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WELSH MOUNTAIN ZOO ACCESS STATEMENT

Introduction.

The Welsh Mountain Zoo is set on a challenging hilltop site which was originally an Edwardian private estate with many steps and narrow paths. Most of the pathways slope to a greater or lesser extent. It is not an easy venue for visitors with walking difficulties or wheelchairs although we estimate that 70% of the exhibits are viewable by wheelchair with a fit and able bodied carer. All new features in the Zoo are designed with ramped access, for example the sea lion exhibit completed in 2006. Less accessible areas will improve in the future as part of our development programme. We provide a free map at the entrance which denotes the paths best suited to wheelchairs and pushchairs avoiding steps but not slopes. We make no charge for wheelchair-bound visitors. Please also note that small wheeled electric scooters will have difficulty due to uneven surfaces. Free wheelchair loan available. Assistance dogs are welcome in the Zoo but prior warning would be appreciated (01492 532938 or info@welshmountainzoo.org).

We currently offer:

Transport and Location

· A free central car and coach park and overflow field parking with a separate entrance on busy days. ·There is always space in the centre of the zoo for disabled visitor parking.

·Approximately one mile from the nearest town of Colwyn Bay.

· Colwyn Bay is served by frequent bus and train services.

· A free, continuous minibus service from Colwyn Bay train station to the Zoo and back (Easter to Mid September). The Zoo’s minibus has 14 passenger seats and has not been modified for wheelchair access. We do not recommend the minibus service to wheelchair-bound visitors.
 

Main Entrance Facilities

· Zoo opening hours are 9:30am – 5pm (March – October) and 9:30am – 4pm (November – February).

· Free minibus drop off point is outside the main entrance and there is a short walk on a slight down hill gradient to the pay box and a three minute partially uphill walk to the Zoo centre (with speed ramps for passing cars).

·The main entrance (where visitors pay admission) and driveways are also used by cars and coaches.Parking is normally in the central car park.

· During busy periods (eg school summer holidays, bank holidays), a field adjacent to the zoo is used as a car park facility. From here it is no more than a five minute walk on an upward gradient to gate box 3 entrance. Disabled parking is always available centrally – please notify the attendant on the main gate who will direct you to the central car park.

· Currently no loop installed.

· Currently no seating provided at the entrance.

Public Areas - General

· Being situated in a 37 acre hilltop location an estimated 30% of the smaller exhibits as well as a significant part of the undeveloped woodlands are inaccessible to visitors with mobility constraints due to steps, sloped pathways and gravel surfaces.

·We provide a free map at the entrance which denotes the best paths suited to wheelchairs, avoiding steps but not slopes.

· The guidebook is not currently available in alternative formats such as audio.

· We make no charge for wheelchair-bound and blind visitors.

· Free wheelchair and pushchair loan.

· Staff are always on hand to offer assistance where required and wear either navy, green or maroon sweatshirts with the zoo logo on the front.

· Information is available from the Zoo shop, centrally sited on the car park and open every day.

Public Areas – WC

· There is a disabled toilet plus ladies and gents toilets under the Flagstaff Café and another set of ladies and gents toilets behind the Trading Post Gift Shop. A baby changing room is situated adjacent to the Gift Shop.

· Access to all WCs in the grounds is concrete or tarmac with step-free access routes (except for the toilets at the Safari Restaurant which are via steps).

· There is no toilet provision outside the Zoo boundary. Safari Restaurant and Flagstaff Café

· Safari Restaurant is spacious. Flagstaff Café is less spacious being smaller in size.

· Menus and prices are displayed clearly on the wall as you enter the Safari Restaurant and Flagstaff Café and verbally on request from staff. Currently they are not available in either Braille or on tape. There is a single step into the Safari Restaurant.

· There is a moderately steep gradient up to the Flagstaff Café but no steps.

· Staff are available to assist where required.

· Chairs and tables are movable, some with a central support column and some with legs on each corner.

· Both Safari Restaurant and Flagstaff Café have a counter service (table service can be offered where needed).

· We are able to cater for vegetarians, gluten free, dairy free, nut free and sugar free diets. Please phone in advance and specify requirements 01492 532938.

· There are many picnic areas throughout the grounds on level and sloped ground (benches and grass areas).

Trading Post Gift Shop

· Access is through a single doorway.

· There is a small step into the shop.

· Guide dogs are welcome in the shop.

· Some items for sale may be out of reach; the staff offer assistance.

Displays

·Information about Chimp Encounter and bird and sealion display times is advertised on the back of the zoo’s map and at the Trading Post Gift Shop. There is wheelchair access (front and back) to Chimp Encounter.

Grounds and gardens

· There are rest points (benches) available at regular intervals around the zoo.

· There are a number of areas which are only accessible by climbing/descending a number of steps.

· Some paths and walkways are tarmacced but the majority are gravel based.

· There is no onsite transport across the site.

· Between pathways there are grass areas which can be uneven underfoot.

Additional Information

· All front of house staff and staff answering the main telephone have been trained in disability awareness and the sites features.

· Assistance dogs are welcome and can access all public areas. See above regarding advance notice.

· The Zoo has a volunteer scheme.Given reasonable advance notice it may be possible to book a volunteer to provide a guide service to blind or partially sighted visitors.

Contact Information

Telephone: 01492 32938
Fax: 01492 530498
Email: info@welshmountainzoo.org
Website: www.welshmountainzoo.org
Address: Welsh Mountain Zoo, Old Highway, Colwyn Bay LL28 5UY
Hours of opening: 9:30am – 5pm (Mar - Oct), 9:30am – 4pm (Nov –Feb)