access. Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access to the first floor, or to the two rooms on the second floor. There is however a non-audio touch screen tour on the ground floor for those who are not able to get upstairs", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Clevedon Court (NT)- Clevedon - Outstanding 14th-century manor house and 18th-century terraced garden - Wheelchair access is very restricted please, no access to first floor for wheelchair users. "Grounds - patio and main lawn are fairly level. Many steep steps and slopes to terraces; narrow and loose gravel paths, some cobbles. No accessible route to terraces"
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clevedon-court
Coleridge Cottage (NT) - Bridgwater- Home of Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge - "Unsuitable for wheelchairs due to small rooms and doorways" - see website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleridge-cottage
Dunster Castle (NT) - Minehead- An ancient castle and comfortable country home with dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens - "Wheelchair-accessible transfer and drop-off point...Steps to ground floor. Stairs to other floors. Limited access via mobile stairclimber..Grounds - partly accessible, steep slopes. Map of accessible route", Tramper / PMV available, accessible toilets (at shop)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle
East Lambrook Manor Gardens - Margery Fish’s iconic cottage garden - South Petherton - "Facilities which are currently accessible to all include the Malthouse cafe area and a percentage of the garden". A fully accessible route around the garden, accessible toilets
www.eastlambrook.com
Farleigh Hungerford Castle (EH) - Bath - Impressive 14th century castle with hidden treasures and sinister past. Chapel with rare medieval wall paintings and in the crypt, the best collection of human-shaped lead coffins in Britain - "Chapel: Accessible through garden and chair lift. Difficult spiral staircase to upper floor of museum but virtual tour enables exhibit in upper level of museum and inaccessible area to be explored via touch screen. Benches and seats provided. ...Grounds: Accessed on impacted gravel, tarmac, paved and earth paths and fairly smooth grass. Some cobbled areas. Wheelchair access is confined to top lawns. There is a wheelchair lift into the Chapel and in the the Priest's House". Loops can be plugged into the audio tour, they are kept behind the till, accessible toilets
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Forde Abbey - Kennard Family - Chard - "former Cistercian monastery and has been a family home since 1649" - "Main entrance is mostly level with small ledges at doorways. These do not impede wheelchairs or frames...A mobility scooter and wheelchair are available for hire...House is spread over two floors with no wheelchair access to the upper floor...The paths within the grounds are a mixture of tarmac, gravel (compacted and loose) and grass", accessible toilets
www.fordeabbey-gardens-dorset.co.uk
Fyne Court (NT) - The estate was the home of the Crosse family who lived here until the house was destroyed by fire in 1894, explore the garden, walks, tea room - Ramped access to some areas or steps with ramp available, All-ability trails - pathways, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fyne-court
Hestercombe Gardens - Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton - 50 acres of lakes, temples, cascades, tranquil woodland walks, formal terraces, Victorian Shrubbery, Georgian Landscape Garden, Edwardian Formal Gardens, restored 17th Century Watermill. "Hestercombe Gallery aims to present the best in contemporary arts practice whilst focusing on the relationship between art and landscape", Cafe, Gardens Shop, Plant Centre and unders 7’s play area - There is a marked 'Access for All Route' which is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Tramper for hire,
www.hestercombe.com
Holburne Museum - Bath - art museum, permanent collection, temporary displays - "fully accessible and has a wheelchair which can be booked in advance", lift to all floors, pre-book a wheelchair for your visit, hearing loop in the Picture Gallery on the Second Floor for lectures and events, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.holburne.org
