Blair Drummond Safari Park

bwp

07 Aug 2019

5

5

Up close to a rhino or two!

Date of visit: August 2019

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, moving around and seeing.

I use or have experience of: hidden impairment, long cane, mobility scooter, powerchair, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Excellent

Not too sure what to expect we had a great time. From the time we arrived to waving goodbye we enjoyed seeing so much and not once did we have to think about getting in, whether there were loos, or what obstacles might appear.

Disabled Access In and Around

Excellent

Blair Drummond earns a handsome five stars as we had a great time, saw most things and were impressed with the wheelchair accessible viewing platforms, the wheelchair spaces by the sea lion pool, and the well surfaced pathways linking everywhere. From the car park we were a short distance from the loos on one side, a short wheel to the cafe and gift shop, and an easy walk across to the children play areas. The farm style area was easy to get around and to see the more domestic animals with opportunities to get quite close. The nearby tiger viewing platform was fun with a bit of a push up the slope but the reward was seeing the tigers! We wandered to the birds of prey and had a look around. From there you can look over the lake or meander back to see the children's pirate ship or the fort with its massive slide. We carried on and went up on to the viewing platform to look out over lions who were taking a siesta as visitors drove by in the 'drive though' area of the park. We were happy to watch from the distance. Next on our tour was our favourite spot where we went to see the rhinos - another wheelchair accessible platform inside their stable like building. So big and quite intimidating when you get up close. We then popped next door to see the elephant and finally ventured over to see the giraffe who shared their homestead with some zebra. There was more to see like the monkey island but the rain came on and so we headed for cover.

Parking & Transport

Good

We arrived by car as the Safari Park is set a few miles outside of Stirling. We followed the signs, paused at the ticket booth and the headed for the accessible parking area. Plenty of bays and all of them well marked out with ample room to deploy wheelchairs on either side of the vehicle. We thought the location of the accessible parking was also well thought out as it was close to most things and adjacent to the toilets.

Accessible Toilets

Excellent

This is an easy 5 stars as Blair Drummond has a wonderful Changing Places Toilet; as well as accessible toilets.

Staff

Excellent

The staff we met were helpful and keen to make sure we saw what we wanted and had a good time.