Accessibilty in White Cliffs Country
The nature of the White Cliffs Country can
unfortunately present some inherent problems common to many
historical towns and cities. The Dover castle is on
a steep hill and some of the shops, restaurants and hotels are
sometimes less accessible to wheelchair users because of
their historic nature.
Attractions
Dover Museum and Bronze Age Boat Gallery
01304 201066
www.dovermuseum.co.uk
The districts largest and most varied museum, including the
Award winning Bronze Age Boat Gallery.
Dover Museum is fully accessible for wheelchair
users.
Disabled Toilet.
Pines Garden & St. Margarets Museum
01304 851737
www.baytrust.org.uk
Organic garden offering open space, trees, Lake and
beautiful views of the cliffs.
Disability access to both attractions.
Concessionary prices available to disabled visitors.
Disabled Toilets in the Garden and at the Museum/Tearoom.
The Roman Painted House
01304 203279
Website
Exceptionally well-preserved Roman Official Hotel with extensive
wall painting and under floor heating.
Limited access only (top gallery which has a glass viewing
panel)
No Disabled Toilet.
Samphire Hoe
01304 225649
www.samphirehoe.com
Much of Samphire Hoe is accessible for wheelchair users. The
recommended route from the front car park is the path signposted
“West Shore via the Hoe”. The full circuit is 2km, the section
through the Hoe is tarmac with fine gravel, and the sea wall is
smooth concrete. The average gradient is 1:5 with some steeper
sections. Occasional cross slopes max 1:25.
Disabled Toilet.
Crabble Corn Mill
01304 823292
www.ccmt.org.uk
Built in 1812, Crabble Mill is the only working water mill in
Kent and classed as Europe's finest.
Due to the nature of the building access for the disabled is
limited (1st 2 levels only), although every effort will
be made to accommodate visitors where possible.
No Disabled Toilet.
Little Farthingloe Farm & The Women’s Land Army
Museum
01304212040
Disabled access to all areas apart from some woodland nature
trails.
Disabled Toilets located at the Tearooms.
Sandwich Guildhall Museum
01304 617197
www.sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk
Built in the reign of Elizabeth l. Tours include the ancient
Court Room, Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour.
Access for the disabled , suitable for wheelchair users.
Parking and refreshments nearby.
Disabled Toilets located on The Quay.
Kearsney Abbey
01304 824880
Picturesque parkland located on the outskirts of Dover. Concrete
paths run throughout the park making it suitable for wheelchair
users.
Parking and Disabled Toilets available on site.
White Mill Rural Heritage Centre
www.whitemill.open-sandwich.co.uk
01304 612076
Restored Smock Mill built in 1760. Original working machinery
and displays.
Due to the nature of the buildings limited access in all areas
particularly for wheelchair users.
Disabled Toilet on site.
Rare Species Conservation Centre
01304 611578
www.rarespeciesconservationcentre.org
RSCC cares for some of the world's rarest and unusual species of
animal.
South east Water Gardens
CT13 0DG
Full disabled access
Goodnestone Park Gardens
Near CANTERBURY
01304 840107
www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk
Considered to be one the best gardens in the South East.
Connections with Jane Austen.
Wheelchair access to the majority of the gardens
Accessible toilets
2 Wheelchairs available for use
Concession for the disabled only
English Heritage
English Heritage publish a free accessibility guide - to request
a copy or ask any other questions regarding accessibility to sites,
telephone 0870 3331181 or use minicom numbers 01793 414878 or 0800
0150516.
There is no charge for assisting companions and assistance and
companion dogs are welcome, with water bowls available on
request. English Heritage suggest that whenever possible,
visitors with disabilities contact the property they wish to visit
a few days in advance for details about particular aspects of their
visit.
The following information regarding specific properties was
taken from their web site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
(which is accessible for e-text users)
Deal Castle
Tel. 01304 372762
Wheelchair access, free audio tours available.
- Castle: accessible via flagstone path and
wooden drawbridge. Gatehouse, courtyard and ground floor accessible
to visitors in wheelchairs. Wide spiral staircase to upper floors
(one handrail). Access to interactive exhibition in basement via a
flight of stone steps.
- Parking: parking for disabled visitors
opposite castle in grounds of custodian’s cottage. Hearing Impaired
Visitors Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.
Script available.
- Toilets: no wheelchair access.
- Shop: Two steps and narrow doorway; assistance
required. Large gate can be opened for easier access to
courtyard.
Dover Castle
Tel. 01304 201628
- Castle and grounds: Extensive grounds mainly
accessible on tarmac paths but there are some very steep
slopes.
