New guide to great days out in the West Midlands
| Published: 12th July 2007 10:10 |
English Heritage Offers Free Updated Access Information for Hundreds of Exciting Historic Properties
Would you love a day out at a medieval castle or historic house but are worried about whether you'll be able to access or fully enjoy the site? Whether you are struggling with the baby's buggy, visually or hearing impaired, caring for an elderly relative or hoping to delight a child with special needs, English Heritage's new Access Guide will help you plan a relaxing, pleasurable day out in some of the country's most beautiful historic sites in the West Midlands region.
The new, high-quality Access Guide to English Heritage Properties launched today (Tuesday 10th July), ensures that you can plan your visit, knowing what facilities you will find when you arrive. English Heritage sites offer features such as virtual and audio tours, tactile exhibits, scented gardens, new visitor centres, improved surfaces and clear information for visitors with limited mobility or for those with pushchairs.
Loraine Knowles, Visitor Operations Director for English Heritage in the West Midlands, said: "We are really pleased to be able to welcome all visitors to our sites. It can be daunting to go anywhere new when you don't know what the facilities will be like. This new access guide gives you all the information you'll need to plan your day, plus a taste of the historic highlights our sites offer.
"We welcome feedback and suggestions on what more we can do to make our properties as accessible as possible. We'd like everyone to be able to enjoy their heritage, and perhaps spend an afternoon absorbing life in a Roman stronghold, enjoying the tranquil serenity of an Augustinian priory, or exploring one of the region's outstanding medieval castles. "
Recent access improvements to English Heritage sites include:
* The medieval stronghold, Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, now has a new lift to all floors of its Gatehouse, brand new baby-changing facilities and an audio visual unit in the introductory exhibition in the stables to show the panorama from the top of the steep tower steps.
* There is a new, fully accessible visitor centre at Goodrich Castle in Herefordshire. Facilities include a disabled access cafe with both outdoor and indoor seating.
* The education centre at Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire, has a range of exhibits that enhance visually impaired visitors' experience of the site by enabling them to touch armour, pottery and fabric, and smell lilac blossom.
English Heritage also runs top-quality entertainment at its sites, with craft fairs, garden shows, open air theatre, talks and tours, family-fun days and hands-on children's activities. The Access Guide is available on the English Heritage web site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/accessguide or from English Heritage customer services on 0870 333 1181.
The Access Guide is available in audio form - either on tape or CD, as a PDF document which can be used with Screenreader software, as a word file with all formatting removed and pictures described, in Braille and in large print format on request.
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