When visiting Kirkstall Art Trail, we aim to give you the accessibility information you need to work out if a place is going to be accessible for you.
There are various ways in which we do this.
Plan Your Visit
The Plan Your Visit page gives a breakdown of:
- how to get to Kirkstall
- explanations of our maps
- explanations of how to use our venue, artist, and activity directories
- how to spot our venues
- where the accessibile toilets are
- where to find refreshments
- where to find help and assistance
We will review and update the page before each Art Trail.
Interactive map
The map not only shows where points of interest are, but it also provides more detail than the printed map. When you click on a map marker, a pop-up reveals more information with any helpful links. For example, the toilet markers have extra details about what facilities you will find there. We will review the markers yearly before publishing the map.
Unfortunately, the interactive map is not suitable for all users. We have made sure that you can still access information in other ways on the website.
Venue Directory
The venue directory lists all the venues taking part in that particular year’s Art Trail. In each entry, there is a thumbnail of the venue, the address, and the venue number with a link to individual pages. Each venue has its own page that lists the exhibiting artists and an individual visitor access guide at the bottom of the page.
What is a visitor access guide?
A visitor access guide provides key information to enable people to plan their visit. It is an in-depth description of a place or space. The guide describes the route to get in and what the facilities are like inside.
Because visitors have diverse access needs, the guide helps them decide if a place is accessible for them.
The guides on our website have been created by a disabled volunteer.
Each access guide has a photo of the venue, which shows the entrance and provides a link to the exact location on the what3words website. There is also a summary table with five categories. Some guides may include extra photos or directions on how to find the venue. The access guides can be found at the bottom of every venue page.
Below are examples of the summaries look.
Example for a public venue
Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3EH
Venue type
Heritage – twelfth century Abbey ruins.
Approach
- There are footpaths throughout the park that are wide enough for wheelchairs.
- These footpaths consist of tarmac and have even surfaces.
- There is step-free access throughout the majority of Kirkstall Abbey.
Entrance
- Entry into the Abbey grounds is via the café and shop.
- The café and shop are step-free.
- This entrance is automatic, opening outwards. The doorway is 157 cm wide when both doors are open.
- The café and shop have wooden floors.
- Two additional doors exit into the Abbey grounds. This doorway is also 157 cm wide when both doors are open.
- There is an alternative entrance via the large metal gates (shown below).
- The gates will be open.
- There is an archway in the wall of the ruin that leads into the Cloister courtyard.
Inside the Abbey
- The outdoor areas of the Abbey are a mix of tarmac, stone paving, cobbles, grass, and gravel.
- Please note that as Kirkstall Abbey is a heritage site, some areas of the grounds are uneven and there are some open drains.
- Please take care and keep children under close supervision.
- A wheelchair is available to borrow from the shop. Please contact the the Abbey in advance to check availability by calling 0113 378 4079 or emailing kirkstall.abbey@leeds.gov.uk.
- Seating is available in the café and around the grounds.
- Both assistance dogs and pets dogs are welcome in the Abbey grounds but must be kept on a lead.
- Dog bowls are available at the front entrance of the café.
- Dogs are allowed in the café, but only assistance dogs are permitted in the Rose Room.
- There are bins available for disposing of dog waste.
- Toilets are located in the shop.
- There are separate male and female toilets.
- A separate gender-inclusive accessible toilet is also available.
- Facilities in the accessible toilets include handrails on both sides of the toilet, an emergency alarm, and a fire alarm with a flashing light. There is room for a wheelchair to manoeuvre and space for an assistant. This toilet is not RADAR key operated.
- Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet in the visitor centre. Kirkstall Abbey is a breastfeeding-friendly space.
- There is a café at Kirkstall Abbey.
- The menu includes sandwiches, hot meals, ice cream, and a variety of baked goods.
- Vegan and gluten-free options are available.
- Hot and cold drinks are served, and milk alternatives are available.
- High chairs are available.
- Service is at the counter, but table service can be requested.
Example for a private house
Norman View, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3JJ
Venue type
Private residence – back-to-back terraced house.
Approach
- The pavement has recently been resurfaced with tarmac. It is on a steep hill.
- There is a metal gate into the garden. The height and width of the gate are 115 cm. The latch is on the left-hand side.
- There is one step up into the garden. The height of the step is 7 cm.
- There is a concrete path towards the house.
Entrance
- The front door will be unlocked. The handle is on the right-hand side. It opens inwards.
- There is a step up into a small porch. The height of the step is 20 cm.
- There is a door sill that extends out by 7 cm.
- The height and width of the door threshold are 7 cm.
- There is a grab rail on the left-hand side of the exterior wall. There is a metal gate on the right-hand side.
Interior
- There is an interior door that opens inwards.
- There is a step up into the room. The height of the step is 20 cm.
- There is a grab rail on the right-hand side.
- There is carpet on the floor, with a rug that has been secured to avoid trip hazards.
- Seating is available.
- Both assistance dogs and pets dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
- A small friendly dog lives here.
- Please check with the venue owner before entering.
- Only one dog is allowed at a time.
- A water bowl is available at the front door.
- There is a clearly labelled bin available for disposing of dog waste in the garden.
Not available at this venue.
Not available at this venue.
Get in touch with us
We are always happy to hear your feedback, suggestions, or any questions you may have. You can do this either by using the contact form or by emailing directly at info@kirkstallarttrail.co.uk.