We aim to provide a friendly, accessible environment for all our visitors and the widest possible access to our buildings, exhibitions and collections.

Situated just outside Aberford, Lotherton is approximately 12 miles from Leeds. It is 4 miles from the nearest train station at Garforth. Lotherton is a 20-25 minute walk from the nearest bus stop in Aberford, along a public highway with limited footpaths. A 180 meter long drive leads up to the entry kiosk.

What3Words is a location app which provides exact location points based on 3 metre squares. Every 3 metre square of the world has been given a unique combination of three words which can be shared with friends and family, emergency services and more to pinpoint locations easily.

We have provided What3Words locations for key areas of our attractions to help you navigate your visit.

Entrance to Lotherton is free for carers.

The House has ramped access. The entrance is manual, opening inwards with a clear opening space. There is a bell on the information panel if you require help to open the doors.

The Courtyard Shop and Stables Café entrances are both level. The doors are both manual, opening inwards with clear opening spaces.

Wildlife World has level access and automatic doors at the shop. There are doors throughout the zoo to separate the enclosures.

What3Words

Estate entrance: ///forge.minority.dispensed
House: ///tripods.pronouns.wades
Courtyard Shop: ///activates.glass.frost
Stables Café: ///blush.mush.lakeside
Wildlife World: ///glitz.nags.soulful

There is a Changing Places and accessible toilet in the Stables Courtyard, and there is an accessible toilet in the house and café.

Baby changing facilities are available in the café, courtyard toilets and inside the house. There is also a baby feeding room in the house.

There are several accessible parking spaces in the car park nearest to the House and Bird Garden. This car park is used as priority parking during the busier summer months. Access from the car park to the house and Wildlife World entrances is via fairly gradual uphill pathways.

Guide and assistance dogs

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome to all areas except the Stables Café and bird garden. Dogs need to be kept on leads in the gardens and courtyard but are free to roam the rest of the grounds if kept under control. Water and bowls are available in the courtyard.

The House

A proportion of the house is fully accessible.

There is a lift in the house and almost all visitor areas, including the Fashion Galleries, are now fully accessible.

Due to the historic nature of the house and its displays, larger motorised wheelchairs and scooters cannot navigate the visitor route, so these aids are not permitted. Light wheelchairs are available to borrow for use in the house.

Some rooms on the first floor are accessed by a chair lift.

The School Room, used by pre-booked groups, is inaccessible to wheelchair users but equal alternatives are offered. Please discuss any access needs with the Learning and Access Officer when booking your visit.

There is seating around the house including folding seats, which are available for visitors to use.

Grounds and Wildlife World

The majority of the grounds, gardens and Wildlife World are fully accessible with total visibility from various viewpoints. Due to its historic design, the Edwardian Garden is not fully accessible to wheelchair users, but can be viewed from vantage points.

Manual and push wheelchairs may struggle on some of the gravel areas.

Wildlife World is fully accessible but some pathways are fairly steep and gravelled in parts.

The courtyard and Stables Café are fully accessible. Electric wheelchairs must be left outside of the café, shop and stables.

Borrow a wheelchair or mobility scooter

One manual wheelchair is are available from reception to use within the house. Unfortunately we cannot provide assistance to get around the house for wheelchair users. Another manual wheelchair is available from the Stables Café which can be used in the grounds.

Three mobility scooters are available from the welcome cabin to use on the estate which can be booked in advance.

Please email contact us in advance of your visit if you would like to discuss specific access needs.

There are no induction loops at Lotherton.

There are areas within the House that are touch and handling friendly, particularly the Servants Rooms on the ground floor.

If a member or members of your group require access provision, please contact us at least six weeks in advance of your visit.​​

Lotherton estate is a member of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS). The VAQAS is a scheme which ensures high quality experiences at tourist attractions, including a commitment to respect the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 by making reasonable adjustments to improve service for disabled people.

If you would like more information before your visit, please contact us: