Accessibility
Statement on Safety for Disabled Guests
Robin Hill is dedicated to ensuring visitors with specific needs are able to enjoy the park and will do all that is practical to ensure a safe and pleasurable stay. However, certain rides and attractions in our parks can be physically demanding and vigorous. We therefore reserve the right to refuse admission to certain rides and 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.
Evening Events
Our evening events contain a variety of lighting effects, these include ‘moving head lights’, various flashing lights, projections, and some limited use of lasers and strobe lighting. Visitors with photosensitive epilepsy or other conditions which could be triggered by light should consider this information carefully before making their visit.
It goes without saying that our evening events extend into the hours of darkness. Whilst there is always adequate lighting to navigate all paths and attractions and features that are open for the event, the reduced lighting levels inevitably mean that in places changes in surface and terrain will be harder to identify – particularly for those with sight impairments.
The Big Red Tractor Train
Our Big Red Tractor train operates during the daytime with stops at the main entrance, Lower Valley and Africa Adventure areas. Visitors are free to use this service to travel between these locations.
This train can take up to two standard manual wheelchairs at a time in the final carriage, which is accessed via ramps, please speak to the driver who will put these in place, and assist with using the safety belts. Guests using wheelchairs should be accompanied by a strong carer / helper to assist with loading / unloading via the ramp. Unfortunately, this train cannot carry mobility scooters. Please check with our admissions team for the day either in person or via phone to check whether the train is operational and at what times.
Wheelchair and electric mobility scooter users
The park is set within 88 acres of down land and a wooded valley. This means that the route around the site is sloping in places and some paths have a gradient of 1:5.
The majority of the park is accessible by wheelchair but some paths are gravel or grass based. Visitors in manual wheelchairs who wish to visit all areas of the park should be accompanied by strong helpers. Those using electric mobility scooters must ensure they are confident in using the equipment and do not exceed its capabilities. Particular attention should be paid to the paths leading to and from the Squirrel Tower (Canopy Skywalk), The Tree House and The Falconry Area where gradients are likely to be at their steepest. Our Big Red Tractor Ride is unable to take mobility scooters.
Unfortunately, we do not hire out wheelchairs or mobility scooters, so please make adequate provisions before you visit.
Environment
Most of the park’s attractions are outdoors, due to the unpredictable nature of the British weather paths may be wet and conditions could be windy. Visitors should ensure they are dressed appropriately including suitable footwear, and any mobility aids used should be fit for purpose.
We offer a range of facilities for our guests;
- First Aid
- Recharging of Electronic Equipment
- Cold Storage of Medicines
- Disable Toilet Facilities (See Map)
- Disabled parking
Unfortunately, we’re unable to hire out wheelchairs.
Ability Dogs are always welcome in our Park.
Sensory
We pride ourselves on immersive fun at Robin Hill, but we know that some of these elements aren’t for everyone. Below is a list of the park’s sensory elements:
- 4D Motion Cinema, the Rides area and Jungle Heights all play music and can become considerably noisy at peak times.
- Customers are at risk of getting wet when near Splash Attack, the bridges in the Lower Valley ponds and the Parting.
- When watching the Southcoast Falconry Shows, customers will experience low flying birds and handlers use microphones to communicate to customers.
- While very friendly, we like to make customers aware that our resident peacocks are free roaming around the park.
Accessibility Sessions
We’re dedicated to the enjoyment of our customers at Robin Hill and want to make sure that everyone can experience the park to its full potential, which is why we’ve started our very popular Accessibility Sessions.
During these sessions we close off certain areas of the park, turn off the music and lift some of the usual requirements for a limited number of guests. Current sessions include The Ripple – our new sensory play water pillow, but don’t worry, you don’t get wet! Sessions take place the first Sunday of the month throughout the open season.
The sessions are for a limited number of guests and fill up quickly. Bookings are taken via phone ensure a tailored experience for our customers, please speak to a member of our team by calling 01983 556051.
Essential Companion Tickets
We understand that some guests will not be able to access Robin Hill without the assistance of an Essential Companion.
We are pleased to be able to offer an Essential Companion ticket for those guests who require additional assistance to enjoy all that Robin Hill has to offer.
Robin Hill partners with Nimbus Disability, operators of the Access Card scheme, to assess and manage applications for our Essential Companion tickets. Nimbus Disability is one of the country’s leading providers of disability-related advice and support to professional organisations and is recognised as a lead authority on accessible ticketing in the UK. They are an award-winning organisation run by disabled people who specialise in the legislation behind The Equality Act.
What is an Essential Companion Ticket?
- An Essential Companion ticket allows an additional person to enter the park with a paying guest to assist with their visit free of charge.
- If eligible, two additional people can accompany the paying guest with the appropriate Access Card +2 symbol.
Who is eligible for an Essential Companion Ticket?
- An Essential Companion ticket is available for people where support is needed that is significant and substantial and in excess of what could be reasonably expected of family/friends already accompanying the guest. The support must be due to disability-related needs. Our Essential Companion Scheme is not available to complimentary ticket holders or when zero value entry is applicable for the Access Card holder.
- In order to obtain an essential companion ticket you must apply through our partners at Nimbus, who complete all assessments. Each individual application is reviewed privately and independently.
Apply for an Access Card
- Please use the application form using the button below to register for an Essential Companion ticket. Our partners at Nimbus Disability will review your application. Once you have received your card details, if the +1 or +2 symbol is assigned, you can then use your registration/card number on the day of your visit to obtain your Essential Companion ticket.
- Applications can take 4-5 days to be processed.
- You will have the choice to register your needs exclusively to Robin Hill at no cost, or to upgrade to an Access Card for £15 for 3 years and have your card recognised at over 2,000 venues throughout the UK and beyond.
Purchasing Tickets and Arrival
- The Access Card holder must purchase an individual ticket online in advance. The Essential Companion ticket will be allocated on the day if valid from any ticket kiosk before entering the Park.
- An Essential Companion ticket allows an additional person to enter the park with a paying guest to assist with their visit free of charge. Both people must enter Robin Hill together, and the named person on the Access Card must be present. Please present either your Access Card or your unique code.
- Our Essential Companion Scheme is not available to complimentary ticket holders or when zero value entry is applicable for the Access Card holder.
The Role of an Essential Companion
- By accepting the Essential Companion ticket your companion accepts responsibility for providing you with the support you need to attend the park. This includes being able to provide you with additional assistance during the course of an emergency evacuation. Robin Hill staff are unable to provide assistance in excess of their typical role and general reasonable adjustments, so it is important that, if you need help moving around, your companion is ready, willing and able to support you with this.
Young Carers
- It is the policy of Robin Hill that all children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 16 or over at all times. We accept that young carers are a much valued and needed source of support, but we are only able to accept them under the free Essential Companion ticket scheme where there is no risk of them being left unattended.
- If we feel that either the disabled customer or their companions are abusing the Essential Companion system, we reserve the right to refuse access under the Essential Companion scheme for future visits.
Should you as a guest have any temporary accessibility requirements, or would like to discuss our park accessibility, please contact our team at [email protected] in advance of your visit so we may assist you. Please give us 48 hours to respond.