At one with nature
5
5
Date of visit: April 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
A nature reserve with many species of birds just off the m6 motorway with great accessible paths and tracks take you round and about the lake that has a totally level access floating village with cafe, shops, information centre and a large accessible toilet everywhere has good wide doors. There are accessible viewing rooms around the lake where you can sit and watch all the different wildlife. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the nature reserve and floating village. There is also an adventure play area for the kids.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The pathways around the the nature reserve are mostly hard packed gravel and are easily negotiated by a powered wheelchair and are also ok for manual chairs too. We had both manual and powered chair users and we managed to get round quite easily and it wasn't the best weather conditions as underfoot was a bit wet. In the village itself, everywhere was level access with large doors. The main door to get into the restaurant and toilets was an extra wide automatic door. The accessible toilet was very big with plenty space for turning etc.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
There was plenty parking that has to be paid for at the machine as you leave. This includes blue badge holders, although it is not expensive. The car park is approx 100 yards from the floating village. For those with passengers unable to walk that distance there is a drop off point at the floating village.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
The accessible loo was a very good size with plenty space for turning etc.
Staff
Excellent
Every staff member we encountered were extremely helpful and very friendly. The staff at information were more than happy to tell us what areas of the reserve was best for accessibility and tell us all about the place. It shone through they were very passionate about what they do. The staff in the restaurant were amazing too, as with minimal fuss just asked us what we wanted and said they would bring it to the table for us and moved any seats we wanted so we could get our wheelchairs in.
Additional Information
We had a suggestion that would make the accessibility even better than it was with minimal cost which we mentioned to the staff at the information desk. As we were there at one of their quiet periods they went and got the handyman so we could explain to him. It turned out he had the part needed and was going to do it straight away. Fantastic service!! Well worth a visit!!
