💕 Measures to Make the Space Accessible

The Gathering Team will do their best to place Faeries with access & mobility needs in the most appropriate bedroom. Please reach out to us on the email ([email protected]) to vocalise your needs.

Accessible bedrooms will be located on the first floor to reduce the need to travel up and down stairs. We will set-up a tea & breakfast station for Fae with mobility needs, which will be available on the first floor by the sink as an alternative to the downstairs kitchen.

There will be quiet spaces at the castle, including a quieter meal space and a low-sensory ‘breakout’ space for Fae needing some escape time in a calm environment.

Yellow ‘invisibility’ ribbons will be available for Fae who need some alone time but wish to pass through or remain in shared spaces without interacting with other Fae. Please respect this when you see it.

The volunteer welfare team at the gathering, or ‘Welfaeries’ are available to offer emotional support and will do their best to assist with daily accessibility needs such as fetching items, getting snacks, or any other requests.

For fae offering workshops and events (we highly encourage this) we ask that you be mindful of others by communicating how accessible your events will be and take time to consider which rooms they will be held in.

♿ Mobility

The Castle dates from the 12th century and has evolved in a haphazard way over the years. The castle is vast and atmospheric, with stone towers, open fires, ball rooms, feasting halls and a wealth of mysterious nooks and crannies. Although this is a key part of its charm, the castle is a long way from modern accessibility standards and this can make it challenging for people with mobility needs to navigate.

• The Castle is large and spread across several levels. There are many stairs and no elevator. Some floors are uneven flagstones. Other floors are wood, some are carpeted. Many corridors and doors have steps. There are fireplaces in the main spaces, but some other areas of the castle, including bedrooms, can be chilly in the colder months.
• There are no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms at the castle.
• The grounds and surrounding countryside have some walking paths, but these can often be uneven, muddy or steep. The car park is gravel.

🔇 Other Access Needs

Faeries are a diverse community with a range of access needs, spanning the physical, spatial, and sensory. You can read about what to expect at the castle here in order to make sure the castle is a comfortable gathering for you to attend and to help you prepare anything you might need to bring with you.

Feel free to email the team with any access questions or requests.