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

Kilver Court Gardens - Roger Saul - Shepton Mallet - 3.5 acres, gardens "Explore the millpond, parterre, herbaceous borders, rockeries and the Charlton Viaduct". - "Due to the historical nature of the gardens they have limited Wheelchair access" please see their website
www.kilvercourt.com/gardens

Lytes Cary Manor - (NT) - Somerton - "Intimate manor house with Arts and Crafts-style garden... The garden rooms contain a magical collection of topiary and herbaceous borders, while tranquil walks on the estate take you along the River Cary" - "House partly accessible on ground floor only...Garden with slopes, uneven, narrow and loose gravel paths", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor

Montacute House (NT) - "a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design...The gallery houses over 60 Tudor and Elizabethan portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery" gardens, walks, cafe - Wheelchairs for loan, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house

Muchelney Abbey (EH) - Muchelney, Langport - Once a wealthy Benedictine house, the main buildings were demolished by Henry VIII in 1538. See the "richly decorated cloister walk and thatched monks’ lavatory- the only one of its kind in Britain." and "The 16th-century abbots’ house remains intact with its magnificent rooms, and site finds are on display illustrating monastic life." - "The whole of the ground floor and the grounds are accessible to wheelchair users. Where possible, the differing floor levels have been ramped, and the grounds have been sympathetically landscaped to allow wheelchair access. There are some uneven stone steps leading to the first floor of the house, however a virtual touch screen tour is available to visitors unable to access that level", Induction loops in the reception area, a handling collection of small archaeological finds available, accessible toilet
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Nunney Castle (EH) ruin - Picturesque moated castle built in the 1370s. Held for the King during the Civil War, falling to Parliamentarian cannon in 1645: the gun-damaged wall finally collapsing on Christmas Day 1910 - Unfortunately we have no accessibility information for this site
www.english-heritage.org.uk

Prior Park Landscape Garden (NT) - Bath - 18th-century landscape garden, "The garden is set in a sweeping valley where visitors can enjoy magnificent views of Bath. Restoration of the 'Wilderness' has reinstated the Serpentine Lake, Cascade and Cabinet...A five-minute walk leads to the Bath Skyline, a six-mile circular route encompassing beautiful woodlands and meadows, an Iron Age hill fort, Roman settlements, 18th-century follies and spectacular views" - Partly accessible, steep slopes, some steps, uneven paths, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park

Roman Baths - Bath - This great temple and bathing complex still flows with natural hot water. The extensive remains and a Roman museum of international significance lie beneath the Pump Room and Abbey Church Yard - "There is level access from the Abbey Church Yard entrance to most of the ground floor areas including the 18th century Pump Room, the Sun Lounge...Lifts are available and 90% of the site is accessible to wheelchair users. Visitors with hearing or visual impairments are able to enjoy the site using sign language audio guides and tactile displays and we also offer a document for visitors with autism", two wheelchairs and a mobility scooter available, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, please see their website
www.romanbaths.co.uk

Somerset Rural Life Museum - In the Abbey Farmhouse the social and domestic life of Victorian Somerset is described in reconstructed rooms, traditional cider apple orchard, home to rare breeds of sheep and chickens, - Somerset County Council - Glastonbury - Disabled friendly facilities & baby changing please see their website
www.somerset.gov.uk
somersetrurallifemuseum.org.uk/the-museumThe museum is currently closed for a £2.4 million refurbishment and is due to reopen in 2017

Stoke-sub-Hamdon Priory (NT) - 14th/15th-century farm buildings, formerly a priest's residence the Great Hall is open to visitorst - "may not be suitable for visitors with mobility issues. The ground, pathways and floorings are uneven, and there are multiple steps and stairways"
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoke-sub-hamdon-priory

Tintinhull Garden (NT) - Yeovil - formal garden complete with working kitchen garden and orchard, pools, lawns, colourful borders and clipped hedges. The 17th-century house has two rooms open, tea room - "Grounds - accessible with care, woodland walk and orchard not accessible...Building - Level entrance. One wheelchair to borrow", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tintinhull-garden

Tyntesfield (NT) - Wraxall - Victorian Gothic Revival house with gardens and parkland. Gothic carvings decorate the house which contains possessions of four generations of the Gibbs family. Visitor centre, shop, restaurant, play area - "House and chapel: a ramp is available upon request. Access from chapel via very steep loose gravel path with 1:4 gradient...Park & garden - the grounds have gravel paths, some slopes and steps but most areas are accessible including the kitchen garden. ...Fully accessible visitor centre, restaurant and shop", Limited number of wheelchairs and powered mobility vehicles available, induction loop available at visitor centre, restaurant and shop, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield

University of Bristol Botanic Garden - Stoke Bishop - "Our garden tells the story of plant evolution in inspirational displays, with over 4,500 species of plants...a beautiful garden filled with a huge diversity of plants, including many exotic species set in inspirational displays against the backdrop of a striking Victorian house...The large glasshouses provide the right climatic conditions for many exotic plants including cacti, orchids, carnivorous plants and unique within Bristol the giant Amazon water lily and sacred lotus collection", "Tours take around 1 hour 30 minutes, require a minimum of ten people " - The Garden is largely accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters with a designated path leading around the Garden and glasshouses. Disabled toilet facilities are available on site.
www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

Wells Cathedral - The present Cathedral was begun about 1175 on a new site to the north of an old minster church, it has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals” and has one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country, the famous Wells clock is considered to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain, daily tours, cafe, shop - Wells - The ground floor of the Cathedral is accessible, with ramped access, Chapter House is only via a steep set of 31 steps. "Guided tours are available for visually impaired visitors if booked in advance", "a hearing loop system that covers microphones within the Nave and Quire of the main Cathedral floor, which is used at all services for spoken word elements. A portable hearing loop system is also provided for spoken word services within the Lady Chapel", there are accessible toilets
www.wellscathedral.org.uk