Museum set for a phased reopening

A POPULAR museum that closed to the public during the pandemic is to partially reopen soon.

Elements of The Children’s Country House, at Sudbury Hall, will be opening alongside the hall’s main museum and gardens from Saturday, May 7.

The National Trust has said Sudbury Hall, which contains new developments, will open later in 2022 and that visits are by pre-booked tickets only “to make sure everyone has the space to explore at their own pace”.

Jodie Lees, creative programme manager at Children’s Country House, said: “We’re really excited to be opening the museum and garden for people in May. As well as some brand new activities and spaces, people can enjoy the refreshed cafe and our new activity hub.

“The hall will be opening later on in the year which will have even more things for people to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming families back.”

DERBYSHIRE Dales District Council has successfully applied for £69,450 funding to create new accessible “Changing Places” toilets at the visitor attraction.

The authority will work with Sudbury Hall to install the new facilities after winning the cash through the Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The National Trust-owned stately home is providing match funding towards the Changing Places toilet, which will be free to access for customers and non-customers.

Changing Places toilets are created to meet the needs of disabled children and adults with complex care needs who need carer support, appropriate equipment and more space.

The funding has also covered the cost of a new Changing Places toilet at Chatsworth House’s stables, with Chatsworth Estate also providing match funding.

The district council’s community development manager, Becky Bryan, said: “We are delighted to have won this funding, which will provide Changing Places toilets with the right equipment, including a changing bench and a hoist, designed to support disabled people who need assistance.

“Unfortunately, standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of some disabled people, with more than 250,000 people in the UK needing personal assistance to use the toilet, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, spinal injuries and people living with stroke impacts.

“We look forward to working with Chatsworth and Sudbury in the coming year to make these important installations happen.”