Access Guide
Outdoor Spaces
- The following is available in this area: a playground with play equipment, a grassed play area, woodland, open countryside, a toilet block and a visitor centre.
- Additional facilities in this area include: Humboldt Harbour Penguins, Monkey Mayhem, Bobcat Run, Astra Slide, Alpaca Outpost, Farmyard Friends, Himalayan Heights, Cachorro Range, Chelonia Pathways, Marmotopia, Jungle Jamboree, Sea Lion Beach, Sea Lion Cove, Birds in Action, The Trading Post, the Swan Boats, Land of Lemurs, Tiny Tots Safari Trail, Otter Falls, Desert Springs, The Dissscovery Zone, Rainbow Landing, Giraffe Trail High Ropes Course, Birds of Prey, Australian Walkabout, Elephant Meadow, the Outdoor Classroom and the Harvest Mice.
- Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac, grass, block paving and decking.
- There are footpaths in some areas.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the path from the blue badge bays towards the Foot Safari, the main pathway from Safari Lodge towards Birds in Action, the Sea Lion Cove from behind Birds in Action, the pathways around Australian Walkabout, the Swan Boats, the Great Woburn Railway, the Mammoth Play Ark, Himalayan Heights and Cachorro Range, the Bobcat Run Astra Slide, the viewing platform at Sea Lion Beach, around Farmyard Friends, the path leading down to Monkey Mayhem, the penguin viewing platform.
- The following areas have stepped access: the viewing platform at Chelonia Pathways and the Sea Lion Beach when approached from Sea Lion Cove.
- There are not any seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
- The paths have gates.
- There are manual gates in Land of Lemurs, operated by a push button at a height of 135cm and with a width of 120cm.
There is an identical gate beyond this and a similar single gate to access the Australian Walkabout.
A Foot Safari accessibility map is available from the shop which shows all gradients and surfaces in detail.
-
Playground
View
- There is a fenced play area with an access point over 100cm wide.
- There is a route around the play equipment which is firm and even, and is at least 150cm wide.
- The play equipment is not within easy reach for a range of users.
- The following play experiences are available: swinging, climbing, balancing and viewing.
Entrance (Dissscovery Zone)
- This entrance is located at the front of the building.
- The approach to the entrance has bollards.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance.
- The doors open towards you.
- The doors require effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 150cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Exhibition Space (Dissscovery Zone)
- This attraction is indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- The following may be experienced here: strong smells.
- There is no (or very little) background noise.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: information boards.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The tour is self-guided but volunteers/staff are available to provide additional information.
- There is step-free level access throughout the tour.
Designated Seating (Sea Lion Cove)
- The designated seating area surveyed is located at the front of the auditorium.
- The distance from accessible entrance is 10m.
- There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
- The designated seating area is clearly signed .
- The number of spaces for wheelchair users varies.
- The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
- Companions sit behind you.
- There is a member of staff available for assistance.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- The seating is fixed.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
- There is not a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
- There are specific designated seats for wheelchair users, but there is a sign asking visitors to give up front row seats for families with wheelchairs.
Exhibition Space (Birds In Action)
- This attraction is outdoors.
- The following areas have stepped access: all seating areas.
- The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises.
- There is background noise.
- Display information includes: information boards and pictorial.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
- There is space for wheelchair users behind the last row.
Entrance (Rainbow Landing)
- This entrance is located on the right hand side of the building.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free level access at the entrance.
- There is a bell at a height of 95cm.
- The bell is used to attract the attention of the keeper to let visitors in.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door opens away from you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 80cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The second door opens away from you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 77cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
- There is an orange strip curtain beyond the second set of doors.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Exhibition Space (Rainbow Landing)
- This attraction is indoors.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the wooden bridge across the pathway.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
- The following may be experienced here: water effects and sudden loud noises.
- There may be background noise.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: pictorial and information boards.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
Exit (Rainbow Landing)
- The exit area is clearly signed.
- There is step-free level access at the exit.
- There are double manual doors at this exit, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request.
- The door opens away from you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 77cm.
- The doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is a second set of double manual doors, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The locked door can be opened on request .
- The second door opens away from you.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the opening is 82cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you exit.
- There is a yellow strip curtain before the first set of doors.
Exhibition Space (Birds Of Prey)
- This area is outdoors.
- The following areas have stepped access: the seating area.
- Access throughout may include uneven surfaces.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- The following may be experienced here: sudden loud noises.
- There may be background noise.
- Display information includes: information boards and pictorial.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: benches.
- There are shows/talks with no designated seating for wheelchair users.
Designated Seating (Elephant Meadow)
- The designated seating area surveyed is located at the far side of the car park, to the front of the Elephant Meadow exhibit.
- The distance from car park entrance is 25m.
- The most accessible route to the designated seating has uneven surfaces.
- There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
- The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed .
- There are 10+ designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
- Companions sit next to you and behind you.
- There is a member of staff available for assistance.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- There is not a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
Access To (Bobcat Run Astra Slide)
- The distance from Chelonia Pathways is 100m.
- The most accessible route has slight ramps or slopes, doors permanently held open, steep ramps or slopes and narrow walkways.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 170cm.
- The gate has a low visual contrast.
- There is a second single manual door which is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 89cm.
- The second door has a low visual contrast.
- There is a 30cm step up to access the slide.
Access To (Swan Boats)
- The distance from Birds in Action is 25m.
- The most accessible route has a step, narrow walkways, narrow openings and bollards.
- There is 1 step with no handrails.
- The step is unmarked.
- The height of the step is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 16cm.
- There is written text signage on or near the entrance.
- There is a single manual door which is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 75cm.
- The gate has a low visual contrast.
- There is a step down into the Swan Boats.