Accessibility

BALPPA STATEMENT ON PUBLIC SAFETY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

Members of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) welcome visits by disabled people and will do all that is possible to ensure a safe and pleasurable stay. However, certain rides/attractions in our parks can be physically demanding and vigorous. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admission to certain rides/attractions should we feel there is a danger to a particular individual or individuals for whatever reason. We have been advised by the Health & Safety Executive; that refusal on the grounds of health and safety does not constitute discrimination. We hope that you understand and accept the decisions made in the interest of your safety. Please note, the provision of admission discounts and special access facilities is entirely at the discretion of Camel Creek Adventure Park.

This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Assistance dogs registered with the following organisations are welcome to visit Camel Creek Family Theme Park when accompanied by and under the control of their owners (dogs in training are unfortunately not included).

• Canine Partners
• Dog AID
• Dogs for Good
• Guide Dogs
• Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
• Medical Detection Dogs
• Support Dogs
• The Seeing Dogs Alliance
• Pawsable

These are all member organisations associated with Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK). All ADUK dogs adhere to the highest health, behaviour/training and welfare standards as set out by Assistance Dogs International and the International Guide Dogs Federation. It is essential that we can guarantee such standards, to fulfil our biosecurity regulations, which is part of our Zoo Licencing requirements.

Unfortunately, they will not be allowed on any of the rides and must be left at the loading point and attended to by a member of the party.

We also welcome assistance dogs trained through Pawsable, who assess to the above standards.

Assistance dogs will be required to wear an identifying harness, jacket or lead slip at all times whilst on the park. Please be aware entrance for a dog will be refused if identification cannot be provided.

Please note: there are certain areas where assistance dogs may not enter. Details on can be provided on arrival indicating the areas where assistance dogs may not enter.

We welcome all types of mobility vehicles and have a number of manual wheelchairs available to borrow on a first come first served basis, we ask for a returnable £10 deposit.

As we have a limited number of wheelchairs, we suggest that those who need a wheelchair to travel around the Park bring their own for ease and certainty.

The Park is located on a gentle slope. There is a gift shop together with restaurants and cafes complimenting the rides and animal enclosures all with easy access.

All main buildings at the Park will have an “Under the Counter Loop System” which provides clear communication with hearing instrument wearers, especially where background noise is a problem or clear speech is restricted.

There is a tarmac access road from the highway with 8 designated level disabled parking spaces, more to be provided this year. When you arrive please display your blue badge clearly, if you have one. These spaces are reserved for anyone who has mobility issues; alternatively, you can use the drop off area at the entrance to the Park. There are numerous hard standing parking spaces, gently sloping entrance to automatic opening shop/entrance doors.

The double entrance and exit doors are automatic allowing easy access through to the Park and all the aisles are designed to give you ample room to navigate the gift areas and enter the Park grounds. Both doorways are level without hindrance of steps or changes in height.

Once outside the grounds gently slopes away to the rest of the Park and the Rides, we recommend that you either have assistance as braking whether manual or with help will be required. If you need help, please ask a member of staff who will be more than happy to assist you.

Accessed through single door entrance (90cm) however double doors can be opened. The  Playhouse area includes a large multi-faceted play area together with a cafeteria and seating. This is accessed through level double doors after a gentle downward slope through a wide entrance hallway, together with wide aisles and staff table service (if required) caters for most mobility issues.

Flat entrance area however would require guests with mobility issues to be assisted as entrance is narrow and height restricted as designed for small children and toddlers.

The café caters for our guests with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diet options.

The stables are approached on a slight gradient leading to a level concrete surface and the areas, the entrance is 1.4m wide but can extend to 2.6m with double doors opened. Within the building the aisles are wide to accommodate all types of wheeled personal conveyances.

The reptile house is constantly heated and because of this both entrance and exits have vertically hung plastic strips that may require assistance either from staff or carers to navigate through for those guests with impaired mobility. Once inside the area provides ample space for wheelchair access.

Together with both male and female toilets we have a designated disabled toilet that is clearly marked next to the First Aid Room. This room together with baby changing facilities has features required for mobility-impaired guests with a wide flat doorway and grab rails. The female facilities also contain a child/baby changing area. Within The Playhouse we have a Changing Places Toilet which has a electric height adjustable bench 1800mm in length, a Liko Hoist, height adjustable wash hand basin and Palma Vita wash dry toilet, it also has a screen in the room, grab rails and a shower beside the changing bed.

We have a large number of First Aid trained staff that are experienced in dealing with minor ailments and accidents, the First Aid room is positioned alongside the Disabled toilet opposite the Meerkats and contains the necessary facilities to deal with most eventualities. Should assistance be required contact a member of staff who will radio for help, any serious incident we will notify a paramedic, first responder or the ambulance service.

The café is accessed through double doors on a hard-flat surface and provides easy navigation for wheelchair users. The decking on the other side of this building is accessible for wheelchair users from the restaurant area, but it has 2 sets of steps leading up to it from this side of the building.

The show arena approach is on a gradient but although tiered bench seating is provided for able-bodied guests there are suitable positions available for wheelchair viewing.

The small animal building is approached from a tarmac road on a gentle   slope the floor inside is concrete with ramps leading down from the bug wall area to the small mammal, aviaries, reptile and aquatic exhibits.

These buildings due to the nature of their use and construction are not accessible for wheelchair guests.

Several rides are unsuitable for guests with heart, back, or neck conditions, or expectant mothers and we strongly recommend those guests who have had recent surgery, or an injury do not ride some of our more thrilling attractions. On many of our rides, guests need to have the ability to brace themselves in an upright position, and all rides require guests to keep their arms and legs inside the ride carriages and remain seated at all times.

Not all of our rides are suitable for all our guests. Each ride, to comply with health and safety regulations has strict operating requirements that all riders must meet. Please do not ask our staff to break these rules as they are there for your safety. As well as taking note of the ride restrictions we also strongly suggest that you watch our rides in motion before making a decision on whether to ride.

We offer ride access passes to those who may find it difficult or cannot stand for long periods of time either because of a disability or learning/emotional impairment.

• Wave Rider

Slight slope to access entry/exit gate (85cm wide) to ride swings which are 70cm above ground level, flat ride area.

• Kiddies Carousel

Flat access to entry point gate (88cm wide) carousel decking 28cm from ground, rides range from 30cm – 80cm access.

• Vertigo

Flat Access with 1.1m entry gate, seat (65cm-80cm) from ground level, safety bar on seats while in operation.

• Mission Simpossible

The building is accessed from a gentle slope, entrance through a 78cm door with 72cm door to preview room. The auditorium is accessed through a 1.3m doorway and the pods themselves are 45cm tall with a width of 33cm. The exit (double doors) is 78cm (single door), this can be used as an entrance for wheelchair users.

• Swampy’s Skyrider

Flat entrance, access gate (82cm), 20cm stepped to 40cm step for entry to pod.

• Dizzy Dina

Gentle slope to entry point, 92cm gate then at ride; 36cm step followed by 18cm additional step to pod.

• Dina’s Dancing Flowers

Slight slope leading to flat ride area, access gate (82cm), stepped tea cups initial 20cm plus additional 20cm step into ride.

• Morgawr

After approaching down a gently sloping tarmac path, the roller coaster has wheelchair access through the exit gate which is opened by the ride operator. The accompanying carer will have to assist their guest into the carriage which has a 7cm step in and a footwell which is 22cm deep. The carriages themselves have a safety bar which is required to be in position for the ride to start; this locks in position across the riders’ lap.

• Swampy’s drop

Accessed from a flat area through entrance gate (83cm), height of ride is approximately 80cm-90cm from ground level, may require assistance to ride. We have matting that is 3cm in height that cover the tarmac under this ride, this small step is at the entrance gate.

• Dina’s Double Drop

Access via steps only.

• Pony Express

Gentle slope leading to ride access, entrance corridor minimum of 72cm, ride height of pony seat from decking (70cm), small gap between decking and pony (mechanical).

• Raging River

Tarmac path sloping downhill leading to an ascending set of challenging non-slip steps (3x 13), with two landings and handrails. At the top, flat wooden decking for access to enter inflatable rafts, exit at bottom of slide from slightly sloped flat non-slip surface. Not suitable for wheelchair users.

• Viking warrior (Pirate of the seven seas)

Sloping tarmac path downhill then turning uphill to boarded ramp leading to Viking swing boat, step into boat (28cm), requiring assistance for a wheelchair user. Each bench with safety barriers.

• Thunder Falls

Gentle slope to access for entry gate (90cm)with 84cm exit gate, leading to 1.27m wide decking with entry to log flume boats of approximately 5cm-10cm height with a 45cm deep step into boat.

• Creeky’s Water Rush

Gentle tarmac slope leading to ramp access for ride, boats are floating adjacent to decking entrance/exit and require either personal or assisted embarkation depending on disability.

• Clown Coaster

Gentle tarmac slope leading to ramp access for ride, carriages are adjacent to decking entrance/exit and may require either personal or assisted embarkation and disembarkation depending on nature of disability.

• Ship Wreck Shores – Golf

This is not suitable for wheelchairs as there are some areas that accessibility would be difficult. There is a resin path leading to hole 1, 104cm wide, slight raised mound, 30cm in width and 7cm in height, these mounds are covered in astro turf and at the entrance and exit of each hole leading to a resin path to the next hole, you have to go over these mounds to get through the course. Hole 5 has a wooden bridge that is quite steep up and down with 2 cut outs either side where the balls can be hit through, each are 10cm wide.

• Merlins Magical Playground

Whole area is flat and covered in a 300mm depth coating of play bark, within this play area there is slides, rope bridges, fire man poles, monkey bars and tunnels, these are accessible by steps, balance beams, and steep slopes, not accessible for wheelchair users.

INDOOR PLAY

• Creeky’s Playhouse

Flat entrance area however would require guests with mobility issues to be assisted as entrance is narrow and height restricted as designed for small children and toddlers.

