Berkeley Castle 

Accessibility Rating 

Physical 

Two out of five 

Sensory 

Four out of five 

Location: Berkeley Castle
1 High Street
Berkeley
GL13 9BQ

Parking

There are 4 accessible bays just outside the entrance to Berkeley Castle. These are not very clearly marked however they do give very easy access to Berkeley Castle. Parking is free for blue badge holders.

Entrance and reception

The entrance to Berkeley Castle is flat and smooth so is comfortable for a wheelchair user. There is clear signage at the entrance with contrasting background and font.
The gift shop is easily identifiable and is where you purchase tickets to view the castle. The staff at reception are very friendly and happy to help in any way.
The gift shop has low tables with gifts neatly placed and easily reachable.
To the left of the reception desk is the entrance to the castle. This is step free and there is a wide footpath to the castle.

Castle

There is a short journey from the gift shop to the castle that takes about 5 minutes to complete. The pathways here and mostly flat and wide, with one slight uphill corner with a bit of uneven ground, but nothing too hazardous. There is a suitable amount of signage on the route so there is never enough time to get confused about whether you are going the right way.
As you get closer to the castle there is signage for children that directs to the dressing up area, toilets, entrance and gardens and grounds. This is clear with a contrasting font and background colour.

The castle entrance is a wide, open space with beautiful views of the grounds and countryside in the distance. There are areas of the gardens that are accessible, however some viewing areas are only accessible via steps. There are benches around the gardens which is positive for people with limited mobility who require rest stops. Care should be taken around the grounds as some surfaces are uneven and will be slippery when wet.

Due to Berkeley Castle being a listed building, it is very difficult for it to be made fully accessible. The only part of the castle that is accessible in a wheelchair is the Great Hall. This is a huge, stunning room.
There is a map of the castle available, however it may be too small for people with a visual impairment to see clearly.
Carers get free entry to the castle.

Accessible toilet near castle

There is a small step on both routes to the accessible toilet near the castle which an electric wheelchair will be unlikely to be able to use. The toilet is large, and all the amenities are at a lowered height.
There is no emergency pull cord. There are grab rails on the walls and a drop-down rail next to the toilet. These are the same colour as the walls and may be difficult to identify for somebody with a visual impairment. The toilet seat is the correct height and there is a cushioned back for comfort.

Yurt

Near the entrance there is a large yurt that contains a café and coffee shop. This is easily accessible in a wheelchair and is spacious and well lit. The tables are a good size and the chairs are easily moveable. A wheelchair user can sit comfortably under the tables.

Accessible toilet near Yurt

The accessible toilet near the yurt is large enough for a wheelchair user and assistant however it is quite narrow. The grab rails and toilet seat are a contrasting colour to the walls and basin which makes it easier for the visually impaired to identify them. The grab rails are well placed, with a drop-down rail and vertical rail on the left of the toilet and a horizontal rail behind the toilet and on the right. There are also two vertical rails on either side of the sink.
There is a transfer space on the left of the toilet when facing it, however there is a bin in this space. All the amenities are lowered for a wheelchair user. The flush is on the transfer side of the toilet however it is on a chain which may be difficult for somebody with limited dexterity to use.
There is an emergency pull cord to the left of the toilet from a seated position that is slightly in front of the toilet. There is a sign behind the emergency pull cord that states it is important that the cord is hanging freely so it can be pulled in an emergency.

Butterfly Garden

Inside the gift shop is the entrance to the butterfly garden.
There are large plastic separation curtains when entering the butterfly garden, this is so that the butterflies don’t escape on entrance and exit of the garden. A wheelchair user will need assistance with holding these curtains open to enable them to pass through.
The butterfly garden is very warm, and the sudden change of temperature may be uncomfortable for someone with sensory processing disorder.
The butterfly garden has a pathway that is wide enough for a wheelchair, however it is not wide enough for an individual to pass by a wheelchair. There are numerous turnings to take meaning a wheelchair won’t cause too much obstruction. There are thousands of butterflies in the garden of all different shapes and sizes and they are truly beautiful.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre | 18th November 2019 

Accessibility Rating 

Physical 

Four and a half out of five 

Sensory 

Four out of five 

Location: Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Newgrounds Lane
Gloucester
GL2 7BT

Background

The Accessible Gloucestershire team were lucky to be invited to the opening weekend of the new accessible Estuary Tower Hide. During this visit we learnt a lot about the extremely interesting background of Slimbridge Wetland Centre.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre was opened in 1946 by the artist and naturalist Peter Scott. Scott realised that due to World War II, many animals and birds would have been eaten due to the rations. This prompted him to open Slimbridge to help species recover from the war. Since then Slimbridge has substantially grown and is home to a wide variety of birds and animals.

Accessibility around Slimbridge

There are mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs that can be hired for the day at a small cost. It is recommended that you call in advance to book one of these.
There are volunteers who can accompany somebody with a visual impairment around Slimbridge, while giving interesting facts and insights about the wildlife.

The overall access around Slimbridge is very good with clear, even pathways throughout. The tall Observatory at the Visitor Centre can be seen from almost everywhere around Slimbridge making it a very good point of reference and ensuring it is clear which direction the exit is at all times. There are also points of reference throughout the Centre such as a statue of Scott in the middle, which is also on the map. This is positive for people with visual impairments, autism or dementia.
There are gates throughout the centre that require two hands to open and may be difficult for a wheelchair user to open alone.

The best hide for accessibility is the South Lake Discovery which has plenty of lowered windows and binoculars available for use. The majority of hides are very easily accessible with lowered windows, and the newer hides such as the Duck Decoy hide offers knee recess at 2 windows so a wheelchair user can get as close as possible to the window to get the best view.
The Flamingo Lagoon also has great accessibility. There is a ramp to get down to the hide and it has very large windows. This hide is eye level with the flamingos which means it gives a great view for people with a visual impairment. There is also a video screen in here with an audio information headset about the conservation work the WWT are doing for flamingos.

Shepherds Hut is unfortunately inaccessible for wheelchair users as it often floods, and wheelchair users can’t get over the sea wall.

The otter pool is fully accessible and has decking and glass at floor level so that public can get a clear view of the otters and easily navigate their way around the otter pool. You can also go through the cave where there is a small window to look through, this would be difficult for someone with limited sight due to the height of the windows and it was quite dark.

Wellybootland is a splash space for children and is fully accessible in a wheelchair. There is also an indoor children’s soft play area.

During the summer months there is an accessible Land Rover Safari which takes you along the banks of the River Severn with an expert tour guide. This can accommodate 2 wheelchairs per journey.

Parking and entrance

There are 17 accessible bays at Slimbridge Wetland Centre which are free to park in all day. The car park is very close to the entrance and involves crossing the car park to a dropped kerb. The accessible entrance is via a large ramp that has a handrail on either side to aid mobility.
There are 2 entrance doors to the Centre, the ones on the right have a push button entrance, open outwards and stay open for a suitable amount of time to allow a wheelchair user to pass through with ease.

Reception

There are 2 reception desks, the one on the right is a lowered desk with a wheelchair symbol above to show that disabled visitors should queue for this desk.
The reception is open plan and easy to navigate with a large 3D map in the centre that is updated when changes are made around the Centre. There are also leaflets that you can take with a map on them.
During our visit we were informed that Slimbridge Wetland Centre are in the very early stages of planning for an app that will have a map on it. This is an exciting feature for the future and has the potential to vastly improve the ease of navigating around the Centre.
All the employees at Slimbridge are friendly and willing to help in any way they can.

Observatory

From the reception there is a lift to access the Observatory. This is a great opportunity to get a 360-degree picture of the centre and offers exceptional views.
The lift is large enough to fit a wheelchair user and an assistant. The lighting is very dim in the lift and may cause an individual with a visual impairment or dementia difficulty in adjusting. The lift is also quite loud and may cause alarm for somebody with sensory issues.
Care should be taken by wheelchair users when reversing out of the lift as the stairs are close to the turning space.
There is one manual door to enter the Observatory. The space in the Observatory is wide enough for a wheelchair user to navigate with ease and there is turning space at the end. The windows are low enough for a wheelchair user or person of smaller stature to see out of, however there is no knee recess which means it may be difficult for a wheelchair user to see directly below.

Accessible toilet on ground floor near ramp in Visitor Centre

The accessible toilet is large enough to comfortably fit a wheelchair user and assistant with ease. The lighting is quite dim and may cause difficulty for somebody with a visual impairment.
The toilet seat is 45cm from the ground which is 3cm below minimum requirements and it has a cushioned back for comfort. All of the amenities in the toilet are lowered for a wheelchair user or person of a smaller stature and the floor is non slip.
The grab-rails and toilet seat are the same colour as the walls which may cause difficulty in identifying them for somebody with a visual impairment.
There is an emergency pull cord to the right of the toilet however it is not reachable from the toilet. There is a lowered coat hook on the right wall.
The toilet is clean and hygienic and there are no distracting sounds.

Restaurant

There are an assortment of hot and cold food and drink on offer in the restaurant. This is a large space with some booths and some tables and chairs. The chairs are easily removable for a wheelchair user; however the table leg underneath may make it difficult for a wheelchair user with footplates to get as close as they would like to the table.

