Overview

After a recent visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park with a wheelchair user, I can confirm that the park has various disabled facilities. The various cafes that Yorkshire Wildlife Park has to offer, all have wheelchair access, meaning that nobody misses out. The car park offers various disabled car parking spaces, within easy distance of the park entrance where there is an access ramp with stairs running adjacent. At the entrance, wheelchairs are available to hire at a cost. With reference to the cafe entrances, the wide doors mean that wheelchair uses have no problem with manoeuvring their chair through the entrance. This is made easier as these double doors remain open, so that an independent wheelchair user can enter the cafe easily. Exploring the park itself was simple, as the level pathway meant that the wheelchair can glide easily. The pathway around the perimeter of the exhibitions meant that even with a wheelchair user, we were able to both see and feed the animals easily.

Transport & Parking

The disabled car parking spaces were extremely wide, so the car doors were able to open to their full potential to ensure that a disabled or wheelchair user can easily get in and out of the car. There is no restricted access to the rear of the vehicle either, so that a ramp can easily be located for assistance. The spaces are located near to the entrance, with the pathway there being level.

Access

Upon arrival there are various clear signs suggesting a wheelchair friendly alternative route. There are several steps at the entrance, but an access ramp runs adjacent to these. A wheelchair user is able to see the animals and exhibitions clearly due to the transparent edging, for example the glass windows or fences. There is also an interactive area where anybody can feed and interact with the animals, with an accessible walkway for wheelchairs, push chairs etc. The signs locating the way to the animal exhibitions are large and colourful, making them easy to see. There are various cafes, all offering wheelchair access. Most have wide double doors that remain open, allowing a wheelchair to pass through easily and safely.

Toilets

There are various disabled accessible toilets within the park, however there is not one at the car park meaning that you have to walk into the park first to find this. They are all level access and large, with wide doors making it easy for a wheelchair user and carer(s) to be present. In the Safari Cafe toilet, I noticed a hoist, which is ideal if this is required. However, there is not a hoist present in every toilet facility. The toilets themselves are high, which is beneficial for anybody transferring from a wheelchair to the toilet with assistance.

Staff

On my visit, the staff appeared to be helpful. They always seemed to be on the lookout for any problems we may have experienced when using the wheelchair, for example, watching when entering through the cafe entrance to ensure they are ready if any assistance is required. They genuinely seemed happy to assist.