Accessibility Guide for Hall Hill Farm

Welcome

Hall Hill Farm was a traditional working farm in beautiful rural surroundings of County Durham.

National Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2018 (Silver – Visit England Awards for Excellence)

Farm Attraction of the Year 2017, 2010

See the animals, cuddle the rabbits and guinea pigs, donkey rides, tractor and trailer rides. Lambing Time in March April. Indoor Soft Play Barn, tearoom and giftshop. Crazy golf (deposit required). Sheep Racing and puppet shows at weekends and during school holidays.

We are currently the only Farm Attraction in the Northeast of England to hold a Learning Outside the Classroom qualification for education visits.

Watch the video: Come and visit our Award Winning Farm

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the car park to:

Play Area

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Sandpit Tractor Ride

Hearing

Some staff have BSL and disability awareness training.

Visual

We have display information in large print.

The menu is in large print.

We have information in large print.

General

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Hall Hill Farm

Lanchester

DH7 0TA

Travel by public transport

A limited rural bus service (764 – Rural Ride) operates from Consett bus station (Stand J) during weekdays but is only available by prior arrangement, contact Weardale Travel for details and times on 01388 528235, arrangements are to be made before 4pm on previous day.

https://www.weardale-travel.co.uk/service-764.html

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Stanley Taxis by calling 01207 591 000. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is 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. The path is sloped.

The route is 3000mm wide, or more.

The car park is located at the front of the venue

The car park type is open air/surface

6 Blue Badge parking bay(s) beside the entrance within the car park

The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance

Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces

The car park surface is loose chippings

The car park does not have a height restriction barrier

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

The path is 3000mm wide, or more.

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The door is 1250mm wide.

The main door is side hung and manual.

The main entrance is along a tarmac driveway to a purpose built entrance/gift shop.

Entrances / exits doors manually operated (1250mm width), which both open inward

Single Door Opening - 850mm

Double Door Opening - 1250mm

staff are available if assistance is required

Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue

The lighting levels are medium

Getting around inside

Ticket/ information desk

Entrance / Ticket Desk

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 3000mm wide, or more.

The door is 1250mm wide, or more.

Main entrance is along a tarmac driveway

Entrances / exits doors manually operated (1250mm width), which both open inward

staff are available if assistance is required

Large print daily event leaflet is available

Two manual wheelchairs that can be hired free of charge, these can be booked in advance

One carer is admitted free with each disabled visitor, the normal admission price applies to the disabled person.

Group booking discounts are available for pre-booked groups only.

Entrance / Giftshop Counter - 870mm

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have display information in: large print.

Chick Barn

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 3000mm wide, or more. The door is 1000mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Manually operated (1250mm width), which opens inward

No chairs are permanently fixed

There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre

staff are available if assistance is required

Rabbit Barn

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 3000mm wide, or more. The door is 3000mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

No chairs are permanently fixed

There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre

Puppet Show Barn

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 3000mm wide, or more. The door is 3000mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Polytunnel 1 & 2

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 3000mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

Pathways are mainly loose chippings

Outdoor Play-Area

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 1100mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The play area is accessed via gravel paths and is situated on a large grassed area

access to the grassed areas may be difficult in wet weather

The surface under the play equipment is covered in cushion bark for added protection

Picnic Tables (H)850mm (Seat (H)500mm)

Single Gate - (W)1100mm

Double Gate - (W)1900mm

There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre

Pathways are mainly loose chippings

Sandpit

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

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Step Height - 150mm

Access to the grassed areas may be difficult in wet weather

Indoor Soft-Play

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 3000mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Accessed vis ia gravel paths and ramped access

The main doors opens by sliding (2 x 1500mm = (W)3000mm)

Building has carpet throughout

Coffee and Hot Chocolate are available from a self-service coffe machine located beside the counter, a small counter service is available most weekends and during school holidays, for the sale of crisps, biscuits and ice cream.

Toilets including a disabled toilet and Baby Changing facility

The Playbarn cafe is located immedialey to the right of the entrance

Full table service is not available

Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter (H)900mm)

Food or drinks can be brought to the table

No tables are permanently fixed

No chairs are permanently fixed

The standard height for tables is 750mm

Menus are wall only

Menus are clearly written

The type of food served here is snacks.

There are sinks to the left as you enter the Soft Play Barn

The height of the sinks are 690mm

10 x Highchairs

39 x Tables

156 x Chairs (Min)

Door to the toilet area is (W)800mm

Bouncy Pillows

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1600mm wide, or more. The door is 1200mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

External Attraction - Closed during Wet periods for Safety

Easy and medium slopes on the pathways

Pathways are mainly loose chippings at entrance but Sand once inside, access to the bottom pillow is by sand then loose rubber chippings.

Tractor Ride

From the main entrance to this area, there are 3 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Last approx 5 minutes

Three steep steps up into the back of the trailer with a metal upright rail at each side of the entrance to act as a support (heights = Step 1 – approx 200mm, Step 2 – 200mm, Step 3 – 300mm).