Cinema

During our visit to the opening of the Tower Hide we attended a very interesting and informative talk in the cinema. The cinema is well lit and has step-free access by doors on either side. There aren’t any wheelchair spaces which means a wheelchair user will need to sit in front of the first row.

Estuary Tower Hide

The new accessible Estuary Tower Hide is a great way to get stunning views of the wildlife at Slimbridge.
Care should be taken on the way to the hide as the ground can be slippery when wet in places.
There are 2 levels to the hide with a lift for access. The lift is large enough to fit a wheelchair user and an assistant. It is a platform lift that requires the button to be held down for the duration. The button is large and very easy to use.
Care should be taken when reversing out of the lift as the stairs are near the turning space. When the lift door opens it partially obstructs the entrance into the hide. The door doesn’t remain open for very long and may need somebody to hold it open while a wheelchair user reverses out of the lift.

On the first floor there are windows at different heights including lowered windows for wheelchair users. The windows also open inwards and provide a wheelchair with knee recess. There are also benches so people with limited mobility can enjoy the views from a seated position.

The 2nd floor doesn’t have a roof, so you feel fully immersed in the surroundings. This gives brilliant views from floor to sky and is truly spectacular. This area is spacious and easy to navigate for a wheelchair user. There are sections that have glass from the floor, so these areas are great for wheelchair users or people of a smaller stature to get a great view of the wildlife below.

Riverlife

There is a play area and kiosk at Riverlife that offers a choice of food and drink. The benches are not suitable for wheelchair users as there is no knee recess.

Accessible toilet in Kiosk at Riverlife

The accessible toilet is down a narrow pathway on the right of the kiosk at Riverlife. It may be quite difficult for larger wheelchair to manoeuvre into the toilet as the pathway is narrow.
The accessible toilet is large enough to fit both a wheelchair user and assistant. It may be difficult to transfer to the toilet as the basin is quite far away from the nearest wall and grab rail. The drop-down rail is also quite far away from the transfer side of the toilet.
There is an emergency pull cord, however it is not reachable from a seated position on the toilet.
The floor is non-slip and all the amenities are at a lowered height, there is also a lowered coat hook for wheelchair users or people of a smaller stature.

Arctic Adventure

New to Slimbridge in Summer 2019 is the Arctic Adventure. Many birds at Slimbridge, such as the Bewick’s swans (one of Scott’s favourites), have flown the 4000km from the arctic tundra.
The Arctic Adventure is a beautiful cabin that is based on a real research hut that was used by Scott. It is a great immersive experience for families and the cabin is accessible throughout.

Scott House

We were lucky enough to get a private tour of Scott House during our visit to Slimbridge. This is where Peter Scott lived with his wife. The house has been kept almost exactly as it was when Scott lived there, and it is quite remarkable to visit.

The hallways in Scott House are quite narrow and may be difficult for a large wheelchair to navigate. There is a step up to the hallway that leads to the kitchen, however there is a portable ramp to aid wheelchair users.

The turning into the kitchen is quite narrow due to the stair bannister. These are the original stairs and bannister, so it is important that they remain where they are to keep the house in the same condition it was when Scott lived there.

As the house is now a museum it is important that visitors do not sit on the original furniture. There is a Slimbridge chair in each room that is not part of the museum and is there so that people with limited mobility or who cannot stand for long periods of time are able to rest during the tours.

Each room is large enough for a wheelchair user to navigate, the only difficulty may be in the kitchen which has the dining table in the middle.
Scott’s office is spectacular with floor to ceiling windows to give the best views of Slimbridge. There are lots of original notes and books around the house that make for a very interesting read and the tour is filled with lovely anecdotes throughout.

The Scott House tour really shouldn’t be missed!

Gift Shop

To exit Slimbridge you must walk through the gift shop. Here there are an excellent selection of gifts on tables and shelves. Some of the tables are diagonal which means the corners protrude outwards, this may be a hazard for a wheelchair user or person of a smaller stature.

Birdland | 21st October 2019 

Accessibility Rating 

Physical 

Three out of five 

Sensory 

Four out of five 

Location: Birdland
Rissington Road
Bourton-On-The-Water
GL54 2BN

Parking

There isn’t a car park at Birdland however there is a public car park a short walk from Birdland. There are 2 accessible spaces which are at the side closest to the walkway to Birdland. Blue badge holders can park here for free all day.

There are public toilets in this car park that charge 20p for entry, and an accessible toilet that requires a RADAR key. The toilet is large enough to fit a wheelchair user and an assistant and has an automated sink and hand dryer at a lowered height.

The route to Birdland is flat and on sturdy ground. It involves leaving the car park at the end near the toilets and journeying along the pavement. This only takes a couple of minutes.

