You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

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• By Road View
  • From the A380 take the A381 to Teignmouth, then take the A379 over the Shaldon Bridge to Shaldon, follow signs to The Ness along Ness Drive.
    Car parking is available to the left and right at the bottom of Ness Drive, with the right hand car park in front of the venue.
  • Short and long term parking is available and is operated by the local council.
    There are no Blue Badge parking bays.
    Both car parks are on a hill.
• By Bus View
  • There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
• By Train View
  • The nearest Railway Station is Teignmouth.
  • From Teignmouth Station you can either walk, take a ferry or a bus to Shaldon.
  • For more information on timetables and ticket prices please click here (opens new tab).
  • For more information on Teignmouth Station please click here (opens new tab).

You are on Getting Help and Assistance. Skip to the next section.

Getting Help and Assistance

• There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
• There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
• There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
• Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
• There are not mobility aids available.
• There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk.

You are on Opening Hours. Skip to the next section.

Opening Hours

• For information about the opening hours please click here.

You are on Parking (The Ness Car Park Shaldon). Skip to the next section.

Parking (The Ness Car Park Shaldon)

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• Parking View
  • The venue has shared parking facilities.
  • The car park is located to the front of the venue.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
  • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
• Blue Badge Parking View
  • There is not a/are not Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
• Paying View
  • There are parking charges for the car park.
  • Parking charges apply for all users (including Blue Badge holders).
  • Payment signs are provided.
  • Payment signs are clearly presented.
  • Payment signs are located throughout the car park.
  • Payment term signs do make it clear if parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders.
  • Payment for parking charges is made at a payment machine.
  • Payment machines are located throughout the car park.
  • The car park is a public car park, owned by the local council and is on a slope.
• Access from the Car Park View
  • 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 slopes/ramps.
  • The entrance is not clearly visible from the car park.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is not clearly signposted.
  • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
• Drop-off Point(s) View
  • There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).

You are on Approach (Car Park to Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Approach (Car Park to Entrance)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is tarmac.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a steep gradient and has no handrails.

You are on Outside Access. Skip to the next section.

Outside Access

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located to the left of the top car park.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance is signed with 'Shaldon Wildlife Trust'.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
  • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is a bell/buzzer.
  • The height of the bell/buzzer is 124cm (4ft 1in).
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance at this entrance.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located on approach to the reception / ticket counter.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The ramp has resting areas.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located to the right of the ramp as you approach the reception / ticket counter.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the step(s).
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
• Comments View
  • The handrails are rope.

You are on Counter (Tickets). Skip to the next section.

Counter (Tickets)

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• Counter View
  • The counter is located to the right of the entrance door.
  • The counter is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the entrance.
  • The counter is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access to the counter.
  • There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
  • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
  • The counter is placed in front of a plain background.
  • The lighting levels at the counter are moderate to good.
  • The height of the counter is 104cm.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
  • There is not a lowered section of the counter.
  • The counter is staffed.
  • There is a bell to attract attention.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.
  • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
• Seating Area View
  • There is not a seating area close to the counter.
• Comments View
  • The venue has Headphone Zones, with 3 sensory bags available free of charge from the ticket counter.
  • Each ticket allows you leave the venue and come back as many times as you want on the same day.

You are on Getting Around. Skip to the next section.

Getting Around

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• Access View
  • There is not step-free access throughout the area.
  • There are various slight and steep slopes/ramps throughout the venue (photographs 1, 8 and 25).
    There are steps in various parts of the venue, such as near the shop and exit (photographs 21, 26 and 32).
• Circulation View
  • There are not doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
  • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
  • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is stone and wood.
  • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some corridors/walkways.
  • There is low colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
• Signage View
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
• Safe Place(s) View
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
• Audio View
  • This venue does not play background music in public areas.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system in the public areas of the building.

You are on Outdoor Seating. Skip to the next section.

Outdoor Seating

• The outdoor seating is located throughout the venue.
• There is ramped/sloped access to the outdoor seating.
• The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 71cm.
• There are also bench seats, stools and picnic benches.
• No chairs are permanently fixed.
• No tables are permanently fixed.
• No chairs have armrests on both sides.
• The type of flooring in this area is wood.

You are on General Enclosures. Skip to the next section.

General Enclosures

• The types of animal enclosures in this area are indoor enclosures, outdoor enclosures and viewing platforms.
• The enclosures with step-free access include: Owls, Pygmy Marmosets, Titi Monkeys, Tortoise, Squirrel Monkey, Bettong, Mouse Lemur, Meerkat, Binturong, Lovebirds, Capuchins, Margay, Red-Bellied Lemurs, Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Golden Headed Lion Tamarin, Goeldi’s Monkey and Agoutis. FROG room and nocturnal room have step free access.
• The enclosures with slight ramped/sloped access include: Red Ruffed Lemur, Titi Monkeys, Tamarin, Tortoise and Agoutis.
  Please note, there are slopes from the entrance of the zoo and throughout.
• The enclosures with steep ramped/sloped access include: Meerkat additional viewing area.
• The enclosures with stepped access include: Red-Ruffed lemurs, Provost Squirrel, Cotton-Top Tamarins, Owston’s Civet, Conures and Pied Tamarins.
• The enclosures with information boards available are all enclosures.
• The enclosures with seating available nearby are Ring-Tailed Lemurs, Squirrel Monkeys and Slender-Tailed Meerkats. Seating is also available near the entrance.
• The enclosures with talks and shows are varied, and talks may also be held at various points around the zoo, depending on the time of year.
• All enclosures have a floor level viewing area.

