Access for all
Sandcastle Waterpark is proud to be an Accessible Venue. Our award-winning range of inclusive information, facilities and guest services have been carefully designed to give you the best possible experience with us.
Call our Access Hotline for information: 01253 340721.
Guests with Mobility Impairment
- Level access throughout the park
Our waterpark offers barrier-free, step-free access throughout the reception, changing rooms, pool side area, catering and retail outlets and very easy access into the pools.
- Changing Places ‘Wet Room’ Facility
This award-winning facility provides a large space with a height-adjustable changing bench and ceiling-track hoist to enable you to change in comfort as well as to access our water wheelchairs, with ease.Our changing-places facility is also available for non-guests visiting Blackpool who need to use it. Click here to view our Changing Place Wet Room video or click here to scroll to this section of our website page. - Water accessible wheelchairs available free of charge
For some people who cannot weight-bear our hoist and water-accessible wheelchairs provide an ideal way to enter the pool with ease. - Accessible toilets throughout the Waterpark and in the entrance area.
Guests with Vision Impairment
- Large-print menus and leaflets
These are available at reception and at all of our catering outlets. Please just ask a member of our team.
- Adjustable text and contrast on our website
Use the symbols on the right of the page (also shown above) to increase the contrast, change to greyscale or adjust the font size. - Good visual contrast throughout the park
Any potential obstacles and key features throughout the Waterpark have good visual contrast to aid identification, together with good lighting and tactile features, where appropriate. - On-line audio version of our Access Statement.
Click here for an audio version of our Access Statement. - Audio commentary of key videos
Where applicable, there is an audio commentary that plays in real-time alongside our Accessibility video throughout the Waterpark. - Signage in Braille
This tactile writing system is available on toilet signs throughout the Waterpark.
Guests with Hearing Impairment
- Subtitles on video screens
There are subtitles on our key information and safety videos throughout the Waterpark and on-line.
- Staff trained in Next Generation Text or Text Relay
Some of our guests with hearing or speech impairment may prefer to contact us using Next Generation Text or Text Relay (a service provided by BT free of charge). Our team are trained in the use of these services and will be happy to take your call. - Flashing fire alarms Our fire alarm system has flashing lights to alert guests who are hearing impaired.
- Hearing loops at reception, all cafes and retail outlets
Our hearing loops are utilised and tested weekly. Please set your hearing aid to the ‘T-coil’ setting to access the loop.
Guests with Autism
- The Sandcastle Waterpark Story
This sensory story helps to prepare our guests with autism for the sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells that they may experience during their visit. Please click here to download and read The Sandcastle Waterpark Story. - Familiarisation visits
It can help to have a short, ‘familiarisation’ trip to us in advance of your planned visit date to help get used to the journey and the environment. Simply call our Access Hotline on 01253 340721 to arrange a date and time to suit you. You can also click here to email us. - Quiet starts and ear defenders
The first hour of operation each day is our Quiet Hour when there are minimal tannoy announcements and no background music. In addition, water-safe ear-defenders can be worn in our Waterpark, these can be used safely on all rides except Montazooma and Duelling Dragons. - Queue ‘by-pass’ Policy
Admissions
Queueing can be a difficult experience for some of our guests with autism so, where possible, we will endeavour to admit you via an alternative area thus bypassing the main queue. - Accessing ride tubes and mats
Guests who find queuing difficult can bypass the bottom queue on Aztec Falls, Master Blaster, Montazooma and Sidewinder waterslides. Just speak to a member of our Waterpark supervisory team, based in the First Aid room, for assistance.
- Autism-Friendly Quiet Room
Our Quiet Room has been specially designed as a quiet retreat from the bustling Waterpark environment. Just speak to a member of our Waterpark supervisory team, based in the First Aid room, when you wish to use it.
