Access Guide
Summary (Edinburgh Zoo)
- The venue is in a pedestrian area.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include animal enclosures, animal houses, cafés and restaurants, kiosks, gift shop, education centre, Mansion House meeting and function rooms, play areas, picnic areas, and much more.
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Parking and Entrance AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Lower Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Centre Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Upper Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Accessible Toilet Facilities AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
- For the Edinburgh Zoo - Gift Shop and Exits AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance
- For the zoos information for visitors with disabilities please click here (new tab).
- Please click here for information on opening times.
- The following are available: zoo maps, sensory maps, accessibility maps, mobility scooter maps, assistance dog maps, downloadable zoo maps, downloadable sensory maps, downloadable accessibility maps, downloadable mobility scooter maps and downloadable assistance dog maps.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is a member of staff trained in basic British Sign Language.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print and different languages.
- There is an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- The assistance dog toilet or toileting area is located on the grass areas throughout the zoo.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact the information desk at the main entrance.
- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.
- Sensory packs are available and include: ear defenders, fidget toys, sunglasses, binoculars, accessible maps and sensory maps. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- Edinburgh Zoo Information - Visitors with Disabilities For accessibility information from the Edinburgh Zoo website, for assistance dog information, or to download a zoo map, wheelchair accessibility map or mobility scooter map, please click here (new tab).
Access To (Gift Shop and Exit from Zoo)
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Description
View
- To exit the zoo via the gift shop and main exit from the main path, either take the steps in front of the main entrance/exit building, or follow the accessible route to the right, taking a sharp left turn at the bottom of the slope via the dropped kerb, then following the path under the bridge to the gift shop entrance.
Go through the gift shop to the main exit.
- To exit the zoo via the gift shop and main exit from the main path, either take the steps in front of the main entrance/exit building, or follow the accessible route to the right, taking a sharp left turn at the bottom of the slope via the dropped kerb, then following the path under the bridge to the gift shop entrance.
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Ramp/Slope
View
- The slope is to the right as you face the main exit building and gift shop, on the main path to the accessible exit path.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Stairs
View
- The steps are directly in front of the gift shop and main exit.
- There are 15+ steps .
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
Toilet with Adaptations (Entrance Building - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
View
- This accessible toilet is located in the toilet block on the right as you exit the zoo park entrance.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the zoo park entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Dimensions and Features
View
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 177cm x 360cm (5ft 10in x 11ft 10in).
- The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 107cm (3ft 6in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin and a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
- There is not a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- 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 height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- The lighting levels are good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
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Additional Fixtures and Fittings
View
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are sanitary and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
- The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 130cm (4ft 3in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is medium.
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 99cm (3ft 3in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
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Baby Changing Facilities
View
- Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- There is a flip down baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 97cm.
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Comments
View
- The wall fixed soap dispenser was out of use at the time of survey (April 2023).
- The accessible toilet is also used as the standard male facility.
Standard Toilet(s) (Entrance Building)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
View
- The female toilet is located in the toilet block on the right as you exit the zoo park entrance.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the zoo park entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.
Outside Access (Gift Shop and Main Exit)
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Entrance
View
- This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the main entrance/exit building.
- The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the opening is 215cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is not a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
Shop
- The majority of aisle widths are 150cm+.
- The type of flooring is vinyl.
- There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- The lighting levels are good.
- Music is played everywhere.
- There are hand sanitisers.
- Bottled hand sanitisers are located at the tills.
- The till(s) is/are located on the left as you enter the shop from the zoo.
- There is step-free access to the till(s).
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the till(s).
- The till(s) is/are clearly signed.
- There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the till(s).
- The till(s) is not/are not placed in front of a plain background.
- The lighting levels at the till(s) are good.
- The chip & pin card machines are accessible from the till(s).
- The height of the till(s) is/are 110cm.
- There is a lowered section at the till(s).
- The height of the lowered section is 72cm.
- There is not a clear knee recess beneath the lowered section of the till(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the till(s).
Access Point (Main Entrance Link)
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Access Point
View
- This access point gives access to the main entrance area, information desk and hire returns.
- This information is for the access point located to the right of the till.
- There is step-free access at this access point.
- There is a gate which opens both ways.
- The gate is easy to open.
- The width of the gap is 85cm.
- There is not an information board/map at this access point.
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Comments
View
- There is a second similar link to the left of the till, on the left as you enter the shop.
Exit (Main Exit)
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Exit
View
- This information is for the exit located at the front of the entrance building.
- The exit area/door is not clearly signed internally.
- The exit is step-free.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this exit area which may look like a hole to some people.
- The exit door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this exit.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The width of the opening is 184cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the exit, with a height of 2cm or below.
- There is a member of staff available for assistance at this exit.
Access From (Main Exit to Corstorphine Road)
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Description
View
- From the main exit either continue straight ahead to take the steps to Corstorphine Road or turn left to follow the path and ramp on the right down to Corstorphine Road.
There is a taxi rank at the bottom of the ramp, and bus stops on either side of Corstorphine Road.
- From the main exit either continue straight ahead to take the steps to Corstorphine Road or turn left to follow the path and ramp on the right down to Corstorphine Road.
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Ramp/Slope
View
- There ramp leading down to Corstorphine Road from the exit is approximately 50 metres long.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Stairs
View
- There are three flights of steps.
- There are 30 steps .
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
- The steps have a handrail on both sides.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
Access From (Main Exit to Car Park)
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Description
View
- From the main exit turn left and follow the path past the main entrance and to the left up past the building.
At the top of the ramp turn left to enter the car park.
- From the main exit turn left and follow the path past the main entrance and to the left up past the building.
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Ramp/Slope
View
- The ramp to the path is approximately 120 metres long with a single rest area halfway up. The ramp has a handrail on the left along the full length.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
Access Point (Kaimes Road - Alternative Stepped Exit)
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Access Point
View
- This information is for the access point located at the top left of the centre area, next to the Visayan Warty Pig enclosure.
- There is stepped access at this access point.
- There is a turnstile at this access point.
- The width of the gap is 54cm.
- There is not an information board/map at this access point.
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Step(s)
View
- The step(s) is/are located in front of the exit.
- There is/are 3 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 13cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