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• Comments View
  • In addition to the indoor and outdoor enclosures, there are also two separate room enclosures; the FROG room and the nocturnal room.
  • There are ramps/slopes throughout the zoo.

You are on Animal Enclosures (Forest Research Observation Gallery). Skip to the next section.

Animal Enclosures (Forest Research Observation Gallery)

• Forest Research Observation Gallery.

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• Section Name View
  • This enclosure is indoor.
  • This enclosure is located to the left just before you exit the venue.
  • You can exit the venue without going through this enclosure and you can also enter the shop without going through this enclosure.
• Entrance / Opening View
  • There is a single, manual door with an opening width of 75cm+, which may be difficult to open for access to this enclosure.
  • The entrance/opening is clearly signed.
  • The entrance/opening does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance/opening.
  • There is step-free access at this entrance/opening.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance/opening, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • The door opens by sliding and is 96cm wide.
• Animal Enclosure View
  • There is level access throughout this area.
  • During busy periods this area can become congested.
  • The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
  • This area does not play background music/sound.
  • There are not resting/seating areas within this area.
  • Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial and information board.
  • The enclosure does not have a hearing assistance system.
  • A keeper is in the enclosure at certain times.
  • Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
  • The lighting levels in this area are moderate to good.
  • There is a high colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
• Exit View
  • Visitors exit via the entrance/opening.
  • The exit is not clearly signed internally.

You are on Animal Enclosures (Nocturnal House). Skip to the next section.

Animal Enclosures (Nocturnal House)

• Nocturnal House.

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• Section Name View
  • This enclosure is indoor.
  • This enclosure is located to the right just before the exit to the venue.
  • You can exit the venue without going through this enclosure and you can also enter the shop without going through this enclosure.
    There is an exit from this enclosure directly into the shop.
• Entrance / Opening View
  • There is a single, manual door with an opening width of 75cm+, which is easy to open for access to this enclosure.
  • The entrance/opening is clearly signed.
  • The entrance/opening does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance/opening.
  • There is step-free access at this entrance/opening.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance/opening, with a height of 2cm or below.
• Animal Enclosure View
  • There is level access throughout this area.
  • Clear directional signage is provided in this area.
  • During busy periods this area can become congested.
  • The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
  • This area does not play background music/sound.
  • There are not resting/seating areas within this area.
  • Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial and information board.
  • The enclosure does not have a hearing assistance system.
  • A keeper is in the enclosure at certain times.
  • Visitors cannot handle/touch animals in this area.
• Exit View
  • The exit is not clearly signed internally.
  • There is a single, manual door with an opening width of 75cm+, which is easy to open when exiting this area/attraction.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the exit, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • There are two exit points. One is via the entrance and the other directly into the shop.
    Both exits have level access.

You are on Shop. Skip to the next section.

Shop

• The majority of aisle widths are 150cm+.
• The type of flooring is tiles.
• There are mats in aisles that might be perceived as holes.
• There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
• The lighting levels are good.
• The till(s) is/are located straight ahead after you enter the shop.
• There is step-free access to the till(s).
• There is a clear unobstructed route to the till(s).
• The till(s) is/are not clearly signed.
• The till(s) is not/are not placed in front of a plain background.
• The lighting levels at the till(s) are good.
• The chip & pin card machines are accessible from the till(s).
• The height of the till(s) is/are 98cm.
• There is not a lowered section at the till(s).
• There is not a hearing assistance system at the till(s).

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• Comments View
  • The shop can also be entered from the Nocturnal House enclosure via a separate entrance.

You are on Toilet with Adaptations. Skip to the next section.

Toilet with Adaptations

• There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are not available.
• The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located off the car park, to the left of the venue. These are public toilets and include a parent and baby room. Access to the toilets is by steps.

You are on Exit (From the Shop). Skip to the next section.

Exit (From the Shop)

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• Exit View
  • This information is for the exit located to the left as you face the till.
  • The exit area/door is not clearly signed internally.
  • The exit is ramped/sloped or stepped.
  • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this exit area which may look like a hole to some people.
  • The exit door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this exit.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
  • The width of the opening is 94cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the exit, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • There is a member of staff available for assistance at this exit.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located after the you have exited the shop but before you exit the venue.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going down the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the ramp after you exit the shop.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going down the step(s).
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
• Comments View
  • The handrails are rope.

You are on Exit (Emergency). Skip to the next section.

Exit (Emergency)

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• Exit View
  • This information is for the exit located between the Nocturnal House and Forest Research Observation Gallery enclosures, bypassing the shop.
  • The exit area/door is clearly signed internally.
  • This exit is signed with 'Fire Exit'.
  • The exit is ramped/sloped or stepped.
  • The exit door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this exit.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 82cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located after you have gone through the exit door, but before you exit the venue.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going down the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm (3ft 11in).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located to the left of the ramp after you pass through the exit door.
  • There is/are 5 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going down the step(s).
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
• Comments View
  • The handrails are rope.