Accessibility at RHS Garden Hyde Hall

RHS Garden Hyde Hall is located 20 minutes from the centre of Chelmsford and is signed from the A130 (southbound). From the M25, leave the M25 at junction 29 for A127 (signed Southend). From the A127 exit onto the A132 (signed Wickford/South Woodham Ferrers). From the A12, leave at junction 17, then at the roundabout take the second exit for the A130 (signed Southend/Basildon). From the A130, Rettendon Turnpike roundabout follow the tourist attraction flower symbols towards South Woodham Ferrers on the A132. At the Shaw Farm roundabout turn into Willow Grove/Creephedge Lane. Car parking is free.
 
For Sat Nav users the address is: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET. What3Words: ///access.cats.blanks

The closest stations are Chelmsford (about eight miles), Wickford (about five miles) and South Woodham Ferrers (about three miles). There are no taxis on standby at Wickford. For times and tickets see the National Rail Enquiries website. Visitors who produce their train ticket on the day of their visit will gain entry to the garden at a discounted rate.

Visitors can take a Bus 3 (Chelmsford to Southend) from Chelmsford Bus Station in the city centre to Hyde Hall. The bus service stops a couple of times a day, Monday – Saturday (except Bank Holidays). 

Please use the First Bus journey planner to plan your visit by bus to the garden. For times, see the bus timetable.

For more information about the bus service, contact First Bus on 0345 646 0707 or visit the First Bus website.

There are a higher kerb and a lowered kerb from the bus stop leading to a small slope towards the Welcome building which is 176m away.

 Visitors that keep copies of  their train or bus tickets  can request the car-free offer at the welcome desk. This will entitle you to a 30% discount on the garden entry fee.

When you travel to Hyde Hall by taxi, there is a designated drop off point outside the Welcome building, which is 47m from the entrance.

The gardens and buildings are accessible, however, please note that this is a hill-top garden, with sloping areas and typical finish of paths and footways. Plans of our recommended routes are available and staff will be happy to advise on any areas which may not be accessible. Wheelchair and mobility scooter hire is available, hires may require reservations in advance of your visit. Please see further details in our ‘At a glance: when you arrive’ section.

All guide, assistance or service dogs, including assistance dogs in training are welcome at the garden.

Please note: No pets allowed anywhere on site (including the car park and RHS Hyde Hall estate).

Unfortunately, attendants cannot be provided, but entry is provided for up to two carers free of charge accompanying visitors whose disability necessitates their support.

There is designated parking available approximately 50m–80m from the garden entrance with 24 accessible bays and 16 dedicated family parking bays.

Although there is not a designated drop-off point, you can drop off outside the Welcome building by the car park.

Visitors are welcome to bring their own personal mobility vehicles to help them get around.

There are seven manual wheelchairs available at the garden entrance for 'on-the-day' use. You cannot pre-book wheelchairs at Hyde Hall.

Two, powered mobility scooters are available at the garden entrance for ‘on-the-day’ use. Advanced booking is recommended by calling 01245 402019, preferably with at least 24 hours’ notice. For safety, our scooters have a max weight limit of 20 st. They are available to book from 10am – 3pm (Nov – Feb) and 10am – 5pm (Mar – Oct). Usage of the mobility scooters is free, however we welcome a £5 donation (cash only please) to help with the maintenance and upkeep.

We offer a mobility vehicle that is located 67m from the admissions building. The vehicle will transport visitors who require assistance to the top of the garden and drop off outside The Gardeners Rest Restaurant. The vehicle will bring visitors back down on request when asked in the restaurant.

• Operating times in the summer (March – October): 10am–4.45pm
• Operating times in the winter (November – February): 10am–2.45pm
• Price: Usage of the mobility vehicle is free. We would welcome a £5 donation to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicle

Powered and motorised wheelchairs cannot be taken on the mobility vehicle.

Please note: The mobility vehicle may not be resourced at all times – please ring ahead of your visit to check it is available, 01245 402019.

Accessible unisex WCs within the Garden Centre and Clover Café and in the Hilltop Garden courtyard complex and The Gardeners Rest Restaurant.

A hearing loop is available in the Welcome Building.

• Free car parking is available all year and accessible parking is signposted as you enter the site
• There is accessible and family parking spaces available with an accessible footpath leading to the visitor building 
• There is accessible parking marked in 24 bays 50m–80m (nearest to the entrance)
• There is a designated drop off point 47m from the admissions building

• There is a footpath from the accessible and family parking spaces leading to the Clover Café, Garden Centre and admissions building

Maps of the garden can be found below:

• Downloadable PDF: Hyde Hall garden map (404kB pdf)
• Online interactive: Hyde Hall interactive garden map
• The map shows the main route suggested for wheelchair users and pushchairs; however kindly note that pathways can become slippery and uneven in wet or frosty weather.
• Inclines around the garden are indicated on the map, some of which are steep
• Steps are marked on the map
• There are seating areas located in all areas of the garden

• Access into the Garden Centre is through automatic doors or a push-button gate system
• There are no steps or slopes into the area
• The nearest accessible WCs are located in the Clover Café which is 40m away
• The Garden Centre is accessible by wheelchair and mobility scooter users
• There are plant tables and shop fixtures in place
   

• Access to The Gardeners Rest Restaurant is approached by a slope leading on from the Dry Garden to a patio area and through automatic sliding doors
• Chair seating is not fixed and can be moved to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooter users
• Accessible WCs are located in the hall of the restaurant

• Access to the Clover Café is through automatic opening doors or the garden centre
• Tables and chairs can be moved to accommodate wheelchair and mobility scooter users
• Accessible WCs are located in the café