Welcome to The Big Sheep

Accessibility

A child in a wheelchair enjoying a day out

The BIG Sheep is North Devon’s best all-weather family attraction and perfect for family fun. We aspire to be accessible to families and individuals of all ages and abilities. All of our team are trained and enabled to recognise the individual needs of our guests and will do everything possible to ensure all guests with additional needs have a safe and memorable visit. If you have any specific needs, please contact us before your visit and our friendly flock will do all they can to accommodate your needs.

We are a farm park, and we recognise that some areas are more accessible than others. We are constantly striving to improve, and we welcome your feedback

Travel By Public Transport

You can get to The Big Sheep by bus.

Bus route 319, Hartland to Barnstaple bus stops at main entrance to car park which is 100m from the main entrance. The bus is operated by Stagecoach and there are stops in Bideford.

You can get a taxi with Number 6 Taxis by calling 01237 666666. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle. This service covers the whole North Devon area.

Parking

The Big Sheep bus stop

Bus stop by main car park

We have a car park with 6 accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. It has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, turn left for accessible parking spaces.

The Big Sheep disabled parking spaces

Disabled parking spaces

From Disabled Parking To Main Entrance

From the disabled parking bays there is level access laid mainly to concrete. The path is 3657mm wide, or more.

Pathway from disabled parking to main entrance

Pathway from disabled parking to main entrance

The Big Sheep main entrance

Main entrance

The Main Entrance

The main reception door is side hung and manual.

The door is 785mm wide.

The reception kiosk (open during busy days) is 10m away from the reception entry and adjacent to the disabled car parking bays.

Reception kiosk door is 1010mm wide.

The Big Sheep information desk

The route is 785mm wide.

The door is 785mm wide.

Once in the park the information desk is easily accessed via double doors with no step or ramp.

The Big Sheep information desk doorway

Animal Barn

From the main entrance to the Animal Barn, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 2435mm wide, or more. The door is 2435mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

Tractor Safari Ride and Train Ride and Pets Corner are accessed via the Animal Barn.

The Big Sheep Animal Barn

Animal Barn

The Big Sheep animal barn entrance

Entrance to Barn

Rampage Rollercoaster

Rampage Rollercoaster path

Path from reception to bridge

Rampage Rollercoaster bridge

Bridge from path to rollercoaster

From the main entrance to the Rampage Rollercoaster, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1190mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The pathway from the main entrance to the Roller Coaster is concrete and paving slab with a slight incline. This pathway leads to a wooden bridge with two turns, then a gravel path with another incline. Wheelchair users access the Roller Coaster via the exit ramp and board the coaster from the exit platform.

Customers can ride the Roller Coaster providing they have the upper body strength and control to be safely extracted from the ride in the event of an emergency. Children over 90cm in height and over four years old can ride the rollercoaster when accompanied by an adult. We have a no single child rider policy on Rampage, so children aged between seven (or over 1.2 metres tall) and 16 must ride with another child or an adult.

Path from bridge to rollercoaster

Path from bridge to rollercoaster

Wheelchair access route

Wheelchair access route

Ewetopia Play Zone

From the main entrance to the Rampage Rollercoaster, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1190mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The pathway from the main entrance to the Roller Coaster is concrete and paving slab with a slight incline. This pathway leads to a wooden bridge with two turns, then a gravel path with another incline. Wheelchair users access the Roller Coaster via the exit ramp and board the coaster from the exit platform.

Customers can ride the Roller Coaster providing they have the upper body strength and control to be safely extracted from the ride in the event of an emergency. Children over 90cm in height and over four years old can ride the rollercoaster when accompanied by an adult. We have a no single child rider policy on Rampage, so children aged between seven (or over 1.2 metres tall) and 16 must ride with another child or an adult.

Ewetopia entry doors

Path from bridge to rollercoaster

Ewetopia cafe seating area

Wheelchair access route

Daily Shows

From the main entrance to our Show Arena, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The door is 2900mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

There are four show areas. In the main Show Arena, the Shearing Show, Sheep Show, Lamb Feeding Show and Beer Show take place.

Wheelchair access is via main doors and a dedicated seating is to the front ride of the stage.

The Dog Trials Show takes place in the trials field behind the show arena; there are two areas to view this and one is perfect for wheelchair access.

