Accessibility Guide for RSPB Minsmere nature reserve

Welcome

Minsmere is the beating heart of Suffolk’s wild coast. It’s the RSPB’s ‘ark’ on the Suffolk coast: where rare species have recovered, where common species thrive, and where people and wildlife come face-to-face in a wild environment. The reserve is located in the beautiful landscape of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with leisurely walks. The site offers fantastic birdwatching, with hides which bring you close to avocets, waders and terns in spring and summer and hundreds of ducks in winter on the coastal lagoons known as the Scrape. The reedbeds at Island Mere host bittern and marsh harrier and elusive wildlife such as otters.

Watch the video: RSPB Minsmere accessibility

Level access

The main entrance has level access.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Visitor Centre Reception Visitor Centre toilets Visitor Centre Cafe Visitor Centre Shop Discovery Centre WildZone

There is level access from the car park to:

Beach Discovery Centre picnic area

The hide entrance has level access.

Hearing

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

We have a hearing loop in At each till location in the visitor centre..

All staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

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.

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

RSPB Minsmere

Sheepwash Lane

Saxmundham

IP17 3BY

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Minsmere nature reserve by bus and train.

The nearest scheduled bus stop is at Leiston which is 4 miles/6km away and offers an hourly service on the 64 route. The bus stop is 4 miles / 6.4 km from RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.

The nearest train station is Darsham. The train station is 5 miles / 8.1 km from RSPB Minsmere nature reserve.

Accessible transport from Darsham or Saxmundham railway station or Leiston bus stop to the reserve can be booked in advance through Suffolk Link – Blyth, simply call 01728 833526 (see further details at http://www.suffolkonboard.com/suffolk_links_demand_responsiv e_transport).

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Suffolk Links Blyth by calling 01728 635938. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with A2b Taxis by calling 01728 633003. You can get a taxi with Darsham Cars Taxi Service by calling 01728 668039.

Please contact the visitor centre on 01728 648281 for further advice about visiting the reserve by public transport or private hire.

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 has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp.

The path is sloped.

The route is 1200mm wide, or more.

We have a transport service, to take visitors from the car park to the main entrance. Our transport service is wheelchair accessible.

Please contact the visitor centre on 01728 648281 ahead of your visit so that we are aware of any support you require to access the reserve.

Watch the video: RSPB Minsmere accessibility

Approach to Island Mere hide showing the gentle slop of the ramp

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

There is a permanent ramp.

The path is 1200mm wide, or more.

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

The door is 1400mm wide.

The main door is side hung and manual.

The reception area is permanently staffed during opening hours by RSPB personnel who can provide assistance if necessary. There is a door bell to call for assistance if required.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors, contrast markings on all full-height windows and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Ticket/ information desk

Visitor Centre Reception

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 1400mm wide, or more.

The door is 1400mm wide, or more.

The desk has a low section.

Things to See and Do

We have a complimentary ticket policy for personal assistants.

We have display information in: large print.

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 permanent ramp.

The route is 1400mm wide, or more.

The toilet door is 850mm wide.

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

There is 750mm at the side of the toilet. There is 920mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 450mm high. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

Visitor Centre Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1550mm wide, or more. The door is 1550mm wide.

Place to eat and drink

Visitor Centre Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1550mm wide, or more. The door is 1550mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print.

If you need table service, staff can help you.

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.

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Coast Trail

The trail is 3400metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. Sand and shingle on the beach section The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. There are bird hides along the trail.

We are in the process of improving accessibility to East Hide, by extending the hide and to create a new accessible path to the hide. This was due to take place in 2020 but work has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Designated Walking Trail

Island Mere Trail

The trail is 2400metres long. Some of the trail has a loose surface. tree roots, adverse camber and narrow sections of path The trail is sloped. The trail has seats. There are bird hides along the trail.

North Hide

At the hide entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 850.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Bittern Hide

The hide entrance has 32 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Wildlife Lookout

At the hide entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 850.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Island Mere

At the hide entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 940.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

South Hide

At the hide entrance, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 850.00mm wide.

There are low windows in the hide, so wheelchair users can see outside.

Canopy Hide

The hide entrance has 46 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

East Hide

The hide entrance has 14 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Public Viewpoint

The hide entrance has 16 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Beach

The beach access point is 660.00meters from the nearest car park.

From the nearest car park to the beach, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. There is a portable ramp. The path is 1400mm wide, or more.

The entrance is 1200mm wide.

We advise wheelchair users not to access the beach as the sand and shingle make the route inaccessible.

Picnic Area

Discovery Centre picnic area

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The path is 1400mm wide, or more.

The entrance is 2000mm wide.

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

There are numerous benches around the trails to

Discovery Centre WildZone

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1400mm wide, or more. The entrance is 2000mm wide.

WildZone is a play area for children and where we often run events such as Bird-ringing demonstrations, specialist workshops and talks. There is an accessible toilet within the building when events are taking place.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.

We have a hearing loop in At each till location in the visitor centre..

We have two electric mobility scooters (tramper model) available to hire from the visitor centre. Seats are adjustable and able to recline, full instructions for use will be given by staff at the Visitor Centre. Both are Invacare models (Comet and Orion) and specifications are available from https://www.invacare.co.uk/

For a list of more items, please go to https://invacarescooter.com/eu-en/#home.

The main car park has grass areas between each bay which assistance dogs may use as a toilet area and the closest dog bins are at the visitor centre.

We have our own scooters available to hire but we do not allow anyone to charge their own on the site.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

The fire alarm has flashing lights.

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have information in large print.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

We can provide a volunteer guide (booked in advance) to assist with individuals or family groups to see or hear wildlife. There is a fee for this service and can be discussed with the staff over the phone, email or in person.