Accessibility
Web accessibility
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Assistance & access around Pentillie Castle
Due to the steepness of the ground surrounding the Castle, some areas are difficult to reach in a wheelchair or independently by those with limited mobility. Pentillie staff are available, and will guide or assist anyone in need of help.
Disabled access
Wheelchair access is restricted to some areas immediately surrounding the Castle. There are also some steps between the terraces and in the gardens without handrails that some people may find difficult.
Parking
There is a tarmac flat car parking area large enough for 20 cars immediately in front of the castle entrance. As we have so much parking so close to the castle, we do not reserve any specific spaces for those with disabilities. However, if you do require assistance from your vehicle, please do let us know in advance by calling the office on 01579 350044, and we will happily reserve you a space next to the Castle, particularly if we are expecting a lot of cars.
Entry to and accessibility in and around the Castle
All doors and openings on the ground floor are more than 3 feet wide allowing easy wheelchair access.
Front Door, West
There is a small 2 inch step and the bottom rail of the door frame to negotiate, but wooden ramps are available and will be set up whenever required.
Back Door, North
This door is situated to the left of the front door and approached through a paved courtyard. Access is level with no restrictions.
Loggia Door, South
This French window can be reached by following the gravel path around the lawn from the car park. There is a 2 inch wooden rail to go over, but ramps are available.
Terrace Access
All these doors have two or three steps which are not fitted with handrails.
Ground Floor Public Rooms
The ground floor is all on one level, and has no steps. All the ground floor public rooms have wide doorways (more than 3 feet) that are easily accessible by wheelchair. There is a unisex toilet suitable for use by wheelchair users.
Ground floor bedroom
The Warren Suite on the ground floor has been designed specifically for disabled use. The architect who helped redesign the rooms is an MS sufferer who uses both sticks and a wheelchair on occasion, and he was especially interested in making sure that this room was designed as well as possible. The room is therefore fitted out for use by anyone with limited mobility, or in a wheelchair. It has been used by guests requiring both hoists and oxygen. The bathroom is laid out as a wet-room with a height adjustable shower and shower seat. It complies with recommended standards.
The colour contrasts within the room also comply to the recommended standards for those with visual impairments. The bed can be a double or two singles and can also be raised on blocks, so that a hoist can be used. All furniture is easy to remove from the bedroom if more space is required. There are call alarms fitted in the bedroom and shower room.
First floor bedrooms
The first floor bedrooms are only accessible by using the front and back stairs. The stairs are wide enough to walk two side by side and there is a handrail on one side. There is a third sitting area on the first floor landing, with more sofas and armchairs.
All the bedrooms have different layouts, but are all well lit. Most bedrooms can be twin or double configuration apart from Dewhurst and Coryton. All bedrooms are carpeted and comply with visual contrasting colour requirements. All bathrooms are well-lit with non-slip laminate flooring in the bathrooms. Some bathrooms have separate walk-in showers, other rooms have showers over the bath – please tell us your preference. The bathroom in the Dewhurst suite has two steps with a handrail leading to it and a tile floor. Most baths have fitted handrails (with the exception of the Tillie, Coryton and Spencer bedrooms), and there is a bidet in the Tillie bathroom.
Beds are usually made with duvets and a mixture of feather and hypoallergenic bedding. Rooms can be entirely made up with hypoallergenic bedding, or sheets and blankets as required. Please ask.
Cellar games room
This subterranean room has a small billiard/snooker table, a football table, a large TV and comfortable leather armchairs and a sofa. It is normally accessible from inside the castle by a flight of stairs with a handrail on one side only. However it can also be entered from outside at the Tennis Court terrace level by a shallow ramp and only two steps. We can direct and assist you.
Office and courtyard
The Office and Courtyard rooms, consisting of the Boot, Garden and Staff Rooms, are all accessible by wheelchair. Additionally there is a unisex, disabled toilet facility directly accessible from the courtyard.
Swimming pool
Access to the swimming pool, adjoining the courtyard, is restricted by a narrow door and stairway and is therefore is not easily accessible by wheelchair. However, there are wide steps at the shallow end of the pool making it easy to get in and out once you have got there. The swimming pool is kept locked, and guests must sign a declaration prior to receiving the key.
Upper terrace
The upper terrace, at the same level as the ground floor of the Castle, can be accessed directly via two wide steps (not fitted with handrails) from the main stair hall and the dining room. Temporary ramps are available for these steps although wheelchair access can also be made around the outside of the castle from the car park or from within the castle via the Loggia doorway.
Middle terrace
This is only accessible by steps down from the Upper Terrace or upwards from the Lower Tennis Court Terrace – it is not possible to gain wheelchair access.
Lower tennis court terrace
The main access route from the Castle is down two wide flights of steps that have a parapet wall but no specific handrail. There is an alternative route for wheelchair users around the outside of the courtyard buildings following the signs to staff parking. This route can be followed by wheelchair or car. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet in the Pavilion Building at the north end of this terrace.
Accessibility around the estate
Pentillie Castle and the surrounding gardens are situated on a promontory of land high above the River Tamar. The land slopes steeply down towards the Tamar on the north, east and south. The approach driveway from Paynters Cross and the American Gardens rise above the Castle to the west.
The gardens and grounds
Maps of the gardens will be issued on arrival, or we can send in advance if preferred. We will show you which paths are suitable for your use depending on your mobility and determination. Please remember that we are there to help you get around as we want you to enjoy Pentillie as much as we do.
Mausoleum
The Mausoleum is a fair uphill walk from the Castle but wheelchair users can get there. However we recommend that everybody not in the first flush of youth is accompanied for this walk. There is an estate four wheel drive vehicle (Land Rover Defender!) available if you would prefer to make this journey in style!
Walks
The Lime Avenue, and Best Walk are both suitable for those with limited mobility. Both are spectacular, showcasing different elements of the garden. The Lime Avenue does rise to a hill, but the Best Walk remains flat all the way to the orchards which are spectacular at most times of year, most notably, the spring.
East Garden (towards the river)
This path is quite steep and the path surface is not very even. There are a number of steps in several different flights and these do not have handrails. Sadly, this lovely route is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. However, guests may access the river by using the tarmac’d drive which extends down to the bathing hut and river bank.
American Gardens
The paths and steps in these gardens make disabled access difficult but possible. The advice and assistance from a member of the Pentillie staff should be obtained before venturing into them.
Kitchen Garden
This garden is not accessible to unaccompanied visitors. It is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility as it is set on the side of a steep hill. There are plans to restore the garden so we will attempt to improve access during this process.
Service dogs
Service dogs are welcome to stay in the Castle. The following bedrooms are dog-friendly: Kitson, Howard or Warren which is on the ground floor and accessible by wheelchair. Dogs may also stay in the adjoining Boot Room. Hot and cold washing facilities for dogs, beds, treats and dog towels are provided. Your dogs will undoubtedly love the woodland gardens in which they can take you for a walk, however, we just ask that they be kept on a lead.
Getting to Pentillie
Pentillie is only 6 miles from Plymouth on the A388 between Saltash and Callington.
By Car – Half way between the villages of Hatt and St Mellion look for a road sign ‘Paynters Cross’. Turn off the A388 here, go around an S bend and the gates of Pentillie are in front of you. The post code is PL12 6QD for those with a SatNav or smartphone.
By Train – The nearest railway station is at Saltash (15 mins) but not all trains stop there and the station is unmanned. There is quite a steep ramp leading from the Westbound platform to the road and limited parking on this road. We recommend that Wheelchair users and anyone requiring assistance should disembark at Plymouth (25 mins) having previously requested assistance from the train operator. It is necessary to use lifts to access some of the platforms.
By Air – The two airports of Exeter and Newquay are both less than an hour away – almost equidistant from Pentillie.
Taxi – We can arrange local taxis, with accessibility ramps if required, to meet you at the Station or Airport. These are often cheaper than ‘black cabs’.
Bus – There is a bus service that stops on the A388 at Paynters Cross which is at the top of the drive. The walk down the drive to the castle is approximately 1 kilometre. We can provide the timetable.