• Mini Mega Slide

Gentle slope to ride area and accessed via narrow steps, this area would require assistance from carers for use.

• Hidden Garden Indoor Play Area

This is an enclosed play area for toddlers, padded flooring and shapes, along with corridors that are netted on the side with slides, and obstacles to manoeuvre around, it has 2 floors connected by padded steps and slides. This is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The issuance of a ride access pass is based upon documentary proof of disability

Examples of documentation required are:

• Nimbus Access Cards

• Personal Independence Payment

• DLA Letter

• GP or Hospital Letter

• Any other official form that states name and disability

The access pass enables guests to disregard the queue lines and access the rides via the exit gates. These can be used once in the morning and once in the afternoon on all the rides available at the time. However we cannot guarantee this in busy times.

Our guests who are eligible, together with their group are provided with a pass up to 5 people.

All rides have wheelchair friendly access, wheelchair users do have to be able to get out of their chair with or without the aid of their carers to get onto the rides, our ride operators cannot assist wheelchair users out of their chair.

For children over 92cm in height who do not want to be continually measured, a height hand stamp can be obtained at admissions.

All staff are trained and enabled to recognise the individual needs of our guests and are treated as individuals, we are never too busy to take care of them.

There are a large number of picnic benches situated around the grassed areas most accessed by wheelchair friendly tarmac paths.

Car Park: There is a tarmac access road from the highway with 8 designated level disabled parking spaces, more to be provided this year. When you arrive please display your blue badge clearly, if you have one. These spaces are reserved for anyone who has mobility issues; alternatively, you can use the drop off area at the entrance to the Park. There are numerous hard standing parking spaces, gently sloping entrance to automatic opening shop/entrance doors.

Gift Shop and Park Entrance: The double entrance and exit doors are automatic allowing easy access through to the Park and all the aisles are designed to give you ample room to navigate the gift areas and enter the Park grounds. Both doorways are level without hindrance of steps or changes in height. Once outside the grounds gently slopes away to the rest of the Park and the Rides, we recommend that you either have assistance as braking whether manual or with help will be required. If you need help, please ask a member of staff who will be more than happy to assist you.

Stables: The stables are approached on a slight gradient leading to a level concrete surface and the areas, the entrance is 1.4m wide but can extend to 2.6m with double doors opened. Entrance in to the safety brief room is 75cm wide, this room has a concrete floor and is level. Pony grooming will take place outside in the fenced off area, the wooden gated entrance is 162cm wide, with a concrete flooring as well as a grass area both of which are level.

Reptile House: The reptile house is constantly heated and because of this both entrance and exits have vertically hung plastic strips that may require assistance either from staff or carers to navigate through for those guests with impaired mobility. There are continuous tropical sounds in this area which can be quite loud. Veg prep, catching live food, temperature and humidity checks along with bathing the tortoise takes place in the veg prep room. The entrance to this room is just 58cm wide, it has a level concrete floor, the temperature in this room is at 32 degrees, this is a small enclosed room. The back room, where you complete temperature and humidity check and collect the tortoise for bathing, has an entrance just 58cm wide, the flooring is concrete, and level and the temperature is 29 degrees. Handling room – handling and photo opportunities, the entrance is 73cm wide, the flooring level concrete and the temperature is 29 degrees, this is a small, enclosed room.

Meerkats: The meerkats entrance is up 3 steps of varying height, 17cm, 11cm and then 9cm. The doorway into the entrance is 75cm wide, you then walk through a small level narrow corridor to a second door that enters into the indoor enclosure. There is a large thin board in the foot of the doorway that is 55cm in height one side and 45cm in height stepping into sand on the other side, the doorway is 75cm wide, 2 steps in the sand leads you to a third doorway that is also 75cm wide and a 14cm step on to sand to the outside enclosure, this is very uneven ground comprising of only sand, with wooden obstacles around the enclosure that the meerkats use. In here you will poo pick, sieve and rake the sand, clean the windows, feed the meerkats and have photo opportunities. There is the possibility to carry out some of these tasks from the outside of the enclosure if necessary, this is a tarmacked flooring with a very slight slope in some areas.

Pets Corner: The small animal building is approached from a tarmac road on a gentle slope. The floor inside is concrete with ramps leading down from the bug wall area to the small mammal, aviaries, reptile and aquatic exhibits. Doorway is 103cm. Bug Room – spraying the bugs, handling, temperature and humidity checks, photo opportunities, doorway is 69cm wide. Guinea Pig and rabbit enclosure – poo picking, collecting the rabbit for handling, entrance is 89cm wide, flooring concrete with straw as bedding for the rabbits, second rabbit enclosure, entrance is 78cm wide. Ferrets, Chinchilla and Rat area – for handling, entrance to the back room is 70cm wide, with level concrete flooring, this room is long and narrow at 113cm wide. Veg prep room – prep the veg for the rabbits, handling of rabbit in a basket. The entrance is 79cm wide, with this being a long narrow room, at its narrowest is 80cm.