Rothbury Access Statement
1. Introduction
The National Park and Tourist Information Centre is based in the small market town of Rothbury. It lies on the boundary of the Northumberland National Park and is ideally situated as a base for touring the area. A short distance away is the Simonside Hills which offers breathtaking views of the valley and are steeped in history.
2. Pre-arrival information
The Coquetdale Centre is open daily from 1st April - 31st October 10.00 - 17.00 and from November - March weekends only 10.00 - 15.00.
Telephone 01669 620887
Email: tic.rothbury@nnpa.org.uk
Arrival by Car
The centre is situated in the small town of Rothbury in the Coquet Valley. An accessible parking bay is available opposite the centre and there is parking on the street (no charge) or in the main car park (ticket machine on site). There are a number of roads into Rothbury which makes this area ideal for staying in.
If travelling south from the A1, exit at Alnwick and join the B6341 and follow signs for Rothbury which is approximately 15 miles.
If travelling north on the A1, exit onto the A697 signposted Coldstream, after nine miles exit onto B6344 for five miles then onto the B6341 and follow road to Rothbury, approximately 15 miles.
If travelling from the west leave A68 at Otterburn onto B6341 sign posted Rothbury, again this journey is 15 miles.
From Hexham take A69 to Newcastle and exit at Corbridge, turn left onto A68 to Stagshaw; at roundabout take second exit signposted Jedburgh, after seven miles turn right onto B6342 and follow signs for Rothbury, journey distance is 34 miles and will take about 45 minutes.
By Air
The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport. Situated on the A696 north of Newcastle.
Telephone 0870 122 1484
www.newcastleairport.com
Hire Car
Avis car rental operates from Newcastle Airport
Booking enquiries telephone 0844 581 0147
By Train
Main line station is located at Newcastle Central (east coast line). Smaller stations are located at Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick upon Tweed. Not all trains stop at these stations.
For rail enquiries telephone 08457 484950
www.traveline.org.uk
By Bus
There is only one service which operates between Newcastle and Rothbury and that is the X44 from Haymarket, Newcastle to Morpeth and then change to Service 144 to Rothbury. This service is operated by Go Northeast, for further information:
http://www.simplygo.com/timetables for a timetable or contact traveline 0871 200 2233, offices open 0700-2100 7 days a week (except Christmas Day).
Taxis
Coquetdale Private Hire - for day and night time bookings
Telephone 01669 620820
Mobile 07823 776109
Attractions
Cragside - NE65 7PX. 01669 620333
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Email: cragside@nationaltrust.org.uk
Cragside is situated 1 mile north of Rothbury on the B6341 and 15 miles NW of Morpeth, 13 miles SW of Alnwick. The house was the first in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity
Facilities - Self-service restaurant, 12-2pm, children’s menu and lunch boxes, high chairs and small toy corner. Shop and toilets, Hopper Bus
Wallington - NE61 4AR. 01670 773600
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Email: wallington@nationaltrust.org.uk
Wallington is situated on the B6342. 40 minutes drive from Newcastle and 20 minutes drive from Hexham and Morpeth. Explore the history of Northumberland portrayed by the famous Bell Scott or discover the dolls' houses, or meander through each fascinating room. Enjoy walks through the wider 18th Century pleasure grounds consisting of parkland and woodland.
Facilities - Walled Garden, Adventure Playground, and Gift shop. Self-service restaurant and farm shop. Wheelchairs available lift in house, adapted toilets.
Dogs welcome in the grounds and garden (on leads)
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - NE20 0DX. 01661 881636
Situated on A696 nr Belsay village, 14 miles NW of Newcastle. A medieval castle, a 19th Century Greek Revival mansion and stunning gardens all on one site.
Facilities - Exhibition, tearoom, picnic area, family learning, parking, shop toilets, suitable for disabled, dogs welcome on leads (restricted areas), Free children’s activity sheets.
The Alnwick Garden NE66 1YU. 01665 511350
Situated just off the A1 at Alnwick, follow the signs; buses connect Alnwick to the surrounding towns and Newcastle. Acres of fascinating plants, water sculptures and the infamous Poison Garden, the world's largest wooden tree house. Open 364 days a year include creative performances and tours, hands-on workshops, fabulous local food and gifts from Northumberland.
Facilities - Pavilion cafe, Tree house restaurant, Visitor Centre, The garden's shops. Toilets, information, and disable parking. Only assistance dogs are allowed within The Garden's walls, but all dogs can be walked in the Woodland Walk.
The Alnwick Garden is accessible to all with disabled access throughout, including The Tree house, the rope bridges and the walkways in the sky. Wheelchairs and scooters are available for hire by calling before visiting and disabled parking spaces are provided at the main entrance.
3. Booking arrangements
Accommodation booking service is available at the Centre
4. Arrival and car parking
Parking at Rothbury is either on the street where available or in the Cowhaugh Car Park, signposted from the town centre. (Parking charge in car park). An accessible parking bay is available across the road from the centre and outside the Doctor's surgery.
5. On site
Entry into The Coquetdale Centre is via four steps which are 20cms high, there is a hand rail to the right to assist. There is also a ramp up to the entrance which is 1:12 with hand rails, due to the building being a listed property a lesser gradient was not available but to help wheelchair users there is a bell at the bottom to ring for assistance. The area from the pavement is flat. The inner door leading into the Centre is automatic and opens inwards; the doorway is 90cms wide. The flooring in the hallway is super-cord carpet with good area for maneuver, there is a tall leaflet carousel in the corner. The Tourist Information Centre is to the left of the door and the width of the door is 81cms and this is always open unless the centre is closed. The sales and information area is small but wheelchair accessible and staff are always on hand to assist if required to do so. There is low level area with wheelchair access at the counter.
An induction loop is installed at the counter and visitors with hearing difficulties should turn their hearing aid to the T position. There is a computer pod in the corner which allows visitors to access their emails (free of charge) and access the websites. The flooring in this room is super-cord carpet. A retail gondola is situated in the centre of the room but is moveable should it be required to do so and most of the retail shelving is glass.
The Interpretation room is to the right of the entrance door and this is 90cms wide and again the flooring is super-cord carpet. There is a coffee machine to the right and seating around the bay window with a low level coffee table hosting local information. Straight ahead are two computers with website access and the availability to send e-cards, the stools are on casters and can be moved for wheelchair access. To the far left of the room there is access to an adjoining room and the width is 70cms. There are a further two computers and seating around the window. A large screen TV is situated on the wall which plays DVD's about the area and the Northumberland National Park.
There is no access to the upstairs floor as there are only offices on this floor. Assistance dogs are welcome in the centre.
We welcome feedback and suggestions from visitors to help us improve our services and facilities. Should you have any suggestions please forward to the contact below.
6. Future plans
- Improved signage
- Visitor paper on audio cassette
- Large print version of some printed materials
- Check layout of centre constructively
- Check assessable audit
7. Contact details
Northumberland National Park & Tourist Information Centre, Rothbury
Coquetdale Centre
Church Street
Rothbury
NE65 7UP
Telephone: 01434 611528/01669 620887
Email: alison.blair@nnpa.org.uk / tic.rothbury@nnpa.org.uk
Website: http://northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk
