Accessibility Guide for RSPB Coombes Valley

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Coombes Valley by bus and train.

Bus no. 108 from Leek to Ashbourne. The bus stop is 1.2 miles / 174.0 km (2 km) from reserve entrance. Walk in Ashbourne direction and take first right turn onto Ashenhurst Lane, crossing the disused railway line. Follow this lane, for 0.85miles / 174.0 km (1.4km) until you see the reserve entrance on the left. This lane has no pavement and is steep in places. The bus stop is 1.2 miles / 1.9 km from RSPB Coombes Valley.

The nearest train station is Stoke on Trent. The train station is 12 miles / 19.3 km from RSPB Coombes Valley.

The nearest railway station, Stoke on Trent, is 12 miles (19 km) away and has a taxi rank

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Leek Taxis by calling 01538 340 006 . You can get a taxi with Leek Link Taxis by calling 01538 399999.

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.

The car park (open 9am - 5pm) is situated right next to the reserve entrance - visitor information centre is only a few metres away from the designated accessible car parking spaces, which are available 9am-5pm. visitors can be dropped off in the car park, where there are no kerbs. From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

The route is 1000mm wide, or more.

accessible spaces are avaialable closer to the visitor centre, however the main portion of the car park is down a slight slope. 

Path to main entrance

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

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Centre

The desk has a low section.

The visitor information centre has a 45mm threshold. Entreing the centre is not essential for using the reserve. 

The information centre is situated on the left of the main entrance and at the top of the main car park.

The information centre is a well lit small room on the ground floor with one flat and level entrance and a level tiled floor

1 coffee table with 4 wooden seats is located within the information centre and one large bench on a level viewing area is available immediately outside the information centre

Within the information centre is a viewing window onto a collection of bird feeders, two steps lead up to the viewing window for children to access them. Binoculars are available for the viewing window and available to hire for £1.

A nest box camera operates during spring time.

Events posters, recent sightings and a map of the reserve are displayed in the information centre

A sensory board with feely boxes and audio of birds is mounted on the wall of the visitor centre

Trails are described on the information board outside the information centre and in trail guides

Public toilet

Coombes Valley Reserve Toilets

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 1050mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 910mm wide.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only.

There is 1200mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 470mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Two ladies toilets are available with a sanitary bin in each.

Two hand washing basins and hand dryer are available in the ladies toilets

One gentleman's toilet is available with 2 additional urinals

Two hand washing basins and hand dryer are available in the gentleman's toilets

A step for children to use the hand washing basin is available in each toilet

To access the main toilet block there is one short step

An accessible toilet with ramp and handrail is 10m from the information centre, this toilet is locked but is accessed via a radar key which can be obtained from a staff member

The accessible toilet door is 3ft (910mm) wide and has horizontal and vertical handrails. The space next to the accessible toilet is 2ft (610mm wide) and is on the right hand side of the toilet. The accessible toilet is 19" (470mm) from the floor. The handrail to the side of the toilet lifts. 

Vertical handrails are on either side of the hand washing basin with a lever tap

A red alarm cord is situated in the accessible toilet in case of emergencies

Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilet

All toilets are well lit

Designated Walking Trail

Family Nature Play Trail

The trail is 800metres long. The trail has seats.

The family natural play trail (0.8km long), accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs, has lots of activities for families along the way including a canopy walkway, den building, fairy house village, mud kitchen and much more.

Designated Walking Trail

Valley Woodland Loop

The trail is 2600metres long. small number of gates and stiles on the route, as well as 2 bridges, one of which is very narrow The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The Valley Woodland loop (2.6km long) takes you through meadows and woodland past Clough Meadow Cottage. There are a small number of gates and stiles on this route.

 the path can be uneven,  steep and muddy in places

Designated Walking Trail

Woodcock Trail

The trail is 5200metres long. gates, stiles, and bridges must be crossed to access this trail The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The longest loop, the woodcock trail, (5.2km long) takes you into the heart of the reserve into the wilder woodland habitat. There are a small number of gates and stiles on this route.

This route is steep, uneven, and muddy in places. 

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 1450mm wide, or more.

The entrance is 1450mm wide.

Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

A picnic area is available next to the main car park 

It contains 3 benches, 2 of which can be used by wheelchair users

It also contains a mud kitchen 

Visitors can bring their own food and drink to site

Viewing Platform

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1520mm wide, or more. The entrance is 1520mm wide.

There is a level and even viewing platform immediately outside the information centre with a bench and good view of the valley and bird feeders

Accessibility equipment

the toilet area for assistance dogs is the car park, however dog waste must be cleaned up due to the nature of the reserve. There is not a dog waste bin on site.

Emergency evacuation procedures

disabled visitors should follow the site's standard emergency evacuation procedures. 

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.