Accessibility

Find full accessibility information for all Castle Rock venues on this page. If you have further questions or would like to discuss your visit, please use our contact form or give your Castle Rock local a ring. Our pub teams are happy to assist you.

Please note that all Castle Rock pubs tend to be quieter during the day on weekdays. Weekends can be very busy and may not be suitable for those needing a calmer environment. Please feel free to call the pub team ahead of your visit.

BARLEY TWIST

• The Barley Twist’s main bar area is street level with no steps.
• There is an accessible toilet to the rear of the pub.
• Unfortunately, the wine cellar can only be reached via a staircase.
• Lighting in the wine cellar is low and may be difficult for those with sight issues. However it does tend to be a cool and quiet space for those who need a calmer environment.

BREAD AND BITTER

• The Bread is a single-floor venue with spacious areas and ample room for movement.
• There are no steps outside or inside the pub.
• An accessible toilet is available near the entrance.
• All indoor tables are wheelchair accessible, but some outside seating is not.
• The Bread is generally a bright and well-lit pub.

CANALHOUSE

• The Canalhouse has some accessibility limitations due to the age and type of building – a Grade II listed former canal museum.
• The walkway to the Canalhouse is cobbled and should be used with care.
• The entrance doors are on a raised decking platform which can only be reached via stairs. However, there is a ramp to the rear entrance of the building (straight ahead and to your right). Please ask a member of our team for assistance, or buzz the button labelled “bar” for entry.
• An accessible toilet is located on the first floor of the Canalhouse and can only be accessed via a private lift. Please ask a member of our team and they will be happy to escort you.
• The main entrance to the first-floor function room can only be accessed via a staircase. However, please ask a member of our team if you or a member of your party requires lift access, and we will be happy to arrange.
• Part of the beer garden is a raised decking area.
• Wide doorways and spacious areas provide ample space for wheelchairs and powered chairs.
• Light can be low inside the Canalhouse on overcast days.

CRICKETERS REST

• Assistance may be needed entering through the pub’s double doors, which are quite narrow for wheelchair users.
• There is also a step into the front of the pub and unfortunately there is no ramp available. However, the Cricks team are happy to let people enter through the back of the pub if needed.
• Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair accessible toilet or lower down facilities.
• The Cricketers is a snug pub; however, room can be made for larger powered chairs.
• Please note, lighting in the Cricketers can be low due to the age of the building.

EMBANKMENT

• The main bar, the Dispensary, conservatory and Arkwright Room of the Embankment are all street level and there are no steps to access these areas. Space can be made for any type of wheelchair in these areas.
• There is an accessible toilet to the rear of the pub.
• The beer garden is accessible aside from the sheltered seating, which must be accessed via a step.
• There is a wheelchair access ramp from the main entrance to the garden.

Embankment event spaces:

• The Lord Trent and Jesse Boot rooms can only be reached by staircases. Unfortunately, the Embankment is a Grade II listed building and we are therefore unable to install lifts. If you are looking for an accessible space for an event, please note that the conservatory and the Arkwright Room can also be hired and are on street level.

Noise and spatial needs:

• The Embankment is a large venue and there are many different areas where you can drink and/or dine, depending on what is most comfortable for you. This includes well-lit spaces.
• Day times at the Embankment tend to be quieter, and there are small sections of the pub that are ‘tucked away’ if you require a quiet and calm.
• Please note that it is best to avoid the pub in the hours surrounding local football matches and when live music and special events may be taking place.

FOX & GRAPES

• The Fox & Grapes is a single-room pub at street level.
• The front entrance to the building is wide and can accommodate wheelchairs, however the side entrance has a step.
• Space can be made for any type of wheelchair inside the pub.
• There are two raised seating areas which must be accessed via a step.
• An accessible toilet is available.
• Due to the single-room layout of the pub, the Fox & Grapes may not be suitable for customers requiring space from others.

GOLDEN EAGLE

• Accessibility at the Golden Eagle is unfortunately limited due to the age of the building.
• A small ramp is available for use through the main entrance. Narrow doorways mean smaller wheelchairs can pass through, but assistance will likely be required. Unfortunately, larger wheelchairs will not fit.
• There is no accessible toilet, and the women’s toilet has little space.
• Many of the doors inside the pub are fire doors, and are therefore heavy to open, especially when pulling towards you.
• The garden is more accessible and very pleasant in good weather. There is also heating and lighting for evenings and colder days.
• The Golden Eagle has multiple rooms/areas and therefore you may be able to find an area that is quieter, if you require a calmer environment.

HORSE AND PLOUGH

• The Horse and Plough’s main bar area is on street level.
• Doorways are quite wide and can accommodate wheelchairs.
• However, the pub itself is small and assistance may be needed in navigating around furniture and pillars.
• Unfortunately, the upstairs area of the Horse and Plough can only be reached via staircase.
• Please know that lighting in the Horse and Plough can be quite dark due to the age of the building.
• A beer garden can be accessed via the back door. For larger wheelchairs and powered chairs, the team at the Horse & Plough can provide access via the garden gate. There is also a covered space in the garden where mobility scooters can be stored during your visit.
• Both downstairs toilets at the Horse and Plough are accessible, and a baby change is available.
• We recommend calling before you visit, so we can reserve accessible seating ahead of your arrival.
• Although there is an upstairs, the layout of the Horse and Plough is generally open. This may not be suitable if you have sensitivity to noise and activity.

