Access All Policy

Access All 

Shepreth Wildlife Park is a leading family visitor attraction in Hertfordshire committed to creating an environment which can be accessed by all. We believe by creating an environment free from barriers and obstacles, we can ensure our facilities, services and the environment are fully accessible to all. We want everyone to enjoy the Wildlife Park and endeavour to make everything accessible, visible and easy for all our visitors.

Access Statement

SWP is committed to ensuring that the site is an accessible and inclusive place for disabled people, their families and carers. 

SWP is committed to consulting with disabled people, their families and carers and, where appropriate, disability organisations to ensure that barriers to access and inclusion are addressed appropriately. 

SWP is committed to achieving the desired outcomes of its Disability Equality Scheme:

  • Disabled people have the same opportunities as other people to access the services of, and any events organised by SWP as far as is reasonable, or alternative accommodation and arrangements will be made.
  • Disabled people have the same opportunities as other people to gain employment and promotion at SWP. 
  • Disabled people have the same opportunities as other people to access the buildings and other facilities SWP as far as is reasonable, or alternative accommodation and arrangements will be made.
  • Disabled people receive information from SWP in a format that will enable them to access the information as readily as other people are able to access it as far as is reasonable for SWP to provide.
  • Disabled people receive the same level and quality of service from the staff of SWP as other people receive. 
  • Disabled people have the same opportunities as other people to make complaints to SWP and that staff with disabilities have the same opportunities to raise a grievance. 

Index

  • Mobility Access

  • Parking

  • Wheelchairs

  • Assistance Dogs

  • Front of House staff

  • Literature

  • Reduced Admission Price

  • Toilet Facilities

  • Ringo’s Play Barn

  • Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors

  • Special Needs Education

  • Transport


Mobility Access


Shepreth Wildlife Park is set in natural surroundings on a nine-acre site and can be accessed by wheelchairs and pushchairs along the tarmac paths, which make up a majority of the pathways. Some pathways may be uneven due to tree roots etc. 

The doors to the Tropical House remain closed to retain the heat for its tropical inhabitants, however, doors open to give enough room for wheelchair users to enter and exit.



The doors to the Nocturnal House remain closed to retain the heat inside the building.  However, doors open to give enough room for wheelchair users to enter and exit.

Areas which currently do not have ramps or access for wheelchair use are:

  • The upstairs viewing gallery over-looking the tiger enclosure is not accessible to wheelchair users, but 100% of the animals can be viewed from ground level.
  • 15% of the pathways are graveled level, and not tarmac. Some resistance may be experienced accessing these paths, though a complete circuit of the Wildlife Park can be made via the tarmac paths.
  • The animal team staff room is located up one flight of stairs.  There is an alternative food preparation area located in the gift shop, and alternative break areas in the gift shop and discovery centre.

There is plenty of seating throughout the Wildlife Park, including several wheelchair accessible picnic benches.

Parking


There are three designated disabled spaces at the main entrance, with a tarmac path to the entrance door. 

Wheelchairs


Unfortunately, we are not able to provide wheelchairs for visitors to use.

Assistance Dogs


The Equality Act 2010, lays out that in relation to protecting the rights of disabled people, an Assistance Dog means

  1. A dog which has been trained to guide a blind person;
  2. A dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person;
  3. A dog which has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person’s mobility, manual dexterity, physical coordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects;
  4. A dog of a prescribed category which has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than one falling within paragraph (c) of a prescribed kind.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission states that assistance dogs:

  • Are highly trained
  • Will not wander freely around the premises
  • Will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to its owner and are trained to go to the toilet on command and so are unlikely to foul in a public place
  • Most are instantly recognisable by the harness or identifying dog jacket they wear *

*It should be noted that the law does not require the dog to wear a harness or jacket to identify it as an Assistance dog.  Assistance dogs come in a variety of breeds, colours and sizes.

Biosecurity

Owners of Assistance Dogs will be required to sign a declaration prior to entry to state the dog:

  • Is currently enrolled on a standard canine vaccination program as advised by their vet and is up to date with all doses, along with flea and worm treatment.
  • Has not shown any signs of disease including vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours.

