Accessibility Guide for Westgate Punts

Welcome

Escape the crowds and drift away in a traditional English Punt. Passengers get the boats to themselves as they wind through beautiful formal gardens out into the tranquil nature reserve or, travel back in time to discover the secrets of the old roman canal.

All our boatmen have undertaken disability awareness training and several key members are certified in assistance and hoist procedures. We provide access for wheelchair users via transfer board or hoist (coming soon) as well as an extensive range of other mobility/access requirements.

Please contact us for further information regarding specific requirements, concerns or advice on planning your visit.

Level access

The main entrance has 6 steps and a handrail. There is no lift and no ramp.

There is level access from the main entrance to:

Slipway Front Information Area Slipway

Access with steps

The main entrance has 6 steps and a handrail. There is no lift and no ramp.

Hearing

All staff have disability awareness training.

General

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Westgate Grove

Canterbury

CT2 8A

Travel by public transport

You can get to Westgate Punts by bus and train.

The nearest bus stop is approximately fifty metres away. The bus stop is 0.0 miles / 0.0 km from Westgate Punts.

The nearest train station is Canterbury west . The train station is 0.3 miles / 0.5 km from Westgate Punts.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Canterbury Galaxy Taxis by calling 01227 450 150. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

There is parking near the venue. 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 has a dropped kerb.

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

The route is 1200mm wide, or more.

We have two access points. The main entrance is at the steps leading down to the baots. Here we have railings and assistance for those with limited mobility requirements. A short distance away we can provide easy level access via a gentle slope to waiting boats, which can be secured alongside wheelchairs.

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.

Main entrance

The main entrance has 6 steps.

This entrance has a handrail.

A short distance away from the main site there is a slipway.

The slipway is easily accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility issues. The boats can be secured next to wheelchairs providing a solid base on which to transfer via slideboard or, if able to stand, with assistance from trained boatmen. We will shortly have access to a mobile hoist and this will enable us to provide safe access to wheelchair users who may also have limited upper body movement. The slipway is away from the main street, allowing a more discreet location for those who may require it.

Getting around inside

Ticket/ information desk

Front Information Area

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The desk has a low section.

The front desk area provides linformation displayed at a low level.

Slipway

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1200mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

Access to the boats via the slipway is level. Here we provide access via transfer board and soon to be installed hoist. We also provide trained boatmen to assit those with other mobility issues.

Spectator/ Audience viewing areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.

There are specific stewards to help disabled visitors.

Getting around outside

Slipway

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

The slipway provides easy discreet access for wheelchair users, others with mobility concerns as well as those with others special requirements. Here we can provide trained assistance with transfer board and soon to be installed hoist.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

Our trips are for primarily for relaxation and thus there is no need for assisted tour information as the sensorial experience of the natural river environment speaks for itself.

There is a park area adjacent to the main entrance where assistance dogs can be taken if caught short!

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

All staff have disability awareness training.

We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.

If there is a need for privacy we can provide discreet access to safe, quiet boats for those with anxiety or issues regarding noise or crowding. This is because pasengers are not obliged to share with people they dont know.