Access Guide
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).
Summary
- Mansion House is located in the Centre Park Area, to the right of Grasslands Restaurant and Penguins Rock.
- Services/facilities within the venue include meeting rooms and conference rooms.
- Services / facilities within the grounds include Gardens and paths.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'ROYAL ZOOALOGICAL SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND'.
- There is ramped/sloped 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is a bell/buzzer.
- The height of the bell/buzzer is 112cm (3ft 8in).
- There is not an intercom.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 60cm.
- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 98cm.
- There is not a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the first set of doors.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
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Comments
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- The slope is slight as you approach from the left.
- If you approach from the right, the slope is steep at its foot.
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building.
- There is/are 5 unmarked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to some function rooms and standard toilets on the first floor.
- 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.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
- The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
- The depth of the steps are 29cm.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
- These steps are at the beginning of the rear corridor.
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Circulation
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- There are not doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is carpet and wood.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
- There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
- There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- Access to other floors/levels is via stairs.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is provided.
- The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout the building.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does play background music in public areas.
- Music is played during some events.
- There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.
Event Room(s) / Space(s) (The Geddes Room)
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Access to the Room
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- The room surveyed was The Geddes Room.
- The Geddes Room is located on the ground floor, at the rear left of the building.
- There is not wayfinding signage for the room.
- There is clear signage for the room(s) (on or near the door).
- There is written signage for the room(s), in block capital lettering, that is clearly visible.
- Staff can provide assistance getting to the room(s)/space(s).
- The corridor/walkway leading to the room(s)/space(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
- There is step-free access.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 92cm.
- The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
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Room Details
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- There is not a hearing assistance system available for the room.
- There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
- There are potential trip hazards within the room.
- There is an area in the well of the adjoining doors with a 3cm step downwards and then upwards.
- There is some flooring with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
- The colour contrast between the walls and floor is low.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There are similar rooms on the first floor.
Eating and Drinking (Mansion House Bar)
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Location and Access
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- The following information is for the bar.
- The bar is located on the ground floor, towards the rear of the right corner, then on the left.
- There is step-free access to the bar.
- For access there are double manual doors which are permanently held open.
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Service and Menus
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- Tables cannot be booked in advance.
- There is a bar where drinks can be ordered.
- Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
- Menu types include: written wall menus.
- Menus are clearly written.
- Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
- Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
- Takeaway cups are available.
- Adapted cups are not available.
- Adapted cutlery is not available.
- Drinking straws are available.
- This area does play background music.
- Background music is only played at certain times.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
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Service Counter(s)
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- The height of the counter is 109cm.
- There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
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Tables and Seating
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- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
- The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 68cm.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 46cm.
- The surface height of the highest table is 110cm.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- Some chairs are permanently fixed.
- No chairs have armrests on both sides.
- In this area there are coffee tables, high tables, bench seats and stools.
- The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
- There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
Other Floors (Main Staircase)
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Stairs
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- Stairs can be used to access other floors.
- The stairs are for public use.
- The stairs are located ahead as you enter.
- The stairs are approximately 3m from the entrance.
- The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
- The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
- There are 15+ steps between floors.
- 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 the left going up.
- Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not easy to grip.
- Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
- There is a landing.
- Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
- The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
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Other Information
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- The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are all of the first floor rooms and second floor staff offices.
Toilet with Adaptations (Mansion House - Female - Left Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the ground floor in the main corridor, within the female standard toilet facilities.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a female toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
- The door opens by sliding.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 69cm (2ft 3in).
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Dimensions and Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 117cm x 212cm (3ft 10in x 6ft 11in).
- The accessible toilet does not 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
- There is a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- There is 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 low.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- The toilet has a cistern.
- 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 94cm (3ft 1in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is medium.
- The height of the light switch/pull cord is 117cm from floor level.
- The lighting levels are moderate to good.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
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Additional Fixtures and Fittings
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- 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 pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 158cm from the floor.
- There is not a mirror.
- 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
- 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 low.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is not a hand dryer.
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Comments
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- The accessible toilet is accessed via the female standard toilets, accessed via an initial door with the pictorial signage.
Standard Toilet(s) (Mansion House)
- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female toilet is located on the ground floor, in the front right corridor.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 89cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Baby Changing Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are available in the female toilets.
- There is a fixed baby change table available.
- The height of the baby change table is 84cm.
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Toilet Facilities 2
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- The male toilet is located on the ground floor, at the rear of the front right corridor.
- There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
- The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 15m from the entrance.
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is medium.
- 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 89cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
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Comments
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- There are similar standard toilets located on the first floor.
Related Access Guides
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Edinburgh Zoo - Information link (new tab) - click here
- Edinburgh Zoo - Parking and Entrance link (new tab) - click here
- Edinburgh Zoo - Gift Shop and Exits link (new tab) - click here
