Colby Woodland Garden

Colby Woodland Garden Access Statement

Date: February 2021

Introduction
Colby Woodland Garden is situated on the eastern edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a mile from the traditional small seaside resort of Amroth. The 8.5 acre site consists of an enclosed meadow (a level area) nestling in a wooded valley (steep sided sloping area) with extensive informal, Himalayan type planting. The main horticultural interest is found through the West Wood. There is a considerable collection of Rhododendron species and varieties, many of a significant age, with plantings going back to the 1900s. These introduced specimens that integrate well with the natural displays of Bluebells, Wood Anemones, and Snowdrops. The multi-layered canopy of the woodland trees offer varying levels of light and shade throughout the year.  On the opposite side of the valley, the East Wood consists of mixed woodland of mainly native species including the rare Wild Service tree and a strong contingent of very attractive old Oaks.

There is also a walled garden, tea room and second hand bookshop for visitors to enjoy. Colby Lodge, the main residence on the estate, is not open as tenants live there.

We have 3 holiday cottages on the Colby Estate (Rose cottage, Cwms Cottage and Little Breck) which can be found at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays.

There is no mobile phone reception or wifi across the site. In case of emergency, please go to the Visitor Welcome Centre or any member of staff where we can use our landlines.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the estate and in all our buildings.
There is a water bowl outside the toilet building. Water is available elsewhere on the property on request. Dog waste can be disposed of in our general waste bin which is situated by the gate opposite the entrance to the Walled Garden.

Dogs other than assistance dogs are welcome on short leads across the site except for the Walled Garden and Tea Room. There are however outside tables to sit at outside the Tea Room, or indoor tables in our information room.

Breastfeeding is welcomed in all areas of our property.

A video of Colby Woodland Garden throughout the seasons is available to watch in our Bothy Information room for visitors that cannot access the whole site.

Arrival & Parking Facilities

For full details and maps of how to reach us, please visit how to get here on our website.

There is no public transport direct to the property. The nearest railway station is Kilgetty which is approximately 2 ½  miles (4km) away. The nearest bus stop is located in Amroth village (3/4 mile walk from Colby Woodland Garden) served by the 351 Tenby to Pendine route, including stops at Saundersfoot and Kilgetty. There is a 3/4 mile (1.2km) walk to Colby Woodland Garden along a public footpath from Amroth.

There are a series of tourist attraction brown signs directing you to our property from the A477 and the coast road at Amroth castle.  Look out for Colby Woodland Garden and the National Trust oak leaf logo. The roads narrow as you approach the property.

If you are planning a group visit please email Colby@nationaltrust.org.uk or ring us on 01834811885 to ask for our group visit booking form and bus size instructions.

There will be a car parking charge in place from May 2021. Car parking is free to National Trust members and to blue badge holders.

Upper Car Park

The upper car park has space for approximately 60 cars and is 175m uphill from the lower car park where the main entrance is situated.

Lower Car Park

The lower car park has space for approximately 60 cars and is approximately 100m away from the main entrance/Visitor Welcome Centre. There are disabled bays in both car parks; we recommend using the lower car park as the gradient is steep between the car parks. There is also a steep gradient from the lower car park to the Visitor Welcome Centre. Both car parks are surfaced with large gauge gravel and grass. As such, car park spaces are not marked.

Disabled Drop-off and Pick-up point

The disabled drop-off and pick-up point is located on a flat, level gradient by the gate at the end of the public footpath, situated next to the entrance to the Walled Garden.

A cycle rack is available at the entrance to the Walled Garden.

Coaches can drop off at the lower car park, and may be parked in the upper car park.

WCs

The toilet facilities are situated on the main path below the Visitor Welcome Centre. These are on the ground floor and comprise of male, female and accessible toilets.

The accessible toilet is 2m x 1.4m. The flooring is level and surfacing is a tiled floor with stone walls. There are vertical and horizontal rails either side of the toilet. The accessible WC is right hand transfer, with a moveable rail on the left-hand side as well. Overhead lighting is in place. There is no Changing Places facility (WC with adult changing table and hoist).

There are automatic hand driers in the all the toilets.

Baby changing facilities and sanitary bins are available in each suite of toilets in the ladies.

Visitor Welcome Centre

The approach to the Visitor Welcome Centre from the lower car park is down a steep slope with a firm surface covered in a dusting of small gauge gravel. This is the main entrance to Colby Woodland Garden. Admission is free to all.

The surfacing inside the Visitor Welcome Centre is flat with a carpeted floor with wooden walls. The entrance to the gardens is to the left of the Visitor Welcome Centre. The wooden door with glass windows is non-power operated and opens inwards to about 90 degrees. The doors are of a good width (79cm when one door open, 1.5m wide when double doors open) and easy to open. Staff/volunteers will assist with opening the door if required. The access into the building is level.

