Overview

After a long lockdown, we were keen to get out, and a visit to a huge, open air wildlife park seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up. We’re fairly regular visitors to this excellent-for-wildlife park, so we were very excited to see our old friends - the lemurs, capybaras and anteaters. I’m not a fan of their online booking system, as tickets are expensive, must currently be booked in advance, and are non-refundable. As someone with an energy-limiting illness, it’s always a gamble when purchasing a ticket - will I be up to it on the day? It’s an issue I think they need to look at. While high, ticket prices are adjusted for the disabled and our carers. They say they need proof, but we’ve never been challenged. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a wonderful haven for the animals it cares for. They are lively and content, and many are rescued and rehabilitated on site. There are no fears that you are complicit in keeping wildlife in miserable captivity. You will be delighted to hear the two lion prides roaring at each other, watch the polar bears playing in their lakes, and get mugged by lemurs (in non-Covid times.) And as a wheelchair user, you will find all these experiences accessible.

Transport & Parking

Parking for blue badge holders is by the main entrance/shop. There is a rogue sign pointing in the wrong direction, but hold your course towards the main building, and you’ll be fine. Have your badge ready to wave at the attendants.

Access

The park itself is very accessible to me in a powerchair, but do be aware that the paths are gravel and there are a couple of fun cambers. There are also big wooden fences that seem custom made to be just the right height to block my view, but the animal enclosures are huge, and you will always find a good view point. This is not a good place to try to tackle without wheels if you have mobility or energy issues. They usually have limited wheelchairs available for use, but not during Covid, so come prepared.

Toilets

There are plenty of accessible loos. My preference is to avoid the one closest to the entrance due to a big, heavy door I always struggle with. Plus currently the queues for the toilets are quieter elsewhere.

Staff

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Disappointingly, while they are advertising limited pre-booked slots, we still found it hugely busy. And while the park is huge, the paths can be narrow, so despite one way systems and keep right routes, it was impossible to keep even a metre away from people in many places. My animal-loving, crowd-hating autistic kiddo rapidly became overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of people around us after so long in quiet lockdown, and was miserable, which is simply not like him when surrounded by animals. And when we left, the cars were queueing to the main road to get in, which I’ve never seen before. So their ‘limited’ numbers are pretty big. Toilets are attended, so you must queue, and all toilets are in use by everyone. But if they see you in a chair/ you mention an invisible illness, they will bring you to the front of the queue. We won’t be returning until we feel safer/ covid infection numbers are lower, because while I understand the need to stay afloat financially, I don’t think their precautions are weighted in favour of the health of visitors.