Accessibility Guide for RSPB Nagshead

Welcome

This woodland reserve is set at the heart of the Forest of Dean. The visitor centre, which is open at weekends from April though to September, is wheelchair accessible via smooth concrete or hardcore paths from the adjacent to the car park. During the week there is not normally access to toilet facilities on site.
The two hides are located a short distance from the centre and are accessed via unsurfaced paths, with some gates. There are 2 trails: the first is a mile loop which includes some short hills, but is generally an easy walk on unsurfaced paths. The second is a loop of 2.5 miles, again on unsurfaced paths, sometimes narrow, with longer hills to be negotiated.

Level access

The main entrance has level access. The ramp is permanent.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Lower Hide Nursery pond / picnic area

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Campbell hide

Hearing

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Live interpretation from volunteers

Written information and live interpretation via volunteers.

General

Some staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

RSPB Gloucestershire c/o Puffins

New Road

Parkend

GL15 4JA

Travel by public transport

You can get to RSPB Nagshead by train.

The nearest train station is Lydney, then via Forest of Dean railway to Parkend - restricted service. The train station is 1 miles / 1.6 km from RSPB Nagshead.

The Forest of Dean railway operates at weekends and Wednesdays between Lydney and Parkend. Please view their website from more information.

The walk from Parkend village includes a steep hill. It is possible to use the main vehicular access road, or there is a footpath which takes you through the woods from alongside the timber works - stile adjacent to their entrance gate.

Parking

We have a car park. 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 150mm wide, or more.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

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

The path is 1500mm wide, or more.

The path is sloped.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

There is a permanent ramp.

When the visitor centre is open there are no doors to open to access the building.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

Things to See and Do

Live interpretation from volunteers

Lower Hide

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

The door is 1200mm wide.

THe ramp is steep er than recommended for wheelchair access

Campbell hide

From the main entrance to this area, there are 14 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

short trail

The trail is 1500metres long. There may be tree roots, puddles and muddy patches. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The hides are a short distance away from the trails

Designated Walking Trail

Long trail

The trail is 4000metres long. There may be tree roots, puddles and muddy areas along the route. There a some standard swing gates at our boundary. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

Nursery pond / picnic area

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

There are steps to the picnic tables, but there is also seating at the same level as our pond dipping platform

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

None

There is no designated area, but please ensure all faeces are removed from paths.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Written information and live interpretation via volunteers.