ACCESS

Accessibility is a key priority for Christmas at Bute Park. We work closely with the charity Attitude is Everything, to ensure we are doing all we can to provide a great experience for people with disabilities. 

In 2022 & 2023 we introduced a number of improvements, including neurodivergence training for on-site staff, and a fast track pass for disabled customers, earning a Silver Award for accessibility from AIE. We aim to build on this work, making CABP 2024 as inclusive as possible.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters

The trail ground will consist of hard paths, ramps and some matted areas over grass. There are no steps anywhere in our trail. Although mostly level, there are some modest changes in height with inclines and descents. 

We will have several wheelchairs available for rent on site, but these are distributed on an ad hoc basis so we would recommend bringing your own where possible.

Neurodivergent Guests

We are proud to host neuro-inclusive evenings every year at our event, for people with additional needs. Audience numbers are reduced by 60%, we lower audio volume and allow the audience plenty of time to make their way around the trail. We also have plenty of stewards along the trial, should guests need to leave the trail early.
These will take place on Wednesday 4th and Wednesday 11th December between 4:15pm – 5:15pm. 

Seating availability at Bute Park

For guests who need to sit regularly, on the trail there will be the usual park benches along the route, and then clusters of picnic tables halfway along and then again at the end of the route. You are also welcome to bring your own folding chair for use.

Christmas at Bute Park stewards will also be stationed at points along the trail so can support when required. They are easily identifiable in high visibility jackets.

Disabled Toilets

We will have two accessible plastic port-a-loo toilets along the route, one at the trail’s half-way point and one within the Christmas Village, which can be accessed at the beginning and end of the trail route. The cubicles are roughly 1.9m x 1.6m.

Disabled Parking 

For disabled parking, we would recommend the North Road car parks. There is some disabled parking directly outside the park but the spaces can be very limited. We don’t have the capability for customers to reserve this. Please also visit our Getting Here page for information on how to get here. There is step free access from North Road Carpark as well as Mews tennis courts car park.

Personal Assistant Tickets and Fast-Track System

We are pleased to provide an additional ticket/s for Personal Assistants of disabled people who are unable to attend the event without the assistance of an essential companion.

You are able to choose one free companion ticket, when you purchase a paid adult or child ticket for the disabled person. If you require more than one carer ticket – please contact hello@christmasatbutepark.com for further information.

To help us ensure that these tickets are made available to those with genuine needs, when purchasing tickets, please upload a photo of your ID of ONE of the following forms of documentation to validate the free carer pass, or alternatively bring your ID with you the light trail.

  1. Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal
  2. Independent Payments (PIP), either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book
  3. Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance letter of award
  4. Incapacity Benefit books, or a letter notifying the recipient that the benefit has been awarded Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  5. In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
  6. A local authority registration document which is local to the attraction where it is being submitted 
  7. A recognised Assistance Dog ID Card
  8. Credibility’s Access Card (plus 1 icon)
  9. Hynt card and/or Access card 
  10. Blue Badge

Fast Track Access: fast-track wristbands are available to people with additional needs, and their personal assistants (on a case-by-case basis). This will allow access to the event without queuing. Please email hello@christmasatbutepark.com if you require fast track wristbands for you or people in your party, we will discuss your requirements with you and issue wristbands on a case-by-case basis.