Accessible 02 Accessible Bristol Accessible Bristol 03

Credits

THIS BOOK This 1st edition of Lonely Planet’s Accessible Bristol was produced by the following: Compiled by Martin Heng Designer Wibowo Rusli Cartographer Mark Griffiths Proofer Michelle Coxall

COVER PHOTOGRAPH Bristol International Balloon Fiesta © Gary Newman

INTERNAL PHOTOGRAPHS Pages 8–9 (clockwise from top left): Bristol Ferry/© Destination Bristol; Brunel’s SS Dry Dock/© Adam Gasson; /© VisitEngland; Festival Music/© Shotaway Page 31: Bristol/© Quintin Lake Photography Published by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Pages 36–37 (clockwise from top left): M Shed cranes/ ABN 36 005 607 983 © VisitEngland; The Matthew in Bristol’s floating harbour/ 1st edition – January 2018 © Graham Flack; River Avon and Clifton Suspension Bridge/ ISBN 9781786577412 © Dave Pratt; Deck of Brunel’s SS Great Britain/© Brunel’s SS © Lonely Planet 2018 Great Britain Photographs © as indicated 2018 Pages 42–43 (clockwise from top left): Dots (International Lonely Planet Global Inc is the publisher. All rights reserved. Balloon Fiesta)/© Gary Newman; Lemur at No part of this publication may be copied, stored in a retrieval Gardens/© Bob Pitchford; /© Jamie Woodley; Bristol system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, Cathedral/© Graham Flack; Tyntesfield/© GiraffePhotography. mechanical, recording or otherwise and no part of this co.uk; Bristol Aquarium/© Bristol Aquarium publication may be sold or hired, without the written permission Page 51 (clockwise from top): ’s Mild Mild West/© of the publisher. Lonely Planet and the Lonely Planet logo are Morgane Bigault; Banksy’s Gorilla in a Pink Mask/© Destination trademarks of the publisher and are registered in the US Patent Bristol; Banksy’s Well Hung Lover/© Destination Bristol and Trademark Office and in other countries. The publisher does Page 52: Barge on Bristol Harbour/© Graham Flack not allow its name or logo to be appropriated by commercial establishments, including but not limited to retailers, restaurants Page 54: Dining room at the Lido/© The Lido or hotels. Please let us know of any misuses: lonelyplanet.com/ip. Page 56: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery/© Bristol Museum & Art Although the publisher and its authors have taken all reasonable Gallery care in preparing this publication, we make no warranty about the accuracy or completeness of its content and advise users Page 58: /© Bristol City Council that the publication contains views and recommendations Pages 68–69: Redcliffe sunset/© Gary Newman of third parties which may or may not reflect the views of the publisher. To the maximum extent permitted, the publisher disclaims all liability arising from its use. 04 Accessible Bristol Accessible Bristol 05

Pages 76–77 (clockwise from top left): Bristol Harbour Festival/© Shotaway; Bristol Museum & Art Gallery/© Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; Harbourside sunset/© Philip Clark; Cliftonwood/© Andy Maybury Pages 88–89 (clockwise from top left): British Food Connections/© Morgane Bigault; St Nicholas Market stall/© Graham Flack; British Food Connections/© Morgane Bigault; St Nicholas Market/© VisitEngland Page 95: /© Bristol Old Vic 06 Accessible Bristol Accessible Bristol 07

Accessible Bristol

If ever there was a British city on the rise, it’s Throw in the revamped harbourside, the landmark Bristol. Once a centre for heavy industry, over the M Shed museum and a fast-growing foodie reputation, last few decades the southwest’s largest city has and it’s little wonder that Bristol was recently named reinvented itself as a hub of culture and creativity. Britain’s most liveable city. Gert lush, as they might say From Clifton’s iconic suspension bridge to Brunel’s round these parts. groundbreaking steamship, the SS Great Britain, it’s VisitBristol is one of numerous tourist bodies in a city that’s awash with historical interest. But Bristol the UK to understand that for those visitors who is also known for its offbeat, alternative character, may have very specific needs due to disabilities or and you’ll find a wealth of art collectives, community- medical conditions, access to accurate information run cafes and music venues dotted around – not can be critical. For this reason they partnered with to mention murals left behind by the city’s most DisabledGo.com who have assessed hundreds of the notorious son, the mischievous street artist Banksy. city’s attractions and facilities using their unique pan- disability template, compiling a rich database of access information that is invaluable to both residents and visitors, and which has in turn created the opportunity to produce this guide. 08 Accessible Bristol Accessible Bristol 09

Brunel’s SS Great Britain Dry Dock/ Bristol Ferry/© Destination Bristol © Adam Gasson

Bristol Harbour Festival/© Shotaway Bristol Cathedral/© VisitEngland 10 Accessible Bristol Contents 11

Sights...... 33 Encounters...... 62 Clifton Suspension Bridge...... 34 Christmas Market...... 62

# Clifton Suspension Bridge Glasgow # Edinburgh Information Centre...... 34 Sleeping...... 63 ...... 34 Sleeping Price Ranges...... 63 The Downs...... 35 Lonely Planet–Reviewed Hotels...64 London Clifton...... 35 Bristol YHA...... 64 BRISTOL #_ # # Bristol Zoo Gardens...... 35 Premier Inn, King St...... 65 Brighton Brunel’s SS Great Britain...... 36 Future Inn ...... 65 Brunel Institute...... 37 Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel...... 66 M Shed...... 40 DisabledGo–Reviewed Hotels Accessible Bristol ...... 41 (in alphabetical order)...... 67 Mild Mild West...... 41 The Bristol...... 67 Contents Matthew...... 41 Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel...... 68 Well Hung Lover...... 42 Holiday Inn ...... 72 Bristol Museum & Art Gallery...... 42 Ibis Bristol Centre...... 73 Tyntesfield...... 43 Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay...... 74 Arnolfini...... 46 Mercure Bristol Holland House Credits...... 03 Disability awareness/ Cabot Tower...... 47 Hotel and Spa...... 74 This book...... 03 equality training...... 17 Temple Church...... 47 Novotel Bristol Centre...... 75 Cover photograph...... 03 Resources...... 18 Bristol Aquarium...... 47 Premier Inn Bristol City Centre Internal photographs...... 03 (Haymarket) �������������������������������������77 Access Guides...... 18 Bristol Cathedral...... 48 Estate...... 49 Premier Inn Accessible Bristol...... 06 Hospitals...... 18 Bristol ...... 77 Georgian House...... 50 General...... 19 Premier Inn Bristol East Spike Island...... 50 Contents ...... 10 Parking...... 19 ()...... 81 Pharmacies...... 19 Blaise Castle House...... 51 Premier Inn Bristol ...... 82 Red Lodge...... 51 Acknowledgements...... 13 Toilets...... 19 Premier Inn Bristol South...... 82 Radisson Blu Hotel...... 83 Activities...... 54 Key to Access Symbols...... 14 History...... 24 Travelodge Bristol Central...... 84 Bristol Lido...... 55 Level access and automatic doors (Access 1)...... 14 Getting There & Away...... 25 Bristol & Bath Railway Path...... 55 Eating...... 86 Access by ramps, slopes and/or Air...... 25 Canteen...... 87 Tours...... 58 manual doors (Access 2)...... 14 Bus...... 26 St Nicholas Market...... 87 Mobility-impaired walker Train...... 26 Walking Tours...... 59 Olive Shed...... 88 (Access 3)...... 15 Boston Tea Party...... 88 Festivals & Events...... 60 Accessible toilet...... 15 Getting Around...... 28 Riverstation...... 88 Standard toilet...... 15 Boat...... 28 Bristol Harbour Festival...... 61 Gallimaufry...... 89 Accessible changing rooms...... 16 Bus...... 29 Bristol Shakespeare Festival...... 61 Soukitchen...... 89 Accessible accommodation...... 16 Car & Motorcycle...... 30 Bristol Pride Festival...... 61 Glassboat...... 92 Hearing system...... 17 Taxi...... 30 International Balloon Fiesta...... 62 Parking (3 stars)...... 17 Train...... 30 12 Accessible Bristol Acknowledgements 13

Drinking & Nightlife...... 93 Highbury Vaults...... 94 Apple...... 94 Thekla...... 94

Entertainment...... 95 Bristol Old Vic...... 96 Watershed...... 97 Fleece...... 97 Colston Hall...... 98

Shopping...... 99 Loot...... 100 Dig Haüshizzle...... 100 Acknowledgements Cabot Circus...... 100

This title is a collaboration between Lonely Planet and DisabledGo. DisabledGo.com access guides are a result of surveyor visits using a pan-disability template that collects up to 1000 accessibility facts, figures and photos for each venue. We gratefully acknowledge permission to use the access information for all venues reviewed in this guide provided by DisabledGo (www.disabledgo.com), which was contracted by Bristol City Council to conduct the relevant access audits. We also gratefully acknowledge permission to reproduce images provided by VisitBristol (http://visitbristol.co.uk/). Thanks to Jaci Langford, Catherine Naghten, Lauren O'Connell (Lonely Planet); Barry Stevenson, Kyle Watson (DisabledGo); Jon Chamberlain, Kathryn Davis (VisitBristol). 14 Accessible Bristol Key to Access Symbols 15

»» level access, easy or moderate ramps or slopes or lifts (platform or standard) to get around the venue and access the main service »» doors with a clear door-width of at least 75cm throughout

Mobility-impaired walker (Access 3) This denotes a venue that has: Y »» been awarded the Access 1 or 2 symbol or »» no more than three medium steps at the entrance to the building; if there is more than one step (up to 17cm per step) Key to Access Symbols a handrail is provided »» internal level changes that can be overcome by moderate/ easy ramps and/or lifts

Accessible toilet Level access and automatic doors (Access 1) This denotes a venue that has: This denotes a venue that has: »» been awarded the Access 1 or 2 symbol »» level access leading to the entrance »» accessible toilet(s) available on the premises that are/can be »» level access inside, which may be via a lift (platform or made available for public use standard) »» a clear door-width of at least 75cm »» sensor/push pad–operated automatic doors or no doors at »» step-free access the entrance »» sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre »» doors with a clear door-width of at least 75cm throughout (150cm x 150cm) »» grab rails available on both sides and a drop-down rail available on the transfer side

Access by ramps, slopes and/or manual doors (Access 2) This denotes a venue that has: »» been awarded the Access 1 symbol or »» an easy or moderate ramp or slope at the entrance and Standard toilet manual doors or This denotes a venue that has: »» been awarded the Access 1, 2 or 3 symbol »» an easy or moderate ramp or slope into the venue and automatic doors or »» step-free access to standard toilets on the premises that are/can be made available for public use, located on the »» level access into the venue and manual doors ground or other floors accessible by lift or »» an accessible toilet for public use that is not for the sole use of people with a disability 16 Accessible Bristol Key to Access Symbols 17

Accessible changing rooms Hearing system This denotes a venue that has: This denotes a venue that has a sound enhancement system »» been awarded the Access 1 or 2 symbol available at certain locations within the premises. »» accessible changing rooms or fitting rooms available on the premises that are/can be made available for public use »» a clear door-width of at least 75cm »» step-free access Parking (3 stars) »» sufficient space for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre This denotes a venue that has its own car park for use by patrons. (150cm x 150cm) This symbol is also applied to venues within, for example, a »» grab rails or drop-down rails available shopping centre/retail park served by a car park belonging to the shopping centre/retail park as a whole. »» a seat available

Disability awareness/equality training Accessible accommodation This denotes a venue that has a informed a DisabledGo This denotes a venue that has: Surveyor that they provide disability awareness/equality training »» been awarded the Access 1 or 2 symbol for their staff. »» step-free, ramped or lift access to bedrooms This symbol should be treated with caution as management »» all doors leading to an accessible room and internal doors practices vary and business ownership can change, resulting leading to the ensuite having a minimum clear door-width of in different approaches to disability. DisabledGo has placed 75cm no burden of proof on venues for the information they provide regarding training. The currency of this symbol is reliable only as »» an accessible ensuite far back as the most recent survey (usually renewed annually). »» an accessible ensuite with a selection of handrails to aid transfer to the toilet and ideally a drop-down rail for balance and side transfer space (minimum 60cm) »» an accessible ensuite with sufficient manoeuvring space »» an accessible ensuite with a lowered bath or a level-access Note that some of these symbols may be applicable to roll-in shower venues included in this guide that have not been assessed There are many other adaptations available for hotel rooms. by DisabledGo. However, since the definitions given to these Read the detailed DisabledGo access guide for additional details symbols are both precise and independently verified by with regard to hoists, auxiliary aids for sensory impairments, etc, Disabled Go, we felt it would be potentially misleading to use where available. these symbols for all venues. Please read venue reviews for any additional access information Lonely Planet has been able to obtain. All access information and symbols were correct at the time of the last access audit. Lonely Planet and DisabledGo accept no responsibility or liability for any changes that may have occurred since that time, nor for any damage, inconvenience or financial loss suffered as a result of such changes. 18 Accessible Bristol Resources 19

General Bristol Tourist Information Centre (0333-321 0101; www. visitbristol.co.uk; E-Shed, 1 Canons Rd; 10am-5pm daily; closed 25-26 Dec, 1 Jan) Calling this phone number costs the premium rate of 50p per minute. Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/england/southwest-en- gland/bristol) Destination information, hotel bookings, great for planning. Three accessible travel series, including the compre- hensive Accessible Travel Online Resources can be downloaded C from http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/accessible-travel. Parking Reference to Blue Badge bays or permit holders refers to the Resources UK’s disability parking permit scheme. Pharmacies Boots Bristol Avon Meads Retail Park (0117-972 8056; www. boots.com; Avon Meads, St Philips Causeway) is one of several pharmacies in the Boots chain that have a late-night pharmacy. Check the website for other options. Access Guides DisabledGo (www.disabledgo.com/organisations/bristol-city- Lloyds Pharmacy (0117-963 9468; www.Lloydspharmacy.com; Regent Road, Bedminster; 8am-10.30pm Mon-Sat, 9am-10pm council/main) Comprehensive, professional audit of Bristol’s Sun). facilities conducted on behalf of Bristol City Council, updated annually. Includes four popular pedestrian routes for visitors and Toilets residents. The majority of access information in Accessible Bristol Throughout this guide, reference is made to RADAR keys. The guide is taken from this source. Links to full access assessments National Key Scheme (NKS), previously known as the Royal by DisabledGo are given in the text whenever they exist. Association for Disability Rights (RADAR) scheme, was introduced Visit Bristol provides a list of accessible things to do (h t t p: // to prevent accessible toilets being damaged or misused. Some visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/my-bristol/accessible) local councils will provide this key free or for a small charge; others and accessible places to stay (http://visitbristol.co.uk/ charge about £5, including postage and packing. They can also be accommodation/my-bristol/accessible). If you have any bought for a similar price from Disability Rights UK (h t t p s : //c r m . particular requirements, you are invited to contact them disabilityrightsuk.org/radar-nks-key). directly at [email protected]. Searchable, There’s a Changing Places toilet (with a ceiling hoist and adult- comprehensive what’s on listings can be found here: visitbristol. sized change table) located in the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre co.uk/whats-on. (0117-952 9361; www.cabotcircus.com; Glass House; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun). There is another Changing Places Hospitals toilet located in City Hall (0117-922 4737; www.bristol.gov.uk/ Bristol Royal Infirmary (0117-923 0000; www.uhbristol.nhs. web/city-hall; College Green; opening times vary according to uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/bristol-royal-infirmary/; bookings/events). Upper Maudlin St) Southmead Hospital (0117-950 5050; www.nbt.nhs.uk/our- hospitals/southmead-hospital; Southmead Road, Westbury- on-Tr ym 20 Accessible Bristol Resources 21

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Bristol æ Top Sights 28 Ibis Bristol Centre...... E4 1 Brunel's SS Great Britain...... D4 29 Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay ...... H3 2 M Shed ...... F5 30 Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel...... G3 3 We the Curious...... E4 31 Mercure Bristol Holland House

Hotel and Spa ...... G5 æ Sights 32 Novotel Bristol Centre...... G4 4 Arnolfini...... F4 33 Premier Inn Bristol City Centre 5 Bristol Aquarium...... F4 (Haymarket)...... G2 6 Bristol Cathedral...... E4 34 Premier Inn Bristol City Centre 7 Bristol Museum & Art Gallery ...... E2 (King St)...... G4 8 Bristol Zoo Gardens ...... B1 35 Radisson Blu Hotel...... F3 9 Brunel Institute ...... D4 36 The Bristol...... F4 10 Cabot Tower...... D3 37 Travelodge Bristol Central...... E4

11 Clifton...... B2 12 Clifton Observatory...... A2 ú Eating 13 Clifton Suspension Bridge...... A3 38 Boston Tea Party...... E3 14 Clifton Suspension Bridge 39 Canteen ...... G1 Information Centre...... A3 40 Glassboat...... G3 15 Georgian House ...... E3 41 Olive Shed ...... F5 Giant's Cave...... (see 12) 42 Riverstation...... F4 16 Matthew ...... F5 43 St Nicholas Market...... F3

17 Mild Mild West...... G1 18 Red Lodge...... F3 û Drinking & Nightlife 19 Spike Island ...... D5 44 Apple ...... G3 20 Temple Church ...... G3 45 Highbury Vaults...... E1 21 The Downs...... A2 46 Thekla ...... F4

22 Well Hung Lover...... E3

ý Entertainment Ø Activities, Courses & Tours 47 Bristol Old Vic ...... F3 23 Bristol Lido...... D2 48 Colston Hall...... F3

49 Fleece...... G4 ÿ Sleeping 50 Watershed...... F4

24 Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel...... F4 25 Bristol YHA ...... F4 þ Shopping 26 Future Inn Cabot Circus...... H2 51 Cabot Circus ...... H2 27 Holiday Inn Bristol City 52 Dig Haüshizzle ...... F3 Centre...... G2 53 Loot ...... G2 24 Accessible Bristol Getting There & Away 25

History Getting There & Away

The city began as a Saxon village and developed into Brigstow, a Bristol has good transport links with the rest of the county. medieval river port and trading centre. In 1497 ‘local hero’ John Cabot (actually a Genoese sailor called Air Giovanni Caboto) sailed from Bristol to discover Newfoundland. (0871-3344344; www.bristolairport.co.uk) The city subsequently become one of Britain’s major ports, Bristol’s airport is 8 miles southwest of the city. Destinations in growing rich on the ‘Triangular Trade’, in which African slaves the UK and Ireland include Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Cork, Glasgow were shipped across the Atlantic to New World colonies, where and Newcastle (mainly handled by easyJet). Direct flights to they were bartered for luxury goods such as sugar, rum, tobacco cities in mainland Europe include those to Barcelona, Berlin, and cotton that fetched a healthy profit back home. Much of Milan and Paris. Bristol’s 18th-century splendour – including Clifton’s terraces On-the-day parking at the airport is expensive; booking online and the Old Vic theatre – were partly financed on profits from the in advance (www.bristolairport.co.uk/parking) is much cheaper. trade. There’s a drop-off point outside Departures with a dropped After being usurped by rival ports in London and Liverpool, kerb. The terminal itself is fully wheelchair-accessible, with Bristol repositioned itself as an industrial and shipbuilding lifts (visual but no audio announcements, and without Braille centre, and in 1840 became the western terminus for the newly buttons) to all floors. There are accessible toilets in both built Great Western Railway line from London. Departures and Arrivals, as well as a Changing Places facility In the early 20th century, local engineers pioneered the close to the Arrivals entrance. Also close to Arrivals is a Special development of a groundbreaking aeroplane design known as Assistance desk, with a lowered counter but no hearing loop. the Bristol Boxkite, and the city became a hub for aeronautics. There is a second Special Assistance desk adjacent to the Unfortunately, Bristol’s industrial importance made it a target for main departure lounge and close to the accessible toilet. German bombing during WWII, and much of the city centre and A third special assistance desk, equipped with a hearing loop harbourside was reduced to rubble. and lowered desk, is located on the right-hand side of the In 2006, the city celebrated the bicentenary of the birth of Departure Lounge, when entering through World Duty Free. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the pioneering Victorian engineer A lowered ATM machine is located to the right of the MoneyCorp responsible for (among many other things) the Great Western bureau de change. Railway, the Clifton Suspension Bridge and SS Great Britain. 26 Accessible Bristol Getting There & Away 27

For more information, visit www.bristolairport.co.uk/ Destination Time (hr) Frequency at-the-airport/special-assistance or www.disabledgo.com/ Birmingham 1.5 hourly organisations/bristol-airport/main. Edinburgh 6.5 hourly Bristol Airport Flyer (flyer.bristolairport.co.uk; 24hr) Runs shuttle buses (one way/return £7/11, 30 minutes, every 10 Exeter 1 half-hourly minutes at peak times) to the bus station and Temple Meads Glasgow 6.5 hourly train station. London 1.75 half-hourly Buses are equipped with a manually dropped ramp at the Penzance 5.5 hourly middle set of doors, and take passengers to and from airport car Truro 4 hourly parks as well as destinations in Bristol. Arrow Cars (01275 475 000) Bristol airport’s official taxi service has a wheelchair-accessible office across the road from Arrivals.

Bus National Express coaches go to Birmingham (£22, two hours, six to eight daily), London (£21, 2½ hours, hourly), Cardiff (£10, 1¼ hours, every two hours) and Exeter (£15, two hours, five daily). Bristol Bus Station (0345-602 0121; Marlborough St) serves both National Express and local bus services. There is level access and automatic doors at the main and side entrances, and a gentle ramp at the rear entrance. The reception desk has a lowered section, but no hearing loop. The accessible toilet is to the right as you enter the main entrance. National Express has a Disabled Code of Practice, which can be viewed at www.nationalexpress.com/help-and-advice/about- us/disabled-travellers.aspx. Many local buses operated by First Bus have low-floor access – look out for the logo to indicate which buses are accessible. For more information, visit www.firstgroup.com/bus-accessibility. Useful local buses include: Bath (£5.50, 50 minutes, four per hour Monday to Saturday, half-hourly on Sunday) Bus 38/39/X39. Wells (£5.50, one hour, half-hourly to hourly) Bus 376, which then goes on to Glastonbury (£5.50, 1¼ hours).

Train Bristol is an important rail hub, with regular services to London Paddington provided by the Great Western Railway (GWR; www.gwr.com; www.gwr.com/plan-journey/journey-information/ assisted-travel) and services to northern and mainly covered by CrossCountry (CC; www.crosscountrytrains. co.uk; www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/customer-service/travel- assistance). Booking ahead for the best deals is advised; booking at least 24 hours ahead to arrange assistance is mandatory. 28 Accessible Bristol Getting Around 29

to ensure assistance is arranged. For further information, visit www.bristolferry.com/general-info/access-statement/ or www. disabledgo.com/access-guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-ferry, which details access at each stop.

Bus Bus journeys in Bristol’s city centre cost £1 for up to three stops; longer trips cost £1.50. A DayRider pass (£4.50) provides unlimited travel. Bus 8/9 To Clifton (10 minutes), Whiteladies Rd and Bristol Zoo Gardens every 15 minutes from St Augustine’s Pde. Add 10 minutes from Temple Meads. Bus 73/X73 Runs every 20 minutes from Bristol Parkway Getting Around Station to the centre (£3.50, 30 minutes). Park & Ride Buses (0117-9020 157; www.ctplusbristol.org; peak/off-peak return £4/3; 6am-9.30pm Mon-Fri, 7am-8pm Sat)

BRISTOL BUS STATION Bristol Shopmobility (0117 955 9083; www.bristolshopmobility. co.uk; Cabot Circus car park) rents mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs. Up to five hours’ free parking in Cabot Circus car 0345-602 0121; www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/; park is included with the hire of equipment. Marlborough St; 7am-11pm

Boat There’s a car park within 200m, but no Blue Badge parking bays BRISTOL FERRY BOAT COMPANY and no designated drop-off point. The main and side entrances have level access with automatic doors; the rear entrance is equipped with a low-gradient ramp and automatic doors. To 0117-927 3416; www.bristolferry.com purchase tickets as a wheelchair user, it’s best to go to reception inside the station as there is level access and a lowered desk Ferry services feature two, hourly routes: Hotwells runs west, section. All bus stands have level access. All areas within the with stops including Millennium Sq and the SS Great Britain. stations Temple Meads runs east, with stops including Welsh Back, Castle are wheelchair-accessible, including the Pumpkin Cafe. Park (for Cabot Circus) and Temple Meads (for the train station). The accessible toilet is located to the right as you enter the Boats leave from the dock near the tourist office. Fares depend main entrance. on distance travelled; an all-day pass is adult/child £6.50/5.50. Although there is no hearing loop, documents can be If coming by car, the most easily accessible landing stages provided in Braille or large print and water can be provided for with ramps are at The Cottage Inn and the SS Great Britain; assistance dogs. Departure announcements are visual only. if coming by bus, The Cascade Steps; and if coming by train, There are generally two members of staff on duty who should Temple Meads Station. have received disability awareness training. You can also request The company runs five boats, one of which(Brigantia) help at a dedicated office near the rear entrance. has provisions for wheelchair users, including a wheelchair For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- lift. Wheelchair users should call at least 24 hours ahead to guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-bus-station. ensure this boat is in service at the appropriate time. Those with limited mobility or other impairments should call ahead 30 Accessible Bristol Getting Around 31

Car & Motorcycle For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- Heavy traffic and pricey parking make driving in Bristol a guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-temple-meads-station. headache. Park & Ride Buses run every 20 minutes from Portway, Bath Rd and Long Ashton. Note that overnight parking BRISTOL PARKWAY STATION is not permitted at the Park & Ride car parks. On the positive side, Blue Badge holders can park free of charge all day in any on-street pay-and-display bays within the Britain’s first park-and-ride station serves Great Western Railway Bristol city boundary. (GWR) and CrossCountry (CC). Taxi There are more than 10 designated bays in the car park, which There are a number of wheelchair-accessible taxi operators in are free for Blue Badge holders. There are gentle ramps up to Bristol. Try A Taxis (0117-378 1212), acftaxis (0127-5540 401) the main and car park entrances, which are served by automatic or Kingswood (0117-961 9000). Otherwise, check out the list of doors. Although there is level access via the internal bridge wheelchair-accessible hackney cabs on the local government security gates, the narrow gates are only 50cm wide. There is level website: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/accessible- access and automatic doors (89cm) to the waiting-room entrance. taxis-contacts. An 88cm-wide entrance is located at the internal bridge gates. A hearing loop is available at reception. All key concourse Train shops and services have level access. All three platforms can BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS STATION be accessed via a lift. An accessible toilet can be found at the rear of the entrance foyer. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- The oldest and largest railway station in Bristol serves Great guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-parkway-station. Western Railway, CrossCountry and South West trains, operated by Network Rail (https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/ STATION (GWR) passengers/station-improvements/access-for-all/). There are six designated parking bays in the car park for Blue Badge holders. The car park’s uneven surface means that some wheelchair users may need assistance. There are a further 12 The station is not staffed and there is no ticket office, but there designated parking bays in the tunnel car park. are audio and visual platform announcements of arrivals and There’s a gentle ramp to automatic doors at the main departures. The station is wheelchair-accessible, but note that entrance and level access to the automatic doors at the car bollards at the bottom of the ramp from the car park – which you park entrance. There is a gentle ramp to the 90cm-wide internal can use between station entrances to avoid the steps between security gates, but there are no automatic doors. There is level platforms 1 and 2 – have a gap of only 90cm. There is no access to the waiting room entrance, but no automatic doors accessible toilet. and an opening of only 85cm. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- The main reception desk is equipped with a hearing loop; guide/bristol-city-council/clifton-down-train-station. the advanced booking desk to the left is not. Documents can be requested in Braille or large print. An assistance dog toilet area LAWRENCE HILL STATION (GWR; CC) The station is not staffed and there is no ticket office; platform can be provided on site, as can water. announcements are visual only. Only platform 1 is accessible Access platforms 1 and 2, and 5–15 by lift; access platforms without using steps; platform 1 is accessed via a ramp from the 3 and 4 by ramp. Wheelchair access to trains requires a portable Lidl car park. There is no accessible toilet. ramp put out by a member of staff. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- Accessible toilets can be found to the right of platform 3, guide/bristol-city-council/lawrence-hill-station. adjacent to the information office, or to the rear of platforms 13/15. 32 Accessible Bristol Sights 33

MONTPELIER STATION

The station is not staffed and there is no ticket office; platform announcements are visual only. There is ramped access to the single platform, but no accessible toilet. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/montpelier-station.

