NATIONAL Trust has installed a Changing Places toilet at the Castle View visitors’ centre at Corfe Castle which aims to create further accessibility to Purbeck.

The facility is in addition to the room installed at Knoll beach last year.

Thousands of people across the UK live with disabilities that severely limit mobility and cannot use standard accessible toilets.

Users and their families are often forced to change their loved one on a toilet floor when on days out which is both unhygienic and undignified.

Peninsular toilet and hoist Picture: National Trust/Fleur Castell

Changing Places toilets are different from standard accessible toilets as they provide more space, an adult-sized changing bench, hoist, a peninsular toilet, a height adjustable basin and are heated to a comfortable 22 degrees all year round.

The room at Castle View has level access from the disabled parking bays, café, and second-hand bookshop, and across the road is a recently upgraded path which leads to the village and entrance to the castle.

James Gould, property operations manager at Corfe Castle, said: “We are delighted to include a Changing Room toilet alongside our other facilities at Castle View.

“Everyone is welcome at our places and we hope to make days out for all as stress free and enjoyable as possible.”

Other accessible facilities at the castle include a mobility scooter which will be operational from July.

Available to hire from Castle View, it will enable visitors to get from the parking facilities to and around some areas of the castle.

Walking poles are available to borrow, along with ear defenders. There is also a smart phone, downloadable audio tour, and information throughout the castle is also available in British Sign Language via QR code.

The facility at Knoll Beach is situated close to the beach with level access from their disabled parking, changing room, café, and shop.

Funding for the Changing Place came from Dorset Council who secured funding of £454,250 from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to provide seven more changing places toilets across the Dorset Council area.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle