Helping you enjoy your visit – whatever your needs may be
The hobblers want everyone to enjoy their visit to Hobbledown. It should be an adventure full of fun and discovery! Play is at the heart of what we do, and we are always willing to provide extra support to those who need it - we want to ensure you can get the most enjoyment out of what we have to offer.
If you think you will need additional support during your visit or wish to contact us to discuss your needs, please do so at Epsominfo@hobbledown.com or 01372 668 942.
Before Your Visit
For full details and maps of how to reach us please see the directions section of our website, here. Hobbledown is built on flat ground with a mixture of tarmac, grass and hard gravel paths. The car park is easily accessible.
Car Park and Arrival
Hobbledown has plenty of clearly marked disabled parking with easy access to the entrance. All car parking is free.
Admission
If you require a carer to accompany you on your visit, we will offer an admission ticket free of charge for them. This will be provided for you at the entrance once the team have checked the necessary paperwork. This could be any of the following: Evidence of DLA/PIP payments, Access Card or a valid Blue Badge dated within the last 12 months.
Shop and Reception
Access to the park for wheelchair users is best through the shop as the reception desk is lower in here than the kiosks. We offer the free carer ticket upon presentation of a DLA/PIP letter. We accept iCount cards. We do not currently have a hearing loop system.
Exterior Site
Access from the shop to the main site is through an automatic door and gravel paths. If customers go through the standard admission gates, these are team activated electromagnetic operated gates.
Most of the outsides areas of the park are hard-standing or grass and are suitable for wheel chair users, or hard gravel paths that are clear and easy to use. The Field of Confusion may be slightly harder for wheelchair users in wet weather as this is mainly grass. There are however, hard paths all around the edges of this area and leading to the camels.
Adventure Activities
Due to the nature of our park, a few activities may not be suitable for certain types of disabilities, but all of our staff are trained to be as understanding and as helpful as we can possibly be. There are some age restrictions and this is only for public safety reasons usually stipulated by the manufacturer.
All outside buildings are single story apart from the Towers in the Hobbledown Village. The soft and hard indoor play in the Play Barn is multi-level.
Seating is available throughout the whole park. We have low level hand washing facilities in all animal contact areas.
In our Play Barn we also have a sensory zone that includes bubble tubes, ‘infinite light tunnel’, soft play equipment (i.e. the ride on bits in toddler area). All our signs are easy to read, well maintained and plentiful.
Restaurants
The Hobnosh restaurant is wheelchair accessible and the outside eating area of the restaurant is also easily accessible. The Cabin, when open on busy days, is easily accessible to wheelchair users with hard standing all around.
The Play Areas
Many of our play areas are designed to test the imagination and invite everyone to explore the objects: under, over, below and through the various elements. They require some physical (and mental) stamina. This presents some challenges to anyone with prosthetic limbs or other physical impairments. And for this reason, adult supervision is also required when using the play activities.
Other restrictions apply for certain courses or activities that are required to ensure your safety.
These are listed here:
High Ropes Course
Minimum height 1.3. Children who are sensitive to heights should be accompanied by an adult.
Zorbing
Maximum age 13. Socks must be on, shoes must be off. Participants must be supervised by an adult at all times whilst using the zorbs, on a one adult to one child ratio. Participants remain the responsibility of the accompanying adult at all times.
Public Toilets
Hobbledown has 2 toilets available for disabled visitors: the first one is located at the reception entrance, and the other is located next to the main toilets at the back of the Hobnosh restaurant. This one is accessible either through the restaurant or via a ramp from the Courtyard outside.
A key is not required to unlock either door. They are both big enough for a wheelchair and a carer. The sink in both toilets are fitted with lever type taps, paper towel dispensers or hand driers and mirrors. The play barn disabled toilet has an alarm cord, however reception does not.
We also have a baby change located in our restaurant toilets at the back of the restaurant/indoor play barn - all our toilets are fitted with adult and child sized seats. The play barn disabled toilet also has a fold up wall-mounted baby change. Adult changing facilities are available upon request. We do not currently have a hoist.
Additional Information
Assistance dogs are welcome and water can be provided upon request. We do ask that dogs are kept on a lead and that you clear up after them. Dogs are not able to go through the animal walk through attractions.
All our staff have received in-house disability awareness training. We pride ourselves in having many qualified first aiders with access to first aid kits around the park.
