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Welcome

Located on the outskirts of the Peak District, Severn Trent's Carsington Water will provide you with a wonderful day out where you can explore stunning countryside and nature at its finest.

Whether you want to explore our wonderful routes and trails, visit our shops, learn about water or enjoy an afternoon tea overlooking the UK's ninth largest resivour, there is something for everyone.

The Visitor Centre is fully accessible for wheelchair users and can cater for a variety of access requirements individuals may have.

Please contact us for further information regarding accessibility or if you need any support planning your visit.

We hope you have a wonderful experince!

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

First Aid Room

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in Reception desk.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Big Lane
Ashbourne
Derbyshire
DE6 1ST

Travel by public transport

You can get to Carsington Water by bus.
The nearest bus stop is located at the front of the main entrance to the Visitor Centre providing connections to Ashbourne, Wirksworth and Matlock (110). The bus stop is 0 miles / 0.0 km from Carsington Water.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point does not have a dropped kerb.
From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

There are 23 Blue Badge parking spaces available at the main Visitor Centre car park.

Automatic number plate recognition is in operation at the site. Charges apply for Blue Badge holders.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1470mm wide.
The main door is sliding and automatic.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.
Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Lift

We have 2 lifts.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Main Visitor Centre Lift

The lift door is 750mm wide.
The lift is 1080mm wide. The lift is 1300mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
There is a maximum weight capacity (4 people)Emergency bell available

Ticket/ information desk

Reception Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1470mm wide, or more.
The desk has a low section.

Public toilet

Courtyard Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1470mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 850mm wide.
There is 1000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 495mm high. The toilets have handrails.

1 Baby changing facility

2 Disabled Toilets

 

Courtyard Toilets

Public toilet

Visitor Centre Toilets

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 750mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 800mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
There is 200mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 495mm high. The toilets have handrails.

1 Baby changing/ Disabled Toilet

Shop

RSPB Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 800mm wide, or more.

Shop

Clothing at Carsington

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 850mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Shop

Carsington Sports and Leisure

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 1470mm wide, or more. The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Place to eat and drink

Watermark Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1400mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is no background music.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free, low fat and vegan specific diets.
Watermark Cafe View

Place to eat and drink

Mainsail Restaurant

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a lift. From the lift to dining area, the route is 1400mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is no background music.
The table and plates have high colour contrast.
We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free, low fat and vegan specific diets.

Place to eat and drink

Splatz Ice Cream Parlour

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1400mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is no background music.

First Aid Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is 1 step. There is no lift and no ramp.

The Henmore Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 900mm wide, or more. The door is 1500mm wide.

Hays Room

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
The door is 750mm wide.

Carsington Sailing Club

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

Carsington Sailing Club has specially designed fleet of boats designed for those with limited mobility including Hansa dinghies and a R S Venture Keel. 

The club offer a range training events and racing opportunities throught the year. 

For further information please contact 01629 540609.

Getting around outside

Picnic Area

Thistley Hollow

There is a permanent ramp. The path is 1500mm wide, or more.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Please note: There are a limited number of picnic benches available of which are 4 wheelchair accessible. Not all wheelchair accessible benches are accessible via pathways. 

Picnic Area

Sheepwash Car Park

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Please note: There are three picnic benches that are accesible for wheelchair users. 

Picnic Area

Millfields Car Park

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The path is 1700mm wide, or more.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Please note: Not all picnic tables are accessible by pathways.

Picnic Area

Courtyard

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The path is 1470mm wide, or more.
You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Terrace

Mainsail Terrace

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a lift.
To get to a table, there are no steps.

Millfields Car Park - Toilets

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

Children's Play Area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The entrance is 2400mm wide.

Wildlife Centre

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The entrance is 1000mm wide.

Access via a gravel track.

Lane End Hide

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The entrance is 900mm wide.

Access via a gravel track. 

Paul Stanley Hide

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The entrance is 1000mm wide.

Access via a gravel/ dirt path.  

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in Reception desk.

Wheelchairs are available. Please provide proof of ID when borrowing a wheelchair.

2 Trampers are available from reception for free, with a 2 hour use limit in place. The Trampers are hired on a first come first serve basis. Please provide proof of ID when hiring a Tramper.

For further information please contact Carsington Water Visitor Centre.

 

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout our site. Toilet areas include (but are not limited to) Thistley Hollow and greens located around the Visitor Centre.

At this time we do not currently have designated charging points for mobility scooters.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

In the event of an evacuation the Ranger Team will proceed to evacuate the buildings and the public are asked to reconvine at the fire evacuation point located in the Main Visitor Centre Car Park.

There is a refuge point located on the restaurant balcony on the first floor.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.