PARSON STREET STATION (GWR) The station is not staffed and there is no ticket office; platform A announcements are visual only. Neither platform is accessible for wheelchairs, being accessed only via steps. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/parson-street-station. Sights

REDLAND STATION (GWR)

M Shed Bristol/© Quintin Lake Photography

The station is not staffed and there is no ticket office; platform announcements are audio only. There is ramped access to the single platform, but no accessible toilet. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/redland-station. 34 Accessible Bristol Sights 35

Clifton Suspension Bridge Bridge Bristol’s camera obscura is one of only two in England open to the public, making a visit well worthwhile. The camera uses a convex lens and sloping mirror to project an image of the outside www.cliftonbridge.org.uk world on to a white surface inside a dark room. As with all cameras obscura, the images are best on bright days. Clifton’s most famous (and photographed) landmark is the There’s no wheelchair access. 76m-high Clifton Suspension Bridge, which spans the . It was designed by master engineer Isambard Kingdom The Downs Park Brunel with construction beginning in 1836, although Brunel died before its completion in 1864. It’s free to walk or cycle across; car drivers pay a £1 toll. Family and pet friendly There’s an information centre near the tower on the Leigh Woods side. Free bridge tours take place at 3pm on Saturday and The grassy parks of Clifton Down and Durdham Down Sunday from Easter to October. (often referred to as just the Downs) fan out from the Clifton Designed to carry light horse-drawn traffic and foot Suspension Bridge and make a fine spot for a picnic. passengers, these days the bridge carries around 12,000 cars The majority of paths in the parks are wide enough for a every day – testament to the vision of Brunel’s design. wheelchair. There are accessible toilets at Stoke Lane, Sea Walls The bridge is accessible by wheelchair from both ends. and the suspension bridge. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- Clifton Suspension Bridge Information Centre Museum guide/bristol-city-council/downs-50.

Clifton Area www.cliftonbridge.org.uk; 10am-5pm; free entry During the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy Bristol merchants transformed the former spa resort of Clifton into an elegant The information centre charts the story of Bristol’s eye-popping hilltop suburb packed with impressive Georgian mansions. Some suspension bridge, built by the innovative Victorian engineer of the finest examples can be seen along Cornwallis Crescent Isambard Kingdom Brunel. and Royal York Crescent. These days, Clifton is still the poshest The centre has level access with automatic doors and a public postcode in Bristol, with fancy shops and a villagey atmosphere lift to the 1st floor. There’s an accessible toilet. There is no on-site that’s far removed from the rest of the city. parking, but on-street Blue Badge parking bays are available. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- Bristol Zoo Gardens Zoo guide/bristol-city-council/clifton-suspension-bridge-and-visitor- centre. 0117-428 5300; www.bristolzoo.org.uk; Cecil Rd; adult/child Clifton Observatory Observatory £17/11; Apr–Oct 9.30am-5.30pm, Nov–Mar 9am–5pm 0117-974 1242; www.cliftonobservatory.com; Litfield Rd, Clifton Down; adult/child £2.50/1.50; 10am-5pm Feb-Oct, Highlights at the city’s award-winning zoo include a family of to 4pm Nov-Jan eight western lowland gorillas (bossed by silverback Jock) and the Seal and Penguin Coast, where African penguins, eider Set in a striking 18th-century windmill, the Clifton Observatory ducks and South American fur seals lounge around. There’s features a viewing platform, a rare camera obscura and the cliff- also a reptile and bug zone, a butterfly forest, a lion enclosure, side Giant’s Cave, which is set into the side of the cliff. Together a monkey jungle and the Zooropia (adult/child £8/7) treetop they offer incredible views of the suspension bridge, the plunging adventure park (not wheelchair-accessible!). Online tickets are Avon Gorge and Bristol itself. The cave is accessible only for 15% cheaper. To get here from the city centre, catch bus 8/9. those who can manage lots of uneven steps. 36 Accessible Bristol Sights 37

There are three designated Blue Badge parking spaces preserves the hull and allows visitors to view the screw propeller. available in the car park, some 80–90m from the level-access The SS Great Britain was one of the largest and most main entrance. There is no hearing loop at reception, but there technologically advanced steamships ever built, measuring 98m is a lowered section for wheelchair users. A hearing loop is from stern to tip. The ship has had a chequered history. Between available in the shop. 1843 and 1886, she served her intended duty as a passenger liner, Much of the zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those completing the transatlantic crossing between Bristol and New with walking difficulties: most paths are tarmac and there is level York in just 14 days. Unfortunately, enormous running costs and or ramped access to most buildings. However, ramps to exit the mounting debts led her towards an ignominious fate: she was Reptile House, and on the entrance and exit of the Aquarium eventually sold off and subsequently served as a troop vessel, and Bug World are moderately steep. Some enclosures, such quarantine ship, emigration transport and coal hulk, before finally as the flamingo enclosure, have a double-gate system, whereby being scuttled near Port Stanley in the Falklands in 1937. the internal gate will not open until the external gate is closed. Happily, that wasn’t the end. The ship was towed back to Bristol in Others, such as the Butterfly Forest and Forest of Birds, have 1970, and has since undergone an impressive 30-year restoration. plastic strip curtains inside their doors. Being a nocturnal exhibit, It’s resulted in a multisensory experience: prepare to stroll the Twilight World has very low levels of light and the floor inside is deck, peep into luxury cabins, listen to passengers’ stories and uneven in some places. catch a whiff of life on board. Tickets remain valid for a year. The Hide Restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, but menus are The ship, the museum and the Brunel Institute are wheelchair- not available in Braille, large print or pictorial format. accessible, with platform-lift access to different levels, and each Only dogs that are registered with Assistance Dogs UK can has an accessible toilet. Although there is a ramped entrance to visit Bristol Zoo with their registered owner: bring confirmation both the museum and ship, the doors are heavy and not automatic. of registration. Dogs are not permitted in areas where animals BSL hand-held interactive video tours can be prebooked. Lighting run free, such as the lemur walk-through, butterfly house, bat levels are medium throughout. There is a hearing loop at the visitor enclosure and lorikeet walk-through. centre ticket desk and wheelchairs are available for loan. The In addition to the accessible toilet just inside the main entrance, Viridor Theatre in the Brunel Institute is fitted with an audio loop. there is a hoist-equipped Changing bathroom on site. Documents are available in large print on request. There’s a tactile The Clifton Pavilion conference and banqueting rooms are fully model of the SS Great Britain; advance notice is recommended. accessible, with an accessible toilet and a platform lift serving Assistance dogs are welcome and companions of disabled visitors the 1st floor. enter free of charge. Staff have received disability awareness For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- training. Note that the nearest car park is 200m away. guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-zoo-gardens. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/ss-great-britain-visitors-centre-and- Brunel’s SS Great Britain Historic Site brunel-institute.

Brunel Institute Library 0117-926 0680; www.ssgreatbritain.org; Great Western Dock, Gas Ferry Rd; adult/child £14/8; 10am-5.30pm Apr-Oct, to 4.30pm Nov-Mar 0117-926 0680; www.ssgreatbritain.org; Great Western Dockyard; 10.30am-4.30pm Tue-Fri & 1st two Sats per month; Bristol’s pride and joy is the mighty, innovative steamship, the free entry SS Great Britain, designed by engineering genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1843. The ship’s interior has been impeccably A maritime archive housing a wealth of materials relating to refurbished, including the galley, the surgeon’s quarters, the dining engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the SS Great Britain and saloon and a working model of the original steam engine (weighing Bristol’s naval history. To visit, bring a recent form of ID bearing 340 tons and measuring three storeys high). The highlight is the your address. ‘glass sea’ on which the ship sits, enclosing an airtight dry dock that For access information, see the review to the SS Great Britain. 38 Accessible Bristol Sights 39

M Shed cranes/© VisitEngland The Matthew/© Graham Flack Deck of Brunel’s SS Great Britain/© Brunel’s SS Great Britain River Avon and Clifton Suspension Bridge/© Dave Pratt 40 Accessible Bristol Sights 41

For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- We the Curious Museum guide/bristol-city-council/ss-great-britain-visitors-centre-and- brunel-institute. 0117-915 1000; www.wethecurious.org; Anchor Rd; M Shed Museum adult/child £14.60/9.40; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat & Sun

Bristol’s interactive science museum – which changed its name 0117-352 6600; www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; Princes Wharf; from At-Bristol to We the Curious in September 2017 – has zones 10am-5pm Tue-Sun; free entry featuring space, technology, sport, the sea and the human brain. In the Curiosity Zone you get to walk through a tornado, spin Set amid the iconic cranes of Bristol’s dockside, this impressive on a human gyroscope and strum the strings of a virtual harp. museum is a treasure trove of memorabilia. The exhibits There’s also a 3D planetarium with stargazing shows. It’s fun, are divided into three sections (People, Place and Life), and interactive, and should keep you and the kids entertained for provide a panoramic overview of Bristol’s history – from slaves’ hours. The projected two-year renovations have already started possessions and vintage buses to figurines with a brand-new feature exhibit on the ground floor. Access and a set of decks once used by . information was correct at the time the audit was conducted, Banksy’s unsettling Grim Reaper stencil was right on the but we can make no guarantees as to its continued relevance as waterline of the party boat Thekla, but it was removed amid renovations progress. much controversy and now sits on the 1st floor. There’s a 5% discount if you book via the website. It’s all highly interactive and child-friendly. In summer, look out There’s level access, automatic doors and a lift to all levels. for special weekend activities including the chance to ride on the Although exhibits can be audio described and there’s a hearing dock cranes, watch the old Pyronaut fireboat in action or catch a assistance system, there is no tactile or Braille signage. lift aboard one of the world’s oldest steam tugs (see the website Depending on the exhibition, touch tours may be available. There for times). The museum also runs guided tours exploring the are several accessible toilets, but no on-site parking. harbour’s history. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- There’s level entry at both front and rear of the building, an guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-science-centre. automatic door and a standard lift between floors. Reception is equipped with a lowered section for wheelchair users and an Mild Mild West Public Art induction loop; ask here to borrow a wheelchair or folding stools. 80 Stokes Croft Although there is no hearing assistance system, video tours are available; exhibits in the main galleries can be audio described This wry piece of graffiti art, next to the Canteen, was painted by using DiscoveryPen (bring your own headphones) and have local lad Banksy. It features a Molotov cocktail–wielding teddy Braille signage. In addition to tactile maps in Bristol Places, there bear confronting three riot police. The best views are from the are various handling objects. It’s not possible to get wheelchairs Jamaica St junction, where you’ll find a pedestrian crossing and onto Mayflower or Pyronaut, but if you are able to manage steps, comfortable dropped kerbs. John King is accessible.BSL tours can be arranged with several Historic Site days' advance notice. Matthew In addition to standard accessible toilets on all floors, there 0117-927 6868; www.matthew.co.uk; Princes Wharf; is an accessible changing room equipped with a manual 10am-4pm Tue-Sun Mar-Nov, Sat & Sun Dec-Feb; free entry hoist. There’s no on-site parking, but there are five designated The most striking thing about this replica of the vessel in accessible parking spaces at The Grove Car Park and three next which John Cabot made his landmark voyage from Bristol to to Brunel’s Buttery on the harbour. Newfoundland in 1497 is its size. At 24m it seems far too small, but For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- it would have carried a crew of around 18. Step aboard to climb guide/bristol-city-council/m-shed. below into their quarters, walk the deck and gaze up at the rigging. 42 Accessible Bristol Sights 43

In the summer, the Matthew runs one-hour trips around signage, but touch tours may be available depending on the Bristol’s harbour (adult/child £12/9), and along the Avon Gorge exhibition. (adult/child £40/30). Two wheelchairs are available for loan from reception. The Although there is level access and no doors to the ship’s main accessible toilet is located in the rear right corridor. deck, the raised decks at the front and rear of the ship are For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- not wheelchair-accessible. There are no provisions for other guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-museum-art-gallery. disabilities, and no accessible toilet. For more information visit www.disabledgo.com/access-guide/ Tyntesfield Historic Building bristol-city-council/matthew-of-bristol. National Trust; 01275-461900; www.nationaltrust.org.uk; Wrax- all; adult/child £14/7, gardens only £9/4.50; house 10am-6pm Well Hung Lover Public Art Mar-Oct, 11am-3pm Nov-Feb, gardens 10am-5pm year-round Frogmore St Formerly the home of the Gibbs family, Tyntesfield is one of the A saucy stencil by Banksy, the controversial graffiti artist, which National Trust’s most important acquisitions of recent years. A sits on the side of a building. It features an angry husband fairy-tale mansion bristling with pinnacles and turrets, brimful looking out of a window for his wife’s lover, who is hanging of sweeping staircases and cavernous, antique-filled rooms, precariously from the window sill. the house gives an insight into the lavish lives once enjoyed by England’s wealthy merchant families. Entry is via timed ticket Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Museum and includes a guided tour. The house is 7 miles southwest of Bristol, off the B3128.

Built in grand Gothic Revival style by the architect John 0117-922 3571; www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; Queen’s Rd; Norton, it was in danger of collapse when the Trust acquired it 10am-5pm Tue-Sun; free entry in 2001, but has since undergone extensive (and very expensive) renovations. Outside, work continues on the orangery and You’re in for a few surprises at this classic old Edwardian walled gardens. museum. Look out for the Paint-Pot Angel by world-famous There are plenty of car parking spaces for Blue Badge holders, street artist Banksy in the entrance hall; a funerary statue although the nearest to the ticket office is about 140m up with an upturned pink paint pot on her head, she’s designed to a gentle incline. A mobility bus, equipped with a lift to carry challenge our expectations of museum exhibits and the value wheelchairs, in theory operates 364 days a year and provides of art. It’s also a reminder of the artist’s hugely popular 2009 access to the three main locations. You can prebook one of the exhibition here. Just above sits the Bristol Boxkite, a prototype limited number of wheelchairs and powered mobility vehicles propeller-powered biplane, which dangles from the ceiling. on 01275 461 906. Accessible toilets are located at the house, Other displays encompass everything from dinosaurs and Asian kitchen garden and visitor centre. antiques to Assyrian reliefs. The French and Asian art sections are The visitor centre, restaurant and shop are fully accessible and particularly strong, especially paintings by Pissarro and Renoir, equipped with induction loops. Signage throughout the property and a Red Gate sculpture by the Chinese artist Guan Donghai. is clear, although lighting levels in the house are kept low to The main entrance has stairs and heavy doors; there’s level protect the collection. There’s a lift at the home farm to access entry through automatic doors to the left of the main entrance the upper floor and ticket office, and another at the house to or a platform lift from the main entrance. There’s a passenger access the 2nd floor. lift to all public areas except See Dragons with spoken floor Note that there are steep paths and loose gravel throughout announcements and tactile buttons. Audio descriptions are the grounds and that access from the chapel is via a very steep available from reception using DiscoveryPen devices for use in loose gravel path. Most areas, however, including the kitchen the Egyptian, Assyrian and French Art galleries. Reception is garden, are accessible. Assistance dogs are welcome in the equipped with a hearing loop and a touch screen at a suitable formal gardens, house and home farm. height for wheelchair users. There’s neither tactile nor Braille 44 Accessible Bristol Sights 45

Lemur at Bristol Zoo Gardens/ © Bob Pitchford

Dots (International Balloon Fiesta)/© Gary Newman

Tyntesfield/© GiraffePhotography.co.uk

Arnolfini/© Jamie Woodley Bristol Aquarium/ © Bristol Aquarium

Bristol Cathedral/© Graham Flack 46 Accessible Bristol Sights 47

Countryside Mobility (01392-459222; www. Cabot Tower Historic Building countrysidemobility.org/locations/tyntesfield) has two all- 0117-922 3719; Brandon Hill, near Park St; 8am-dusk; free entry terrain trampers available for members to use to explore the gardens and parkland. Check their website for details. A detailed Set in the small park of Brandon Hill, this ornate red-brick tower access guide, including photos, is available at www.nationaltrust. was built between 1896 and 1898 to commemorate John Cabot’s org.uk/documents/access-guide/1431729788480-tyntesfield. pioneering voyage in search of Canada. At 32m it offers an pdf. unparalleled bird’s-eye panorama over the whole of Bristol. The tower was closed in 2007 when suspicious cracks Arnolfini Gallery appeared, but was reopened after safety checks four years later. The tower itself has a spiral staircase and no lift. Most entrances to the park have steps and, while the majority of paths are wide 0117-917 2300; www.arnolfini.org.uk; 16 Narrow Quay; enough for wheelchair users, some may require help to navigate. 11am-6pm Tue-Sun; free entry Temple Church Ruins The city’s avant-garde art gallery occupies a hulking warehouse Victoria St; free entry by the river, and remains the top venue in town for modern art, as well as occasional exhibitions of dance, film and photography. Despite suffering bomb damage in WWII, the tall tower and The gallery takes its name from the 15th century painting the walls of this late-medieval church survived. You can’t go inside, Arnolfini Portrait, by Jan van Eyck. but can walk around it through the former graveyard (now a Although there is no car park, there are three Blue Badge public garden) and look through the gates framing the nave. The parking bays opposite the entrance. Parking permits can be surrounding garden path is suitable for wheelchairs. collected from reception and are issued on a first-come, first- Aquarium served basis. Bristol Aquarium A short ramp leads to automatic doors at the main entrance.

Reception is equipped with a hearing loop and a lowered section 0117-929 8929; www.bristolaquarium.co.uk; Harbourside; of counter. There are lifts to access all floors. Exhibits can be audio described and large-print exhibition adult/child £14.50/10; 10am-5pm guides are available in the venue or can be downloaded from the The underwater habitats you’ll encounter here include a Bay website, as can audio descriptions for some exhibits. There’s of Rays, a Coral Sea, a Shark Tank and an Amazon River Zone. an induction hearing loop system. During exhibitions, regular The underwater viewing tunnel adds extra appeal. There’s a £2 and large-print transcripts are available in the galleries and from discount per ticket for buying online. reception for any audio pieces. There’s no car park, no designated drop-off point and the nearest There are designated spaces for wheelchair users in the public car park is some 200m away. There is level access into the theatre, with companion seats either beside or behind them. The main entrance through automated doors. Reception is equipped theatre is also equipped with a hearing loop. For ticketed events, with a hearing loop, as are some parts of the display areas. a carer gains free entry. Disabled visitors are entitled to the standard concession rate There are accessible toilets on every floor. (£13.25) and carers gain free entry. One manual wheelchair is available for use inside the building. Talks and feeding demonstrations are announced throughout Assistance dogs are welcome. the aquarium over a tannoy system and are also displayed on the For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- ground floor at the entrance. The aquarium has easy ramps with guide/bristol-city-council/arnolfini. handrails throughout, and multilevel viewing. Both wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used throughout, and there are also two manual wheelchairs available for visitor use. In some areas of the aquarium there is low lighting for the welfare of the marine 48 Accessible Bristol Sights 49 life. Service dogs (water provided on request) are welcome If attending a service, large-print versions of service sheets, throughout the aquarium. and news and notes leaflets are available as you enter the The cafe is suitable for wheelchair users and has an accessible building. If you need a service sheet or other information in toilet. There are two other accessible toilets located on the ground Braille contact the Music Administrator (tim.popple@bristol- floor, both approximately 50m into the aquarium on the ground cathedral.co.uk). floor; one is unlocked and includes a baby change area, the other The accessible toilet is located in the cloister, next to the cafe, requires a RADAR key, which can be obtained from reception. so is accessible only via the cloister entrance. Alternatively, there For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- is an accessible toilet in the Central Library, which is closer if you guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-aquarium. are already inside the cathedral. If you want to know what to expect before you visit, there is a Bristol Cathedral Cathedral virtual tour of the cathedral on the website. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-cathedral. www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk; College Green; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 3.15pm Sat & Sun; free entry Ashton Court Estate Park

Originally founded as a 12th-century monastery church, Bristol Cathedral was heavily remodelled during the 19th century. It’s www.ashtoncourtestate.com; Long Ashton; 8am-dusk; free entry one of Britain’s best examples of a ‘Hall Church’ (meaning the nave, chapels and choir are the same height). Although the nave This huge estate 2 miles from the city centre is Bristol’s ‘green and west towers are Victorian, parts of the choir are medieval, lung’, with 850 sprawling acres of oak woodland, trails and public and the south transept contains a rare Saxon carving of the park. It hosts many of Bristol’s key events, including balloon and Harrowing of Hell, discovered under the chapter-house floor after kite festivals. There are also 6.5km of bike trails, two 18-hole golf a 19th-century fire. courses and a miniature railway – and if you’re really lucky, you There is no car park and no designated drop-off point; the might even spot a roe or fallow deer. nearest public car parks are in Millennium Sq or on St George’s Rd, The mansion at the heart of the estate has a car park with Blue both of which are slightly more than 200m from the cathedral. Badge parking near the main entrance, which is accessed via a There is wheelchair access to the nave through the main porch gentle ramp. In addition to wheelchairs, motorised scooters are doors, which are permanently held open. There are ramps that allowed in public parts of the building. There is an accessible enable a wheelchair user to access the east end of the cathedral, toilet not far from the main entrance, on the left-hand side as you but it’s not possible to get down to the cloister, chapter house enter. The bar has ample room for wheelchairs. Documents can or cafe as there is a flight of stairs with uneven steps of varying be requested in either Braille or large-print formats. Assistance height. The cloister, however, has its own entrance accessed dogs are welcome and can be provided with water on request. via an easy ramp with handrails. Floor surfaces throughout are Access to the Hayloft Saddlery function rooms is also via uneven, so blind or partially sighted visitors and those using a moderate ramp. There’s a lift to the 1st floor, where the mobility aids should take care. accessible toilet is located. If attending an event, people wishing to use the hearing loop There’s a network of paved and gravel trails around the largely should sit as close to the front as possible as the sound quality flat estate. through the loop is poorer towards the back. Wheelchair users Note that the mansion itself will soon be closed to the public, attending major events are advised to contact the cathedral in although the park will still be open to visitors. advance in order to make sure that appropriate seating can be made available. 50 Accessible Bristol Sights 51

Georgian House Historic Building Blaise Castle House Museum

www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; 7 Great George St; www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; Rd; 11am-4pm Sat-Tue Apr-Oct; free entry Apr-Dec, 11am-4pm Thu-Sun; free entry

Once the home of the wealthy West India merchant John Pinney, This late-18th-century house, tucked into the northern suburb this 18th-century house provides an evocative insight into of Henbury, is home to a social-history museum showcasing aristocratic life in Bristol during the Georgian era. It’s decorated vintage toys, costumes and an eclectic collection of Victorian in period style, typified by the huge kitchen (complete with cast- ephemera. Buses 1, 3, 4 and 76 run from the city centre and stop iron roasting spit), book-lined library and grand drawing rooms, near the museum. as well as Pinney’s cold-water plunge-pool in the basement. There’s an on-site car park with five designated Blue Badge There is no car park or designated drop-off point; the nearest parking bays. There is a gentle ramp into the park, but a portable metered parking bays are off Great George Street. ramp will need to be brought out to access the museum. Note There are four steps with no handrails to the main entrance, that motorised scooters are not allowed in the venue. There is and no ramp. There is no hearing loop, tactile or Braille signage, neither audio description, nor tactile signage but Braille signage and no audio description available. Large-print and Braille may be available depending on the exhibition. There’s no hearing documents are available on request. Other floors can only be loop, but touch tours are available. There are stairs with a accessed via steps with handrails. There is no accessible toilet. handrail, but no lift to the 1st floor. There are no accessible toilets. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- The paths in the park are tarmac and wide enough for a guide/bristol-city-council/georgian-house. wheelchair. There is an accessible toilet in the park, on the left as you enter. Spike Island Gallery For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/blaise-castle-house-museum.

0117-929 2266; www.spikeisland.org.uk; 133 Cumberland Rd; Red Lodge Historic Building noon-5pm Tue-Sun; free entry

Culture vultures should make time to visit Spike Island, a lively www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; Park Row; centre for visual arts that’s home to a collective of artists’ 11am-4pm Sat-Tue Apr-Dec; free entry studios, a contemporary art gallery and a cracking little cafe (open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm Built in 1590 and remodelled in 1730, this red-brick house is Saturday and Sunday). It’s a short walk south from the a mix of Elizabethan, Stuart and Georgian architecture. The SS Great Britain. highlight is the Great Oak Room, which still features its original There is no car park, no designated drop-off point, and no Blue Elizabethan oak panelling, plasterwork ceiling and carved Badge bays. There is level access to the main entrance, which is chimney piece. equipped with automatic doors. There is no hearing loop either There’s a large multistorey car park on Trenchard St, behind at reception or throughout the building, but one may be available the museum up a short, steep hill. There are stairs to enter the upon request for specific events. Large-print texts are also building and to reach the 1st floor. There are no other provisions available on request from reception or via email. A lift serves the for people with disabilities. upper floors. There’s an accessible toilet off the main corridor For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- not far from the main entrance. Assistance dogs are welcome. guide/bristol-city-council/red-lodge-museum. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/spike-island. 52 Accessible Bristol Sights 53

BANKSY

If there’s one Bristolian nearly everyone has heard of, it’s Banksy (www.banksy.co.uk) – the guerrilla street artist whose distinctive stencilled style and provocative artworks have earned him worldwide notoriety. Though his true identity is a secret, it’s believed Banksy was born in 1974 in , 12 miles from Bristol, and honed his artistic skills in a local graffiti outfit. His works take a wry view of 21st- century culture – especially capitalism, consumerism and the cult of celebrity. Among his best-known pieces are the production of spoof banknotes (featuring Princess Diana’s head instead of the Queen’s), a series of murals on Israel’s West Bank barrier (depicting people digging holes under and climbing ladders over the wall) and a painting of a caveman pushing a shopping trolley at the British Museum (which the museum promptly claimed for its permanent collection). His documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop, about an

LA street artist, was nominated for an Oscar in 2011. Banksy’s Mild Mild West/© Morgane Bigault Long despised by the authorities, Banksy has become an unlikely tourist magnet. Though many of his works are short-lived, a good few still survive around the city. The Well Hung Lover Banksy’s Well Hung Lover/© Destination Bristol depicts an angry husband, a two-timing wife, and a naked man dangling from a window. The startling Paint-Pot Angel (think pink paint meets funerary monument) resides in the foyer of the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and is a reminder of the artist’s hugely popular 2009 exhibition there. Mild Mild West features a Molotov cocktail–wielding teddy bear facing three riot police and is thought to be a wry comment on Bristol’s edgy-yet-comfy vibe. A stencil of the Grim Reaper rowing a boat, which used to sit right on the waterline of the party boat , is now on the 1st floor of the city’sM Shed Museum. There are other artworks further out from the city centre; the tourist office sells an excellent Banksy info sheet (50p) and can advise on locations. Banksy hit the headlines once more in 2014 when one of his murals unexpectedly appeared on a wooden panel outside the Broad Plain Boys’ Club. Known as Mobile Lovers, the mural depicted a young couple who appear to be embracing but are actually staring into their phones. Predictably enough, a furore over ownership ensued, but the artist made it clear that he had painted the mural as a gift to the boys’ club (which he’s thought to have attended as a young man). After a few months on display at the Bristol City Museum, the work was sold for £400,000 to Banksy’s Gorilla in a Pink Mask/ a private collector in August 2014, with all the proceeds going to © Destination Bristol fund the boys’ club’s ongoing projects. Good on ya, Banksy. 54 Accessible Bristol Activities 55

Bristol Lido Bathhouse 0117-933 9530; www.lidobristol.com; Oakfield Pl; nonmembers £20; nonmembers 1-4pm Mon-Fri

Bristol’s public hot tub dates back to 1849, and after falling into disrepair during the early 20th century, this naturally heated pool has now been restored to its steamy best (with a balmy water temperature of around 24˚C). Priority is given to members; on weekends and busy days the Lido is closed for day visitors. Spa treatments and massage sessions are also available, and A there’s a good bar and restaurant where you can relax once you’re done.

