Accessibility Statement

Please see our full accessibility guide below. If you have any additional needs or requirements that would make your visit to the Sanctuary easier, please email enquiries@thebigcatsanctuary.org or for any queries specifically regarding accessibility, please contact Carrie Tree, Customer Service Supervisor on 01233439150 or email carrie@thebigcatsanctuary.org

You can download a copy of our Accessibility Statement here: The Big Cat Sanctuary Accessibility Guide

Welcome

The Big Cat Sanctuary is a registered animal charity whose aim is to contribute to global conservation. Set in the heart of the countryside at Smarden, Kent, the peace and tranquillity of the site provides excellent conditions for the successful breeding of the beautiful, yet endangered cats both large and small within the European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.

At a Glance

Level Access

• The main entrance has level access with a ramp. The ramp is permanent.
• There is level access from the main entrance to:
  • Heritage Lodge Main Restaurant
  • Heritage Lodge Cafe
  • Dining Table
  • Reception Desk
  • Heritage Lodge Toilets
  • BCS Shop
  • Founders Lodge
  • Heritage Lodge Smoking Area

 Visual

• Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

 General

• There is at least 1 public toilet for disabled visitors.

Getting here

The Big Cat Sanctuary
Headcorn Road
Ashford
TN27 8PJ

 Travel by public transport

• The Big Cat Sanctuary is not accessible by public transport – we are in the heart of the Kent countryside (the nearest train station is Headcorn, which is just under 2.5 miles away, but you would need to take a taxi from there)

 Travel by taxi

• You can get a taxi with MTC Taxis by calling 01622 890 003.
• You can get a taxi with Streamline by calling 01622 750 000.

 We have a transfer service for visitors. Parking

• We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. 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 route is 1000mm wide, or more.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

• From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
• There is a permanent ramp.
• The path is 1000mm wide, or more.
• The path is sloped.

 Main entrance

• The main entrance has level access.
• There is a permanent ramp.
• The door is 1600mm wide.
• The main door is side hung and manual.

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment – General Information

• Some parts of the venue have low lighting.

 Ticket/ information desk

Reception Desk

• From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
• The desk has a low section.

 Public toilet

Heritage Lodge Toilets

• There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
• From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
• The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
• There is 1500mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1500mm in front of the toilet. The toilets have handrails.

Shop

BCS Shop

• From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 1800mm wide.
• The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

Place to eat and drink

Heritage Lodge Main Restaurant

• From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 1000mm wide.
• To get to a table, there are no steps.
• If you need table service, staff can help you.
• The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
• There is background music.
• The table and plates have high colour contrast.
• We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free and vegan specific diets

Heritage Lodge Café

• From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more. The door is 1000mm wide.
• To get to a table, there are no steps.
• If you need table service, staff can help you.
• The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
• There is background music sometimes.
• The table and plates have high colour contrast.
• We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs), lactose free (dairy free), nut free and vegan specific diets.

Founders Lodge

• From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
• The door is 1800mm wide.

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Big Cat Sanctuary Site Trail

• The trail is 1600metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail has seats.

Smoking

Heritage Lodge Smoking Area

• From the main entrance to the smoking area, there is level access. The route is 1000mm wide, or more.
• The entrance is 2000mm wide.
• The smoking area has a shelter.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

• Unfortunately, due to the nature of our Sanctuary and the fact that our primary objective is a stress free environment for our cats, no dogs are allowed on site.
• We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.
• Would be possible in both Heritage Lodge and Founders Lodge

Emergency evacuation procedures

• We do have emergency protocols, but as our site is all on one level and staff guide visitors in the event of an emergency, we have no specific procedures for disabled visitors – they are covered in our general emergency plans.
• We have other services for people with accessibility requirements.
• We will happily discuss any additional support needs or any adjustments that we could make to our experiences, overnight stays and other events. As our site is very open plan, with a majority of it being on one level or with ramp access, we hope we can accommodate all our potential guests and visitors, regardless of their needs.

Guide last updated: 22 April 2021