Bryan Flint

Review of Great Dixter

I went years ago and recalled beautiful gardens et...

I went years ago and recalled beautiful gardens etc. However this time we went with a friend who is poorly and in a wheelchair. We understood that there were some steps and given a map to show the paths round that were ok for wheelchair users. SAD to say these paths were mainly overgrown and impossible for anyone in a wheelchair to navigate. (Prickly roses etc ). So we saw very little of any garden. It was hard work pushing someone in a wheelchair along a gravel path to the cafe. . Impossible for anyone in wheelchair to see the food and make their choice. Also surprising that when the lady in front of me asked what food was dairy free and gluten free, the servers had no idea. As she was allergic to these things the lady left unable to risk eating anything on display. SO much more could be done to encourage visitors with a disability to visit by careful and bright sign posting, masking paths really accessible etc and also making much more of the cafe area- all on one level would be good. A really disappointing visit but when we complained the ticket office did refund our entrance fee. With good marketing skills, help from a disability advisor, re-vamped toilets (not accessible foe anyone in wheelchair) , improvement in eating area, making more of the nursery sale area, this place could become a real treat to visit