Bristol & Bath Railway Path Cycling / Recreation Activities www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk This bike trail between Bristol and Bath is a delightful way to explore the countryside between the two cities. It runs for 13 Barge on Bristol Harbour/© Graham Flack miles along an old railway track that was decommissioned during Beeching’s cuts (a restructuring of Britain’s railway network) in the 1960s, passing several interesting sights including disused mills and a delightful old station at (now part of the restored Avon Valley Railway). The trail links up with other bike trails including the Dramway Path and the River Avon Trail (www.riveravontrail.org.uk). The official starts of the path are at St Phillips Rd in Bristol and Brassmill Lane in Bath, but you can access it at various points along the route. The 3m wide tarmac surface is suitable for wheelchair users; for an access guide – also available as audiotape, on disc or in Braille – call 0117 922 4325 or email [email protected] 56 Accessible Bristol Activities 57

BRISTOL LIDO pool that’s kept at a constant temperature of around 24˚C. Spa treatments and massage sessions are also available, and there’s even an excellent bistro. Bath isn’t the only southwestern city with its own outdoor hot The only drawback for nonlocals is that priority is given to tub. It’s a little-known fact that Bristol sits on its own system of members. On weekends and busy days, the Lido is closed for day geothermal springs, which bubble up through the rocks beneath visitors, so phone ahead to make sure there’s space. the Avon Gorge. During the 19th century, these naturally heated The Lido has two entrances: the spa entrance to the side of waters turned the area around Hotwells into a popular spa the venue has a few steps, but the cafe/bar entrance has level resort, where Georgian bathers flocked to try the curative waters access. Once inside the venue, interlinked pathways and sliding (which were believed to alleviate a variety of conditions including doors give access to the pool and spa reception. Wheelchair- consumption, asthma, dropsy and venereal diseases). The area users or people with restricted mobility are advised to call ahead even had its own funicular railway between Hotwells and Clifton, so staff can ensure that uneven surfaces and steps can be which served as a bomb shelter during WWII. avoided. Though Bristol’s days as a spa town may be over, you can The outdoor swimming pool is wheelchair-accessible and the still experience a flavour of its hot-water heyday thanks to the changing rooms, both indoors and outdoors, are equipped with wonderful Bristol Lido. Originally opened as the Clifton Lido in wet room–style showers. There is no hoist into the swimming 1849, the baths fell into disrepair and were closed in 1990, but pool but there is a ledge along one side of the pool for guests have been carefully restored over the last few years. They’re to ease themselves in. The sauna and steam room are on the now a real local secret, with a beautiful 24m outdoor swimming ground floor; the doors to both are of average size and both have seating around all walls. The outdoor hot tub can only be accessed by half a dozen steps. The treatment rooms used for massages are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, which are not serviced by lifts. The restaurant is on the 1st floor, and is therefore not accessible to wheelchair-users, but staff can book tables in the cafe/bar area to dine from the restaurant menu for guests not able to access the restaurant. Tables are not fixed and so can be moved to accommodate wheelchair users, but if groups contain more than one wheelchair-user, it is advisable to let staff know in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Lighting in the restaurant and bar is bright; with floor-to- ceiling windows there’s a lot of natural light. Menus are printed daily on A4 paper but with advance notice staff would be happy to produce them in larger print. Toilet facilities are all based on the ground floor, where there is also an accessible toilet.

Dining room at the Lido/© The Lido 58 Accessible Bristol Tours 59

Walking Tours Download free MP3 walking tours covering Bristol’s quayside, the slave trade, heritage architecture, historic churches and the city’s literary connections at h t t p s : //visitbristol.co.uk/. DisabledGo (www.disabledgo.com/organisations/bristol-city- council/main) has developed four accessible route guides: Corn A St, Harbour Loop, King St and Queen Sq. Tours

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery/© Bristol Museum & Art Gallery 60 Accessible Bristol Festivals & Events 61

Bristol Harbour Festival Cultural www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk; Jul

Bands, events and historic ships take over the city’s docks for a weekend in July. Blue Badge holders can park free of charge all day in any on- street pay-and-display bays within the Bristol city boundary, apart from on roads that have been closed for the festival. Surfaces on the harbourside are a mix of hard standing, permanent roads (including cobbles), and grass in Queen Sq, A with steps and kerbs to be negotiated – the website hosts a detailed map. Accessible toilets are located at every toilet block throughout the festival site. Festivals & Events British Sign Language interpreters are engaged for the Circus Stage and the Dance Village across the weekend. There is a raised viewing area for access (including one companion) at the Amphitheatre Stage. This will be stewarded Bristol Harbour Festival/© Bristol City Council and run on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that chairs are not provided.

Bristol Shakespeare Festival Theatre www.bristolshakespeare.org.uk; Jul

One of Britain’s biggest outdoor festivals devoted to the Bard runs throughout July. Visiting companies usually perform in many spaces across Bristol, including , Brandon Hill Bowling Green, Leigh Woods, the Rope Walk Pub, the , the Alma Tavern, Boiling Wells Amphitheatre, Blaise Castle and Ashton Court Estate. Expect grassy, uneven surfaces.

Bristol Pride Festival LGBT http://bristolpride.co.uk; Jul

The entire festival is wheelchair accessible. There is a priority zone for wheelchair uses and those with restricted mobility to sit and view the main stage easily, and British Sign Language interpreters operate on the main stage. Accessible toilets are provided. Volunteer guides can offer information and support to those who are visually impaired or have mobility restrictions. 62 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 63

International Balloon Fiesta Air Show www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk; Aug

Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons features more than 130 hot-air balloons from around the world. It is usually held over four days in August at Ashton Court Estate and is free of charge (except for parking). There are also trade exhibitors, fairground rides and other entertainments. For access information, see above or visit www.disabledgo.com/ access-guide/bristol-city-council/ashton-court-mansion for a detailed access guide. i Encounters Film www.encounters-festival.org.uk; Sep

Bristol’s largest film fest is deeply invested in involvement by Sleeping and representation of diverse minority groups, including people with a disability. Its Widening the Lens initiative, launched in 2016, includes screenings and discussions examining disability, LGBTQI, gender and BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) Bristol’s hotels are geared towards the business representation on screen. Its aim is to tackle stereotypes through unique, relatable stories and characters. In previous crowd, but there are some great-value chains and programmes there have been special sections for the hearing- B&Bs dotted around the city centre. Predictably, it’s impaired, which may well continue into future programmes. Since many of the films are international titles, they are subtitled the chain hotels that have more accessible rooms in English. Watershed is the festival’s main venue. and facilities.

Christmas Market Market www.xmas-markets.com/events; 10 Nov-24 Dec; 10am-7pm

Bristol’s German-style Christmas Market takes over the pedestrianised Broadmead, between Cabot Circus and the Galleries, for the six weeks leading up to Christmas. There are more than 40 stalls selling gifts, and German food and drink. A recent innovation is the Jägerbarn bar and beer garden.

Sleeping Price Ranges Reviews of places to stay use the following price ranges, all based on double room with private bathroom in high season. £ less than £65 ££ £65–130 £££ more than £130 64 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 65

Lonely Planet–Reviewed Hotels Premier Inn, King St Hotel ££

Bristol YHA Hostel £ 0871 527 8158; www.premiertravelinn.com; King St; rooms £50-120; air-con and wi-fi available 0345 371 9726; www.yha.org.uk; 14 Narrow Quay; dorm beds £13-22, double rooms £30-70; Premier Inn has a progressive disability access statement internet access and wi-fi available that informs its operations, so appreciate the cheap rates and riverside location if you can bag one of the six accessible rooms. Few hostels can boast a position as good as this one, beside the Discounted parking is available at a nearby car park (NCP Queen river in a red-brick warehouse. Facilities include kitchens, a cycle Charlotte St; per 24 hours £15), but there are no Blue Badge store, a games room and the excellent Grainshed coffee lounge. bays available nearby. Bear in mind that the surrounding pubs As ever, the dorms are fairly functional, while the doubles can be can get rowdy at weekends. expensive. There is one room with an accessible ensuite. The surface leading to and in front of the entrance is uneven, Although there is no car park or Blue Badge parking bay and the heavy double doors manually open towards you. nearby, there is a drop-off point at the front of the building but Reception is equipped with a hearing assistance system and no dropped kerb. Access to the manually outward-opening staff have received disability awareness training. door to the main entrance is level. The reception desk has a Once inside, there is level access throughout the hotel by virtue lowered section but no hearing assistance system. Be aware of a of a public lift, which is equipped with visual floor indicators only moderate slope with no handrails along the ground floor corridor. and controls that are within reach for a wheelchair user. A public lift with a visual but no audible floor indicators and no Guests need to open the door between the entrance and the accessible room itself. The double beds are 48cm high, but bed Braille markings serves all floors. raisers are available on request; there is a space of 5cm between The room with the accessible ensuite is on the 2nd floor close the bed base and the floor. There is a heavy sliding door to the to the lift. The beds are regular bunk beds with a 51cm gap ensuite, which is equipped with a lowered bath (46cm) with a between the bed base and floor. There is a heavy outward- shower over it. As you face the toilet (45cm), the transfer space opening door to the ensuite, where there is a 47cm-high toilet is on the right, where there is a drop-down rail and the flush. with a transfer space on the left-hand side as you face it. There’s Mirrors are lowered and angled. a drop-down grab rail on the transfer side and wall-mounted Colour contrast overall is good and lighting levels are medium. grab rails as well. The roll-in shower is equipped with a flip-down There is a fixed and portable hearing assistance system, and shower seat and handrails. vibrating pillows with flashing beacons are available on request. Colour contrast in the room is poor, but in the ensuite fair to All televisions have subtitles available. Assistance dogs are good; lighting levels are bright. welcome to stay with guests in rooms. Rooms are equipped with vibrating fire alarms, and vibrating The nearest accessible toilets are within the pillow alarms are available. (Brewers Fayre) next door. The reception bar, which is wheelchair-accessible, has a lowered counter section, and food or drinks can be brought to Future Inn Cabot Circus Hotel ££ tables. Menus are clearly written in contrasting colours, but not available in Braille, large-print or pictorial format. The dining hall, where breakfast is served, is also wheelchair-accessible and 0117-304 1010; www.futureinns.co.uk; Bond St South; food/drinks can be brought to the table. double rooms £63-148; wi-fi available There’s an accessible toilet near the lift on the 1st floor. For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- This hotel may be modern and businessy, but the rooms at the guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-yha. lower end of the price range are some of the best value in town. They’re simply decorated in white and beige, and prices include parking at the Cabot Circus car park, where there are disabled 66 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 67 access bays. The drop-off point, where there is a kerb cut, is There is level access through the automatic main doors, but located at the rear of the hotel. there is a second set of manual doors which open both ways. There are easy ramps to the automatic doors at the main and There is no lowered section to the reception desk, but there is rear entrances. Reception is equipped with a lowered counter a hearing loop available on request. Lighting levels are good. A and a fixed hearing loop; lighting levels are bright. There’s a public lift, equipped with visual and audible floor indicators, but public lift to access all floors, which is equipped with both visual no Braille markings, serves all floors. and audible floor indicators, but no Braille markings. There are six accessible rooms, in which assistance dogs are There are eight accessible rooms, in which assistance dogs are welcome, equipped with a bed 63cm high, with an 18cm gap welcome. The bed height is 60cm, with a 10cm gap between the between the bed base and the floor. A light, outward-opening bed base and the floor. There’s a heavy, outward-opening door door leads to an ensuite which is equipped with a bath (54cm; two to the ensuite. As you face the toilet (50cm) the transfer space is rooms) or a roll-in shower with a shower chair (two rooms) or both on the left side, where there is a drop-down rail. There’s a roll-in (two rooms). The transfer space as you face the toilet (43cm) is on shower with a flip-down shower seat (46cm), with appropriate the left side, where there is a drop-down rail. Other wall-mounted drop-down and fixed hand rails. Mirrors are lowered and angled. grab rails are available. Mirrors are lowered and angled. Colour contrast in both the room and ensuite is fair to good, Colour contrast in the accessible room is good, but less so in with adjustable lighting levels in the former and bright lighting in the ensuite. Vibrating fire alarms are available on request. the latter. Both the Buttermilk and Maple Cafe and Buttermilk and The restaurant/bar is wheelchair-accessible and table service Maple Restaurant are wheelchair-accessible, with table service is available. Menus are not available in either Braille or large print, on request. Menus are available in contrasting colours and large but are available in picture format and contrasting colours and print. At the time of review, breakfast was a self-service buffet, with clear script. There’s a platform lift from the restaurant to the but staff will assist any guest on request. bar equipped with a visual indicator and Braille markings. There’s Meeting rooms are wheelchair-accessible and a portable an accessible toilet to the rear right of the bar. induction loop is available on request. There is an accessible For a full access review visit www.disabledgo.com/access- toilet on the 1st floor. guide/bristol-city-council/future-inns-bristol-cabot-circus-hotel. For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/mercure-bristol-brigstow-hotel. Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel Hotel ££