- Secret Wartime Tunnels: Good access for
wheelchair users but entry is down a steep slope. Four
mobility scooters and two manual wheelchairs are available and
wheelchair routes and guides are also available.
- Parking within castle, 100m from keep.
Disabled visitors may use Palace Green car park next to keep to
avoid steep path from Constable’s Tower and cobbled drawbridge. Two
motorised wheelchairs available. Visually Impaired Visitors Braille
guide and disabled orientation map available. Hearing Impaired
Visitors Hearing dog’s welcome. Some hearing loops available.
- Toilets: Adapted WCs available, ramped access
beside keep and Secret Wartime Tunnels.
Shop: Level access. Restaurant and cafe: Level access.
Richborough Fort
01304 612013
- Fort and grounds: All parts accessed via
uneven ground, steps and banks. Parking: 100m from entrance, loose
gravel surface. Disabled drivers can drive to museum building;
gates will be opened. Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour
with hearing loop included in admission price.
Visitors with Learning Difficulties - Basic language audio tour
included in admission price. Toilets: Accessible WC, closed in
winter
Walmer Castle
Tel. 01304 364288
- Castle: Via cobbled and flagstone walkway and
wooden drawbridge. Gatehouse and ground floor rooms accessible via
ramps. Easy flight of stairs to upper floor with handrail. (upper
floor not wheelchair accessible)
- Gardens: Main route from house is not
practical but there is an alternative route via a side gate. Smooth
grass and gravel paths within grounds.
- Parking: Disabled passengers can be dropped
off at castle entrance; please telephone in advance to make
arrangements for parking on site. Visually Impaired Visitors: Audio
tour included in admission price. Scented plants. Cannon to touch.
Note: Changes in floor levels and dim lighting in the house.
Hearing Impaired Visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop included in
admission price. Script also available.
- Toilets: Accessible toilets Shop: Level
access. Admission: disabled persons entrance fee is charged
at the full rate but entrance for the carer is free. Electric
buggies available.
National Trust
The National Trust has comprehensive facilities and information
for visitors with disabilities. A free booklet on access
(also available in large print and on tape) can be obtained from -
The Membership Department, PO BOX 39, Bromley, Kent BR1 3XL.
Enclose 1 x 1st class stamp. Telephone 0870 4584000 or
minicom 0870 2403207.
The information listed below about individual properties has
been taken from the web site (accessible for visitors with visual
impairment) www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Contact the individual
property for specific access enquiries.
Admission information: If the visitor is registered disabled and
a member of the National Trust, their accompanying assistant is
admitted free of charge.
South Foreland Lighthouse
Tel. 01304 205295
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone for parking instructions. Ground floor accessible with
assistance, ground floor is only reception, shop and public WC. No
access to other floors. Please tel. for instructions on how to get
to property. Steps to shop entrance. Braille and large-print
guides. Sympathetic Hearing Scheme
White Cliffs of Dover
01304 202756
- General access: The new Gateway to the White
Cliffs building on Langdon Cliffs, sponsored by SAGA Group Ltd has
wheelchair access throughout and an adapted WC. Designated parking
by building. Coffee shop, displays and introductory exhibition. A
wheelchair-accessible viewpoint overlooks docks and harbour;
extensive views along coast to east and west – and to coast of
France on a clear day.
St Margaret’s at Cliff, near Dover, are
suitable for wheelchair users with strong pushers. South Foreland
Lighthouse, St Margaret’s at Cliff, parking arrangements; tel. for
details: 01304 852463. Grounds accessible with magnificent views.
Lighthouse is inaccessible for wheelchair users due to a spiral
staircase. Photographic tours available for inaccessible areas.
Large-print and Braille guides. Sympathetic Hearing Scheme
Accessible Public Toilets
Public toilets with facilities for disabled people are
available, some need a RADAR Key. Keys are available from
Dover Visitor Information Centre.
Accommodation in White Cliffs Country
While many of the districts hotels are historic buildings and
are not suitable for wheelchair users they make every effort to
take care of guests with disabilities. The more modern hotels
are better equipped. Please inform the hotel of your
requirements when you make your booking.
Downloadable information sheet
Transport
The areas of Dover, Deal & Sandwich provides a number of
transport services & facilities to assist disabled
visitors.
- Trains. For more information on the facilities
available on train services in to Dover, Deal & Sandwich
stations please see the
nationalrail.co.uk
- Taxi info. The traintaxi database
gives details of accessible taxi operators serving the area around
each station.
