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Disabled Access Guide for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - General Zoo Access
B4540
Whipsnade
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU6 2LF
Tel: 01582 872 171
Fax: 01582 872 649
Web: http://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo
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Introduction
Related link ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Main Entrance & Car Park.
The zoo has wheelchairs available for hire and visitors are advised to book them in advance by calling the Retail Shop on 01582 871 517.
A refundable deposit of £25.00 is required by leaving credit card details as security and identification.
Location
The venue is situated within the centre of the area.
This venue is situated in Whipsnade.
The venue is not on a road with a steep gradient.
The nearest mainline Railway Station is Luton.
There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Parking (Main Car Park)
This venue does have its own car park.
Parking is not free for all users.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
The car park is across B4540.
The car park type is open air/surface.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
There are 12 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
The nearest designated bay is 145m (158yd) from the main entrance.
The furthest designated bay is 182m (199yd) 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 slopes/ramps.
The car park surface is tarmac.
The patron does not have to cross a road.
The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
There is not a designated drop off point.
There are two parking options at Whipsnade Zoo.
Visitors can either park in the main zoo car park or take their vehicle into the zoo where there are various parking locations.
The main car park is across the main road (B4540) in front of the zoo and can be accessed via a subway with a ramp.
The ramp in the subway has a steep gradient.
The external car park is free for Blue Badge holders.
During the winter months the main external car park is closed.
Cars are allowed into the zoo during the winter months free of charge.
Parking (Inside Zoo Grounds)
This venue does have its own car park.
Parking is not free for all users.
Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
The car park is at the front of the venue.
The car park type is open air/surface.
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 uneven surfaces.
The car park surface is tarmac.
The patron does not have to cross a road.
The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
There is not a designated drop off point.
There are various parking areas located around the zoo.
Some of the parking areas have a tarmac surface and others have a muddy uneven surface.
There are only 2 marked parking bays designated for Blue Badge holders, which are located next to the Africa Outpost and Hippos.
Outside Access (Main Zoo Entrance)
This information is for the entrance located at the front of the zoo.
There is level access to the service.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are permanently held open.
The door opening is 200cm (6ft 6in) wide.
There is a second set of doors.
The doors open both ways.
The doors are single width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 120cm (3ft 11in) wide.
Zoo Paths & Roads
The main zoo route has easy and moderate slopes located throughout.
The zoo route has tarmac, concrete, grass and gravel and loose chippings surfaces.
Visitors can either walk or drive around the zoo route as there are pathways and roads.
Visitors must exit their vehicles to see the animals as they are in enclosures away from the road.
There is a bus that goes around the zoo on a schedule and this can be accessed via a ramp.
Outside Access (Lookout Cafe)
This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open both ways.
The doors are single width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 92cm (3ft ) wide.
This cafe is seasonal and is closed during the winter months.
Level Change (Lookout Cafe)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
The ramp or slope is steep.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
Accessible Toilet (1)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
The accessible toilet is located in the block next to the Lookout Cafe.
There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 8cm (3in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 175cm x 190cm (5ft 8in x 6ft 2in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
The lateral transfer space is 115cm (3ft 9in).
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
There is not a flush on the transfer side.
The tap type is lever.
There is a mixer tap.
There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4in) from floor).
Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
Wall mounted rails are available.
As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 40cm (1ft 3in).
There is not a hand dryer.
There is a towel dispenser.
The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm.
There is a toilet roll holder.
The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is not placed higher than 74cm.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are bright.
Level Change (Toilets - 1)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located leading down to the toilets.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
The width of the ramp or slope is 110cm (3ft 7in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located leading down to the toilets.
There are 2 steps to the area/service.
The steps are clearly marked.
The steps are deep.
The steps do not have handrails.
The slope overcomes the steps.
Accessible Toilet (2)
There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to accessible toilets
The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
The accessible toilet is located in the block behind Wild Bite Cafe.
There is not level access to the accessible toilet.
Features and dimensions of accessible toilets
This is a unisex 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 85cm (2ft 9in).
The door is heavy.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 205cm (5ft 2in x 6ft 8in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
The lateral transfer space is 95cm (3ft 1in).
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
There is not a flush on the transfer side.
The tap type is lever.
There is a mixer tap.
There is a functional emergency alarm available.
It is not a push button style of alarm.
Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in accessible toilets
Wall mounted rails are available.
As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
There is a hand dryer.
The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm.
The hand dryer is 116cm (3ft 9in) high.
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.
The toilet roll holder is 104cm (3ft 4in) high.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is not placed higher than 74cm.
Colour contrast and lighting in accessible toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are low.
Level Change (Adapted Toilet - 2)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the toilet.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
Standard Toilet
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
Standard toilets are available.
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilets
The female and male toilets are located throughout the zoo.
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.
Lighting levels are bright.
Baby Change Facilities
Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
The baby change facilities are located within the adapted toilet.
The height of the baby change table once extended is 87cm (2ft 10in).
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the baby change facility.
Additional Information
Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
Documents are not available in Braille.
Documents can be requested in large print.
A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
Staff are not Text Relay aware.
The 2 photographs show level changes in the zoo.
