Wakehurst
Overview
Wakehurst is wild botanic garden in the heart of Sussex, home to the Millennium Seed Bank, over 500 acres of diverse landscapes and plants from across the globe. Wakehurst's rich landscape is also used as a 'living laboratory' to collect high quality scientific evidence on the value of UK biodiversity – the diversity of all living things (plants, fungi and animals). With this strong scientific data, our scientists can inform and influence the land management policies and practices created by key decision makers.
Contact details
Ardingly Haywards Heath West Sussex South East RH17 6TN United Kingdom
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Access Card notes
Free entry for: Registered blind and partially-sighted visitors. Essential carers, personal assistants, support workers and next of kin accompanying disabled visitors £1 entry for: For visitors receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Proof of either Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) must be presented upon entry. Free hire of electric mobility aids: There are a limited number of standard and all-terrain wheelchairs available to borrow. There is no need to book in advance, please ask when you arrive. Mobility scooters are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre. Due to limited availability, we please ask for you to call our Business Admin Team to book in advance on 01444 894067 between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. Community Access Scheme Membership: A group annual membership for organizations that provide services directly to people who face physical, sensory, psychological, or social barriers to visiting Wakehurst independently. £36 for 60 admissions + free parking.
This provider accepts the Access Card as supporting documentation for accessible facilities and tickets. The information in this listing is submitted by the provider.
Access guidance
- Please go straight to the reception desk and show your access card, you will be prioritized to the front of the queue.
- • Travelling around Wakehurst There are many gravel and hard surface paths around the gardens. A large area of the ornamental planting, lawns and water features around the Mansion is level and accessible via a hard surface path from the Visitor Centre. There is level or ramped access to the Visitor Centre. The remaining garden and woodland areas have steep slopes and steps. The Wakehurst Visitor Map, available at the Visitor Centre, shows the different types of path around the site. Registered disability assistance dogs are welcome in the gardens. • Borrow a wheelchair or mobility scooter: There are a limited number of standard and all-terrain wheelchairs available to borrow. There is no need to book in advance, please ask when you arrive. Mobility scooters are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre. Due to limited availability, we please ask for you to call our Business Admin Team to book in advance on 01444 894067 between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. • Accessible/Blue Badge parking: There are a limited number of parking spaces available next to the Visitor Centre for cars displaying a Blue Badge. • Accessibility map: This map prioritizes accessibility information and highlights areas in the gardens of sensory interest. We recommend you use this alongside our visual guide to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Kew Gardens. • Free buggy tours: At select times throughout the year, free electric buggy tours of the site are provided. Please check the website for more details.
- The circumference of the site is less than 5k. Throughout the site there is signage to indicate the distance for each route. Car park to the reception is approx: 25 metres. There are a limited number of standard and all-terrain wheelchairs available to borrow. There is no need to book in advance, please ask when you arrive. Mobility scooters are available to borrow from the Visitor Centre. Due to limited availability, we please ask for you to call our Business Admin Team to book in advance on 01444 894067 between 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. An accessible map can be found here: https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/visit-wakehurst/accessibility
- Toilets with wheelchair access: • Visitor Centre • Millennium Seed Bank • Stables Kitchen • Past the Walled Garden • Schools entrance Unfortunately we do not currently have any toilets with a hoist or bench.
- All dogs, including registered disability Assistance Dogs are welcome in the gardens. Registered Assistance Dogs may access all areas of the site. All dogs must be on a lead. Grab a dog walking map at our entrance so you're prepared for the best places to get water, dog treats, waste bins and complimentary biodegradable waste bags. Find out more here: https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/dog-walking-at-wakehurst
- Free entry for essential carers, personal assistants, support workers and next of kin accompanying disabled visitors.
- The Millennium Seed bank has audio description on the information videos. From August 2023, an audio description of the Coronation Meadow will be in place. The Coronation Meadow was created in 2015 as a response to The Prince of Wales' call for new wildflower meadows to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation.
- A pre-visit visual guide can be found on our website here: https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/visit-wakehurst/accessibility Throughout the site you will find signage, explaining the plants and exhibitions. We currently aren't able to provide sign language interpreters, we apologies for this.
- Improving the accessibility of the site is an on-going priority. We welcome feedback on how we can improve.