The reception desk is 950mm high. Staff will come round to talk to someone who cannot see over or reach up to the desk. All display points are laid out to allow for easy access around the centre. Should you require assistance to reach items, our team will be happy to help.

The area is lit with two large florescent bulbs, plus lots of natural light as the building is covered on three sides with windows. There are no chairs available but staff can bring one out if needed.

There is one manual wheelchair available for loan free of charge from the Visitor Welcome Centre. Booking in advance is advisable [currently unavailable due to Covid-19].

Facilities for blind or visually-impaired visitors

An Introduction to Colby Woodland Garden is available to read free of charge in braille and large print. Please request prior to your visit.

We encourage visitors to touch, feel and smell the plants in the garden (though please be sensitive to delicate specimens).

Facilities for deaf or hearing-impaired visitors

A counter induction loop is available at our Welcome Centre (currently closed due to covid-19).

Facilities for visitors on the autism spectrum

We welcome visitors with autism to Colby Woodland Garden. If you, or someone in your party, are on the autism spectrum and you would like to discuss your visit in advance please contact us on 01834 811 885 or email colby@nationaltrust.org.uk.

We understand that queuing, noisy amchinery and bustling spaces can be challenging and our team are on hand to help minimise any disruption to you. Please get in touch in advance so we can help you avoid our busiest periods.

Please contact the Bothy Tearoom in advance on 01834 814 163 to discuss if they can assist with any pre-orders of refreshments, or to ask for the possibility of a picnic/packed lunch.

The route from the Visitor Welcome Centre down to the main path is via ten steps with a handrail either side or via a fairly steep slope.

Bothy Tea Room

The Tearoom is 80 metres distance from the Visitor Welcome Centre, and 100 metres away from the accessible parking bays in our lower car park.

The paths outside the Tearoom are a gravel surface. The main entrance to the Tea Room is down 3 steps directly into the Tearoom area, with a handrail. The entrance door is 1m wide and opens inwards. There is an alternative level entrance via the Bothy information room. There are 2 doors to go through using this entrance; both are 1m wide and open inwards. If any entrance doors are not open, staff and volunteers will be happy to assist you with opening the door if required. Once inside the Tea Room area there are 3 steps up into the inside dining area. There is level access into the Bothy information room where some seating is available.

Outdoor seating for approximately 60 people is available outside the Tea Room entrance. Inside the Tea Room and Information room is seating for approximately 45 people. Tables are 2m apart (in line with covid regulations) with upright chairs without arms.

The counter height is 980mm. Staff will assist visitors as required; visitors can be seated if they experience difficulty queuing and staff will then assist them

The Bothy Tea Room is not National Trust run, but a concession; they do their best to cater for any dietary requirement. Where possible some of their food produce is locally sourced. There are made without gluten, dairy free and vegan/vegetarian options available.

The menu is displayed on A4 double-sided laminate sheets and staff are happy to run through menu options with you.

The area is lit with ceiling lights and table lamps, the kitchen area is a staff only area but there are two fluorescent strip bulbs in there, the kitchen is partially visible from the Tearoom. The Bothy information room has spotlights.

There are only one handle cups and mugs available, as well as takeaway coffee cups with no handles. Paper straws are available.

Garden

All visitors are offered a welcome map of the gardens.

Please note there are mixed surface paths with many steep slopes and some steps. The wildflower meadow is fairly level ground but the East Woods, West Woods and Walled Garden are all situated on steep sided slopes. Some pathways are narrow and uneven due to tree roots and water rivulets. Paved areas can become very slippery when wet. Although some handrails are in place, most steps do not have them. We have removed steps around the site where possible, but due to the nature of the site (being situated in a valley) all steps cannot be removed.

The Walled Garden is built on a slope and is accessed at the bottom end up six steps from the main facilities area and just opposite the Tea Room. There is a handrail to the right side of the steps (ascending). There is, however, a level entrance through gates nearer the top end and these lead on to a level path and some sloping or stepped paths. There are three steps up to the Gazebo building in the Walled Garden with no hand rail on either side.

There are no gates on the paths within Colby Woodland Garden.

Some plants overflow onto pathways or hang low overhead.

There is respite seating placed around the gardens. Benches are located in areas with good viewpoints in the walled garden, the wildflower meadow and many along pathways in the West Woods.

There are water features throughout the garden, including a rill in the Walled Garden, a stream and stepping stones in the Wildflower Meadow, and waterfalls in the West Woods.

The Bookshop is up a set of exterior stairs on the side of the Tea Room building. This staircase is stone and with very high steps, of which there are 10. Once inside the bookshop the flooring is level with carpet and stone walls.

Please note there is a separate Access Statement for the paths on the wider Colby Estate.

Walking Distances

Accessible Parking Bays to Visitor Welcome Centre                100 metres

Visitor Welcome Centre to Tea Room                                           80 metres

Tea Room to Accessible Toilet                                                     30 metres

Visitor Welcome Centre to Disabled Drop-off/Pick-up point      100 metres