Read A Journey Through Tudor England Online
Authors: Suzannah Lipscomb
Suitable for people with disabilities
The Vyne, Hampshire
The National Trust
Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9HL
Tel: 01256 883858
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-thevyne
Please see website for seasonal opening times
Nearest train: Bramley (2½ miles) or Basingstoke (4 miles)
Free car parking, 40 yards
Tudor Brewhouse Restaurant
Coach House Shop
Good disabled access to ground floor, upper floors only accessible via stairs
Hever Castle, Kent
Estate Office, Hever Castle
Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Tel: 01732 865224
For detailed seasonal opening times see
www.hevercastle.co.uk/hever-castle-opening-times.aspx
Nearest train: Edenbridge or Hever
Ample car parking
The Moat Restaurant, Guthrie Pavilion, plus four kiosks
The Courtyard shops; The Hever Shop
Limited disabled access, please visit
www.hevercastle.co.uk/accessibility.aspx
Leeds Castle, Kent
Leeds Castle Enterprises Ltd
Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL
Tel: 01622 765400
Opening times: Apr—Sep 10am—6pm, (castle open 10:30am—5pm) last entry to grounds 4:30pm; Oct—Mar 10am—5pm (castle open 10:30am—3:30pm) last entry to grounds 3pm
Nearest train: Bearsted
Free car parking
Fairfax Restaurant and the Maze Market Grill (seasonal)
The Leeds Castle Shop
Suitable for disabled visitors
Penshurst Place, Kent
The Estate Office, Penshurst Place
Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG
Tel: 01892 870307
House and Toy Museum open mid-Feb—Oct 12pm—4:30pm. Last entry 4pm, grounds close 6pm
Nearest Train: Tunbridge Wells or Edenbridge
Ample free car parking
Tea Room sells light lunches
Gift shop
For information about accessibility, please visit
www.penshurstplace.com/page/3033/Access-Facilities
Rochester Castle, Kent
Medway Council for English Heritage
Castle Hill, Rochester, Kent ME1 1SW
Tel: 01634 402276
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/rochester-castle
Open daily Apr—Sep 10am—6pm; Oct—Mar 10am—4pm
Nearest train: Rochester
There are car parks nearby
There is no café, but restaurants nearby
Rochester Castle Shop
Limited disabled access
Allington Castle, Kent (not open to the public)
Sir Robert and Lady Worcester since 1996, previously The Order of the Carmelites
Castle Road, Allington, Maidstone, Kent ME16 ONB
Tel: 01622 606404
Allington Castle is not open to the public although the ground floor is available for functions and weddings
Nearest train: Maidstone Barracks or Maidstone East
Parking is available for function guest cars only
Christ Church College, Oxfordshire
The University of Oxford
St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DP
Tel: 01865 276150
Opening times: Mon—Sat 9am—5pm, Sun 2pm—5pm throughout the year. However, Christ Church College is a working academic and religious institution and some areas, including the Hall and the Cathedral, may close without notice. The Hall can sometimes be closed between 12 midday and 2pm. The Cathedral closes for choir practice every day at 4:45pm.
Nearest train: Oxford
Car parking nearby
There is no café, but as Christ Church is in the centre of Oxford there are cafes nearby
The Cathedral Shop
For accessibility information see
www.chch.ox.ac.uk/visiting/accessibility
Broad Street, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire County Council
Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Nearest train: Oxford
Limited parking in Broad Street, but parking in nearby St Giles
There are several cafes and shops in Broad Street
Cobbled street may be difficult for wheelchairs
Loseley Park, Surrey
The More-Molyneux family
Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey GU3 1HS
Tel: 01483 304440
House open to the public May—Aug (except Mon). Visits to Loseley House are by guided tour only and last around 45 minutes
Nearest train: Guildford
Car parking is available
The Mulberry Tea Lawn and The Wisteria Courtyard Restaurant
The Loseley Park shop
Limited disabled access, please make contact direct for details
Arundel Castle, West Sussex
The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk
Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB
Tel: 01903 882173
Open daily Apr—Oct, 10am—5pm, except Mon
Nearest train: Arundel
There is a pay and display car park directly opposite the Castle entrance
The Arundel Castle Restaurant, and the Arundel Castle Coffee Shop are open Tue—Sun inclusive, Bank Holidays and Mon throughout Aug, from 10.30am—4.30pm
The Arundel Castle Shop
Limited disabled access — please see website
SOUTH WEST
Pendennis and St Mawes Castles, Cornwall
English Heritage
Castle Close, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4LP
Tel: 01326 316 594
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/pendennis-castle
Please see website for detailed seasonal opening hours
Nearest train: Falmouth Docks
Main car park on Castle Drive
Tearoom
Castle shop
Suitable for people with disabilities, but limited access in places
Buckland Abbey, Devon
The National Trust
Yelverton, Devon PL20 6EY
Tel: 01822 853607
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-bucklandabbey
Opening times: Mar—Oct 10.30am—5.30pm; Nov—Feb 11am—4:30pm. Closed Jan.
Nearest train: Plymouth (11 miles)
Free car parking
14th-Century Refectory serving freshly cooked local produce
Buckland Abbey Shop
Limited disabled access, please see website
Sherborne Castle, Dorset
English Heritage for John K Wingfield Digby
New Road, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5NR
Tel: 01935 812072
Open Apr—Oct 11am—4.30pm
Nearest train: Sherborne
Free car parking
Tea room
Gift shop
Limited disabled access, please see website
Sandford Orcas Manor House
Sir Mervyn Medlycott Bt
The Manor House, Sandford Orcas, Sherborne Dorset DT9 4SB
Tel: 01963 220206
Opening times: Easter Monday 10am—5pm; May, July—September, Sun and Mon 2—5pm
Nearest train: Sherborne
No tea room or gift shop
Limited disabled access
Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire
English Heritage
Hailes, near Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5PB
Tel: 01242 602398
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/hailes-abbey
Opening times: Apr—Oct, 10am—4pm, 5pm or 6pm (see website)
Nearest train: Cheltenham (10 miles)
Free car parking
Refreshments available
Abbey shop
Suitable for people with disabilities
Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
The Dent-Brocklehursts and Lord and Lady Ashcombe
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire GL54 5JD
Tel: 01242 602308 or 01242 604357(Infoline)
Open daily Apr—Nov 10.30am—5pm,
Nearest train: Cheltenham Spa
Parking is available
Coffee shop
The Visitor and Plant Centre, plus Old Stable shop in the Castle
Limited disabled access — upper floors are unsuitable for those with limited mobility
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Von Essen Hotels
Thornbury Castle and Tudor Gardens, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Gloucestershire BS35 1HH
Tel: 01454 281182
Thornbury Castle is a working hotel so to enjoy the on-site facilities it is necessary to say the night
Nearest train: Bristol Parkway
Parking is available for guests
Fine dining is available at Thornbury Castle
Limited disabled access
Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, Somerset
The National Trust
Near Glastonbury, Somerset
Tel: 01643 862452
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-glastonburytor
Open all year, all day
Nearest train: Castle Cary from Paddington
No parking (except for orange or blue badge holders). Use council run park-and-ride from centre of Glastonbury Apr—Sep, or park in free car park at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Abbey Farm, Glastonbury. Tel 01458 831197 to confirm availability. Lower entrance to the Tor is approximately 1/4 mile from museum car park
There is no shop or refreshments at Glastonbury Tor
Limited accessibility. Steep terrain with steps
Montacute House, Somerset
The National Trust
Montacute, Somerset TA15 6XP
Tel: 01935 823289
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-montacute/
Open daily Mar—Oct 10am—4pm except Tue. Open Tue in Aug
Nearest train: Yeovil Pen Mill (5½ miles); Yeovil Junction (7 miles) or Crewkerne (7 miles)
Free car parking
Courtyard Café
Gift shop and plant sales
Suitable for people with disabilities
WEST MIDLANDS
Ludlow Castle, Shropshire
Earl of Powis
Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1AY
Tel: 01584 874465
For opening times see
www.ludlowcastle.com/Pages/admission.aspx#opening
Nearest train: Ludlow
Public car park in the centre of Ludlow near to the Castle
Café
Gift shop
Limited disabled access — see website or telephone for more information
Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire
Lesley Smith, Curator
Castle St, Tutbury, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 9JF
Tel: 01283 812129
Opening times: Apr—Sep 11am—5pm, Wed—Sun
Nearest train: Burton-on-Trent
Parking available at £1 per car
Café
Castle shop
For accessibility information see
www.tutburycastle.com/visit.php?id=special_needs
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
English Heritage
Castle Green, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1NE
Tel: 01926 852 078
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle
Opening times: Apr—Oct, 10am—5pm; Nov—Mar 10am—4pm
Nearest train: Coventry or Leamington Spa (5 miles), or Warwick (7 miles)
Car parking available
The Stables Tea Room
No shop
For accessibility information see
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenilworth-castle/visitor-information
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Shakespeare Centre, Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon,
Warwickshire CV37 6QW
Tel: 01789 204 016
Opening times: Apr—May and Sept—Oct 9am—5pm; Jun—Aug 9am—6pm; Nov—Mar 10am—4pm. Times may vary in the other museum houses
Nearest train: Stratford-upon-Avon
Nearest car park is Windsor Street multi-storey
There are a variety of cafés and restaurants in Stratford
Gift shops including the Shakespeare Bookshop
Visitors with restricted mobility should ring 01789 201836/806 for information
Harvington Hall, Kidderminster
Harvington Hall Lane, Harvington, Kidderminster,
Worcestershire DY10 4LR
Tel: 01562 777846
Opening times: Apr—Oct 11.30am—5.00 pm, Wed—Sun; Mar 11.30am—5.00pm, Sat—Sun
Nearest train: Kidderminster
Free car parking
Moatside Tea Room
Gift shop
Suitable for disabled visitors
EAST MIDLANDS
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Council
Sutton Cheney, Nr. Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Leicestershire CV13 0AD
Tel: 01455 290429
Opening times: Apr—Oct, 10am—5pm; Nov—Mar, 10am—4pm. Closed January
Nearest train: Nuneaton and Leicester
Paid car parking available
Tithe Barn Restaurant
Gift shop
For accessibility information, please visit
www.bosworthbattiefield.com/visit/facilities
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
The National Trust
Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S44 5QJ
Tel: 01246 850430
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardwickhall
Opening times: Feb—Nov 12 noon—4.30pm, Wed—Sun
Nearest train: Chesterfield (8 miles)
Parking available at £2 per car
Restaurant and kiosk
Hardwick Hall Shop
Limited disabled access — slopes, grass paths, some cobbles. Please see website for more details
Burghley House, Lincolnshire
Burghley House Preservation Trust
61 St Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LQ
Tel: 01780 752451
Opening times: Mar—Oct 11am—4.30pm, except Fri
Nearest train: Stamford (1 mile)
Free car parking
Orangery Restaurant
Gift shop and Garden shop
Disabled access includes chair lifts and wheelchair access