Zoo Map
WELSH MOUNTAIN ZOO ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is located on a historic Edwardian estate set on a hillside, which includes a variety of gradients, steps, and narrow paths. While some areas present challenges, we are committed to making the Zoo as accessible as possible for all our visitors.
Approximately 70% of our animal habitats can be accessed by wheelchair users, with the support of a companion or carer. Many of our newer enclosures, such as the Snow Leopard habitat opened in 2021, feature ramped access, and our ongoing development programme includes further accessibility improvements.
A free accessibility-focused map is available on arrival, designed to help all visitors plan their journey around the site. It highlights key pathways that are most suitable for wheelchair users and clearly marks gradient levels to assist those with walking distance or mobility considerations. This allows visitors to make informed choices about their route around the Zoo based on their individual needs.
Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge from the Zoo office. Carers accompanying guests with accessibility needs are admitted free of charge. Please note that small-wheeled electric scooters may not be suitable for some paths due to uneven terrain.
Assistance Dog Policy
We understand how important your assistance dog is in supporting you during your visit. We have a specific ASSISTANCE DOG POLICY that sets our Code of Conduct for assistance dog owners. Our policy helps us to ensure that all our visitors and our animals on site have a safe and stress-free time.
Download our Assistance Dog Visitor Declaration
Please note this policy does not extend to Therapy or Comfort Dogs.
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 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.
Main Entrance Facilities
- For further details on Zoo Opening times please click here. Closed Christmas Day (Please note the entrance gates close approximately an hour before closing).
- Taxi drop off point is outside the main Zoo entrance and there is a short walk on a slight down hill gradient to the pay box and an estimated 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 and in the peak season (e.g. 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 the field gate box entrance. Disabled parking is always available centrally – please notify the car park attendant on the main entrance 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 and pushchairs, avoiding steps but not slopes.
- The guidebook is not currently available in alternative formats such as audio.
- Concessions are available for disabled visitors and carers when proof of verification is shown upon entrance – please click here for more details.
- Free wheelchair loan available from the Zoo office.
- 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 Zoovenirs Gift Shop, centrally sited on the car park and open every day.
Public Areas – WC
- There are toilets under the Penguin Café, under the Safari restaurant and another set of toilets behind the Zoovenirs 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 a single ramp into the baby changing room.
- There is no toilet provision outside the Zoo boundary, Safari Restaurant or Penguin Cafe.
Safari Restaurant and Penguin Café
- Safari Restaurant is spacious. Penguin Café is less spacious being smaller in size.
- Menus and prices are displayed clearly on the wall as you enter the Safari Restaurant and Penguin Café and are available verbally on request from staff. Currently they are not available in either Braille or in audio format.
- There is a single ramp into the Safari Restaurant.
- There is a moderately steep gradient up to the Penguin 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 Penguin Café have a counter service (table service can be offered where needed).
- We are able to cater for vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, dairy free, nut free and sugar free diets. Please phone in advance and specify requirements on 01492 532938.
- You are not permitted to eat your own food in the Catering Outlets but there are many picnic areas throughout the grounds on level and sloped ground (benches and grass areas).
Zoolicious Sweet Shop
- Access is through a single doorway.
- There is a single ramp into the shop.
- A counter service is provided.
- For dietary requirements please phone in advance and specify requirements on 01492 532938.
Zoovenir Gift Shop
- Access is through a single doorway.
- There is a single ramp 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 our Bird and Sea Lion presentation times is advertised on the Zoovenirs digital board
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.
- Fully trained registered assistance dogs are welcome and can access all public areas. Please see above regarding advance notice.