Access Guide
Access To (Discovery Land)
- Discovery Land is directly ahead from the main entrance, and once you pass the Dinomite Indoor Adventure play, is along the path to the left.
- The distance from Dinomite Indoor Adventure Play entrance is 75m.
- The most accessible route has slight ramps or slopes and steep ramps or slopes.
- The slope gradient varies between slight and steep.
- There is written text signage on or near the entrance.
Outdoor Spaces (Neanderthal Walk and Tyrannosaurus Track)
- The following is available in this area: parkland.
- Additional facilities in this area include: Nature Trail .
- Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac and bonded gravel.
- There are footpaths throughout.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: Neanderthal Walk and Tyrannosaurus Track.
- There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
Outdoor Spaces (Predator High Ropes, Raptor Contraptor, Swing-O-Saurus)
- The following is available in this area: a playground with play equipment.
- Additional facilities in this area include: high ropes and amusement park rides .
- Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac, grass and loose stones.
- There are footpaths throughout.
- 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: Predator High Ropes, Raptor Contraptor and Swing-O-Saurus.
- The following areas have stepped access: Predator High Ropes.
- There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
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Playground
View
- The following play experiences are available: swinging, rocking, climbing, balancing and viewing.
Outdoor Spaces (Secret Animal Garden and Waterside Gardens)
- The following is available in this area: formal gardens and gardens.
- Additional facilities in this area include: animal park and Waterside Gardens .
- Outdoor areas consist of concrete or tarmac, grass, compact earth, loose stones and decking.
- There are footpaths throughout.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: Secret Animal Garden throughout, and Waterside Gardens entrance and exit areas.
- The following areas have stepped access: Secret Animal Garden via The Explorers, Waterside Gardens entrance and Bridge in the Waterside Gardens.
- There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
- The paths have gates.
Entrance (Animal Barn)
- This entrance is located at the end of the Animal Barn, near The Explorers.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
- There is a single manual door at this entrance.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 100cm.
- The door has a high visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
Exhibition Space (Animal Barn)
- 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 have a high visual contrast.
- The following may be experienced here: strong smells and sudden loud noises.
- 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.
Exit (Animal Barn)
- The exit area is not clearly signed.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the exit.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
- There is a single manual door at this exit.
- The door is permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 96cm.
- The door has a low visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you exit.
Entrance (Animal Encounters Barn)
- This entrance is located at the front of the building.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a slight gradient.
- The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance, however one door is locked or bolted.
- The doors are permanently held 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 step-free level access as you enter.
Designated Seating (Animal Encounters Barn)
- The designated seating area surveyed is located at the front of the Animal Encounters Barn.
- The distance from the Animal Encounters Barn entrance is 15m.
- The most accessible route to the designated seating has narrow walkways.
- There is step-free level access to the designated seating.
- The designated seating area is not clearly marked or signed .
- There are 2 designated spaces for wheelchair users.
- The view from this seating area is clear from obstructions.
- Companions sit next to 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.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- The seating is fixed.
- The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- Some flooring is shiny.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There is not a toilet with adaptations close to the seating area (within approximately 50m).
Exhibition Space (Animal Encounters Barn)
- This area is indoors.
- There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
- Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
- There is some room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- Some flooring is shiny.
- The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
- The following may be experienced here: strong smells and sudden loud noises.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- Display information includes: information boards, pictorial and tactile.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
- The seating is fixed.
- The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There are shows/talks with designated seating for wheelchair users.
Entrance (The Explorers)
- This entrance is located opposite the Raptor Contractor.
- The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is over 150cm wide with no handrails.
- There are double manual doors at this entrance.
- The doors are permanently held open.
- The width of the opening is 155cm.
- 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.
Eating and Drinking (The Explorers)
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Location and Service
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- This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
- Full table service is not available.
- Menus are wall-mounted.
- The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
- The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
- There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
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Order and Payment
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- The service counter was surveyed.
- The counter is located on the left as you enter.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 99cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- The counter has a television which may affect the ability of someone to lip read.
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Seating Area
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- The seating area is covered.
- There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Some flooring is patterned.
- The walls and floor visual contrast varies between low and high.
- Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests, armchairs and sofas.
- Furniture available in this area includes: tables and coffee tables.
- The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
- Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
Counter (Nautilus Fish and Chips)
- The counter is located opposite the Predator High Ropes.
- The distance from opposite the Predator High Ropes is 25m.
- The most accessible route to the counter has uneven surfaces.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 100cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is background noise in this area.
Counter (Tuck Shop)
- The counter is located to the right of The Explorers.
- The distance from The Explorers entrance is 10m.
- The most accessible route to the counter has narrow walkways.
- There is stepped access to the counter.
- 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 17cm.
- The height of the counter is 70cm.
- There is not a lowered section at the counter.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- There is background noise in this area.
- At the time of the survey (July 2024) the Tuck Shop was not open.
Seating Area
- The seating area is located opposite Predator High Ropes.
- The seating area is uncovered.
- The most accessible route to the seating area has a very easy slope.
- There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: the entire seating area is located on a slight slope.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
- Furniture available in this area includes: picnic tables.
- The seating and tables are fixed.
- The surface height of the tables is not suitable for wheelchair users.
- The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
- There may be background noise in this area.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
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Location and Access
View
- The toilet surveyed is located opposite The Explorers.
- The distance from The Explorers entrance is 6m.
- The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
- There is step-free level access into the facility.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
- The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
- The door requires effort to open.
- The width of the door opening is 86cm.
- The door has a locking handle.
- Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
- There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
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Dimensions and Features
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- The dimensions of the cubicle are 170cm (width) x 228cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
- The lateral transfer space is 95cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
- There is a push button flush on top of the cistern.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
- The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
- The vertical grab rail has a high visual contrast.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
- The toilet seat is 50cm from the floor.
- The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
- The toilet roll holder is 98cm from the floor.
- The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is 73cm from the floor.
- The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
- The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
- The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
- There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
- The soap dispenser has a medium visual contrast.
- The soap dispenser is 94cm from the floor.
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
- The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
- The hand dryer is 95cm from the floor.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
- There is a mirror.
- There is no shelf.
- The cubicle has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
- There are no coat hooks.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 89cm.
- The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
Standard Toilet Facilities
- The male and female standard toilet facilities were surveyed.
- The toilets are located opposite The Explorers.
- The distance from The Explorers entrance is 5m.
- The most accessible route has manual doors and step-free level access.
- There is step-free level access .
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door requires effort to open.
- Internally the door has a medium visual contrast.
- There are no ambulant toilet facilities available.
- There is a wash basin, a wall mounted soap dispenser, a baby changing table and a hand dryer available.
- The wash basin has a push tap.
- The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
