Access Statement for Augill Castle

updated April 2016

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Introduction

Augill Castle started life as a Victorian gentleman’s folly built in 1841. It is now home to Simon & Wendy Bennett and their children Oliver & Emily. A real family home which welcomes guests to stay for a night or two, have supper or dinner, party or get married. A seriously relaxed venue – no false formality, but a place where you can kick off your shoes by the front door without causing a scandal!

It is an old building with small doorways and corridors but all ground floor guest areas are wheelchair accessible and there are three ground floor bedrooms – one with full wheelchair access.

Pre-arrival

Augill Castle is contactable by phone and email. The website is fully responsive with a simplified version appearing on smartphones and tablets.
Public transport details are as follows: there is a main line train station at Kirkby Stephen (3 miles) and we are happy to collect guests with notice. Main line train stations can also be accessed at Penrith (25 miles) & Darlington (40 miles). There is no viable bus service to the area.
The nearest towns Brough (1 mile) Kirkby Stephen (3 miles).
Shop mobility is available at Kendal (40 miles) and Darlington (40 miles).
Accessible taxis are available through Prima Taxis on 017683 72557.
We have first floor bedrooms with level access from bedroom to bathroom (Middlesmoor, Haygarth, Raisbeck), two rooms on the ground floor (Little Castle, Stable House & Greystoke), and one room which has wheelchair access and a wheelchair friendly bathroom (Greystoke).

Arrival & car parking facilities

We have private parking for guests and visitors (room for c20 cars) at the front of the castle and there is direct access to the front door across gravel.
There is always someone on hand to assist with car parking & luggage.
There is rear vehicular access to the castle.
There are no traffic calming measures or barriers.
A contact phone number is displayed at the front door and there is a doorbell to press.
We do not accept guest dogs except guide dogs.
The signage provided is written & diagramatic.
When you arrive in the gravel car park, there are two double outer doors opening outwards leading via a ramp to a porch and wide inner door to the hall.

Main entrance & hall

The hall is oak panelled with lots of sofas and no formal reception desk.
We do not have music in the guest public areas.
Lighting is provided via a variety of chandeliers, spot lights, wall lights and lamps.
Additional keys for bedrooms can be provided on request.
Guests are shown round the castle on arrival and there is always someone to welcome you at any time of the day.
The public rooms on the ground floor are all on one level except for one step to the back rooms and toilet facilities for which a ramp can be provided and one step to the conservatory bar and cinema.
There are clear information signs throughout the house and a room file of information in each guest bedroom.
There are many doors through the main house, all spring loaded in line with fire regulations and with door knobs for the main part.
Walls and skirtings are all different contrasting colours as are light switches.

Public areas – hall, stairs, landing, corridors, sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

There is no lift or escalator and the first floor bedrooms are located via a double staircase.
There is a mixture of wood flooring, rugs and carpets throughout the house.
There are no public telephones but a house telephone is available on request.
Lighting is a mixture of chandeliers, wall lights, spot lights and lamps.
There is a step from the front rooms (which are all on one level) to the back rooms for which a ramp can be provided.
First floor corridors are light and wide but with furniture in them and are on differing levels involving several sets of two or three steps.
Skirtings and walls are different colours.
Standard freeview televisions with DVD players are provided in all bedrooms. All TVs receive radio signal.

Public WCs

There is a guest toilet with wheelchair access and a further two guest toilets downstairs in the back corridor.
Baby changing facilities (not adult size) are provided by the ground floor toilets.

Dining room & bar area

The Dining Room is situated off the main Hall and has a wooden floor.
The Bar is situated off the Music Room in the conservatory through a narrow doorway. alternative external access through wider doors is via a level terrace. Drinks are available from a low level fridge and glasses are kept on shelves at low level. The bar is self service but assistance is always available.

Laundry

We have an in-house laundry and washing & drying can be arranged on a daily basis.

Grounds, gardens & outdoor facilities

We have 15 acres of grounds, some laid to lawn, some to flower beds and others to paddock & orchard. The terrain is uneven and paths have been made using gravel.
Access to the tennis court is via the main drive and a tarmac path with two wide, shallow stone steps dropping down to tennis court level.

Bedrooms

Greystoke is a ground floor bedroom with wheelchair access from the rear of the castle via a paved one metre wide pathway. It has a 3 ft wide exterior door, appropriate space & facilities in the en-suite bathroom. It does not have grab rails, hoists or an emergency pull cord. There is no room in Greystoke for an extra bed without compromising wheelchair manoeuvering space but it can be made up as a kingsize double or a twin.
The Little Castle has a ground floor bedroom with level step-free access suitable for a wheelchair. The en-suite bathroom is not adapted for people with impaired mobility.
The Stable House has a ground floor bedroom with level step-free access suitable for a wheelchair. The en-suite bathroom is not adapted for people with impaired mobility.
First floor bedrooms with level access from bedroom to bathroom are Raisbeck, Middlesmoor, Haygarth.
Greystoke & Raisbeck can have twin beds.

Additional information

All bedrooms have evacuation procedures clearly displayed and escape routes are marked in accordance with fire regulations. There is a full alarm system throughout the house.
Staff have had “Welcome All” training.
There are no mobility aids or equipment available in-house.
Service dogs are welcome.
The whole house is non smoking.
There is full mobile reception throughout the public rooms and bedrooms of the house.
There is free WiFi in all public areas and bedrooms except Little Castle, Stable House & The Orangery.

Contact information

Augill Castle, Leacett Lane, South Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen,

Cumbria CA17 4DE
Telephone: 01768341937
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stayinacastle.com
Grid reference: NY806138 – Longitude 2°18’W – Latitude 54°31’N
Hours of operation: Owners live on site. In their absence a member of staff is on site 24 hours per day.
Emergency number: 01768341937 / 07540594990
We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve. If you have any comments please phone 01768341937 or email [email protected]