Access Guide
Introduction
- Related link ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Visitor Centre & Car Park.
- Http://www.disabledgo.com/access-guide/central-bedfordshire-council/zsl-whipsnade-zoo---visitor-centre-car-park
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Comments
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- 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.
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) .
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.
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.
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- 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.
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.
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- 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.
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).
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
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- There is a small raised threshold in the doorway.
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.
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
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- This cafe is seasonal and is closed during the winter months.
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.
Accessible Toilet (1)
- There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
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Location and Access
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- 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.
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Features and Dimensions
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- 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.
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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.
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
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- The slope overcomes the steps.
Accessible Toilet (2)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- 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.
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Features and Dimensions
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- 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).
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Position of Fixtures
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- 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).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- 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.
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.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilets are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- 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.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- 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.
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
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- The 2 photographs show level changes in the zoo.