All faeces must be immediately cleaned up and disposed of appropriately

Dogs are not permitted to enter walkthrough exhibits.  The walkthrough exhibits are the Nocturnal House, BunnyLand and Wallaby Walkthrough.  If staffing levels allow, a member of staff can be made available to hold the Assistance dog outside of these walkthrough exhibits if the visitor has suitable provision to enter the walkthrough without the assistance of the dog.

Assistance dogs are not permitted to have any contact with zoo animals directly or through fences or barriers.

Assistance dogs are not permitted in vicinity of the tiger and clouded leopard enclosures.

Behaviour

  • All Assistance dogs should be kept under the close control of a responsible handler
  • Any Assistance dog which starts barking or growling should be removed to an area where no zoo animals are present until the animal stops vocalizing. Note – some dogs ‘woof’ (not bark uncontrollably) to alert to their owners that they are about to collapse or even to get help – there should be a clear distinction in this vocalization.
  • If the dog is obviously causing distress to any zoo animals, it should be removed from the area immediately.  SWP management reserves the right to ask assistance dogs to leave if they are causing disruption or distress.

Upon arrival at SWP, a visitor with an Assistance dog will be advised of the areas the dog is not permitted and shown alternative routes.

A radio call from the admission desk to all staff will be made to advise of the presence of an Assistance dog on site.

Emotional Support Animals

Emotional support animals (i.e. animals that provide emotional and psychological support to their owners whose health conditions don’t fit into the prescribed disability category) are excluded from the definition of Assistance dogs.  Currently, emotional support animals do not have legal recognition in the way that assistance dogs do in the UK.

Service providers are not legally required to make reasonable adjustments for emotional support animals, or even allow them access to premises.  

SWP will allow emotional support dogs to enter the grounds.  The visitor will be required to sign the same declaration as visitors admitting an Assistance dog and follow the same guidelines. No other species of emotional support animal is permitted.

Visitor Services Staff

Upon arrival at SWP, visitors with an Assistance dog will be advised of the areas the dog is not permitted and shown alternative routes.

Our admission team will be very happy to help you in anyway they can, so please ask them on arrival for any required assistance.

A radio call from the admission team to all staff will be made to advise of the presence of an Assistance dog on site.

Literature


At present the literature is only available as standard printed leaflets. If you would like an A3 photocopied version please email office@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk. Our current Green Policy stipulates that we reduce our font size to reduce printing and paper usage. 

Reduced Admission Price


We offer discounted admission for visitors who are registered disabled and their carer at our concessionary rate. 

Toilet Facilities


Visitor toilet facilities are provided at the gift shop, Discovery Centre, Farmyard and at Ringo’s Play Barn. These are clearly marked on the map given to you on arrival and on the map signs throughout the Wildlife Park. The gift shop, Discovery Centre and Ringo’s Play Barn toilets have disabled facilities.


Ringo’s Play Barn


The Café situated within Ringo’s Play Barn, offers a selection of food catering for a variety of dietary requirements. Allergen information is available from the café team.

If you have specific dietary needs, we would be delighted to try and meet these where possible. Please email office@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk prior to your visit to discuss your requirements. All food outlets are accessible to wheelchair users.


Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors


Sound interpretation boards, ‘Touch and Feel’ exhibits, ISandbox and touch tables are available on-site, specifically these will be found in the ground level Discovery Centre. 

Special tours by prior arrangement can be arranged for blind and visually impaired visitors. Please pre-book via email office@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk

Special Needs Education


We can provide stimulating experiences for special needs groups in our ground floor Education & Discovery Centre.
 Experienced teaching staff can liaise with group leaders to arrange suitable sessions for pre-arranged visits. Please email office@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk.

The Education and Discovery Centre operates a quiet time during the afternoon at weekends and during school holidays.  There are sensory activities available during these sessions.

Play Equipment

SWP installed a new accessible play area in 2022. This includes wheelchair friendly play equipment.

Transport


Shepreth Wildlife Park is adjacent to Shepreth train station and can be accessed by a short tarmac drive leading to the entrance.


For further information please call 01763 262226 or email us on office@sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk