Access Guide
Summary
- View information about opening hours.
- Amenities in this area include: a reception and parkland.
- The most accessible entrance has step-free level access and bollards.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- Staff/volunteers can describe the layout and access around the site.
- The following are also available: a clearly signed hearing assistance system, a companion/carer discount, a virtual tour and an accessible route map.
- An Interpreter can be called on request.
- At the time of our visit the hearing assistance system was working.
- This site is not part of the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme.
- Toilet and changing facilities available include: an accessible toilet for the use of everyone, a standard toilet and a parent and baby room.
- There are 2 toilets with adaptations for disabled people.
- The toilets with adaptations for disabled people surveyed can be found are located off the car park.
- This toilet with adaptations for disabled people is approximately 5m from the car park.
- The standard toilets surveyed can be found off the car park.
Public Transport
- There is a bus stop within approximately 150m of the site.
- The nearest underground/overground station is Luton train station.
- Luton train station is 7 miles away from Dunstable Downs.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Traveline (opens new tab).
Parking
- This site has a car park.
- This is an open air car park with a concrete and gravel surface.
- Parking is free for National Trust members, but charges apply for all other visitors.
- There are clearly presented payment signs.
- Maps and information boards are available.
- There are more than 10 Blue Badge parking bays.
- The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 231cm x 470cm.
- There is a hatched zone on both sides and to the rear.
- The hatched zone is under 120cm wide.
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 4m from the Vistor Reception.
- Obstacles from the car park include: loose chippings.
- There are not parent and child parking bays available.
Admissions
- At this location the following are free to access for all visitors: the countryside is free for all users.
- Parking is free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders but chargeable for all other visitors.
- This site offers companion or carer discounts.
Equipment and Resources to Borrow
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: manual wheelchairs. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- You can borrow these from Dunstable Downs. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
- You can borrow or hire the following mobility vehicles: trampers. It is highly recommended that these are booked in advance, where this is possible. Please check the National Trust website for details.
- You can borrow these from Dunstable Downs. View more information about booking and collection of equipment.
Route to
- Exit the car park, and the visitor reception will be on the left.
- The route to the area is step-free level.
- Path surfaces along the route are bonded gravel.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is no accessible shuttle to this area.
Visitor Reception
- There is step-free level access into the area.
- The door is manual, opens by sliding and has a low colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 104cm.
- Internally the door has a low colour contrast.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- The majority of aisle widths are under 150cm.
- There is no room for wheelchair users to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm) within the majority of the area.
- All flooring is smooth and even.
- There is step-free level access to the counter.
- The height of the counter is 98cm.
- There is a low level section at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The counter has a clearly signed hearing assistance system.
- The hearing assistance system was tested, however it was not working at the time of the survey.
- Services/facilities available include: a member of staff to provide assistance.
- There is no (or very little) background noise here.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Toilet Block with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
- This toilet is located next to the car park.
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- This toilet is approximately 4m from the car park.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
- The door is manual, opens outwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the toilet door opening is 84cm.
- The door has a lever twist lock.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- The dimensions of the cubicle are 152cm x 219cm and it has a turning space of at least 150cm x 150cm.
- There is a lateral transfer space to the right of the seat.
- The lateral transfer space is 85cm from the side of the toilet pan to the wall.
- There is a spatula flush on the transfer side.
- The following grab rails are available: a horizontal grab rail on the door, a horizontal grab rail on the non transfer side, a vertical grab rail on the transfer side and a vertical rail on the right side of the wash basin.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The following fixtures can be reached from the toilet seat: toilet roll holder.
- The following fixtures cannot be reached from the toilet seat: hand dryer.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 50cm.
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- The height of the wash basin is 71cm.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 95cm.
- The height of the hand dryer is 91cm.
- There is a pull cord emergency alarm but it is not at a recommended height (within 10cm from the floor).
- There is not a shelf.
- The cubicle does not have a full length mirror.
- There are coat hooks in the toilet at 100cm and 137cm from the floor.
- The following have a high colour contrast with their surroundings: the dropdown rail, all grab rails, the floor and the internal door.
- The following have a less clear colour contrast with their surroundings: the toilet seat.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Standard Toilet Block
- There is step-free level access into the toilet.
- The door is manual, opens inwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 84cm.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- The male and female standard toilets were surveyed.
- The width of the widest cubicle door opening is 71cm.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
- There are hand dryers.
Parent and Baby Room / Baby Feeding Room
- There is step-free level access into the room.
- The door is manual, opens outwards and has a high colour contrast with the surrounding walls.
- The width of the door opening is 87cm.
- Internally the door has a high colour contrast.
- The height of the baby change table is 101cm.
- The wash basin tap type is push.
- There is no seating available in the room.
- Waste bins include: a nappy bin.
Outdoor Spaces
- Access into the area is via slight ramps/slopes and steep ramps/slopes.
- The access points to the area are located off the car park.
- There is open access at the surveyed access point.
- The bollards do not contrast visually with the ground.
- The outdoor spaces include the following surfaces: concrete or tarmac, grass and gravel.
- Footpaths are available in all of the outdoor spaces.
- The majority of the paths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
- There is step-free level access around the area.
- There are not any bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
- The paths have gates which may create obstacles for some users.