Facilities
- Our Access Guide
This on-line guide provides details of our information, facilities and services for guests with access needs. Click here to download our Access Guide You can also click here to email us. - Water Ambassadors to support you during your visit
Water Ambassadors have additional skills, including training for guests with disabilities. If you would like advice on what support we can offer during your visit please contact our Access Hotline 01253 340721 or speak to a member of our team on arrival. - All our team are accessibility awareness trained
All our team have an understanding of your needs and the best ways to support you having been trained in accessibility / disability and autism awareness. - ‘Relaxed’ accessibility evenings throughout the year
Our hugely popular Accessibility Evenings are held regularly throughout the year and are attended by guests with access needs from throughout the U.K. These evenings offer the opportunity to have fun, socialise, feel safe and supported in a relaxed environment. Book early to avoid disappointment by telephoning us on 01253 340700. - Drop-off area outside Sandcastle Waterpark
There is a ‘drop-off’ area outside the Waterpark. If you would like any assistance from this point please call our Access Hotline on 01253 340721. You can also contact us using the Assist-Mi App before you visit. - Access Card concessions
Guests who have an Access Card which indicates that they need an essential companion will receive a complimentary ticket for their essential companion. For further information on the Access Card Scheme please click here. - Flotation Aids
A selection of vests, woggles and other flotation aids are available to support you during your visit. We also have ‘water wheelchairs’ to enable guests to easily access the water at our sloped pool access points. Please speak to a member of our Waterpark team, located in the First Aid room, for assistance. - Care for your assistance dog
We are happy to look after your assistance dog for you while you enjoy our Waterpark. Please call our Access Hotline on 01253 340721 or speak to a member of our team on arrival. - Special diets catered for
Guests with special dietary requirements e.g. coeliac, gluten intolerances, nut allergies or other special dietary requirement can be accommodated however, if your dietary requirements mean that you need to bring your own food into the Waterpark please call our Access Hotline on 01253 340721 to discuss. - Table Reservation
We have reserved tables for guests with access needs, available on request. - Table Service
Although the catering outlets within our Waterpark are self-service we are happy to provide table service for guests with access needs, available on request. - Queueing Policy
Admissions
Queueing can be a difficult experience for some of our disabled guests e.g., guests with Autism. Where possible, we will endeavour to ‘fast-track’ you through the queue on arrival. - Accessing ride tubes and mats
Disabled guests who find waiting difficult can bypass the bottom queue on the Aztec Falls, Master Blaster, Montazooma and Sidewinder waterslides. Just speak to a member of our Waterpark supervisory team, based in the First Aid room, for assistance.
Accessibility Evenings
Changing Places Wet Room
Sandcastle Waterpark has a Changing Places Wet Room which is available for anyone to use – whether you are visiting our Waterpark, or just passing by. It is very well equipped with the following facilities:
- H track hoist system
- Adjustable hydraulic sink
- Dual access toilet with pull down handles
- Hydraulic adjustable adult sized changing bed
- Shower
- Pull cord alarms
- Dry area for changing with discretion screens
- Hairdryer
- Telephone with direct contact to our Waterpark Supervisory team should assistance be required
- Poolside lockers directly in front of the Wet room for convenience
- Fun, themed décor
- Pool accessible wheelchairs available from here.
- Room dimensions: W:3m L: 6.3m Door width: 1.2m
News, events & feedback
Sandcastle Waterpark opens new Quiet/Sensory Room
As part of our ongoing program of Accessible facility development, we are delighted to announce that our new for 2017 Sensory and quiet room has just opened.
The room features an integrated bubble wall, adjustable mood lighting, seating area, air conditioning and relax and chill area with large, colourful bean bags. This room has been designed as a calming and relaxed space for guests with additional needs, and is somewhere for them to go and take a little time out.
Managing Director John Child explains “We are proud to be the first Waterpark in the UK to open a Quiet/Sensory room for our guests”. Many of our guests that experience sensory disturbance now have a quiet, calming and tranquil room available to use which we hope will contribute to an enjoyable and memorable visit.
Our Quiet/Sensory room is located within the Waterpark and is available all day, every day for use. Guests wishing to use the room simply need to speak to any member of our waterpark team to gain entry.
Silent starts at Sandcastle Waterpark
The first operational hour of each day at Sandcastle Waterpark is our “Silent Start Hour”. During the first hour there will be no music played and only essential announcements will be made. We recognise that for a growing number of our guests with additional needs, this should help create a more calming start to their visit.
Feedback
“Went to the accessible swim session and cannot fault anything. The staff were fantastic both on reception/mall and in the pools. For that amount of staff to fully understand the needs of different abilities show consistent and up to date training. I cannot recommend you enough.”
Jane
July 2017
“Thanks to all the Staff last night at the accessible evening. We took Sam (7) and his siblings (8) and (3) and we all had a fantastic time. From the staff member who welcomed us in and showed us where to go, to the floats, balls and equipment provided and the staff who took time to talk and play with the children. Everyone was very friendly and we will definitely be booking again. Job well done!”
Alison
July 2017
“What an amazing evening at Sandcastle Waterpark at there monthly accessibility evening thank you so much to all the staff for giving up the own time in helping to put the event on especially Mark & John for putting on a fantastic evening for guests that have a disability”
Alan
July 2017
Access Card Holders
Sandcastle Waterpark offers one free essential companion admission for Access Card holders (who require an essential companion to visit and where the Access Card indicates +1) when purchasing one standard admission ticket for a disabled guest. If you have an Access Card you should purchase the tickets you require through our website (excluding the carer ticket covered by the Access Card). When you have completed and paid for your booking you will receive an email confirmation from us. This confirmation, along with a photo/screenshot of your access card should then be sent to: admin@sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk whereupon our admin team will apply the complimentary carer ticket to your booking. Please title your email to us: Access Card Holder. (Free carers ticket does not include the Sea Breeze Spa, VIP Tiki Cabana or any other product. It is only redeemable against an Admission Ticket).
For pre booking assistance, please call 01253 340700
For further Information about Access Card, please click here to visit their website.
