You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Related link ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Visitor Centre & Car Park.
• Https://www.accessable.co.uk/central-bedfordshire-council/access-guides/zsl-whipsnade-zoo-visitor-centre-car-park

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• Comments View
  • Opening times for the zoo vary day to day. Please check the website or contact for details.
  • The zoo has wheelchairs available for hire and visitors are advised to book them in advance by calling the Retail Shop on 01582 871 517.
  • A refundable deposit of £25.00 is required by leaving credit card details as security and identification.

You are on COVID-19 Information. Skip to the next section.

COVID-19 Information

• The information in this section was taken in February 2021.
• The venue is currently closed due to Covid-19.
• For more information about the measures in place for Covid-19 please click here (new tab) .

You are on Location. Skip to the next section.

Location

• The venue is situated within the centre of the area.
• This venue is situated in Whipsnade.
• There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
• The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
• The nearest mainline station is Luton.

You are on Parking (Main Car Park). Skip to the next section.

Parking (Main Car Park)

• The venue does have its own car park.
• Parking is not free for all users.
• Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
• The car park type is open air/surface.
• Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
• There is/are 12 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
• The nearest Blue Badge bay is 145m (158yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
• The furthest Blue Badge bay is 182m (199yd 1in) from the main entrance.
• The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
• Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
• The car park surface is tarmac.
• There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
• The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.

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• On Street Parking and Drop-off Details. View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
• Comments View
  • There are two parking options at Whipsnade Zoo.
  • Visitors can either park in the main zoo car park or take their vehicle into the zoo where there are various parking locations.
  • The main car park is across the main road (B4540) in front of the zoo and can be accessed via a subway with a ramp.
  • The ramp in the subway has a steep gradient.
  • The external car park is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • During the winter months the main external car park is closed.
  • Cars are allowed into the zoo during the winter months free of charge.

You are on Parking (Inside Zoo Grounds). Skip to the next section.

Parking (Inside Zoo Grounds)

• The venue does have its own car park.
• Parking is not free for all users.
• Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
• The car park is at the front of the venue.
• The car park type is open air/surface.
• The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
• Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
• The car park surface is tarmac.
• The patron does not have to cross a road.
• The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.

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• On Street Parking and Drop-off Details. View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
• Comments View
  • There are various parking areas located around the zoo.
  • Some of the parking areas have a tarmac surface and others have a muddy uneven surface.
  • There are only 2 marked parking bays designated for Blue Badge holders, which are located next to the Africa Outpost and Hippos.

You are on Outside Access (Ticketing Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Ticketing Entrance)

• This information is for the entrance located to the right as you face the front of the visitor centre.
• There is level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
• The door(s) is / are double.
• The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).

You are on Outside Access (Zoo Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Zoo Entrance)

• This information is for the entrance located within the visitor centre at the rear of the building.
• There is level access into the venue.
• The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
• The door(s) is / are double.
• The width of the door opening is 170cm (5ft 7in).

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• Second set of doors View
  • There is a small raised threshold in the doorway.

You are on Zoo Paths & Roads. Skip to the next section.

Zoo Paths & Roads

• The main zoo route has easy and moderate slopes located throughout.
• The zoo route has tarmac, concrete, grass and gravel and loose chippings surfaces.
• Visitors can either walk or drive around the zoo route as there are pathways and roads.
• Visitors must exit their vehicles to see the animals as they are in enclosures away from the road.
• There is a bus that goes around the zoo on a schedule and this can be accessed via a ramp.

You are on Outside Access (Lookout Cafe). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Lookout Cafe)

• This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
• There is not level access into the venue.
• The main doors open both ways.
• The doors are single width.
• The doors are heavy.
• The door opening is 92cm (3ft 0in) wide.

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• Comments View
  • This cafe is seasonal and is closed during the winter months.

You are on Level Change (Lookout Cafe). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Lookout Cafe)

• 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 steep.
• The ramp or slope is permanent.

You are on Accessible Toilet (1). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (1)

• There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.

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• 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 block next to the Lookout Cafe.
  • 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.
  • The door is locked by a twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 8cm (3in).
  • The door weight is heavy.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 190cm (5ft 9in x 6ft 3in).
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
  • The lateral transfer space is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is not a flush on the transfer side.
  • The tap type is lever.
  • There is a mixer tap.
  • The emergency alarm is not fully functional.
  • 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 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 40cm (1ft 4in).
  • There is not a hand dryer.
  • There is 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 cannot 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.
  • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
  • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
  • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • The lighting levels are bright.

You are on Level Change (Toilets - 1). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Toilets - 1)

• There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
• The ramp or slope is located leading down to the toilets.
• The ramp or slope is moderate.
• The ramp or slope is permanent.
• The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).
• There are steps to access this area / service.
• The steps are located leading down to the toilets.
• There is / are 2 step(s) to the area / service.
• The steps are clearly marked.
• The steps are deep.
• The steps do not have handrails.

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• Comments View
  • The slope overcomes the steps.

You are on Accessible Toilet (2). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (2)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• 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.
  • This accessible toilet is located in the block behind Wild Bite Cafe.
  • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a unisex toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is locked by a twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
  • The door is heavy.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 205cm (5ft 3in x 6ft 9in).
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
  • The tap type is lever.
  • There is a mixer tap.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
  • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
• Position of Fixtures View
  • Wall-mounted grab 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 is a mirror.
  • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • There is a hand dryer.
  • 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).
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
  • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
  • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • The lighting levels are poor.

You are on Level Change (Accessible Toilet - 2). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (Accessible Toilet - 2)

• There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
• The ramp/slope is located in front of the toilet.
• The ramp/slope is moderate.
• The ramp/slope is permanent.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilets are available.
• Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
  • The female and male toilets are located throughout the zoo.
  • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
• Baby Change Facilities View
  • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
  • Baby change facilities are located within the adapted toilet.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 87cm (2ft 10in).
  • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the baby change facility.

You are on Additional Info. Skip to the next section.

Additional Info

• Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
• Documents are not available in Braille.
• Documents can be requested in large print.
• A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
• Staff are not Text Relay aware.

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• Comments View
  • The 2 photographs show level changes in the zoo.