0117-929 1030; www.mercure.com; Welsh Back; double rooms £90-200; wi-fi available DisabledGo–Reviewed Hotels (in alphabetical order)

A harbourside location and attractive modern design make the The Bristol Hotel ££ Mercure a good, central option. All rooms boast ‘floating’ beds, curved panel walls and tiny televisions set into bathroom tiles (gimmicky, yes, but fun). The cheaper rooms face the back, the 0117-923 0333; www.doylecollection.com; Prince St, pricier ones look out over the water; some have balconies and Harbourside; rooms from £96 pod coffee machines. There is no on-street parking at the hotel, although there is a Located in the city centre on the quayside, this contemporary drop-off point outside the front entrance; there is discounted and hotel has 187 rooms, five of which are accessible. There is an accessible parking at the nearby Queen Charlotte St car park adjacent multistorey NCP car park with two Blue Badge bays, (height restriction 183cm). Note that the road outside the hotel is which must be booked in advance. From here there is wheelchair cobbled. access directly into the hotel via a public lift equipped with visual and audible indicators and tactile markings. 68 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 69

If using the outside car park entrance, there is a moderate and a sauna and steam room. There are 242 rooms in the hotel, ramp and heavy, outward-opening doors to negotiate. There two of which have accessible ensuite facilities with adjoining is level access to the main entrance through automatic double rooms available for carers. The subterranean car park is free for doors. There is an easy ramp to a heavy manual door that opens guests and has nine Blue Badge parking bays. There’s also a drop- towards you on the other side of the venue. There is an easy off point with a dropped kerb in front of the hotel. ramp to the rear, restaurant entrance, where there is a set of Access from the car park is level via a lift equipped with heavy, double manual doors that open towards you. Braille and tactile markings but no visual and audible indicators, The reception desk is high, and does not have a lowered section; although you’ll need to negotiate heavy manual double doors it is equipped with a fixed hearing loop. Lighting levels are medium that open away from you. This public lift serves all floors. Access throughout. A public lift – equipped with visual and audible to the main entrance is via a steep ramp to the right through indicators, and Braille and tactile markings – serves all floors. heavy manual double doors that open towards you; access to The double bed is 64cm high, with a 6cm gap between the the side entrance is via a moderate ramp through a single heavy base and the floor. The lightweight door to the ensuite opens manual door that opens towards you. outwards. The roll-in shower has a flip-down seat 50cm high. The Reception is equipped with a hearing loop, but there is no transfer space to the toilet (50cm high) is on the left-hand side, lowered counter; lighting levels are medium. There is a lower where there is a drop-down rail. There are emergency alarms in concierge desk to the left as you enter for those who need it. both the bedroom and bathroom. The height of the bed in the accessible room is 65cm, with a Colour contrast is good and lighting levels are medium. 13cm gap between the bed base and the floor. The lightweight Flashing or vibrating pillow alarms are available from reception. nonlocking door to the ensuite opens outwards. One of the Televisions are equipped with optional subtitles. Some adjoining accessible ensuites has both a bath (53cm high) and a roll-in rooms are available. shower with a flip-down shower seat (48cm high); handrails are Full table service is available at the in-house River Grille available. The transfer space to the toilet (40cm high) is on the restaurant, which has ample circulation space for wheelchair right-hand side, where there is a drop-down rail and a flush. The users. Menus are well colour-contrasted and available in large other accessible ensuite only has a bath. print. Note that access from inside the hotel is only via stairs; Colour contrast is poor to fair and lighting levels are adjustable/ wheelchair users will need to enter from the outside. medium. There are alarms in both the bedroom and the bathroom. The breakfast room also has ample circulation space for Vibrating pillow alarms are available from reception. Assistance wheelchair users and colour-contrasted menus available in large dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. print. There is level access to the fitness suite, and to all of the There’s an accessible toilet located to the right as you enter equipment, although staff have not received training to assist the main entrance. people with a disability. There’s also a level access from the For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- changing area to the swimming pool but no ramp access to the guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-hotel-25. water nor a hoist or wet-side chair; entrance to the water is only via a ladder with a handrail. Note that shower cubicles in both the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel Hotel £££ changing room and the spa have a step to enter. Full table service is available at the Brew Bar Lounge, where there is ample space for wheelchairs to manoeuvre. Clearly 0117-925 5100; www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/brsry-bris- written, well-contrasted menus are available either at the table or tol-marriott-royal-hotel; College Green; rooms from £273 on the wall, but not in Braille or large print. Conditions are similar in Walter’s Bar & Grill restaurant. There is level access to the Located between Bristol Cathedral and Watershed in the centre of restaurant’s outdoor seating area. town, this grand Victorian hotel has full-service facilities, including For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- function suites, a bar/restaurant, a fitness suite, swimming pool, guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-marriott-royal-hotel. 70 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 71

Redcliffe sunset/© Gary Newman 72 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 73

Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre Hotel ££ There is level access both to and within the fitness suite, which is unstaffed. The accessible toilet is located on the 2nd floor. 0117-924 5000; www.hibristolcity.co.uk; Bond Street; For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- rooms from £100 guide/bristol-city-council/holiday-inn-bristol-city-centre.

Located in the city centre, right next to the Bearpit, this modern Ibis Bristol Centre Hotel £ hotel has 155 rooms, eight of which have accessible ensuite facilities and an adjoining room for carers. It has its own multistorey car park, which has four Blue Badge bays. Note that 0117-319 9000; www.ibishotel.com; Explore Lane, Anchor Road; there is no dropped kerb from the drop-off point in front of the rooms from £57 car park entrance. There is an on-site restaurant and fitness centre, as well as conference facilities. Located in the city centre, close to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, this There is an easy ramp from the car park leading to automatic no-frills contemporary hotel has 182 rooms, two of which have doors and a lift equipped with visual and audible indicators accessible ensuite facilities. There is no designated drop-off as well as Braille and tactile markings. The main entrance is point, and no Blue Badge or standard parking bays nearby. The accessed via a moderate ramp to automatic double doors. nearest car park is Millennium Sq. The brightly lit reception desk near the main entrance does There is level access through the main set of automatic double not have a lowered section. The reception desk on the 2nd floor is doors leading to a dimly lit reception desk with a lowered section equipped with both a lowered section and a fixed hearing loop. but no hearing loop. A lift with visual and audible indicators, as The reception desk for the function suite, also on the 2nd floor, well as Braille and tactile markings, serves all floors. has neither a lowered section nor a hearing loop. A portable The bed in the accessible room is 65cm high, with a 25cm hearing loop does, however, operate inside the venue. A public gap between the base and the floor. There is a lightweight, lift with visual and audible indicators and tactile markings, but no nonlocking outward-opening door to the ensuite, which has a Braille, serves all floors. roll-in shower but no shower seat or chair. The transfer space to The height of the bed in the accessible room is 65cm, with the toilet (43cm high) is on the left-hand side, where there is a a 5cm gap between the bed base and the floor. A lightweight drop-down rail. There is a push-button alarm in the room and a outward-opening door connects to the accessible ensuite, which pull-cord alarm in the ensuite, neither of which may be accessible has a roll-in shower with a flip-down shower seat (59cm high). from the floor. The assessed room had a 48cm-high toilet with a transfer space Lighting and colour contrast are generally good. Flashing fire on the left hand side, where there is also a drop-down rail. Wall- alarms are installed, and vibrating fire alarms are available from mounted grab rails are on the right-hand side as you face the reception. Assistance dogs are welcome to stay in the room. toilet. The restaurant/bar has level access and ample room for Colour contrast and lighting levels in both the room and the wheelchair users. Full table service is not available. Clearly ensuite are generally good. Both the room and the ensuite are written, well contrasted menus are available, but not in pictorial, furnished with an emergency alarm. No other auxiliary aids are Braille or large-print formats. provided for people with a disability, but assistance dogs are There’s an accessible toilet on the ground floor towards the welcome to stay in rooms. rear of the hotel. Full table service is available from the Spot Kitchen & Bar, For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- where there is ample room for wheelchair users. Menus are guide/bristol-city-council/ibis-bristol-centre. clearly written and available either on the wall or at the table, but are not available in Braille, or pictorial or large-print formats. 74 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 75

Ibis Bristol Temple Meads Quay Hotel £ There is an on-site car park with four Blue Badge bays, from which there is level access into the hotel through an automatic door. There are steps to enter the main entrance, which can be 0117-954 3600; www.ibis.com; Temple Meads Quay, Avon Street; bypassed by means of a staff-operated platform lift to the right rooms from £60 of the steps. The brightly lit reception counter is medium height, with Located just east of the city centre, this no-frills hotel has 141 no lowered section, and is equipped with a fixed hearing loop. rooms, five of which have accessible ensuite facilities with A portable hearing loop is available on request for use inside adjoining rooms, and an on-site restaurant/bar, Foggs. There the hotel. A lift with visual and audible indicators and tactile is no car park, no designated drop-off point and no nearby Blue markings, but no Braille, serves all floors. Badge parking bays. The nearest car park is located in Old Bread The height of the bed in the accessible room is 68cm, with St. There is a moderate ramp to access the main entrance via a a 6cm gap between the bed base and the floor. The ensuite is set of automatic double doors. entered via a lightweight outward-opening door and is equipped The brightly lit reception is equipped with a lowered section with a roll-in shower with a flip-down seat at a height of 50cm. and a portable hearing loop. A public lift equipped with visual and The transfer space for the toilet (44cm high) is on the right-hand audible indicators, as well as Braille and tactile markings, serves side, where there is a drop-down rail. Wall-mounted grab rails are all floors. also available. The bed in the accessible room is 65cm high, with a 26cm Colour contrast and lighting in the room and the ensuite are gap between the bed base and floor. A lightweight outward- generally good. There are emergency alarms in both rooms. opening door connects to an ensuite, which has a roll-in shower Vibrating pillow alarms are available from reception on request. with a flip-down seat at 47cm high. The transfer space to the Assistance dogs are welcome to stay in the room. 43cm-high toilet is on the right, where there is a drop-down rail The Urban Bar & Kitchen has full table service and ample and a flush. There is an emergency alarm in the ensuite, but not room for wheelchair users. Clearly written, well-contrasted in the room itself. menus are available on the tables and the wall, but not in Braille, Lighting and colour contrast in the room and the ensuite are large-print or pictorial formats. Staff are available on request generally good. Vibrating pillow alarms are available. to assist with the breakfast buffet. The steps to enter the Full table service is available in the Foggs restaurant/bar, restaurant/bar can be bypassed by means of a self-operated where there is ample room for wheelchair users. Clearly written, platform lift – equipped with visual indicators and tactile well-contrasting hand-held menus are available, but not in Braille, markings, but not audible indicators or Braille markings – or pictorial or large-print formats. located to the left of reception. There’s an accessible toilet not far from the main entrance, on There is a swimming pool and small fitness suite on the car the left as you enter. park entrance level. The facilities are not staffed, but there is no For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- access to the changing facilities and a shower at the poolside. guide/bristol-city-council/hotel-ibis-bristol-temple-meads-quay. Entrance to the pool is via a set of steps with handrails. There’s an accessible toilet not far from reception. Hotel ££ Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel and Spa For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/mercure-bristol.

