ACCESSIBILITY

REGISTERED CARER & DISABLED PERSON ADMISSION CHARGES 2011

Adult £7.00, Senior £6.00, Child £5.00

Wheelchair users and Blind persons: No charge

WHEELCHAIR USER ACCESSIBILITY

IMPORTANT - PLEASE BE AWARE:-

We would love to say the model village is easily accessible, however it is built in a steep natural valley. Whilst this adds to its charm it means some steep slopes.

On entering the gardens there is a moderate to steep slope down and 11 widely spaced steps for about 50m.  Coming back out of the garden the winding path varies from steep to very steep for about 50m with no steps.

These slopes are difficult and are impossible to negotiate for wheelchair users without the assistance of at least one, preferably two, very strong and physically fit assistants per wheelchair and allowing plenty of time.

All said, and taking the above into account, wheelchair users do successfully visit. Apart from the slopes, entering and leaving the gardens, the garden paths, indoor areas, facilities and the 4D Theatre are as wheelchair accessible as possible within the physical constraints of the park. The 4D Theatre has space for a wheelchair user and there is a disabled toilet at the top of the gardens.  80% of the garden pathway is relatively level.

Also worth noting is that  the village is bigger than many first-time visitors anticipate - the path around the gardens is about 0.6 mile (1km) - more if including indoor areas.

MOBILITY SCOOTERS & MOTORISED WHEELCHAIRS

Due to natural topography of the site there is a high risk of electric vehicles skidding or tipping on the steep slopes. For this reason it is not safe for them to visit the majority of the park. Access is only possible to the viewing terrace, just inside the park, which offers a panoramic, though distant, view of the gardens.

Please email us if you would like a more detailed access statement

GENERAL ACCESS

Levels of disability and special needs vary greatly and people's perceptions of their own abilities varies greatly from person to person. So it is difficult for us to assess individual circumstances.  To avoid causing offence we cannot make assumptions and will generally assume visitors arriving for a visit do not require any special access advice unless we are made aware of their circumstances. 

If still uncertain and you would like to discuss your circumstances further please email or call us.  When you visit, you are welcome to have a look first, or if you buy tickets and then experience difficulties we are happy to offer an appropriate refund within a reasonable time frame.