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Disabled Access Guide for ZSL Whipsnade Zoo -The Cloisters Conferencing & Banqueting Suites
B4540
Whipsnade
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU6 2LF
Tel: 01582 873 831
Fax: 01582 873 748
Email: mary.harris@zsl.org
Web: http://www.zsl.org/whipsnade
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Introduction
Related link ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Main Entrance & Car Park.
Related link ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - General Zoo Access.
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
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.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
There are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 3.5m x 4.4m (11ft 5in x 14ft 5in).
The nearest designated bay is 12m (13yd) from the Griffin Suite entrance.
The furthest designated bay is 15m (16yd) from the Griffin Suite 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 uneven surfaces.
The car park surface is block paving.
There is a dropped kerb/non stepped access from the car park to the venue.
The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.
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.
Outside Access (Griffin Suite Entrance)
This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 136cm (4ft 5in) wide.
There is a second set of doors.
The doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in) wide.
Level Change (Griffin Suite Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located behind the second set of entrance doors.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
Inside Access
There is level access to the service.
There is not a hearing assistance system.
This venue does play background music.
Music is played in some parts of the venue.
The lighting levels are varied.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Restaurant / Bar
The following information is for the bar.
Once inside, there is level access to the service.
Full table service is not available.
Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.
Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
No tables are permanently fixed.
No chairs are permanently fixed.
No chairs have armrests.
The nearest table is 16m (17yd) from the entrance.
The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
The distance between the floor and the highest dining table is 69cm (2ft 3in).
Accessible Toilet (Griffin Suite )
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 23m (25yd) from the entrance.
The accessible toilet is located towards the rear of the venue.
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 light.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 245cm (4ft 11in x 8ft ).
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 175cm (5ft 8in).
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 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 48cm (1ft 6in).
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 placed higher than 100cm.
The toilet roll holder is 119cm (3ft 10in) high.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is placed higher than 74cm.
The sink is 77cm (2ft 6in) high.
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 medium.
Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.
The height of the baby change table once extended is 86cm (2ft 9in).
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the baby change facility.
Level Change (Griffin Suite Toilets)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located leading to the facilities.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
The width of the ramp or slope is 92cm (3ft ).
Standard Toilet (Griffin Suite)
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
Standard toilets are available.
Access to Standard Female Toilets
The female toilets are located towards the rear of the venue.
The female toilets are 24m (26yd) from the entrance.
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet.
Lighting levels are bright.
Access to Standard Male Toilets
The male toilets are located towards the rear of the venue.
The male toilets are 25m (27yd) from the entrance.
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet.
Lighting levels are bright.
Additional facilities are located in the Phoenix Suite.
Outside Access (Phoenix Suite Entrance)
This information is for the entrance located at the front of the venue.
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are double width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 156cm (5ft 1in) wide.
Level Change (Phoenix Suite Entrance)
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 easy.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
Accessible Toilet (Phoenix Suite)
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 3m (9ft 10in) from the entrance.
The accessible toilet is located on the left as you enter.
There is 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
The door is light.
The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 170cm x 244cm (5ft 6in x 8ft ).
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 98cm (3ft 2in).
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.
The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 41cm (1ft 4in).
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.
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 not placed higher than 100cm.
There is a sink.
The sink can 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 medium.
Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.
The height of the baby change table once extended is 80cm (2ft 7in).
Inside the venue, there is 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.
Assistance Dogs are not allowed into the zoo.
The zoo provides two kennels next to the main entrance which are for assistance dogs only.
Assistance dogs will be kept in the kennels for the duration of the visit and the zoo provides them with water only.
Owners are required to leave contact details and must check on their dog at regular intervals during the visit.
