This access statement des nt cntain persnal pinins as t ur suitability fr thse with access needs, but aims t accurately describe the facilities and services that we ffer all ur guests/visitrs. Access Statement fr Mead Open Farm Ltd Intrductin Mead Open Farm is situated in the stunning cuntryside within half a mile f Billingtn, near Leightn Buzzard. The public attractin is dedicated t prviding a safe, fun and stimulating envirnment fr families and grups. Mead Open Farm aims t attract a wide range f visitrs including members f the disabled cmmunity. The attractin is cntinuing t imprve its facilities t welcme members f all abilities and we strngly believe in maintaining high standards f custmer care and visitr enjyment. Mead Open Farm has a variety f activities including animal barns, petting areas, grass paddcks, shp, picnic areas, the Sky Trail, Crazy Glf, utdr play areas, and an indr cafe and sft play zne. The attractin als brings in extra activities fr varius seasnal events thrughut the year including Hallween Haunts with actrs and Christmas Grtt. All activities are n grund flr level and members f staff are always available n site fr assistance if needed. Mead Open Farm is a member f the Visitr Attractin Quality Assurance Scheme. The attractin is designed t encurage wheelchair users and is therefre built n flat land with the majrity f ur paths and activities being accessible by wheelchair. All f ur
animal activities, cafe and shp can be easily accessible by wheelchair; hwever, due t the physical nature f the Sky Trail and utdr play areas these wuld likely be unsuitable. We lk frward t welcming yu. If yu have any queries r require any assistance please phne 01525 852 954 r email inf@meadpenfarm.c.uk. Indr picnic area Cncrete animal barn area Pre-Arrival The best way t reach Mead Open Farm is by car. Fr full details and maps f hw t reach us please see the directins sectin f ur website. Unfrtunately, due t the islated lcatin f Mead Open Farm, public bus services d nt run t and frm the attractin. The nearest train statin is Leightn Buzzard which is 4 miles away. Taxi services are available frm the statin, see cntact details if yu wish t bk a taxi in advance. The rad leading up t the farm des nt have any ftpaths, therefre, may be a difficult rute fr walkers. At present, we d nt have the facilities t prvide hire ut equipment that specifically meets the needs f thse with visual r hearing
impairments. Hwever, large print guides can be made available n request. Car Parking and Arrival Free parking is available n site and we currently have 6 spaces available fr blue badge hlders. These spaces are within 20 metres f the main entrance and n a flat tarmac surface. The rest f the car park is n level cncrete terrain with light gravel in sme parts and is well lit at night. Peple can be drpped ff right in frnt f the main entrance where there is cncrete flring with n kerbs r steps. The entrance has a light manual dr with an pening width f 800mm/31inches. A handrail is prvided n entry t the ticketing ffice with a gentle ramp and a path width that is made accessible fr wheelchair users. Blue badge parking Main entrance and ticket ffice cunter Main Entrance, Receptin and Ticketing Area The main entrance and ticket area is situated n the grund flr with hardwd level flring and step free access. There is n seating in the main entrance. The area is lit with flurescent lights. There is n lw desk r glass screens, hwever, the lw height f the desk makes it easy t serve wheelchair users.
There is n hearing lp system installed. Hwever, ur staff can prvide a pad and paper and magnifying glass n request. There is a discunt fr carers. Attractin (displays, exhibits, rides etc.) The main frms f interpretatin are infrmative animal signage arund the barns and the paddcks. These signs have a large visible white fnt r pink fnt n a pink r blue backgrund. Sme pictgrams are used where applicable. There are als animal activity entertainers wh prvide animal demnstratins using a micrphne. In sme f the special seasnal events, there are actrs fr Hallween and Christmas wh prvide stries and entertainment. Currently we d nt prvide translatins r Braille. Sme f the special Hallween events d use flashing lights and have claustrphbic spaces. The attractin prvides many seating pprtunities indrs and utdrs, in the frm f wden r plastic picnic benches. All drs have a width f 800mm and are light manual drs r gates, all ft paths and barn flring are hard level cncrete with sme lawn cvered areas in the paddcks. All f ur barns and indr areas have suitable lighting. Public Tilets Public tilets are lcated in the indr play barn by the cafe and the main blck next t the shp and main entrance and exit: all tilets have level access and all are situated n grund level. There is a unisex baby changing and accessible tilet lcated in the main shp and in the indr play barn. These tilets are never lcked and have n steps r ramps. The measurements f these tilets are as fllws: A light easy pen manual dr 900mm/35.5ins wide.
The tilet height is 400mm/15.7ins and the gap t the left is 800mm. There are hrizntal and vertical rails either side f the bth basin and tilet. The sink is 680mm in height with push-n taps. There is flurescent lighting and lin flring There is n emergency system Accessible tilet Catering Manual dr entrance t tilets Hand washing statins The cafe is situated n the grund flr with a step free level access and a gradual ramp n the entrance. The entrance drs are 800mm/31ins wide. Tables in the cafe are well spaced apart and have smth plastic seating withut arms. The area is well lit and has a level lin flring. There is a lw self-service desk with staff always at hand t assist. Special dietary needs can be made available n request.
The nearest tilet is lcated at the end f the self-service cunter. An accessible lift is prvided t access ur first flr which cnsists f a small set f private party rms fr thse visitrs wh have bked a party with us. Each rm has tables and benches attached and individual chairs als. First flr party rm Indr self service cafe seating Self-service cunter Shp There is a shp n exit f the attractin that prvides suvenirs and children's tys. There are tw sets f glass drs t the shp, bth are 830mm/32.7ins wide and manual, they are usually kept pen. The shp has level wden flring thrughut. The shp has a spacius area with rm fr wheelchair users. Staff are available t ffer assistance if required.
Shp cunter Shp flr area Grunds and Gardens There is a large grass area which cntains the animals in the paddck: access t these paddcks is via large 1200mm width cncrete paths and mwn grass paths. Sme pathways have light gravel which may be slightly uneven underft. There is a picnic area n a level lawn which has wden tables and attached benches. During the summer, there is a maize maze at the back f the paddcks, which can be accessed by a large lawn, the inside f the maze has a muddy slightly uneven path which may nt be suitable fr wheelchair users. Lawn path arund paddcks Crazy glf gravelled area Lawn picnic benches
Light gravel path texture Path and picnic tables arund utdr play area Bark path texture Additinal Infrmatin We always have a first aid trained staff member n site t assist in an emergency. Clear large fnt signage is made available all arund the attractin with white r pink Kings Ransm fnt n a pink r blue backgrund. We als have A2 and A3 infrmatin signs n all the pens f ur animals and activities. We welcme trained assistance dgs. A water bwl can be made available n request. Large signs and manual gate Accessibility lift t first flr
Cntact Infrmatin Address (Inc pstcde): Mead Open Farm, Stanbridge Rad, Billingtn, Bedfrdshire, LU7 9JH Telephne: 01525 852 954 Email: Website: inf@meadpenfarm.c.uk www.meadpenfarm.c.uk Grid Reference: +51.894371, -0.620893 Hurs Of Operatin: Lcal Accessible Taxi: 10:00am-6:30pm daily, except Christmas Day, Bxing Day and New Year s Day AA Taxis lcated in Leightn Buzzard, cntact number 01525 450 000