This includes sizes of doors and paths, flooring surfaces and lighting information.

Car Park

There is a small car park next to the mill which is less than 50 metres from the main entrance.
The car park surface is compact limestone that is able to support pushchairs and wheelchairs but can become muddy in inclement weather.
There is a short downward decline of 5 degrees down the path from the car park to the entry gate.
The path surface is flagstone paving.
The route is 1100mm wide, or more.

Main Entrance and Shop

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access.
The route is 900mm wide, or more.
The doorways in and out of the shop are 90cm.
The counter height is 115cm.
If assistance is required, the member of staff behind the counter will be more than happy to help.

Toilets and Baby Changing Facilities

There are 3 toilets for visitors to use. They are all located in the red brick building near to the car park.
The male and female toilets have a step up.
All doors open inward.
Baby changing facilities are located in the female toilets.
There is a disabled toilet facing the car park. The door requires a RADAR key which is available from a member of staff. The door opens outwards.
All toilets have push down taps. The female toilet also has mirrors.
The male and female toilets have hand dryers which are 110cm from the ground. Sinks are 80cm from the ground.
In the disabled toilet the sink is 70cm from the ground. There is no hand dryer but an accessible towel dispenser.

The Courtyard

The pathway that leads to the mill is flag paved and this leads to cobblestones on the mill yard.
There is a step down from the pathway to the cobblestones. This may impede some wheelchair and pushchair usage. On the right of the courtyard is a dropped kerb.

Millpond and Gardens

The millpond can be accessed either from the pathway around the back of the tearoom or via the Grinding floor of the mill.
The pathways at the rear of the site that lead to the mill pond have a dropped kerb to access them and the surface is a bonded gravel path.
There is a gentle slope that winds its way around the back of the mill.
There are 2 gates leading to the pool. The second gate leads to the viewing platform.
The viewing platform path is bonded resin and gravel. The platform is wooden and does not have a rail.
The platform can be slippery in wet conditions.
The platform at the rear of the mill is engineer brick and the railing has been lowered to enable visitors using wheelchairs to look over the pond.

Tearoom

There is a step (curb) of 7.5cm before the tearoom but the curb meets a flat point just to the left.
The door is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility vehicles.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
The flooring is engineering brick and is slightly uneven on the right hand side of the tearoom as this area is part of the old miller’s cottage.

Sarehole Mill (Ground Floor)

Visitors can see the ground floor via entering the white door.
The mill is lit with LED lighting but, due to the construction of the windows, there is little natural light.
The flooring is engineer brick on the ground floor.
The ceilings are 7ft high but due to the construction of the building, the head clearance is 6ft 2 inches.

Mill Grinding Area (First Floor)

The first floor is accessed by a wooden staircase which has a steep incline and open steps 19cm high. The edges are marked in white paint to make them more visible. Alternatively, the pathway that leads to the mill pond can be used for rear access to the first floor.
The rear door of the mill is 69cm wide and due to the historic nature of the building we are unable to widen the door.
Wooden flooring on the first floor.
There is a doorway opposite the waterwheel that leads into the display room. This has a substantial step of 28cm high leading up to the exhibition rooms.

Mill Garner (Second Floor)

The second floor of the mill is inaccessible to those with impaired mobility and to pushchairs. Due to the historic nature of the building we are unable to install a lift.
The second floor is reached by two sets of stairs that turn to the left.
The Garner is lit by LED lighting.
Wooden flooring on the second floor.
There is a wheel that operates the sack hoist in the middle of the walkway that needs to be ducked under.
All information panels including photographs of the Garner are available in the access book. Please ask a member of staff if you require this.
There is a short set of steps leading down to the Tolkien Display room.

Exhibition Rooms (Second Floor)

The television screen plays a 10 minute video about Tolkien in English.
Lighting is LED strip lighting.
Printed versions of information panels and a transcription of the video are available from a member of staff.
History of the Mill Gallery / Interactive (Second Floor)
The Interactive History of the Mill gallery is well lit.
Access down to the History of the Mill Gallery is via a staircase. The stairs are steep and there are banisters on either side of the staircase. Each step is 19cm high.
Lighting is spot LEDs.

School Room (Ground Floor)

The slope is cobbled, and the door is 91cm wide and of glass and timber construction with a frosting strip to identify the surface being reflective.

Additional Information

A transit/push wheelchair is also available for visitors to use.
All of our staff receive regular training.
We have a set of evacuation procedures – should you require it someone will assist you with evacuation either out of the building or to a refuge.
There is a dog bowl available for assistance dogs.

If you have any queries or other requirements for your visit contact us: