Accessible Britain

THE EAST MIDLANDS AND EAST ANGLIA
his visitors – in particular its spectacular ground-floor dining room, which is accessible
to those with mobility issues. However, wheelchair users will probably find the gardens
more of an attraction, with the walk to the main house a highlight in itself. You’ll
experience beautiful floral smells, sculptures, quaint archways and subtle streams, while
the winter garden of Himalayan silver birches is so stunning it’s almost haunting.
There’s a huge car park with about fifty accessible parking spaces in front of the main
entrance. Smooth, flat paths lead to double automatic doors into the bright and airy
foyer, which is totally accessible, with level floors. The reception desk has two tills, one
with a hearing loop, and the staff are knowledgeable about access facilities. Scooter
hire and shuttle transport to the main house is available at the reception, although prebooking
is recommended. There are two accessible toilets on site, one to the left of
the main entrance, and one on the other side of the grounds between the mill and the
house. Both are bright and clean with grab rails, mirrors and alarm cords in case of
emergency, though the toilet at the main entrance is more spacious, so better if help is
required to transfer. Access to the shop and restaurant are both excellent, with staff on
hand to help.
A step-free trail wends its way around the gardens, although parts of the trail are
steep and/or over grass or woodland. Most of the trail is flat and paved, so disabled
visitors can enjoy the sights and smells of the sensory areas of the gardens. Braille
information leaflets are available. Both the mill and the house have limited access if you
can’t use stairs. The ground floor of the house can be accessed via a call button at a door
around the side of house where staff will provide assistance. At the mill, portable ramps
are available so that wheelchair users can negotiate the medium-sized step into the
ground floor of the building. You can see the workings of the mill on its upper floors,
though these are only accessible to those who can manage very steep and winding steps.
FOOD & DRINK aa The bright, airy restaurant has seating inside and out, and serves delicious
local produce – the chicken pie is particularly good. Expect to pay around £10 for
a satisfying two-course meal.
073 Dunwich Heath Coastal Centre, Suffolk
Address: Dunwich, Saxmundham IP17 3DJ Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunwichheath Tel: 01728
648501 Hours: heath dawn–dusk; visitor centre hours vary, call or check website Dates: no site closures;
dates vary for information kiosk and café Entry: free; car park £4.80, free to National Trust members
Dunwich Heath is an area of outstanding natural beauty with tracts of heather and
gorse, woods, sandy cliffs, unspoilt beaches and lots of local wildlife. While certainly
appealing to natural history enthusiasts, this lowland heath has a wonderfully remote
feeling, enabling you to blow away the cobwebs, and many visitors find they want to
come back time and again.
There are three designated paths to take you over the heath – the 2.5-mile Gorse
Walk, the 1.2-mile Heather Walk and the 1.1-mile Birch Walk. All three provide
magnificent displays of gorse and heather in spring and summer, but each takes you
over a different part of the heath. It is best to decide which walk you want to explore
88