Entrance and reception

There is a slight ramp to enter the reception at the entrance and is gained via a single push door. A wheelchair user may need assistance in holding this open. The reception counter is all at a lowered height making it easy for a wheelchair user or person of smaller stature to communicate with the receptionist. Once a ticket to Birdland is purchased the receptionist will guide individuals to the entrance. This is another single manual door which a wheelchair user may need assistance with.
The reception is easy to navigate and has plenty of space for a wheelchair user to get around easily.

Access around Birdland

Once outside, the pathways are wide and spacious and have good viewing with low boundaries for the enclosures. There is large signage along the route that describes what to expect around Birdland.
There are numerous sections to Birdland, these include: Meet the Birds, Penguin Shore, Jurassic Journey, Indoor Discovery Zone, Encounters Area, Desert House and Out of Africa. All of these areas are accessible for a wheelchair.

There are numerous “you are here” maps around Birdland which is a great way to make maps immediately less confusing.

There are lots of picnic benches and resting spots located around Birdland which is great for people with limited mobility. There are also some sheltered spaces in case of bad weather.

Penguin Shore

Penguin Shore is a great opportunity to get very close to the penguins. During our visit one penguin was wandering around right next to us and it was great entertainment. There are numerous viewing areas for the penguins, some are high up and involve climbing some steps, but there is also spots on ground level where you can see under the water. There is also a spot that is perfect viewing for people of a smaller stature or wheelchair users, this area has a sign requesting that wheelchair users and pushchairs are given priority.
Care should be taken around Penguin Shore as there is a brick missing on the ground meaning a wheelchair user could potentially get stuck or damage their chair, additionally this may be a trip hazard. The manager of Birdland informed us that they were aware of this issue and it is caused by tree roots under the surface. There are plans in place for the trees causing the issues to be removed from the root and placed elsewhere.

Accessible toilet near entrance

Once you are inside Birdland the closest toilet is near the Penguin Shore, which only takes a few minutes to get to. The accessible toilet here has a heightened toilet seat which makes it easier for a wheelchair user to transfer to and from the toilet. The toilet is too small, and it is a struggle to fit a wheelchair user and assistant. Additionally, the bins are very large and get in the way of transferring, making it very difficult.

Flamingo Point Café

Flamingo Point Café is in a great location offering lovely views of Flamingo river from the outside tables. There are numerous snacks and lunch options on offer such as warm pasties. The café has easy access and is spacious, and a wheelchair can comfortably sit underneath the tables, with easily moveable chairs. There is a lowered counter with the till on it so a wheelchair user can communicate with the staff and make a payment with ease.

Accessible toilet in Café

There is an accessible toilet in Flamingo Point Café. There is a sliding door to the toilet that is locked by a latch on the inside. This may be difficult to use for somebody with limited dexterity. The toilet is large and leaves plenty of space for a wheelchair user and assistant. However, the toilet itself is only 41cm from the ground. This is 7cm lower than the average wheelchair and therefore would be very difficult to transfer to. There is a dropdown grab-rail on the right of the toilet and a vertical rail on the wall next to the toilet. The toilet is quite far from the wall and this may make the grab-rail hard to reach. All the amenities are at a lowered height.

Hatchery and Nursery

There were some delightful chicks in the Hatchery and Nursery. There is a glass screen on the side of the encloser which enables wheelchair users to see them with ease

Jurassic Journey

The Jurassic Journey is great fun for children and sets you a task of getting yourself out of the wooded Jurassic world and into safety. There are life-size dinosaur statues within the wooded area with information points that are a reminder that todays birds are descendants of dinosaurs. Within the Jurassic Journey is the Dino Dig where you can dig for your own fossils and bones and discover dinosaur eggs.
The dinosaur eggs are in a lowered cabinet which can be viewed with ease by wheelchair users or people of a smaller stature.
The fossil digging section will be quite difficult for a wheelchair user to join in as it is based on the floor and involves sitting on ‘rocks’.

Indoor Discovery Zone

The Indoor Discovery Zone has plenty of bright coloured and interesting fish to look at, as well as other exciting small animals. It is quite dark in there to make it easier to see the fish, but this may be quite hard for people with a visual impairment to adjust to.
The exit door in the discovery zone is very narrow and may be difficult for a larger wheelchair to fit through.

Out of Africa and Pandemonium of Parrots

Out of Africa and Pandemonium of Parts are two areas that both offer a great experience of some very large and amazing birds. This is all accessible and is very easy to get around.

Gift Shop

The gift shop is open plan and very spacious. It is extremely tidy and very easy to see the gifts on offer. There is plenty of space for a wheelchair user to look around without causing obstruction.