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RSPB Sherwood Forest

Forest Corner, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG21 9QB

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This is a natural nature reserve, with multiple facilities for visitors.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a gift shop, café, education facilities and outdoor spaces, picnic areas and nature trails.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout, this may include the use of a lift.
    • Ground floor and first floor can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and an electric wheelchair.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 2 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on the ground floor of the visitor centre.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the visitor centre.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located inside the St John's Hut - Education Centre.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • The Changing Places toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the visitor centre.
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located inside the accessible toilet, and male and female standard toilets.

Parking (Accessible Parking)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located next to the visitor centre.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 228cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 133cm.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bays vary in size.
    • The nearest designated bay is 6m from visitor entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for staff and Blue Badge holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located at the front of the car park.
    • There is not 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).
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Parking (Main Customer Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Swinecote Road.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of loose chippings and unsurfaced areas.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for visitors and permit holders only.
    • Parking is not free for all users.
    • Parking is not free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are available.
    • Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
    • There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is not a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).

Entrance (Main Visitor Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the visitor centre.
  • 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 single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 148cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout all areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • Access throughout may include narrow walkways.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • The visual contrast between the walls and floor varies between low and high.
  • There may be background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
  • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located behind the till in the visitor centre.
  • The distance from the visitor entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Ground and first floor are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 130cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 208cm (width) x 159cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille markings and a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located to the left of the lifts.
  • The ground and first floor can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade and unshaded light sources.

Entrance (Shop External Entrance)

  • This entrance is located to the side of the visitor centre.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope gradient varies between slight and steep.
  • There is a single automatic door at this entrance.
  • The door has a locked extension leaf.
  • The locked extension leaf can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 109cm.
  • The door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.
  • This entrance has an external slope leading from the ground floor to the first floor visitor centre, giving access to the shop.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of main aisle widths are over 180cm.
    • The majority of product aisle widths are between 150cm - 180cm.
    • Some aisles are obstructed by product bins and shelving.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The visual contrast between the shelving and floor varies between low and high.
    • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Signage is provided.
    • Signage is clearly visible with high contrasting colours.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • Seating available on this floor includes: chairs with armrests.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.
    • The checkout area is located on the right when entering the visitor centre.
    • There is step-free level access to the checkout area.
    • The venue has a payment counter.
  • Payment Counter View
    • Signage is not provided for the counter.
    • Signage is not clearly visible.
    • The queue width is at least 150cm and the width at each turn is at least 150cm.
    • The height of the payment counter is 90cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section is 68cm.
    • The card payment machine is portable.
    • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
    • Lighting levels were uneven at the time of the survey, with pools of light and shade.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the ground floor of the visitor centre .
    • The distance from the lift is 3m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has a lift 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 87cm.
    • 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 150cm (width) x 226cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 76cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-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 93cm 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 106cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low 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 sanitary bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 125cm from the floor.
    • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 87cm.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Changing Places (Transfer Both Sides)

  • Location and Access View
    • The Changing Places facility surveyed is located on the ground floor of the visitor centre.
    • The Changing Places toilet is in addition to other toilet facilities.
    • The distance from lifts is 6m.
    • The most accessible route to the Changing Places facility has step-free level access and a lift.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • A key is required for access to this facility.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
    • The dimensions of the facility are 300cm (width) x 397cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (180cm x 180cm).
  • Toilet Details View
    • There is lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, however they are obstructed.
    • The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 131cm.
    • The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 130cm.
    • There is a lever flush on the right transfer side.
    • There is no horizontal grab rail for the toilet.
    • There are vertical grab rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The vertical grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The dropdown rails have a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 49cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 93cm from the floor.
  • Changing Bench and Hoist Details View
    • The changing bench is free standing and height adjustable.
    • The length of the changing bench is 182cm.
    • The facility hoist is powered overhead and accesses all areas.
  • Shower Details View
    • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
    • The shower controls are lever mixer.
    • There is no shower seat.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm for the shower within 10cm from the floor.
  • Other Facilities View
    • There is a fixed height wash basin.
    • The wash basin is 72cm 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.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 130cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 145cm from the floor.
    • A wide paper roll dispenser is not available.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a low visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 93cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The facility has a nappy/incontinence items bin and a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 124cm from the floor.
    • A privacy screen is not available.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There is a key required to access the changing place. This can be obtained from the café counter.