The tractor & trailer ride is not accessible for wheelchair users

The tractor driver will be available to assist any visitors if required

Water Wars

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2000mm wide, or more. The door is 1100mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

A gravel path runs for approximately (L)7000mm from the entrance slightly upwards to the main entrance

Please note that this area can be extremely boggy due to the nature of the weather and the activity itself, contact a member of staff for assistance if required

Crazy Golf

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 2200mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

A gravel path runs for approximately 2000mm from the entrance down a slight decline into the main arena which is covered in loose bark chip

The crazy golf course is not fully accessible for wheelchair user due to the surface around the equipment

Donkey Rides

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 1200mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

If wet weather or slippery conditions they do not take place for safety reasons

A member of staff will fit a riding hat

A mounting block with three steps is used to mount the donkey, the steps having matting to prevent slips (heights = Step 1 - 230mm, Step 2 – 150mm, Step 3 – 150mm)

An adult must accompany Young/disabled children and where appropriate another member of staff can assist

Pathways are mainly loose chippings outside the ride location

The Arc

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 950mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The pathways are mainly loose chippings to attraction

Animal Paddocks

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

There are easy and medium slopes on the pathways around the farm

The pathways are mainly loose chippings

There is one grass path that encompasses the larger animals paddocks

Barrel Train Ride

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more. The door is 1300mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

There is one grass path on route to the larger animals enclosure & ride location

Sledge Activity

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more.

A gravel path runs for approximately (L)3000mm from the entrance slightly upwards to the activity, a wooden ramp is use to acces the starting area.

The finish area is predominantly bark chip for safety with straw bales as extra barriers for this activity, exit path is gravel.

Cliff Face Challenge - Traversing Wall

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2200mm wide, or more.

A gravel path runs for approximately (L)10000mm from the entrance slightly upwards to the activity starting area.

The activity area is predominantly bark chip for activity safety, 1st exit is via a bridge over the sledging area back to a gravel path, this Exit it not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility - please use the 2nd entrance path as alternative exit if required.

There are six steep steps from the exit bridge (heights = Step 1 (Top) – approx 250mm, Step 2 – 270mm, Step 3 – 240mm, Step 4 – 240mm, Step 5 – 270mm, Step 6 (Bottom) – 160mm / Step width is 300mm).

Public toilet

Farmyard Toilets / Baby Changing

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 850mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

There is 600mm at the side of the toilet. There is 750mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 520mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Baby Change area (L)2200mm x (W)1700mm)

Baby Changing counter (H)930mm

Sink

No Toilet in Baby Change

Public toilet

Playbarn Toilets / Disabled Toilet

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The route is 1500mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 850mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.

There is 600mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1500mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 520mm high. The toilets have handrails.

External Door entrance - (W)800mm

Internal entrance from playbarn - (W)850mm

Public toilet

Toilet Block - Farmyard

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a portable ramp.

The route is 950mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 850mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.

There is 600mm at the side of the toilet. There is 2100mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

Gift Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The door is 1250mm wide.

The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Built on a level surface with entrances / exits doors manually operated (W)1250wm, which both open inward

Staff are available if assistance is required

Place to eat and drink

Tea Room (Farmyard)

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 1150mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is background music sometimes.

We cater for sugar free (diabetic), vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free) and nut free specific diets.

There are two manual doors into the teashop, both open inward – front door is (W)1250mm and the rear door (access into courtyard picnic area) is (W)1050mm. Both with permanent access ramps, the main entrance ramp is accompanied by handrail, edges of the steps to the right of the ramp are highlighted with yellow markings.

Tables and chairs (no arms) are moveable so wheelchairs users can use the tables, we currently have 5 highchairs that are available for public use. Picnic tables in the courtyard have cut away sections to enable wheelchair users to use these tables.

The teashop provides a range of light lunches (hot & cold), snacks, cakes and various beverages, staff can assist carrying purchases to tables.

We are able to cater for special dietary requirements, please ensure staff are aware of this prior to ordering your food.

Getting around outside

Picnic Area

Play Area

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.

The play area is accessed by gravel paths and is situated on a large grassed area in between the farmyard and the paddocks, access to the grassed areas may be difficult in wet weather. The surface under the play equipment is covered in cushion bark for added protection. Located around the outside of the play area are the picnic tables which during hot weather may be fitted with parasols, although not all tables have this facility.

Smoking

Car Park

From the main entrance to the smoking area, there is level access.

No Smoking within the farm Area, only location is the Main Carpark.

Walkways

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

Large parts of the attraction are outdoors. Grounds are mainly on a flat level surface, however in places there are slight slopes. The surface in the main farmyard is tarmac, gravel paths lead to the other areas of the farm, except the outdoor animal paddocks which are grass and maybe difficult to access in wet and muddy conditions. Benches and seats can be found in various locations around the site.