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The Downs

Stoke Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS9 1FG

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • In 1861 an Act of Parliament (The Downs Act), designated Clifton Downs and Durdham Downs as places of recreation 'forever hereafter open and unenclosed'. The Downs is still an unenclosed parkland area covering nearly 450 acres.
  • Some large events take place on The Downs, for example the International Kite Flying Festival, circuses and Race for Life. Parking is not permitted on the grass.
  • There are three main areas, Clifton Down which is hilly and includes part of the Avon Gorge near the Suspension Bridge and Durham Down which has two distinct halves, the Stoke Road area near the Water Tower which is an open and sporting area and the Sea Walls part which is scenic with views back towards the city and out to the docks at Avonmouth on the Severn Estuary.
  • The Downs has a site of Special Scientific Interest on Durdham Down, two scheduled ancient monuments (Clifton Down Camp and the Roman Road) and the whole area is a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. There are information and interpretation boards at many key points. All the boards are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.

Location

  • The nearest National Rail station is Clifton Down.
  • Comments View
    • There are a number of bus stops on The Downs serving different areas.

Opening Times

  • The venue is open 24hrs.

Parking

  • All the roads crossing The Downs are freely available for kerbside parking.
  • Parking restrictions apply Monday to Friday between 09:00 - 17:00, with some areas for permit holders only and other areas with a time limit.
  • There are no designated parking areas.
  • Parking is not permitted on the grass unless specifically directed to a cordoned off area for a specific purpose such as parking for the circus.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have compact earth, tarmac and concrete surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.

Clifton Observatory

  • On Clifton Down, near the Suspension Bridge, is Clifton Observatory. The contact details are: Litfield Road, Clifton Down, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LT. The phone number is 0117 974 1242 and the email is [email protected]
  • The building contains a camera obscura at the top of the tower which is accessed only by steep, spiral, stone steps with a handrail to the left. The building is also the entrance to the Giant's Cave which is a viewpoint halfway down the cliff face of the Avon Gorge. The path and steps to the cave are steep and may be slippery when wet.

Eating and Drinking (Cafe Retreat)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Full table service is available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • Some chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 1m (3ft 3in) from the main entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • There is not ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Takeaway cutlery is available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • Menus are hand held and wall.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are not available in large print.
  • Picture menus are not available.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • The cafe is situated next to the Water Tower on Stoke Lane.
    • This small cafe has a few tables inside and a larger external seating area. The approach to the cafe is up a moderately steep ramp, 110cm wide with no hand rails. The outside tables are placed on a loose stone surface on three low terrace levels. Tables can be placed on the tarmac area adjoining the entrance.
    • There is a unisex standard toilet inside the venue which is 100m from the public accessible unisex toilet. Parking is at the roadside. The cafe can be contacted on 0117 923 8186 or via email [email protected].

Children's Play Area

  • There is one play area with climbing equipment and swings. All other areas are open for play including informal ball games, climbing and rambling. There is also a natural rock slide which is not suitable for smaller children.

Toilet with Adaptations (Stoke Lane)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is located in the public toilet block adjacent to the Water Tower.
    • There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The key can be obtained from the attendant on duty.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 102cm (3ft 4in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 340cm x 280cm (11ft 2in x 9ft 2in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 204cm (6ft 8in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Level Change (Stoke Lane Accessible Toilet and Male Standard Toilet)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on the right going up.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Stoke Lane)

Level Change (Stoke Lane Standard Toilet)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.

Toilet with Adaptations (Sea Walls)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the centre of the toilet block.
    • There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
    • The key is a radar key.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The door weight is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 210cm x 210cm (6ft 11in x 6ft 11in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Level Change (Sea Walls Accessible Toilet)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left as you face the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Sea Walls)

Toilet with Adaptations (Suspension Bridge)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 4m (4yd 1ft) from the baby change entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the front of the toilet block through the baby change facility.
    • There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • There is no lock for the toilet door.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The door weight is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 280cm x 240cm (9ft 2in x 7ft 10in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 160cm (5ft 3in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not an emergency alarm in the cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are not mirrors.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in) high.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in) high.
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the entrance lobby to the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 82cm (2ft 8in).
  • Comments View
    • Please note there is no lock to the internal door to the accessible toilet. The external door is lockable with a lever catch set at 125cm high.

Level Change (Suspension Bridge Accessible Toilet)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 100cm (3ft 3in).

Standard Toilet(s) (Suspension Bridge)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.