While visiting the National trust property at Stowe, I was horrified to discover that one has to cope with stairs to reach the disabled toilet – there is a stand up lift without a grab rail which has to be operated by an attendant!
I was accompanying a disabled member to Stowe landscape gardens in Buckinghamshire and although a self drive mobility scooter was booked, this was not available within walking distance from the disabled parking area. As carer for my friend and potential driver of the self drive "golf cart" I had to leave my friend and cope with the unnecessarily complicated and bureaucratic check-in procedures.
The new visitor centre was not adequately staffed, and access to the garden area is by steps or the lift as outlined above. The visit was a complete disappointment which we would not wish to repeat. The cafe service area was too small, and would quickly create long queues at busy times. There is a complete lack of onsite route directions which make following the given out map very difficult. The two hour slot for mobility scooter use is inadequate.
I will be writing to the Trust to make our concerns known!
