Access Statement for Falkland Palace & Garden April 2016 Falkland Palace & Garden Falkland Fife KY15 7BY Tel: 01337 857 397 Email: falklandpalace&garden@nts.org.uk
Introduction Experience a day in the life of the Stuart monarchs at Falkland Palace, their country residence for 200 years and a favourite place of Mary, Queen of Scots. Set in the heart of Falkland conservation village, and surrounded by extensive gardens, this partly restored Renaissance palace is the perfect place to while away an afternoon. The original and reconstructed rooms are packed with 17th-century Flemish tapestries, elaborate painted ceilings and antique furnishings. The beautiful, tranquil grounds are worth a visit alone. They are home to the oldest Real or Royal tennis court in Britain, built for King James V. The grounds also include ruins of the 12th century Castle of Falkland, extensive gardens designed by Percy Cane and an ancient Orchard with a wild flower meadow. Falkland Palace & Garden has been rated by Visit Scotland as a 4 star Historic Attraction. The palace is located in the centre of Falkland village. The area where the palace is situated is flat and the palace can be easily accessed from the main road. The garden is accessible for wheelchair users. There is access to parts of the garden via the main entrance (some gravel paths). A manual wheelchair is available for visitor use. The Palace building is not suitable for wheelchairs, but armchair visits are available via guidebook. There is no lift access in the palace. There are a lot of stairs in the property and the stair cases are spiral and narrow.
Assistance dogs only are allowed in the palace and gardens. There are no disabled toilet facilities available at the property and its grounds. An accessible toilet is located at the public conveniences in the car park in the centre of Falkland, a short walk from the Palace. Other accessible toilets can be found at the nearby pub, the Bruce Inn or at the Campbell s Coffee House. You should allow at least 1 hour for visiting the palace, 2 or more including the gardens. Room guides are in most of the rooms and they will be delighted to tell you about the history of the palace and its many famous inhabitants. We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 01337 857 397 or email falklandpalace&garden@nts.org.uk.
Pre-Arrival Falkland Palace is in the village of Falkland, 11 miles north of Kirkcaldy The following Stagecoach Fife services stop at Falkland New Road, 100m from Falkland Palace and Garden: 35 - Cupar - Newburgh - Perth 36 - Glenrothes - Auchtermuchty - Newburgh/Strathminglo Perth 36B - Glenrothes - Auchtermuchty - Kinross 66/67 - Glenrothes - Ladybank - Cupar The nearest railway stations are Markinch and Ladybank. They are both about 6 miles away from the palace. Taxis ranks are available at the stations. To check train timetables please go to www.nationalrail.co.uk From Ladybank railway station you can take the number 66/67 Stagecoach Fife service from Glenrothes to Cupar which stops at Falkland New Road, 100m from Falkland Palace and Garden For travel advise and timetables please go to www.travelinescotland.com If you require an accessible taxi you can book this in advance, see contact information for details
Car Parking and Arrival There are no parking facilities at the Palace, but visitors can be dropped off at the main Palace gates There is a public car park within easy reach of the Palace and it has disabled parking spaces This car park is approximately 120m from the Palace Main car park in Falkland
Disabled parking spaces There is a drop off point near the palace gate with a dropped kerb Drop off point There is one step leading to the main entrance with no handrail
Palace entrance door Main Entrance, Reception and Ticketing Area
Main reception desk The main entrance is situated on the ground floor with one step to reach it The entrance door is 880 mm/34.5ins wide and is manually operated. The entry door opens inwards. The staff at the property are happy to assist with opening the door if required There is no ramp available for wheelchairs There are some soft bench seats in this area Seating at the reception The reception area is well lit The floor surface is carpeted There is a haring loop available at the reception The height of the reception desk is 740 mm/29 ins wide A manual wheelchair is available for visitor use
Attraction (displays, exhibits, rides etc.) Room guides are in most of the rooms to interact with visitors and to tell them about the palace and its history Room cards are available in each room. Large print is available. There is a map of the gardens available for visitors; it also describes the palace and features photographs. The floor surface is wooden and carpeted in most places The stair cases are spiral and narrow Stairs at the Palace Individual seats are located at various points around the palace which enable visitors to have a rest
Seats in the Drawing Room Some of the collections have extra lighting Public Toilets Public toilets are located in the gardens on the flat surface with access from the shop
There are no disabled toilets available at the property There is a baby changing facility available in the ladies toilets Palace Shop The shop has a large selection of gift items including jewellery, confectionery, children s toys, scarves, rugs, toiletries, household goods and cards. There is also a wide selection of books available. The plant sales area has a varied range of plants to suit all types of garden. The shop can be accessed either from the Palace gardens or directly from the High Street
Shop entrance Wheelchair users require assistance in accessing the shop. There are four steps into the shop and a handrail is in place. Stairs leading to the shop First entrance door is 115 cm/45 ins wide and is usually kept open. The second door is160 cm/63 ins wide. This door opens outwards.
Second entrance door There are no narrow corridors in the shop and there is enough space to turn a wheelchair Gardens can be accessed through the shop. The garden entrance door is 98 cm/38.5 ins wide and there are 11 steps to get to the gardens
Garden entrance door Stairs leading to the gardens The height of the till desk is 96 cm/37.5 ins Background music is played in the shop
The shop and the displays inside are well lit Staff can offer assistance if required Grounds and Gardens The palace stands in three hectares of grounds. The garden is one of Percy Cane`s most complete designs. It is widely acknowledged as outstanding both for its historical value and as a work of art. Guests can access the garden from the main entrance. Main pathways are 460 cm/181 ins wide Main pathway The path leading to the glass house is 310 cm/122 ins wide
The Glasshouse There are some gravel paths. Most of the garden area is flat. The garden contains many scented shrubs and herbs There are wooden benches in the garden for visitors to sit on There is a picnic area in the orchard, which is located at the bottom of the garden Tennis court is not accessible for wheelchairs
Tennis court entrance Additional Information Evacuation procedures: Information sheets with evacuation procedures are available in each room Staff and volunteers received Fire Drill training Assistance dogs are welcomed
Contact Information Address (Inc postcode): Falkland Palace & Garden, High Street, Falkland, Fife. KY15 7BY Telephone: 01337 857 397 Email: Website: Face book: falklandpalace&garden@nts.org.uk http://www.nts.org.uk/falkland www.facebook.com/falklandpalaceandgardens Grid Reference: NO 25346 07454 Hours Of Operation: Monday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm, Sunday 12 pm- 5 pm Local Accessible Taxi: Town and Country Taxis - offers roomy, clean and wheelchair accessible vehicles; Tel: 01334 840444 Allan's Family Cab Taxis - it has a wheelchair access for one chair; Tel: 01592 611900