Access Statement for RSPB Fairburn Ings nature reserve

This access statement does not contain personal 

opinions as to our suitability for those with access 

needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and 

services that we offer all our guests/visitors. 

Access Statement for RSPB Fairburn Ings 

Introduction 

RSPB Fairburn Ings offers a tranquil oasis in the heart of the West 

Yorkshire conurbation. A mix of woodland, lakes, grassland and reed 

beds offer a variety of experiences in a peaceful setting. A range of 

paths, trails, boardwalks, hides and viewing screens allow visitors to 

get up close and personal with a huge range of wildlife. There is a 

visitor reception building with a shop and a small range of catering 

products. An Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities is provided 

in addition to separate ladies and gents toilets 

Whilst some parts of the reserve have gravel and undulating paths 

there are also extensive grass and boardwalk areas with one hide 

suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access. Further details about 

the reserve and what you can see and do can be found on our 

website 

Page 1 of 11 September 2013

We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require 

any assistance please phone 01977 628191 or email 

fairburnings@rspb.org.uk. 

Pre-Arrival 

For a map and directions of how to reach us please see the 

‘How to get here’ section on our website, which has a link for 

sat navs. Alternatively, you can plan your journey by public 

transport or car using www.transportdirect.info; simply enter 

your postcode and ours, which is WF10 2BH to get directions. 

The nearest railway station is Castleford, which is 3 miles/5km 

away. 

Taxis are readily available at the station. 

The nearest bus stop is 1.5 miles/2km away from our entrance 

to the car park - ask the driver for the stop on the junction of 

Barnsdale Road and Newton Lane. All buses can 

accommodate one wheelchair. The Arriva Bus Company No's 

167 and 168. 9 bus runs from Castleford station at 26 and 56 

minutes after the hour. 

The Visitor Centre is open 9.00am-5pm from April to 

September and 9.00am to 4.00pm between October and 

March, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day when the carp 

park and visitor centre are shut. The car park is locked at 8pm 

during the summer and at dusk in the winter. 

We welcome dogs on the reserve but ask that you keep them 

on a lead and clean up after them. 

Car Parking Facilities and Arrival 

There are 5 signed blue badge, free parking spaces situated 

100 m from the Visitor Centre entrance. 

The car park, with 100 spaces, is adjacent to the Visitor Centre 

and a short walk to the entrance. There is a charge of £2.50 for 

parking. RSPB members are allowed to park free of charge. 

The car park surface is tarmac immediately outside the Visitor 

Centre and loose gravel in all other places. The car park is not 

lit at night. 


The main entrance to the visitor centre has seven steps leading 

to it, with handrails on both sides. 

There is an alternative ramp, gradient 1 in 12, with handrails on 

both sides. 

There is a light easy to use glass door at the entrance, which is 

850mm/33ins wide, which can be extended to 1700mm/66ins 

wide if required. 

Visitor Centre 

The main visitor centre entrance is situated on the ground floor 

with step free, level entry. 

There is step free, level access throughout. 

The flooring is non-slip vinyl 

The area is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from 

halogen spotlights. 

A magnifying glass, pen and pad of paper are available at the 

counter. 

Staff can give assistance and read out any literature if required. 

Binoculars are available to loan. 

There are a variety of events and activities available throughout 

the year: please ask staff for more details including 

accessibility. 


Nature Trails 

The reserve has a mix of different types of paths that are both 

flat and undulating where walks can be enjoyed. There is 

enough space along most routes for 2 wheelchairs to pass. All 

trails are signposted. Four trails can be followed: 

o 

o 

The Discovery trail covers 0.3 miles and can take 10 mins 

to 15 mins approx. to complete. It is flat with a firm tarmac 

and boardwalk surface. The boardwalk has anti-slip 

properties. There is an accessible hide with a ramped 

access and two viewing screens. The second viewing 

screen, which is great place to see Kingfishers, is 

accessible through a kissing gate. 

The Riverbank trail covers 4.0 miles and can take 90 mins 

to 120 mins approx. to complete. It is undulating, more 

than 1 in 12 gradient in places with an uneven gravel/mud 

surface. 

o The Lin Dike Link trail covers 3.0 miles and can take 60 

mins to 90 mins approx. to complete. It is a peaceful walk 

along the River Aire. It has a steep hill at the start of the 

walk with a gradient over 1:12 for a distance of 200 

metres. There is a kissing gate at the top of the hill. The 

path is quite uneven and can be muddy in the winter. We 

recommend sturdy footwear or wellies.. 

o 

The Arrow Lane trail covers 1.2 miles and is accessible to 

all with a level surfaced footpath, two viewing screens 

with slots at different heights and a an accessible hide 

with a ramped access. 

All trails, except the Discovery Trail, have kissing gates which 

are big enough for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility 

scooters. 

There are viewpoints along each of the trails but with shelters 

and hides on all but the Lin Dike link trail. The time between 

these varies from 15 to 20 minutes approx. 

Seating is available at every viewpoint and at intervals of 

approx. every 200m on all trails. 

Friendly staff are usually on hand, both in the visitor centre and 

out on the reserve, to help with information 


A map of the trails, with accessible routes shown, is available at 

the reception desk or alternatively can be downloaded from 

www.rspb.org.uk 

Viewing Facilities 

There are 4 bird hides and 4 shelters along some trails in the 

reserve (see map). 

There is level entry to all hides. The doors to all hides are 

900mm/35.5ins wide and easy to open. 

