The Hoghton Tower Access Statement

Parking Access Statement

Our car park can accommodate up to 200 cars. Parking for coaches is also available if booked in advance.

The car park is located approximately ¼ mile from the main house entrance, which can be accessed on foot via the main driveway. Surfaces may be uneven and vary from hardstanding and gravel on the car park to smooth tarmac on the drive. Please note that the driveway is on a steep incline which may not be suitable for some wheelchairs.

A limited number of parking bays in the car park and on the grass immediately in front of the house have been set aside for Blue Badge holders. Where special events are being held in the function rooms or gardens, we can arrange a pick-up and drop-off point giving direct access to these areas for disabled guests. Please phone the office in advance to discuss this access in more detail.

Steps & Surfaces Access Statement

Due to the historic nature of the Tower, there are many uneven surfaces and changes in level in both internal and external areas of the site. Below we have summarised some of the main features you may wish to consider.

We regret that, with the exceptions mentioned below, there are no ramps or lifts at Hoghton Tower. For private functions within the house, you are welcome to bring a portable ramp to facilitate access across the suite of function rooms. Positioning and use of portable ramps is at your own risk. Hoghton Tower cannot accept liability for the use of these ramps.

Gardens Access Statement

Each of the gardens is flat and has a designated path. Garden paths consist of sand, shale or gravel depending on the area.

Direct access to the Wilderness Lawn can be arranged via the drop-off point mentioned above. The Wilderness Lawn then leads into the Rose Garden via a small step. This in turn leads to the Ramparts Garden, which is a sunken lawn accessed by several steep stone steps without a handrail.

Courtyards Access Statement

The Outer Courtyard leads to the Inner Courtyard via two flights of stone steps without handrails. The two courtyards consist of ancient cobbles and stone flags which create an uneven surface throughout.

House Tour Route

Guided tours cover the main rooms of historical interest within the house. This entails several staircases, with handrails, to access the first floor and underground passages. Surfaces range from uneven stone to smooth marble and polished wood floors, with occasional steps where room levels change.

Function Rooms Access Statement

These are all located on the ground floor of the house and can be accessed via the drop-off point mentioned above, should pedestrian access from the car park be inappropriate.  There are occasional steps between the rooms where levels change, the most significant of these being the entrance to the Banqueting Hall which is accessed via three high steps.

For private functions within the house, you are welcome to bring a portable ramp to facilitate access across the suite of function rooms. Positioning and use of portable ramps is at your own risk. Hoghton Tower cannot accept liability for the use of these ramps.

Tea Room

The Tea Room is located off the Inner Courtyard on the ground floor. Access for wheelchairs is restricted due to the surfaces and steps in the courtyards. However, for private functions wheelchair access is possible via the drop-off point mentioned above. This will then entail negotiation of occasional steps, none of which are steep, to arrive at the Tea Room from the rear entrance of the house.

Ticket Office and Gift Shop 

This is located in the Outer Courtyard by the main entrance.

The Great Barn Access Statement

This is located at the side of the house and is best accessed from the car park following a route of gravel, shale and hardstanding which may be uneven in places. The floor within the barn itself is a mixture of cobbles and flags. Entrance doors to the barn are more than wide enough for wheelchair access.

Toilets

Access to toilets in the house is via one step and a narrow doorway. There is one disabled toilet facility in the Outer Courtyard which can be accessed via a small ramp. For private functions, a portable disabled toilet can be provided by prior arrangement.