An accessible venue to admire the night sky.
4
4
Date of visit: March 2025
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
My visit included star gazing using the volunteers portable telescopes and a presentation in the planetarium they have built on site. It is an impressive set up that is well worth the visit. From the outset they have worked to ensure the site is accessible as possible. To look up to a sky with very little light pollution and have a chance to be guided through the night sky by well informed staff is fantastic. If you get a cloudy or wet night when this is not possible the planetarium allows you still have a full visit and a chance to see what can be seen through the telescopes as the volunteers take their own photographs as well as use the shared images from sources such as the Hubble telescope. It was also great to see the night sky constellations discussed in contexts other than that of the ancient Greeks. I had no idea the Sami people also ahd their own constellations and stories.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The paths are all step free (including from the main car park) with hard surfaces. The main observatory is not wheelchair accessible but would be accessible to anyone who can manage with sticks. Access to the Planetarium is via fully ramped access with a large accessible toilet included (large enough for most wheelchairs to go in and manoeuvre. It is on the site of a former working farm so there are some small lips on concrete surfaces. There is soft red light on outside at all times but bringing your own red bike light is recommended. The website clearly shares core accessible information and invites contact to discuss specific needs.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is no public transport for evening access so you will need to come in your own car or via taxi. It is a twenty minute drive from Ripon. The main car park takes 20 cars and is about 150 yards from the main facility. There is parking nearer the main building available on request. This does involve a gravelled parking area which not all chairs would manage.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
A well facilitated and spacious accessible toilet is available in the Planetarium alongside all the other toilets. It is large enough for a large power chair to turn in as well as space and bars for safe transfer from a wheelchair. The toilet is very well maintained and clean.
Staff
Excellent
The staff (volunteers) are friendly and informative and very keen to offer as an accessible experience as possible. Rather than make assumptions about needs they ask questions, offer options and in general allow the visitor to guide how they can best access the activities. The staff speak clearly, explain what is being shown clearly and answer questions with clarity.
