Accessibility
The house and estate are disability-friendly and there are parking bays for blue badge holders. There are some steps around the estate, especially on the Woodland Walk where the path is surfaced with bark chippings. Alternate access routes are clearly sign-posted.
We have worked with AccessAble so you can find out about our facilities before you visit. AccessAble’s surveyors assessed our venue to create a Detailed Access Guide.
Check out the Detailed Access Guide to Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Carers
Carers are allowed free access to the estate when accompanying a cared-for person. The cared-for visitor pays the standard admission fee.
The cared-for person is asked to provide evidence on arrival, this can include:
- Front page of DLA letter
- Front page of PIP letter
- Front page of Attendance Allowance letter
- Evidence that you are registered as severely sight impaired
- Recognised Assistance Dog ID Card
- Access Card (or other nationally recognised card) which includes the carer symbol (+1)
Arrangements can be made if more than one carer is required to support the cared-for person.
On the Land Train, one carer is allowed to travel free with each cared-for visitor who will be charged the standard fee.
Holders of a National Disability Card must also present a valid National Carers Card to qualify for free carer admission. A National Disability Card alone does not entitle a carer to free entry, and the National Carers Card is only valid when accompanying the National Disability Card holder.
Care Homes
If you are planning a visit with residents from a care home, please contact us directly to make arrangements for carer admissions.
Parking
Blue badge parking is available in the main car park for our visitors.
Visitors are advised to contact the pay box attendant on arrival if there are any difficulties with parking. A member of the team will advise accordingly.
Alternative parking may be available subject to ground conditions, events and activities.
Toilets and changing
There is a unisex disabled toilet in both the Orangery and the courtyard.
There is a Changing Places unit located within the courtyard and a radar key can be obtained from the Welcome Centre.
Visual Impairment
Audio descriptions are available for visitors who are blind or partially sighted, providing detailed narration of the displayed rooms within the house as well as the permanent Amy Johnson exhibition. To borrow an audio device, please speak to an attendant at the entrance to the hall on arrival.
To help you get the most from your visit, we offer handling items that support the interpretation of selected rooms through touch. These specially prepared resources can be arranged with advance notice. If you would like handling items during your visit, please call (01262) 673769 to let us know your requirements, or complete the enquiry form.
Guide dogs are welcome in the house.
Hearing impairment
Hearing Loops are available to enable our visitors hear more clearly. Our hearing loops are compatible with all NHS hearing aids and any hearing aid with a ‘T’ (telecoil) switch.
Please inform the member of staff that you need to make use of the hearing loop, this will be made available for you. Please ensure you switch your aid to the ‘T’ position.
Hearing loops are available in the Welcome Centre, Entrance to the house, Orangery, Clock Tower Café, Stables Gift Shop, Ice Cream Parlour and Meeting Rooms.
Mobility aids
To enjoy the house and grounds to their fullest, visitors with walking difficulties may need to consider bringing their own mobility aids.
There are various mobility shops in Bridlington which hire equipment out on a daily basis.
Disabled access to the house itself is at the rear of the building through the courtyard and there is a lift to all floors.
Due to conservation issues motorised wheelchairs, buggies or scooters are not permitted in the house or the first floor of the Old Laundry Block. We have a small amount of hand-pushed and self-propelled wheelchairs for use inside and these are available on a first come, first served basis.
Special Education Needs Schools
We welcome visits from Special Educational Needs Schools and groups. All our workshops are multi-sensory and the House, Zoo, Pleasure Gardens and Walled Gardens are accessible for those with mobility issues.
There are accessible toilets on site as well as a fully equipped Changing Places. We are happy to adapt any of our workshops to the needs of your group or develop bespoke workshops for your visit.
Workshops can be organised for a half or whole day. Details can be found on the Education and Learning page. Please feel free to contact us to outline the needs of your group and discuss how we might be able to facilitate your visit. We will always do our best to help.
Dementia Friendly Visits
Sewerby Hall and Gardens is a Dementia Friendly venue. We believe that it is important to support our visitors who are living with dementia to access and enjoy everything we have to offer. If you, or someone you know is living with dementia and are planning to visit, please feel free to contact us to discuss any specific needs you might have and how we can help you.
Dementia Friendly Group Visits
Sewerby Evergreens, our Dementia Friendly workshops and Reminiscence sessions, can be booked for visiting dementia groups. Using resources and handling items from the collection, sessions can be arranged around the themes of:
Seaside holidays
Toys and childhood
Domestic life
Royalty
Please contact our Education Officer for further details on (01262) 673769.
Babies and toddlers
Inside the house
In order to preserve our historical items, pushchairs and prams are not permitted in the house or Orangery. A storage area for these items can be found near the rear door of the house and locks are available. Please ring the bell at the back door and a staff member will attend.
We have two HippyChick Hipseats available for visitors to borrow.
Baby Carrier Loan Trial
As part of a trial at Sewerby Hall, we have introduced two baby carriers available for visitors to borrow during their visit. These are 4-in-1 convertible, adjustable carriers suitable for children from newborn to toddler age.
Please note
- The baby carriers are for indoor use only within Sewerby Hall.
- They must not be used around the wider estate or grounds.
- Correct fitting and safe use of the carrier is the responsibility of the user.
- Instructions are provided with each carrier.
Safety reminders
Please ensure that:
- Your baby is at “kissable height”.
- Your baby is positioned in the fetal or “frog-leg” M-shape, with knees higher than their bottom and hips supported.
- All straps are secure and adjusted correctly.
- Your baby’s chin is kept off their chest, and their nose and mouth remain unobstructed at all times.
- Your baby is upright and visible at all times to help prevent suffocation.
- Your baby’s temperature is monitored to prevent overheating. Avoid bulky clothing or snowsuits inside the carrier and opt for lightweight layers that allow airflow.
Thank you for helping us keep all visitors safe while they enjoy Sewerby Hall.
General information
Baby-changing facilities are available in the courtyard and Orangery toilets.
Mothers are welcome to breastfeed their children anywhere on the site. Staff can arrange a discrete space if requested.
Dogs
Sewerby Hall and Gardens welcomes responsible dog owners. Dogs must remain on leads at all times. Only Assistance Dogs are allowed in the zoo, house, children's adventure playground, Stables Gift Shop, Orangery and Clock Tower Cafe. There is a section in the cafe where all dogs are permitted.
With the exception of assistance dogs, dogs are not permitted to attend certain events such as the Adventure Cinema evenings and the Winter Woodland event.
No Smoking areas
You are not allowed to smoke cigarettes, use e-cigarettes or vape in any indoor areas (including the house, Orangery, cafe, shop, Welcome Centre, training rooms and public conveniences) as well as The Courtyard, Clock Tower Cafe Terrace (the outdoor seating area), the Children's Play Area, Zoo and Marquees. The ban is part of the wider East Riding of Yorkshire Council No Smoking Policy and for the comfort of all visitors.
Language and alternative formats
If you require any of our information in Braille, large print or languages other than English, please call (01482) 393939.
Website Accessibility Statement
Updated 24/07/2023
This accessibility statement applies to www.sewerbyhall.co.uk, which is operated by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
We are working to make content on this website easy for everyone to find, read and understand, and to make it compatible with assistive technologies which are developed inline with accessibility standards.
Visual Story
To help prepare for your visit, we have a created the Visual Story for Sewerby Hall and Gardens to show and explain what to expect throughout your day.
This is a PDF which you can view and download before your visit, or bring with you on a device or printed out. This guide has been written with Autistic children and young people, and people with additional needs in mind.
It covers all areas of the property, and where stimulus may be present, such as sudden or loud sounds, when it may be busy and where to go for quiet. For further questions or support, please get in touch with our Welcome Centre ahead of your visit or on the day. We look forward to seeing you at Sewerby Hall.
Download Visual Story (PDF 70mb)