
Accessibility
Nottingham Castle is for everyone.
We have made an ongoing commitment, where possible, to remove and reduce any barriers you may face to visiting us. We have a wide range of access tools and, together with our trained and friendly team, we aim to provide a memorable and enjoyable visit for everybody.
General access information is available below, or please get in touch to discuss any potential access concerns that you may have before your visit.
Alternatively, you can read our full accessibility statement here.
Nottingham Castle Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
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Admission and concessions
Concessions for disabled visitors are available. Essential companions will be admitted free of charge.
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Assistance dogs
Assistance and Support dogs are welcome in our grounds and the Castle. Water bowls for dogs are available at the Visitor Centre, Ducal Palace and Terrace Café.
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Accessing the Castle’s grounds
The Castle is located on a hill, so there are a number of steep paths (the steepest is a 1 in 10 gradient). Please note some pathways do not have handrails.
Our team is happy to help you up to the Castle if you require support. Visitors needing assistance getting from the main entrance to the Ducal Palace can book a place on our golf buggy. Please contact us at the time of booking your ticket, or speak to a member of our friendly Visitor Centre team on your arrival.
We also have lift access inside Robin Hood Adventures. Just speak to a member of staff on arrival if you require access.
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Getting to Nottingham Castle
Travel information is available on our Getting Here page, together with local accommodation options.
Please note that due to health and safety reasons, we do not permit onsite parking at Nottingham Castle.
There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking spaces on Castle Road directly outside the Castle (NG1 6AA), as well as 12 regular spaces, plus street parking near the college. These spaces are all free for Blue Badge holders.
There is further Blue Badge parking available at Broadmarsh Car Park (NG1 7EL) and St James’ Street Car Park (NG1 6EY), however this is charged at standard cost.
At the top of Castle Road, there is a dropped kerb with tactile paving for drop-offs.
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Caves access
We regret that our caves are inaccessible if you are a wheelchair user or have a disability that prevents you from accessing the steep passages of the cave network. Information on the varying length and ease of the cave tour routes is available on our Guided Tours page.
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Changing Places toilet and accessible toilets
There is a Changing Places toilet in the Gatehouse next to the Visitor Centre. Two accessible toilets in the Visitor Centre, and one on the ground floor of the Ducal Palace near the Terrace Café.
Our Changing Places toilet is designed to support parents/essential companions of people with disabilities who require the use of a hoist, changing bench and/or centrally located toilet.
If you do not have a Radar Key, please talk to our team in the Visitor Centre.
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Queuing and seating
You will find benches and seating across the site, and we have a limited number of portable stools available at the Visitor Centre and Information Desk in the Ducal Palace.
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Accessible events
Object handling stations are available with care from our friendly and trained team, together with tactile interpretation in some galleries.
Please speak to our friendly admissions team for additional accessibility support on the day of your visit.
Visit the What’s On page to view our events or sign up for regular updates on future events.
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Playground access
Hood’s Hideout adventure playground can be accessed via a gently sloping footpath and has been designed to be as wheelchair and pushchair friendly as possible.
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Access for D/deaf and hard of hearing
We have mobile induction loops in our Visitor Centre.
We also have subtitles on our audio visual screens.
If you’d like to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Website accessibility
We are committed to providing you with a website that adheres to web accessibility standards. Find out more by reading our Website Accessibility Policy.
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Our team
Nottingham Castle Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident employer across all areas of its colleague teams and volunteers.
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Sensory maps and resources
Download our sensory maps before you visit.
We also have sensory packs available upon request. Just speak to a friendly member of our Customer Services team on arrival if you would like to use one. These packs include:
- Sensory maps
- A pen and paper
- Ear defenders
- Mood cards
- A selection of stim toys
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Watch our audio described welcome video

Get in touch
If you have any other needs which we have not covered or have feedback on any of the above, please let us know so that we can do our very best to give you full and equal access to our site.