The Duck Trials take place in the Duck Arena beside the show arena; there is level wheelchair access surrounding this arena.

The World Famous Sheep Race takes place to the side of the Duck Arena, and benefits from excellent wheelchair access and visibility.

The Big Sheep Show Arena

Show Arena

The Big Sheep Duck Arena

Duck Arena

Twister Ride

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. The door is 820mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

This attraction is approached via a sloping pathway. Twister ride is accessed via an operator manned gate. The twister is a fast swing ride that starts and stops gradually and lasts around 2 minutes.

Passengers must be 3ft tall to ride the twister.

The ride can be slowed for younger or more nervous passengers upon request.

The pathway to the Twister Ride

Pathway to Twister Ride

The Twister Entry Gate

Twister Entry Gate

Train Ride

From the main entrance to the Train Ride, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. The door is 1450mm wide.

Some display information is low, for wheelchair users.

The train ride station is located in the animal barn. The train ride has a dedicated wheelchair carriage which is accessed via a ramp to a separate queue line.

train ride ramp wheelchair access

Ramp wheelchair access

Wheelchair carriage on train

Wheelchair carriage on train

Swan Pedalos

From the main entrance to the Swan Pedalos, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats on the swan decking.

Swan Pedalos are not wheelchair accessible. This attraction is accessed via a wooden steps.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We supply life vests from babies to adult sizes.

Steps leading to Swan Pedalos

Steps leading to Swan Pedalos

Swan Pedalos

Swan Pedalos

GIANT Jumping Pillows

From the main entrance to this area, there is full level access.

There is a permanent ramp in place. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats in this area.

There are two jumping pillows, one for children and adults and one for under 5’s.

Jumping Pillows

Jumping Pillows

The Big Sheep outdoor play area with jumping pillows

Giant Jumping Pillows

Spectator/Audience Viewing Areas

There are stewards to help disabled visitors.

We have a viewing area for wheelchair users.

Covered walkway and viewing area

Covered walkway and viewing area

Accessible route to Duck Arena

Accessible route to Duck Arena

Public Toilets

Accessible toilet at reception

Accessible toilet at Reception

Accessible toilet in Ewetopia

Accessible toilet in Ewetopia

The Sheepy Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. The entrance door is 1700mm wide.

The route around the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

To return to the reception area wheelchairs must return via the ramp.

Ramp to Sheepy Shop

Ramp to Shop

The Sheepy Shop entrance

Shop Entrance

The Barn Café (By Reception)

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print.

The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is background music.

The table and plates have high colour contrast.

We cater for vegetarian and gluten free (celiacs) specific diets.

The Barn Cafe serves home cooked food and handmade cakes along with a range of snacks, drinks and freshly brewed tea and coffee.

The Barn Cafe interior

Barn Café interior

The Barn Cafe outside tables

Outside tables

Bo Peeps Café (Ewetopia Play Zone)

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. There is a permanent ramp. The route is 1115mm wide, or more. The door is 1700mm wide.

To get to a table, there are no steps.

The menu is offered in large print.

The dining area is self-service. Table service is available upon request.

The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.

There is background music.

We cater for vegetarian and gluten free (celiacs) specific diets.

Bo Peeps Cafe is located in the Ewetopia Play Barn and can be very noisy at peak times. The cafe serves fast food, freshly made baguettes, pasties and a range of snacks, drinks along with freshly brewed tea and coffee

Ewetopia entry doors

Entry doors

Ewetopia cafe seating area

Café seating areas

Picnic Areas

There are several picnic areas around site.

Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

Other Information

Smoking

Tractor Smoking Area

  • From the main entrance to the smoking area, there is level access. The route is 1115mm wide, or more.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

  • We have emergency evacuation procedure in place and all staff are trained to assist visitors with accessibility requirements.

Accessibility Equipment

  • We provide wheelchairs upon request. These are limited to first come first served and should be booked in advance by calling 01237 472366.
  • We can provide a charging facility for mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs. Details available upon request from reception.
  • You can hire mobility equipment from Bideford Mobility by calling 01271 859144.

Customer Care Support

  • Some staff have received disability awareness training.
  • We have information in large print.
  • We have first aid personnel on site. In the event that first aid is required please notify a member of staff.

Guide last updated: 25 July 2018