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The Abbey Gardens

Mustow Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XL

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About this venue

Every year over a million local residents and tourists visit the Abbey Gardens in the centre of Bury St Edmunds. Why do they come? Because these unique and beautiful Gardens, conveniently situated in the centre of town, provide something for everyone. There is peace and tranquillity, space to play or stroll, unusual trees and floral displays to admire; also an aviary, a play area for small children and refreshments to be enjoyed sitting out in the sun.

Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the grounds include gardens, WW2 memorial gardens, an outdoor cafe, avery, tennis courts, bowling green, ancient ruins and a children's playground.

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Bury St Edmonds.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.

Access Point (Church Gate)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on Angel Hill.
    • There is an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
  • Comments View
    • There is a second permanently held open gate that leads into the park that measures 500cm +.

Access Point (Mustow Street)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on Mustow Street.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The entrance gap is 300cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to and through the gates.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

Access Point (Minden Close)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the rear of the park next to tennis courts.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 142cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to and through the gate.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Access Point (Angel Hill)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located to the left of Abbeygate entrance.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is step-free access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 90cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a slight ramp soon after this access point that leads to all toilet facilities.

Access Point (Mustow Street The Fox Inn Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located at the North West Side of the park.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
    • The width of the gap is 127cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located After the gate leading into the park.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a second entrance gate at this point that is permanently open during park times. This gate is 142cm wide.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have compact earth and tarmac surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are slight slopes on the paths.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Comments View
    • There a few stepped areas that can be circumnavigated by use of adjacent slopes.

Children's Play Area

  • There is a children's play area at the rear of the park that has various swings, slides and climbing equipment.

Eating and Drinking (Grounds)

  • The following information is for the café.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • All tables are permanently fixed.
  • All chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the Café counter.
  • The standard height for tables is 70cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Plastic / takeaway cups are available.
  • Plastic / takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • The café is external counter service only with no internal access. The tables are picnic tables with a table top height of 70cm and bench seating. The counter height is 115cm. There is a moveable card machine.

Accessible Toilet (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the Abbey Gate.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left hand side as you enter through Abbey Gate, in the toilet block.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the toilet attendent.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 205cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 9in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 130cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • There is a medium colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • The lateral transfer space is impeded by waste disposal units.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the toilet block.
    • The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the Abbey Gate.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the female toilets are moderate to good.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the toilet block.
    • The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the Abbey Gate.
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
    • Lighting levels in the male toilets are moderate to good.

Additional Info

  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.