Overview

Unfortunately this was venue that was not disabled friendly. The concept of being outdoors, enjoying company, music and food with room to move was seductive, the reality was different. There were very few staff around to help and when I did ask for help, it was not forthcoming, the member of staff, was totally disinterested. The way in was across the grass, with no matting down to facilitate easy access, and on site again there was no matting down in the area's of high footfall. With the rain fall these areas turned into rivers of mud which my walking frame got bogged down in. There was a disabled porta loo, with room to move for a walker or small wheelchair, however you had to get through the mud to get to it, again matting would have helped but it was not there. There was no facilities, as there are in other festivals, for the disabled to get seats reserved in the demonstration tents to avoid queuing or getting seating that was easily accessible. The VIP area had seating that was packed in close together, which made moving around difficult. Plus the seating sank into the mud, which was down right dangerous. Such a shame as this could be a great outing with just a little thought and staff training.

Transport & Parking

Parking was on the surrounding roads, in pay and display bays, however these were almost full and there are very few blue badge bays available. There was then a "walk" through the park to get to the venue. There is public transport to the park on Lothian buses, again there is the distance into the park across the grass to get to the venue

Access

Signage was minimal, there was no seating to rest on, from the parking to the venue. Access to the food festival was off the main path, onto and then across the grass which was muddy in places. Difficult with a walking frame. No matting to make it accessible for difficult at best. Site of the festival itself is on a slope and very muddy, again with no matting in the area's of heavy footfall.

Toilets

There was an accessible porta loo, which was larger than the average porta loo. This was at the start of the toilet area. To get there you had to negotiate a field of mud, which I got stuck in with my walker, there was a temporary drive way for exhibitors to negotiate, which for visually impaired was a trip hazard as the edges were not clearly marked, and covered in mud. This was right next to the urinals, which were inadequately screened, so you could see the people using the facilities. The loo itself had space for a carer as well, or a walking aid/small wheelchair, but would be tight for both. There was grap "rail" around the edge, but not one for the side of the toilet.

Staff

Very few staff around to ask for help, and the only one person I did ask for help was totally disinterested and made no effort either to help me or find someone who would help me.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Until the basic points over accessibility are addressed, so matting down to ameliorate the problems with the mud, I would not visit again. Plus there needs to be the addition of seating dotted around to allow folks to rest, not just buy alcohol, and staff trained to help folks, as you get in the Edinburgh festival/fringe and book festivals .