Access Guide
Opening Times (March - October)
- Monday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 17:00.
- Sunday 10:00 - 17:00.
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Comments
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- Last admission is at 16.30.
Opening Times (October - March)
- Monday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Saturday 10:00 - 16:00.
- Sunday 10:00 - 16:00.
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Comments
View
- Last admission is at 15.30.
Location
- There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Shepreth.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located at the front of the venue.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot be booked in advance.
- There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 320cm x 490cm (10ft 6in x 16ft 1in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 37m (40yd 1ft) 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 loose chippings.
- The car park surface is loose chippings.
- 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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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- The Blue Badge bays are not well marked out but are well signed.
Outside Access (Gift Shop Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
- There is step-free access at this entrance.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
- The width of the door opening is 80cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
Inside Access (Gift Shop)
- There is level access to the service(s).
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- This venue does not play background music.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Comments
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- The gift shop counter is located to the rear of the gift shop and is 92cm high.
- There is a bell on the counter to call for a member of staff if nobody is around.
Outside Access (Wildlife Park Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located to the rear of the gift shop.
- There is level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The door(s) is / are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 165cm (5ft 5in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a small raised threshold in the doorway.
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Comments
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- Photograph 2 shows the entrance externally.
Getting Around
- The pathways are tarmac, concrete and compact earth.
- Pathways vary in width from 110cm to 360cm.
- There are some uneven areas scattered throughout the park and some uneven surfaces which might require assistance to navigate.
- The pathways are mostly level throughout the park with some slopes varying from easy to moderate.
- There is seating available along the pathways in this park.
- There is good signage available throughout the park to help you navigate around.
Safari Train
- The safari train is 30metres from the wildlife park entrance, to the right as you enter.
- The safari train runs in an oval loop from one small station around a small hill.
- The safari train entrance and exit gates on the platform measure 92cm in width and you pull to open and push to exit. The gate is heavy to the touch. Photograph 6 and 7 shows the entrance and exit.
- Photograph 9 shows the platform.
- Assistance may be required getting on and off the train.
- Please ask in the ticket office for operating times.
African Sands Tortoise House
- The tortoise house is located opposite the adventure play area and has a double set of heavy doors that open towards you (pull) with a width of 150cm.
- The tortoise house has 3 pens for the tortoise and some tanks.
Under 5 Soft Play
- The under 5 soft play area is located opposite the adventure play area and African sands. The door to enter is a single door measuring 88cm in width that you push to open with level access (shown in photograph 1).
- The soft play area has a ball pit area, cargo net and slides.
- The soft play pit has several uneven surfaces once you enter the play area.
Nocturnal House
- The nocturnal house is located not far from the tiger enclosure and Ringo's Playhouse / Cafeteria.
- The entrance to the exhibit is through a tunnel measuring 200cm in width and is level.
- You will then reach a door to enter the nocturnal exhibit which is a single door measuring 86cm in width that opens towards you (pull).
- The exhibit is fairly dark inside so assistance may be required for wheelchairs user or for anyone hard of sight.
Meerkat Manor
- Meerkat Manor is located in the wildlife gardens towards the rear of the venue.
- Meerkat Manor has an outside enclosure and an inside enclosure which has a single door to enter from both sides.
- The door width to enter the inside enclosure from both sides is 88cm and is held open with level access throughout (shown in photographs 2 and 3).
Tiger Enclosure
- The tiger enclosure is opposite Ringo's Play Barn and has various viewing points.
- There is a high viewing area only accessible via stairs. There are 14 deep steps with handrails on both sides.
- The steps are shown in photographs 4 and 5 and the high walkway is photograph 2.
- The enclosure can be viewed from most sides via the pathways around the perimeter and is mainly level.
- There is a small inside section to view the tigers inside which is accessible via a single door which measures 84cm in width and opens towards you (pull).
- The door is shown in photograph 6 and the inside area in photograph 3.
Outdoor Adventure Play Area
- The outdoor adventure play area is located to the rear of the discovery centre and opposite African sands.
- The play area consists of a play treehouse, pirate ship, fort, under 5's play area, sand pit, seating area, ride on cars, trampolines and zip wire.
- There are several slides, ladders and cargo nets on the play equipment.
- The play area is surrounded by wood chip to soften the flooring and will be uneven to walk over in many places.
- Many of the paths are easy to moderate when not by the play equipment.
Wildlife Gardens And Displays
- The rest of the wildlife gardens has a variety of animals from lemurs to monkeys and there are many different trails and paths to follow.
- Some of the areas are on an easy to moderate slope, but there are plenty of level alternatives.
Toilet with Adaptations (Outside The Discovery Centre)
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located opposite the discovery centre and the Safari Train.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a shared 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 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 210cm (5ft 9in x 6ft 11in).
- There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 92cm (3ft).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
- 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 for the toilet.
- 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 not a mirror.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- 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).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 106cm (3ft 6in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can 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.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Standard Toilet(s) (Outside The Discovery Centre)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s)
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- The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located opposite the discovery centre entrance and the Safari Train.
- The female and male toilets are approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Shared Toilet(s)
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- The shared toilets that were surveyed are located opposite the discovery centre entrance and the Safari Train.
- The shared toilet(s) is/are approximately 57m (62yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the shared toilet(s).
- Lighting levels are medium.
Baby Changing Room - Discovery Centre
- The is a baby changing room outside the discovery centre next to the accessible and standard toilets.
- Access into the baby change room is via a single door.
- The door opens towards you (pull).
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the opening is 86cm.
- The height of the baby changing table once extended is 82cm.
Additional Info
- Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
- Documents can be requested in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
- The assistance dog toilet area is located throughout the grounds.
- A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
Related Access Guides
- To view other AccessAble Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Shepreth Wildlife Park - Discovery Centre link (new tab) - click here.
- Shepreth Wildlife Park - Gift Shop / Ticket Office link (new tab) - click here.
- Shepreth Wildlife Park - Ringo's Play Barn and Cafeteria link (new tab) - click here.
- Shepreth Wildlife Park - Tropical Pavilion and Reptile House link (new tab) - click here.