The Pickup hide has 12 stairs and an alternative ramped 

access to the viewing area. 

All hides have fixed bench seats. 

There are wooden flaps covering viewing slots in the Pickup 

hide. There is one low window viewing position between the 

bench seats. 

Both Charlie's and Lin Dike hides have a ramp, gradient 1 in 12 

with double handrails either side to the viewing area. Both have 

low viewing window areas. 

The Bob Dickens hide has a relatively steep stepped access 

with 12 stoned steps descending at a gradient of over 1:12. 


Public Toilets 

Public toilets are located on the ground floor of the Visitor 

Centre with level access to them. 

These toilets have a unisex accessible toilet, open to all and 

described below: 

A light, easy open door 900mm/35.5ins wide. 

980mm/38.5ins transfer space to the left of the toilet, when 

facing the toilet. 

Toilet height is 400mm/15.7ins. 

Vertical rails either side of both basin and toilet.• 

Horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent to the toilet. 

Colour contrast with critical surfaces; the walls are blue and 

toilet and washbasin are white. 

A flashing light when the fire alarm sounds. 

An emergency alarm pull cord. 

Well lit with fluorescent tube overhead lighting. 

Non-slip tile flooring. 

Lever taps on the sink. 


There is a baby changing table that is accessible from a seated 

position and folds down for use. 

Catering 

Shop 

In the main visitor centre there is step free level access to a 

drinks machine and fridges holding cold drinks that can be 

accessed from a seated position. 

There is a seating area where tables are well spaced apart, 

with a clear height from the floor of 900mm/35ins, with a 

mixture of upright chairs with and without arms. 

Lighting in all areas is natural daylight with overhead lighting 

used. 

The flooring is non-slip vinyl 

Where possible all our food produce is locally sourced. 

Sandwiches, cakes, pies, pasties are usually available and are 

all made freshly by local producers 

The catering area is self-service; however, staff can assist on 

request. 

The nearest public toilet with an accessible WC is located near 

the main entrance approximately 20 metres away 


There is a shop with a range of souvenirs, bird care products, 

bird food, binoculars and books etc. that can be accessed 

directly from the main entrance area of the Visitor Centre. 

There is level entry and no doors to enter the shop apart from 

those at the main entrance (described previously). 


The floor surface is non-slip vinyl 

There is ample room within the shop for a large 

wheelchair/pushchair to manoeuvre and turn. 

The area is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from 

halogen ceiling and spotlights. 

There are some tall book/gift racks and low display units 

accessible from a seated position. 

A magnifying glass, pen and pad of paper are available at the 

counter. 

Staff can provide assistance. 

Education Centre / Classrooms 

There are two classrooms situated on the ground floor of the 

Visitor Centre with level entry from the shop area 

There are easy to open manual doors, 850mm/33.46ins wide. 


Furniture can be re-arranged giving ample room within the 

classroom for a large wheelchair to manoeuvre and turn. 

The floor surface is non-slip vinyl 

The area is evenly and well lit with fluorescent tube overhead 

lighting. 

Picnic Area 

There is a large picnic areas immediately next to the Visitor 

Centre. 

There are 8 picnic tables and benches (2 with space for a 

wheelchair user) 


Sandwiches and drinks are available from the café; however, 

visitors are free to bring their own refreshments with them for 

picnics. 

Additional Information 

All of our staff receive regular training that includes disability 

awareness training. 

There is trained First Aider in the visitor centre at all times 

A water bowl is available at the Visitor Centre entrance/exit for 

dogs. 

A cycle parking rack is situated adjacent to the Visitor Centre 

entrance 

There is a wildlife garden which can be viewed from a seated 

position within the Visitor Centre. 

There is a duck feeding area which is accessed off the main car 

park. It is 80m long, 1200mm wide with a passing place and is 

gently ramped 1: 12 gradient with handrails on both sides. 

There are three areas available for pond dipping The platforms 

are all flat and made of non-slip recycled plastic and have 

colour coded kick boards along their edges. Access to the 

platforms is via a gently sloping (less than 1:12) gravel or 

recycled plastic slope. 


Future Plans 

We will be replacing one of our hides within the next 3-months. 

The new hide which will be along the Riverbank trail between 

Bob Dickens and Charlie's hides will have no steps, will provide 

covered seating and open, uninterrupted views across the lake 

and to Fairburn village beyond. 

We will be upgrading the footpath along the Riverbank trail this 

winter to provide a smoother, harder surface which will be 

pushchair friendly. 

We will be installing an additional duck feeding area this 

summer which will be fully accessible to wheelchair users. Blue 

badge parking is available at the start of this boardwalk area. 

We will be way marking all of our trails with colour-coded posts 

this year. 

We will be installing a wheelchair box in the Kingfisher Screen 

on the Discovery trail. 

We are looking into installing a hearing loop system in our 

visitor centre. 


….and finally! We are looking into having a mobility scooter 

available for visitors to use. 

Contact Information 

Address (Inc postcode): RSPB Fairburn Ings The Visitor Centre 

Newton Lane Ledston West Yorkshire WF10 

2BH 

Telephone: 01977 628191 

Email: 

Website: 

fairburnings@rspb.org.uk 

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/fairburnings 

Grid Reference: SE 452 278 

Hours Of Operation: 

9-5 April to September, 9-4 October to March

Access Statement for RSPB Fairburn Ings nature reserve

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