- Parking. Disabled drivers may park up to three
hours ( not to exceed the maximum period ) free of charge in the
council’s car parks, providing a disabled persons valid blue badge
and clock is displayed. Additional parking should be purchased from
the machine. Most pay and display car parks have wide bays
dedicated to disabled drivers. Disabled persons on – street parking
exemptions apply.
- Buses. For more information on accessibility
on bus routes through out the area please call Stagecoach on 08702
433711 or email kent&hastings.disabilityhelpdesk@stagecoachbus.com
- Dial-A-Ride Schemes
Dart Kent Karrier is
a dial-a-ride service for any resident of the Dover district who
has a mobility difficulty, which makes travelling by normal bus
service difficult. Buses run from various points in the
district to Dover, Deal and Sandwich town centres. To use
this service you must join the Dart Travel Club for which there is
an annual membership fee of £5.00. (Phone 01304 209660)
Travel on Dart Kent Karrier will cost £1.10 return from urban areas
and £2.20 return from the rural areas (Monday – Friday).
Dart Bus Services provide links from the villages around Deal into
Canterbury, Deal, Dover and Sandwich. The bus services are standard
and timetabled and link villages to shopping centres. All
buses are wheelchair accessible.
Crossing the Channel
Port of Dover.
01304 240400
www.portofdover.co.uk
Ferry Terminal
Customers with any special needs are advised to contact their
ferry operator prior to travelling.
- Disabled parking bays for short or long stay
parking can be found on the first two levels of the multi-storey
car park at the Ferry Terminal. You can take lifts to and from
these levels to the Travel Centre for check-in. The corridor to
Embarkation for departures involves a reasonable walk.
- Loop systems for the Hard of
Hearing
Induction loops to amplify announcements or
conversations for passengers wearing aids are available within the
main Ferry Terminal buildings.
- Toilets
Unisex disabled toilet facilities
are available in various locations throughout the Ferry
Terminal.
- Wheelchairs and facilities
Passengers
with special needs are advised to contact their ferry operator.
Your ferry operator can make wheelchairs available. Level or ramped
access is installed at exits and entries to all our terminal
buildings and walkways.
Foot Passenger Transfers between Terminal and
Ferries
Check with your ferry operator about the availability of the
mobility bus from the Travel Centre or Embarkation Lounge. A port
bus service operates from Embarkation to the ferries.
Cruise Terminal
Cruise Terminal customer parking is on ground level and suitable
for disabled passengers and wheelchair users. It is not possible to
pre-book individual bays at anytime, however should you need
additional assistance when parking; please do not hesitate to ask a
member of staff.
- Wheelchairs & facilities
Ample wheelchairs are available at both Cruise Terminals 1 and 2.
In addition, wheelchair-friendly ramps are fitted on all
split-levels in both buildings. The walkways leading to cruise
ships are also wheelchair friendly to provide easy access to your
liner.
- Toilets
Ample unisex disabled toilets are found at a number of different
locations throughout both Cruise Terminals.
For more information and contact details please visit website
http://www.doverport.co.uk/
Eurotunnel
Disabled passengers enter the club class lane at the front of
the train so that they can disembark first.
Accessible toilets located within the terminal building.
Passengers that are members of the DDA (Disabled Drivers
Association), DDMC (Disabled Drivers Motor Club) or DMA can receive
a discounted fare on Eurotunnel.
Customer Information – 0800 0969992
For further information visit website http://www.eurotunnel.com/
Mobility Shops
Dover
Safe Hands Care & Mobility Centre
Dover Showroom
37 Biggin Street
Dover,
Kent, CT16 1BU
Tel. 01304 214000
Website:www.safehandscarers.co.uk
Wheel chair hire on an hourly or daily basis.
Deal
UK Mobility
28 Queen St,
Deal
Kent
Tel: 01304 363035
Email: deal@ukmobility.com
Other useful information
Dial Kent
Dial Kent offers a free and impartial service, providing
information, advice and practical help, usually by people with
direct personal experience of disability.
Tel - 01227 771155
Minicom: 01227 772634
Information Centres
Dover VIC
Old Town Gaol, Biggin Street, Dover, Kent. (01304) 205108
- Induction loop
- Minicom
- Wheelchair accessible
- Keys for RADAR toilets in town are sold at the Visitor
Information Centre.
- Advice and information given.
Sandwich VIC
Guildhall, Sandwich (01304) 613565
- Wheelchair accessible
- RADAR toilet is situated on the Quayside. Keys are available
from the Bell Hotel and Cottage Tea Rooms.
Deal VIC
Landmark Centre, 129 High St, Deal, Kent. (01304) 369576
- Wheelchair accessible
- Radar toilets located in King St. Radar keys are held at Deal
Area Office, Town hall weekdays only.