Overview

This family park really have not understood the needs of people (adults or children) with disabilities. Such a shame, as the staff were friendly and wanted to please. But none of the 'accessible' toilets actually were useable. The door from the shop into the corridor was impossible to open, if in a wheelchair, the toilet door was also SO heavy with a fire closure which must have been 45+ Newtons. Alarm cord had been cut off and the small amount left had been hung over a very high window sill. I got trapped in this toilet for 15 minutes - I could not open the door, the alarm cord was well our of reach and there was no mobile signal. The park itself had not even given a nod to disabled children or adults. Over the whole day I saw one child with a disability (Downs Syndrome). The paths were not only steep, but the camber on most was very dangerous. Parking was inadequate. No 'rides' were accessible, the show area had no wheelchair spaces (I sat at the back, outside of the arena!). On the plus side, they did listen to my concerns about the toilets. At the outside toilet block, the door was also impossible and 2 children waited outside to get me out - not acceptable. I was assured that the manager would reassess the firm they had used who had given them 100% access award!! I do hope this is going to happen.

Transport & Parking

Designated area, but very hard to find. Rough surface. Not enough room if more than 3 cars turned up. No Markings at all, so those needing extra space at the side could find a car parked next to them stopping them getting back into their car.

Access

There was a path with not too much of an incline to the entrance. After that, all the paths were too steep and the camber was awful. No mention of wheelchair users, disability, not map to show which paths might be suitable for disabled people. No information for those needing less noise or with autism. They have not catered for anyone in a wheelchair - no designated spaces at the picnic tables, no usable toilets, no rides or attractions for disabled children or adults.

Toilets

Through very, very heavy door form shop to corridor and then the door immediately in front was the accessible toilet - so no chance of holding one door whilst opening another, which also had the heaviest fire closure I have ever encountered. Toilet small, with no transfer space, alarm cord cut off and the small piece left hooked over a very high window sill. Could not get out of the toilet and got trapped in there for 15 minutes. Other accessible toilet in the park was bigger, but still had a door with such a heavy fire closure that I could not get in or out without assistance.

Staff

Young, enthusiastic, tried to be helpful, but had no concept of what I was talking about. Another member of staff was called and he was obviously the handyman/technician. He was most concerned about my having found myself unable to get out of the toilet. Said they had an access assessment 2 months before and everything had passed! He said they would look into it. By the end of my visit, I was told that managements would get another agency to come along to do an access assessment.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

All the staff were welcoming and pleasant, but had little, if no, training in disability and equality issues. I could NOT recommend this venue to anyone with a disability.