KEAN’S HEAD

• The Kean’s Head if a single-room pub on street level – there are no steps to get into the pub, or within the pub itself.
• There is an internal double-door which opens outwards; assistance may be needed.
• There is an accessible toilet, including baby change area. Please note, assistance may be required for those on mobility scooters due to the slide door.
• Due to the single-room layout of the pub, the Kean’s Head may not be suitable for customers requiring space from others.
• Please note that lighting in the Kean’s Head can be low on overcast days.

LINCOLNSHIRE POACHER

• The entrance to the Poacher has a step – a ramp can be provided on request (or retrieved by a member of your party from behind the front door).
• The snug and conservatory can be accessed easily once inside the pub.
• Garden access may require a little assistance.
• An accessible toilet is located at the rear of the pub, through the conservatory.
• A large step must be used to access the left-hand side of the main bar.
• The function room on the first floor of the building is only accessible via a staircase.
• The layout of the pub provides more secluded spots for sound and spatial sensitivity – these can be reserved in advance of your visit.

NEW BARRACK TAVERN

• The front of the New Barrack Tavern is only accessible via steps.
• Level access is available to the rear.
• Movement through the building is limited for wheelchair users due to narrow doorways.
• The New Barrack Tavern is a bright, well-lit pub.
• The pub is comprised of multiple areas, providing suitable seating areas for those who require calm and quiet.

NEWSHOUSE

• The Newshouse is a single storey pub on street level.
• A small amount of parking is available.
• There is a small step to enter the pub – a ramp is readily available.
• The pub is comprised of two rooms with a central bar. The room to the left is generally more suitable for those who may need a quieter environment.

POPPY AND PINT

• A vast majority of the Poppy and Pint is on the ground floor and easily accessible.
• Wide doorways and spacious areas provide ample space for wheelchairs and powered chairs.
• One area of the main bar is raised and can only be accessed via a step.
• The pub has two accessible toilets, conveniently located on either end of the pub.
• Unfortunately, the first-floor function room at the Poppy can only be accessed via a staircase.
• Assistance may be required accessing the garden through the rear of the venue. Alternatively, access can be provided through to the garden through the front gate – please just ask.
• The layout of the pub provides more secluded spots for sound and spatial sensitivity – these can be reserved in advance.
• The Poppy and Pint is proud to be a host of the Heron Music Cafe – live music sessions to enhance wellbeing. These fun, uplifting sessions are run by local music practitioners and are accessible to all. If you’re feeling a bit lonely and isolated, have dementia or other health conditions, a carer for someone or just fancy a coffee, chat and sing, we’d love to see you there.

STRATFORD HAVEN

• The Stratford Haven is a single-story pub on street level.
• There are no steps to access the entrance to the pub.
• Assistance might be required in opening the internal door of the entrance.
• The Strat’s layout is spacious and provides ample space for wheelchairs and powered chairs.
• There three points of entry to the garden:
  • The rear entrance can only be accessed via a set of steps.
  • The side entrance is a single doorway – this may be too narrow for wider wheelchairs.
  • A gate at the front of the pub can be opened on request to allow access.
• An accessible toilet is at the rear of the pub.
• The layout of the pub includes an area which is tucked away, if you require quiet and calm – this can be reserved in advance. Day times at the Stratford Haven tend to be quieter.

THE SWAN IN THE RUSHES

• The front entrance to the Swan in the Rushes is up a series of steps. There is a handrail for support.
• There is a street level entrance to the pub at the rear for wheelchair users. This can be accessed to the right of the pub.
• The beer garden at the Swan is fully accessible and can be hired for private events.
• Once inside, the majority of the pub is level. There is a step to the Den at the back of the building.
• Some doorways may be too narrow for wider wheelchairs and powered chairs.
• Unfortunately, the Hop Loft function room can only be reached via a staircase.
• The layout of the Swan in the Rushes includes area which are tucked away, if you require quiet and calm. These can be reserved in advance.
• An accessible toilet is available towards the rear entrance of the pub.

VAT AND FIDDLE

• The Vat and Fiddle is a single-story pub on street level.
• There are no steps at the entrance of the pub.
• There is ramp access to the beer garden at the rear of the pub.
• The layout of the pub includes areas which are tucked away if you require quiet and calm – these can be reserved in advance. Day times at the Vat and Fiddle tend to be quieter.
• There is an accessible toilet off the rear corridor.
• Some doorways are wide, while others may be too narrow for larger wheelchairs. Please ask a member of our team for assistance.
• The Old Cold Store is also on ground level and can be accessed via a large internal door, or via a ramp in the beer garden.

WILLOWBROOK

• The Willowbrook is a single-story pub on street level.
• There are no steps at the entrance of the pub.
• There is an accessible toilet.
• The Willowbrook’s layout is open-plan and spacious, providing ample space for wheelchairs and powered chairs.
• Doorways at the Willowbrook are wide. Some assistance may be needed in opening doors.
• Wheelchairs users may find the garden difficult to access, due to layout and the height of tables.
• The Willowbrook is a large open plan pub with lots of natural light.

YARN

• Yarn is a ground floor level venue.
• There are three entrances to Yarn. No entrances have steps. All can allow larger wheelchairs and powered chairs to pass through easily:
  • External double doors (South Sherwood Street)
  • Internal double doors via the front Theatre entrance (Upper Parliament Street) – this entrance is only available when the Theatre is open.
  • Internal double doors via the side Theatre entrance (South Sherwood Street) – this entrance is only available when the Theatre is open.
• An accessible toilet is located through the doors to the front Theatre entrance.
• Yarn is a single room venue and can become very busy before and after shows at the Theatre.
• There is a roof terrace which can only be accessed via steps.

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