0117-319 9004; www.mercure.com/; Redcliffe Hill; Novotel Bristol Centre Hotel ££ rooms from £70

Located in the southeast of the city centre, this four-star full- 0117-976 9988; www.novotel.com; Victoria St; rooms from £69 service hotel, with on-site conference facilities, bar, sauna and fitness centre, has 275 rooms, nine of which have accessible Located in the city centre, close to Bristol Temple Meads station, ensuite facilities. this contemporary hotel has 131 rooms, of which six have 76 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 77 accessible ensuite facilities. There is an on-site bar, restaurant, Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (Haymarket) Budget Hotel £ fitness centre and sauna. There’s a paid underground car park, with three Blue Badge parking bays. Entrance from the car park is level, through two 0871-527 8156; www.premierinn.com; The Haymarket; sets of heavy manual doors opening away from you and via a lift rooms from £31.50 that serves all floors with visual and audible indicators and tactile markings, but no Braille. Right in the centre of town, this budget high-rise hotel is adjacent There is a designated drop-off point in front of the main to the bus station. Of the 224 rooms, 12 are accessible. The hotel entrance with a dropped kerb, from where there is level access has its own car park and an adjacent restaurant, Bristol Fashion into the hotel through two sets of automatic double doors. (Beefeater Grill). The brightly lit reception desk is at a medium height and a There is easy ramped access to the automatic double doors portable hearing loop is available on request. to the main entrance. The entrance from the car park is also The bed in the accessible room is 64cm high, with a gap of furnished with an easy ramp and a heavy door that opens 24cm between the bed base and the floor. There is a lightweight manually towards you. Reception is at a low desk equipped with outward-opening nonlocking door to the ensuite, which has both a hearing loop and clipboards for guests unable to use the desk. a bath (40cm high) and a roll-in shower with a shower seat. The There is a lowered quick check-in system available for wheelchair transfer space is to the right of the 48cm-high toilet, where there users. A public lift, equipped with both visual and audible is a drop-down rail and a flush. Wall-mounted grab rails are also indicators and tactile markings, services all floors. available. The double beds in the accessible rooms are 48cm high, with Lighting levels and colour contrast in both the room and the a 5cm gap between the bed base and the floor; bed raisers are ensuite are generally good. Vibrating pillow alarms are available available on request. from reception. Assistance dogs are welcome to stay in the The ensuites, entered via a heavy, nonlocking sliding door, room. have a lowered bath; the height of the side of the bath from floor The bar, which serves food, and the restaurant both have level is 45cm. The transfer space for the toilet (42cm high) is on ample room for wheelchair users. Full table service is available the right-hand side. There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side. from the restaurant, while food from the bar is ordered from Wall-mounted grab rails and emergency alarms are installed in the counter and staff are available to bring orders to the table. all ensuites. Bath mats are available on request. Clearly written, well-contrasted, hand-held menus are available Colour contrast is good and lighting levels are medium. All for the bar and restaurant, but not in Braille or large print. televisions have subtitles available. There is level access to the fitness suite on the 4th floor, There is a fixed hearing assistance system operating within whose lightweight doors open away from you manually, and the hotel. Vibrating pillows with flashing beacons are available on clear manoeuvring space between equipment. The sauna and request. steam room are on the same level, the latter having a 2cm lip in Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. the doorway. Seating in the steam room is 45cm high and in the Staff members receive disability awareness training. sauna 56cm high. There are alarms in both rooms. There’s also Budget Hotel £ an accessible changing room off the main corridor equipped with Premier Inn Bristol Cribbs Causeway an accessible toilet (44cm high, right-hand transfer) and a roll-in shower with a flip-down seat (49cm). There’s an accessible toilet on ground level towards the rear 0871-527 8160; www.premierinn.com; Cribbs Causeway, of the hotel. Lane; rooms from £31.50 For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- This modern budget hotel is located 500m from Junction 17 guide/bristol-city-council/hotel-novotel-bristol-centre. of the , about 6 miles north-north-west of the city centre and close to the Cribbs Causeway shopping mall. The hotel has its own car park (five Blue Badge parking bays), 78 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 79

Bristol Harbour Festival/ Bristol Museum & Art Gallery/ Harbourside sunset/© Philip Clark © Shotaway © Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Cliftonwood/© Andy Maybury 80 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 81 restaurant, and conference and meeting rooms. Wheelchair Premier Inn Bristol East (Emersons Green) Budget Hotel £ users may require assistance from the car park to the entrance because there are dropped kerbs. Of the 177 rooms, nine are accessible. Six of the accessible rooms have an ensuite with 0871-527 8162; www.premierinn.com; Emersons Green, lowered bath, while the remaining three have an ensuite with roll- 200/202 Rd; r from £31.50 in shower. There’s an easy slope leading to the automatic double doors Located about 7 miles northeast of the city centre, close to at the main entrance. Reception is equipped with a hearing loop, the M4 and M5 as well as the Bristol & Bath Science Park, this and clipboards for guests unable to use the desk. There is a modern budget hotel has its own garden, patio and car park (with lowered quick check-in system available for wheelchair users. six Blue Badge bays), and an adjacent restaurant, the Emersons Two public lifts, equipped with visual and audible indicators as Green (Beefeater Grill). The hotel has 83 rooms, of which four well as Braille and tactile markings, serve all floors. are accessible. Wheelchair users may require assistance from The double beds in the accessible rooms are 48cm high, with the car park to the entrance because there are dropped kerbs. a 5cm gap between the bed base and the floor; bed raisers are There is easy sloped access into the hotel, but the heavy available on request. entrance doors open towards you manually. Reception is The ensuites for six of the accessible rooms, entered via a equipped with a hearing loop and clipboards for guests unable heavy sliding door, have a lowered bath; the height of the side of to use the desk, which does not have a lowered section. Once the bath from floor level is 44cm. The transfer space for the toilet inside, there is level access throughout. Lighting levels are varied. (43cm high) can be on either the right- or left-hand side. There is Of the four accessible rooms, three have an ensuite with a a drop-down rail on the transfer side. lowered bath and one has an ensuite with a roll-in shower. The The ensuites for the remaining three accessible rooms, double beds in the accessible rooms are 48cm high, with a 5cm entered via a heavy sliding nonlocking door, have a roll-in shower gap between the bed base and the floor; bed raisers are available equipped with a 48cm-high, flip-down shower seat. The transfer on request. space to the toilet (45cm high) is on the right-hand side, where The ensuites with a lowered bath are accessed via a heavy there is a drop-down rail and a flush. sliding door with no lock. The height of the side of the bath from Wall-mounted grab rails and emergency alarms are installed floor level is 46cm. The transfer space for the toilet (41cm high) is in all ensuites. Bath mats are available on request. on the left. There is a drop-down rail on the transfer side. Colour contrast is good and lighting levels are bright. All The ensuite with a roll-in shower is also accessed via a heavy televisions have subtitles available. sliding door with no lock. There is a flip-down shower seat at a There is a fixed hearing assistance system operating within height of 48cm, with handrails available. The transfer space to the hotel. Vibrating pillows with flashing beacons are available on the toilet (46cm high) is on the right, where there is a drop-down request. rail. Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. Wall-mounted grab rails and emergency alarms are installed Staff receive disability awareness training. in all ensuites. Bath mats are available on request. There is level access to the Thyme British Bar and Grill, Colour contrast is good and lighting levels are medium. All which both have ample circulation space for wheelchair users. televisions have subtitles available. Menus are clearly written, presented in contrasting colours with There is a fixed hearing assistance system operating within pictures. There is an accessible toilet (right-hand transfer) to the the hotel. Vibrating pillows with flashing beacons are available on left of the bar. request. Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. 82 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 83

Premier Inn Bristol Filton Hotel ££ Table). Wheelchair users may need assistance from the car park to the entrance because there are dropped kerbs. There is easy ramped access into the hotel, but the heavy 0871-527 8164; www.premierinn.com; Shield Retail Park, entrance doors open towards you manually. Reception is Road North; rooms from £66 equipped with a hearing loop and clipboards for guests unable to use the desk, which does not have a lowered section. There is Located about 4 miles north of the city centre on the M32, or about level access once inside the hotel. half an hour away using bus 75 (bus stop within 150m), this hotel The double beds in the accessible rooms are 48cm high, with has a total of 62 rooms, four of which are accessible. The hotel has a 5cm gap between the bed base and the floor; bed raisers are an adjacent restaurant, Bristol Concorde (Brewers Fayre). There is available on request. an on-site car park with two designated Blue Badge parking bays. The ensuites are accessed via a heavy sliding door with no Wheelchair users may require assistance from the car park to the lock. They have a lowered bath; the height of the side of the bath entrance because there are dropped kerbs. from floor level is 48cm. The transfer space for the toilet (46cm There is level access into the hotel, but the heavy entrance high) is on the left, where there is a drop-down rail and flush. doors open towards you manually. Reception is equipped with a Wall-mounted grab rails and emergency alarms are installed. hearing loop, and clipboards for guests unable to use the desk, Bath mats are available on request. which has no lowered section. Colour contrast is good and lighting levels are medium. All The single beds in the accessible rooms are 48cm high with televisions have subtitles available. a 5cm gap between the bed base and the floor; bed raisers are There is a fixed hearing assistance system. Vibrating pillows available on request. with flashing beacons are available on request. The ensuites, entered via a lightweight outward-opening door, Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. have a lowered bath; the height of the side of the bath from floor level is 47cm. The transfer space for the toilet (45cm high) can be Radisson Blu Hotel Hotel ££ either left or right, so be sure to request the more appropriate. There is a drop-down rail and flush on the transfer side. Wall- mounted grab rails and emergency alarms are installed in all 0117-934 9500; www.radissonblu.com; Broad Quay; ensuites. Bath mats are available on request. rooms from £80 Colour contrast and lighting levels are good. All televisions have subtitles available. Located in the city centre on the harbour, this 18-storey high-rise There is a fixed hearing assistance system operating within has an on-site bar and restaurant, gym facilities and a number the hotel. Vibrating pillows with flashing beacons are available of meeting and events rooms, in addition to a dedicated function on request. floor (popular for weddings). There are 176 rooms, nine of which Assistance dogs are welcome to stay with guests in rooms. have accessible ensuite facilities. Staff receive disability awareness training. There is no on-site or nearby car park; neither are any Blue Badge parking bays available nearby, nor any designated drop-off Premier Inn Bristol South Budget Hotel £ points. However, the hotel does operate a valet parking system. An easy ramp leads to automatic double doors at the main entrance; there is level access to automatic double doors at the 0871-527 8166; www.premierinn.com; Hengrove Leisure Park, rear entrance. Hengrove Way; rooms from £31.50 The dimly lit reception desk is high and is not equipped with a lowered section or a hearing assistance system. An easy ramp Located about 4 miles south of Bristol city centre in a leisure negotiates the small level change in the foyer. A lift at the rear of park next to a cinema, this modern budget hotel has 56 rooms, the foyer with visual floor indicators and tactile markings, but no three of which are accessible. It has its own car park (four Blue audible indicators or Braille markings, serves all floors. Badge bays) and an adjacent restaurant, Wessex Flyer (Table The height of the bed in the accessible room is 57cm, with 84 Accessible Bristol Sleeping 85 a 10cm gap between the bed base and the floor. There is a ensuite opens outwards. There is no roll-in shower; instead there lightweight outward-opening door to the ensuite, which is is a bath whose side height is 48cm equipped with handrails. The equipped with a roll-in shower and a flip-down shower seat transfer space to the toilet (46cm high) is on the right-hand side, (46cm high). The transfer space to the toilet (43cm high) is on where there is a drop-down rail. Wall-mounted handrails are also the left-hand side, where there is a drop-down rail. Wall-mounted available. grab rails are available. Colour contrast and lighting in both rooms is generally good, Colour contrast and lighting levels are generally good and and both are equipped with an emergency alarm. There are there is an emergency alarm in both rooms. Flashing fire flashing fire alarms in the rooms, and vibrating fire alarms are alarms are installed in rooms, and vibrating fire alarms are available from reception. Assistance dogs are welcome to stay in available from reception. Televisions are equipped with subtitles. the room. Assistance dogs are welcome in rooms. Although full table service is not available in the cafe/bar, Full table service is available in both The Bar and separate food or drink can be brought to the table. Hand-held menus are Collage Restaurant, which have ample room for wheelchair clearly written in contrasting colours but are not available in users. Menus are both hand-held and wall-mounted, are clearly Braille or large print. written in contrasting colours and are available in large print, but There’s an accessible toilet on the left as you enter the main not Braille. entrance. There are two accessible toilets: one directly ahead as you go For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- through the main entrance and another on the 1st floor near the guide/bristol-city-council/travelodge-bristol-central. restaurant. For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/radisson-blu-hotel.

Travelodge Bristol Central Budget Hotel £

0871-984 6223; www.travelodge.co.uk/; Anchor Road; rooms from £36

Located just east of the city centre, this contemporary budget hotel has 119 rooms, six of which have accessible ensuite facilities. There’s a multistorey car park to the rear of the hotel with four Blue Badge parking bays; assistance may be required for wheelchair users to reach the hotel because there are dropped kerbs. An easy ramp leads from the car park to the rear entrance, where a set of heavy manual doors open away from you. An easy ramp also leads to the front entrance where a set of heavy manual double doors open towards you. The brightly lit reception desk is high and equipped with a portable hearing loop but no lowered section. A lift with visual and audible indicators and tactile markings, but no Braille, serves all floors. The height of the bed in the accessible room is 54cm, with 14cm between the bed base and the floor. The door to the 86 Accessible Bristol Eating 87

Canteen Cafe £ 0117-923 2017; www.canteenbristol.co.uk; 80 Stokes Croft; mains £4-10; 10am-midnight Mon-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat, to 11pm Sun; wi-fi available; sustainable choice

Occupying the ground floor of an old office block, this community-run cafe sums up Bristol’s alternative character: it’s all about slow food, local suppliers and fair prices, whether you pop in for a bacon butty, veggie chilli or sit-down supper. It’s not signed on the outside – look out for the hipsters on the k terrace. There’s regular live music. Note that there are ongoing renovations. There’s a ramp into the front terrace, which leads into the venue via two entrances: the main entrance to Hamilton House Eating and a side door that takes you to the main area of the restaurant. Note that the side door opens only from the inside, so you will need to rely on staff or other patrons to open it. There is an accessible toilet – ask for the a key from bar staff as it usually remains locked. Bristol’s lively food scene takes in everything from Daily menus are written up on a chalk board, so may not be ethnic restaurants to wholefoods cafes. There’s a readily legible for the vision-impaired. Print outs are available on request, but staff are more than willing to assist. The bar display good cluster of eateries in the city centre, and also in can also be quite busy, so could prove tricky to focus on. The venue the suburb of Clifton. is currently working to create a clear, easy-to-read drinks menu. St Nicholas Market Market £

www.stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk; Corn St; 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat

The city’s lively street market has a bevy of food stalls selling everything from mezze platters to pulled-pork rolls from barbecue specialists Grillstock. Queues can be long at lunchtime, but it’s worth the wait. Look out, too, for the Wednesday farmers markets. There is no nearby car park, no Blue Badge parking bays and the standard parking bays are narrow. There is an easy ramp to the market entrance on Corn St, whose double doors open away from you. The Glass Arcade and Covered Market entrances have no doors and level access. There are easy slopes to negotiate once inside. The accessible toilets are located within the Source Food Hall and Cafe. For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/st-nicholas-market. 88 Accessible Bristol Eating 89

