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Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre and Nature Reserve

Hauxley Nature Reserve, Hauxley Lane, Low Hauxley, Northumberland, NE65 0JR

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Access Guide

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Overview

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in front of the visitor centre.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of compacted earth and unsurfaced areas.
    • There are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is signposted but has no markings.
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m from visitor centre entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has a slight ramp or slope, uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located close to the Blue Badge parking bays.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park, towards the visitor centre path.
    • There is a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
    • View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Opening Times

Entrance (Visitor Centre)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the visitor centre.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and a bollard.
  • 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 slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • There is a push pad at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 109cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 109cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.

Counter

  • The counter is located in the Visitor Centre, past the first door and to the right.
  • The distance from Visitor Centre entrance is 2m.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 106cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Visitor Centre

  • The Visitor Centre is located near the wildlife reserve car park.
  • Inside there is a 150cm by 150cm space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The flooring is vinyl and may appear to be shiny. Lighting levels are even and good.
  • There are information posters and information displays, some of which are in large print text.
  • There is a TV with live camera feeds of bird cameras on the reserve.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to the left as you enter the visitor's centre.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 6m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has manual doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 79cm.
    • The door has a lever twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 194cm (width) x 252cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 130cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
    • 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 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high 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 low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 100cm 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 cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 103cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 113cm from the floor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a waste bin, a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There are multiple coat hooks.
    • The coat hooks are 124cm and 124cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 90cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Outdoor Spaces

  • The following is available in this area: open countryside and a visitor centre.
  • Additional facilities in this area include: wildlife trails, a circular walk and bird hides (including 2 accessible ones) .
  • Outdoor areas consists of concrete or tarmac, loose chippings, grass, gravel, compact earth, uncompacted earth and decking.
  • 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: the majority of the wildlife trails.
  • The following areas have stepped access: some wildlife trails.
  • There are some seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • The paths have gates and uneven surfaces.
  • There are picnic benches with a space for a wheelchair user at the rear of the visitor centre.
  • Playground View
    • There is a fenced play area with an access point under 100cm wide.
    • There are no firm and even routes over 150cm wide around the play equipment.
    • The play equipment is not within easy reach for a range of users.
    • The following play experiences are available: climbing, balancing, crawling and viewing.
    • There is a lowered tunnel to access the playground area.