Accessibility & Additional Facilities

Access and Support


We want to ensure our zoo offers a fun day out for all the family, so we do our very best to make all our guests feel welcome, relaxed and able to make the most of their visit.

Helping you get the most out of your day


Start by taking a look at our site map to see all the facilities we currently have onsite https: Zoo Map

If you have any specific needs or enquiries please feel free to get in touch and we’ll do everything we can to help.

 

Do I need to provide proof of disability?

Yes, you will need to provide proof of disability to qualify for our discounted ticket prices. We understand that our additional needs visitors have different forms of proof. These can include a , PIP letter, DLA Letter, HAND Card or Blue Badge.

Each disabled ticket also includes 1 carer free of charge Additional carers will be charged at an adult ticket price.

Blue Badges MUST be displayed in your vehicle upon arrival and at all times.

Animal Park

The entire site is accessible for most people, offering level pathways across the Zoo. Our enclosures have glass viewing panels so whatever height you’re at you can get a good look at all our beautiful animals.

We also have ramp access to viewing areas at the Wolf Enclosure, Gibbon Enclosure, Reptile House, Rainforest Exhibition and Land of the Tigers.

Learn and Play Area

We have our Learn & Play Area with play equipment specially adapted for wheelchair users; if you wish to use this facility just mention it to a member of staff.

Toilets

We also have disabled access toilets situated on the Animal Park and on the main car park (with both right and left handed opening doors). In addition to this, we offer a special access toilet facility with a hoist & bed in the toilets outside the Discovery Centre (again, in the main car park).

Hire Shop

ITEMS TO HIRE

  • 3x mobility scooters – £25 per day to hire (payment required in advance) – collection point at the Welcome Centre We will ask that you leave your car keys as a security deposit prior to the scooter being released to you
  • Wheelchair hire – £10 per day to hire – collection point at the Welcome Centre (returnable deposit required)
  • Single stroller – £10 per day to hire – collection point at the Welcome Centre (returnable deposit required)
  • Double stroller – £14 per day to hire – collection point at the Welcome Centre (returnable deposit required)

 

Mobility Scooter Information:

We have a limited number of scooters available so we recommend pre-booking by emailing our team on info@hertfordshirezoo.com (at least 24hrs notice or more is required for pre-booking, you will be required to pay £25 in advance in order to guarantee your Scooter Hire)

Please be aware that until a confirmation from our team is received, an enquiry is not a confirmed booking (due to the high demand).

Mobility scooters are available for hire by those over 18 years ONLY.

A member of our team will spend a few minutes briefing you on the handling of the hired item. You will then be asked to sign a disclaimer.

Please see the disclaimer form you will be required to sign on the day: Mobility Scooter Hire Form

Animal Experiences

We have various Animal Experiences on offer – most of these are suitable for guests with additional needs, with the Lemur and Meerkat enclosures able to offer full wheelchair access.

Education

The Discovery Centre provides facilities for corporate events and classroom-based lectures. It is fitted with an induction loop and is fully accessible.

Parent & Child Facilities and Prayer Room

Our Parent & Child facilities include food warming areas in both Safari Diner and Tumble Jungle. There are baby changing facilities in the toilet block on the main car park, at the centre of the Zoo itself and at Tumble Jungle.

We also have a separate room where parents can feed their babies in private.

Visitors can use a quiet space in which to pray – please contact a member of staff if you would like access (located in Discovery Centre).

Sighted Guide

At Hertfordshire Zoo we are committed to making our zoo accessible to all, so as a part of an effort to increase our accessibility for visitors who are blind or partially sighted we have worked with Guide Dogs to deliver training across our site. Unfortunately, due to the nature of our premises we are not able to welcome assistance dogs onsite. This is to ensure not only the welfare of our animals, but also the assistance dog, as it can be a stressful experience for them both. For more information, please refer to BIAZA’s statement on assistance dogs.

However, a number of our staff across all departments have undertaken Sighted Guide training with Guide Dogs UK to ensure that we are able to safely and effectively offer assistance to any visitors who would like it. We encourage you to visit with friends or family who may be able to assist you around the zoo in addition to any support our staff can give you on your journey. If you will be coming to Hertfordshire Zoo and would like some support from one of our trained staff members, please get in touch with us info@hertforshirezoo.com.

Guided & assistance dogs

Please note we do not accept guided or assistance dogs or any other animal companions due to bio-security measures.

KultureCity® Sensory Inclusive™ Zoo

Hertfordshire Zoo has partnered with KultureCity® to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all guests on their journey across Hertfordshire Zoo. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

KultureCity® Sensory bags containing special KCVIP badges, feeling thermometer, fidget tools, and noise-cancelling headphones are available for rental at our Welcome Centre.

Quiet areas are located at our World of Birds picnic area and behind our rainforest building.

Headphone zones (loud areas) are located at Lion Pride Lands, Land of the Tigers, World of Dinosaurs, Sun Bear Heights, Outback and Jaguar Jungle.

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