Olive Shed Bistro £ flavour, from French fish soup to steakà la béarnaise. 0117-929 1960; www.theoliveshed.com; Princes Wharf; mains The most coveted tables are at the far end overlooking £4-8; 11am-10pm Tue-Sat, to 4pm Sun the water, or on sunny days on the tiny terrace outside. The bar+kitchen downstairs is open for much of the day for coffee With tables right beside Bristol’s Floating Harbour, this rustic and cakes. eatery is a top spot for a waterfront lunch. It serves tapas and Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor bar+kitchen, twists on Mediterranean food; think cured and torched mackerel, but staff are happy to serve the restaurant menu on the ground mushrooms made pungent with smoked garlic, and smoked floor for those unable to access the upstairs restaurant. chicken made spicy with harissa. Wheelchair users can access the outside terrace from the side of The downstairs area and the few outdoor tables are wheelchair- the building. There is a toilet with step-free access at the front of accessible (although space is very tight), but not the main the building on street level. Menus can be printed in large or bold restaurant. Large-print menus are available on request. fonts on request. There are toilets nearby at the M Shed, Brunel Buttery and Wapping wharf development. Gallimaufry British ££ 0117-942 7319; www.thegallimaufry.co.uk; 26 The Prome- Boston Tea Party Cafe £ nade, Gloucester Rd; lunch mains £6-8, dinner mains £12-15; 11am-midnight Mon-Thu & Sun, to 1am Fri & Sat

0117-924 1110; www.bostonteaparty.co.uk; 293 Gloucester Rd; The very definition of a locals’ cafe, favoured by a resident cool sandwiches & salads £4-6; 7am-7pm Mon-Sat, 8am-7pm Sun crowd. All the elements are there – upcycled furniture, quirky artworks, scruffy decor – along with a dedication to Bristolian First-rate sandwiches, wraps, salads and fresh juices are served suppliers. The food covers all bases, from quick ‘Gallimouthfuls’ up in style at this southwest deli chain. to plates of pork belly and champ mash. Gallimaufry is about 2 There are no car park or Blue Badge parking bays, but there miles north of the city centre. are standard parking bays on Nevil Rd. There’s a gentle ramp The front door is wide enough for wheelchair access and there to the main entrance whose door opens manually away from is reasonable circulation space downstairs. While some of the you. There’s a latched gate to enter the rear seating area, but outdoor furniture is fixed to the floor, there are tables and chairs you’ll need to ask a member of staff to put their portable ramp that are easily accessible by wheelchair users both inside and down to negotiate a small step. The door to get inside from this out. Note that there are no accessible toilet facilities. Due to area opens towards you manually. There is level access inside, frequent menu changes, large-print menus are not available, but except to a raised seating area, accessed via two steps with no staff are trained to assist with customers’ needs. handrails. Note that there is background music. The accessible toilet is on the right as you enter the main entrance. Soukitchen Middle Eastern ££ For the full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- 0117-966 6880; www.soukitchen.co.uk; 277 North St; mains £8- guide/bristol-city-council/boston-tea-party. 14; noon-2.30pm Wed-Sun, 5.30-9pm Tue-Sun

Riverstation British ££ Middle Eastern market food is the stock-in-trade at this friendly 0117-914 4434; www.riverstation.co.uk; The Grove; lunch 2/3 diner in Southville, with characteristic dishes such as borek (filo courses £14/17, dinner mains £15-18; noon-2.30pm daily, Mon- pies stuffed with meat or vegetables), mix-and-matchmezze Sat 6-10.30pm platters and flame-grilled kebabs - honest food with heart. The restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, with movable tables Riverstation is one of Bristol’s original dining-out destinations, and ample circulation space. The toilets, however, are down three and still leads the pack. The waterside location is hard to beat, steps and so are not easily accessible. Large-print menus can be with a view over the Floating Harbour, but it’s the food that keeps provided on request. the punters coming back: classic in style with a strong European 90 Accessible Bristol Eating 91

British Food Connections/© Morgane Bigault St Nicholas Market stall/© Graham Flack British Food Connections/© Morgane Bigault

St Nicholas Market/© VisitEngland 92 Accessible Bristol Drinking & Nightlife 93

Glassboat French ££ 0117-332 3971; www.glassboat.co.uk; Welsh Back; lunch 2/3 courses £10/12, dinner mains £17-21; 8-11.30am, noon-3pm & 5.30-10pm daily, closed Sun evening

This converted river barge is great for a romantic dinner, with candlelit tables and harbour views through a glass extension. The stylish food revolves around French and Italian flavours. The venue itself is wheelchair accessible, with a small ramp leading to the main restaurant from the harbour side. Note that there is a small lip at the restaurant entrance, but management u assures us that this has not posed problems for wheelchair users in the past. The main restaurant and bar is situated on one level of the boat with wide walkways giving access to the entire main restaurant. Tables are movable, so their layout is flexible and Drinking & Nightlife there will be ample space for wheelchair users. There is no wheelchair access to the private dining room, nor are there wheelchair-accessible toilets on board. However, Glassboat has an agreement with the Mercure Brigstow, on the opposite side of the service access road, for guests to use their The Bristol club scene moves fast, so check the ground-floor facilities. latest freebie mags in bars and pubs. The Floating Menus are printed on B4-size paper, but management would be happy to provide large-print menus with advance notice. Harbour and surrounding areas are among those that get lively at night. 94 Accessible Bristol Entertainment 95

Highbury Vaults Pub 0117-973 3203; www.youngs.co.uk/pubs/highbury-vaults; 164 St Michaels Hill; noon-midnight Mon-Sat, to 11pm Sun

An endearingly scruffy boozer with a warren of wood-panelled rooms and hallways, and at least eight real ales on tap. The approach to the pub is on level pavement with dropped kerbs close by. The doorway to the main bar has a ramp, which makes it accessible for wheelchair users. Most of the bench tables can be moved to allow access, but the seating is either benches or stools. Access to the beer garden, however, is via d steps. The very small front bar is also wheelchair-accessible, although there is little circulation space if it’s busy. The toilets are unfortunately located down a flight of very steep stairs. Entertainment Apple Bar 0117-925 3500; www.applecider.co.uk; Welsh Back; noon-midnight Mon-Sat, to 10.30pm Sun summer, 5pm-midnight Mon-Sat winter Bristol Old Vic/© Bristol Old Vic

Forty varieties of cider are served on this converted barge, including raspberry, strawberry and six perries (pear cider). These are best enjoyed at a table set on the canal-side, accessible from the road and open in the late afternoon and evening when the sun is shining, but note that there are cobbles. The top deck of the boat is accessible via a middle gate. Due to the venue being a 1930s Dutch barge, the toilets are not wheelchair-accessible. The closest wheelchair-accessible toilets can be found a short distance away at either the King Street Brew House or the Llandoger Trow.

Thekla Club 0117-929 3301; www.theklabristol.co.uk; The Grove, East Mud Dock; 9.30pm-3am or 4am Thu-Sat

Bristol’s club-boat has nights for all moods: electro-punk, indie, disco and new wave, plus regular live gigs during the week. Check the website for the latest. There is no wheelchair access to the main venue on the lower deck. Although seating may be provided on request, a line of sight to the stage is unlikely. Assistance dogs are discouraged. Visitors who need a full-time assistant are entitled to a free ticket upon proof of eligibility. See www.theklabristol.co.uk/info/677- access for full details. 96 Accessible Bristol Entertainment 97

Bristol Old Vic Theatre Watershed Cinema

0117-987 7877; www.bristololdvic.org.uk; 36 King St www.watershed.co.uk; 1 Canon’s Rd

Bristol’s much-respected, stately theatre (the UK’s longest Bristol’s digital-media centre hosts regular art-house programs continuously running theatre) hosts big touring productions and film-related events, including theEncounters Festival in in its ornate auditorium, plus more experimental work in its September. smaller studio. There is no car park or designated drop-off point, but Blue A range of accessible performances is available, including Badge parking can be found on Canons Road. audio description, captioned, signed and relaxed performances. The main entrance and box office are accessible via a moderate There are concession rates and a free companion ticket where ramp and manual door. There is a second accessible entrance necessary. Complimentary companion tickets must be booked at the side of the building, equipped with an easy ramp and an through the box office. automatic door. There is no on-site car park, nor one nearby, but there are Blue Although there is no hearing assistance system at the box Badge parking bays available in front of the venue. Note that King office, many staff have received basic training in BSL and there is St is cobbled and pavements are stone slabs that are uneven in a BSL welcome video on the information screen at the box office. places. Although motorised scooters are not allowed inside, a There is a fixed hearing loop inside the building. wheelchair may be borrowed from the box office. The three cinemas (which have hearing assistance systems There is level access into the main entrance, and a stair lift just suitable for all rows) are accessible via the lift located in the main inside to the left as you enter, which you will need to use to reach entrance foyer; access to Cinema 3 is via a platform lift. There reception to avoid using the half a dozen steps. The reception is level access to the front of all cinemas and a lift to the back of counter is not lowered, nor is there a hearing assistance system Cinema 1. There are designated wheelchair spaces at the front in operation. There is, however, an infrared hearing system in and the back of each cinema, with a companion seat next to operation within the venue, which can be used in all rows of the them. theatre and studio auditorium. The large and spacious cafe/bar is suitable for wheelchairs, Designated wheelchair spaces, with companion seats next and menus are available in large print. to them, are located in the dress circle of the theatre and the Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome. balcony area of the studio auditorium. Assistance dogs are not Accessible toilets are located next to Cinema 1 and the allowed in either the theatre or auditorium, but can be left with Pervasive Media Studio (events space). staff outside. There is level access to the balcony of the studio For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- auditorium from the Box Office. guide/bristol-city-council/watershed. All floors can be accessed via a lift, but since it is in the backstage area it must be operated by a member of staff. Fleece Live Music The cafe/bar is wheelchair-accessible and full table service is 0117-945 0996; www.thefleece.co.uk; 12 St Thomas St available. Menus are only wall-mounted. A gig-pub favoured by indie artists. The accessible toilet is located off the main foyer. The entire venue is at street level so should be accessible for For a full access guide, visit www.disabledgo.com/access- wheelchair users. There is an accessible toilet on-site. Patrons guide/bristol-city-council/bristol-old-vic. with special needs are encouraged to call ahead. Note: this venue is undergoing a complete refurbishment involving major structural change. Access is currently via the stage door, The Rackhay, Queen Charlotte St. It is strongly advised to call ahead if you have access needs. 98 Accessible Bristol Shopping 99

Colston Hall Live Music

0117 203 4040; www.colstonhall.org; Colston St

Bristol’s historic concert hall now has a new gleaming five-floor annex. It tends to attract the best bands and big-name comedy acts. Although the following access information was current at the time of review, the venue is scheduled for major renovations over the coming two years, so check ahead with the venue before visiting. z There are no Blue Badge parking bays nearby, nor is there a designated drop-off point. The nearest car park is located off Trenchard St. There are easy ramps to both the Trenchard St and Closton St Shopping entrances, which are equipped with automatic doors. Use the Closton St entrance to access the lower ground floor. There’s a third accessible entrance to the stalls, reached by a moderate ramp – contact staff in advance to open the door. Reception is equipped with a lowered section and a fixed hearing loop. Bristol is good for shopping, but you’ll need to get There are designated spaces for wheelchair users in the front stalls and balcony, with companion seats alongside or behind. out of the centre if you want to avoid the high-street There is a headset hearing assistance system available for use in chains, which cluster around Cabot Circus and all rows. Note that although motorised wheelchairs are allowed in the venue, space restrictions prevent them from being taken Broadmead. into the auditorium; ask a member of staff if you wish to borrow a Stokes Croft and Gloucester Rd are the best areas for wheelchair. Assistance dogs are allowed in the auditorium. There are lifts – equipped with both visual and audible independent shops, especially vintage clothing, crafts indicators as well as Braille markings – to access all floors not far and secondhand music. Clifton is more upmarket, with from the Colston St entrance. A platform lift serves Lantern Hall. A second stairlift is used to bypass steps inside Lantern Hall, high-end designer, homeware and antiques shops. which staff will need to operate. There are accessible toilets on the lower ground floor, ground floor, 3rd floor and stalls; the 3rd floor accessible toilet has an accessible shower facility. For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/access- guide/bristol-city-council/colston-hall. 100 Accessible Bristol Shopping 101

Loot Clothing 0117-922 0633; www.gimmetheloot.co.uk; 9 Haymarket Walk; 10am-5.30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun

One of the city’s largest vintage clothing shops is lodged, incongruously, at the base of a Premier Inn.

Dig Haüshizzle Vintage 07789 145175; www.dig-haushizzle.co.uk; 51 Colston St; 11am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat

Vintage furniture and retro design pieces, from pine chests to apothecary jars. Although the entrance to the shop can be opened up, there is a step up to gain access. Circulation space varies depending on what’s on display.

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre

www.cabotcircus.com; Glass House; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm Sun

A multimillion-pound new shopping centre hosting all the big names, selling everything from new threads to boxes of chocolates. High-end fashion boutiques and designer brands tend to cluster around the Quakers Friars area. There are more than 10 designated accessible parking bays in the multistorey car park, located near the lift, which is equipped with visual and audible floor indicators as well as Braille markings. There is a car park link bridge on level 3. All entrances are wheelchair accessible. Reception is close to the main lift, has a lowered section and a fixed loop hearing assistance system. There are stairs and escalators to all floors, which can be avoided by the use of the main lift, equipped with visual and audible floor indicators as well as Braille markings. There is a Changing Places facility on the ground floor, and another accessible toilet on the 1st floor. For a full access guide visit www.disabledgo.com/ organisations/cabot-circus.