Accessibility Guide
We are accessible for wheelchair users and can cater for anyone with other specific access requirements. Please get in touch if you require any further information about specific access or need advice on planning your visit.
We recognise that some areas may be more accessible than others and are constantly striving to improve. We welcome your feedback.
We also have 360º tours of parts of the Grand Pier that you don’t usually see during your visit, including our children’s party rooms and our wedding, event and meeting spaces. Plus, you can view the Main Pavilion all set for a concert for over 2,000 people (you have to see it to believe it!) and there are little videos and photos along the way showing you have we can transform our venue into something really very special!
Click the link to start: 360º Accessible Tour
Getting Here
The Grand Pier is very easy to find. Just head to Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AL and follow the brown tourism signs from junction 21 or 22 of the M5 motorway.
Travelling by public transport
- The X1 bus stops on the bus stop directly outside the Grand Pier. This bus stop is 20 yards from our main entrance. Ask the driver for the Grand Pier stop on Marine Parade. There is a shelter and seating. All buses can accommodate one wheelchair.
- The nearest railway station is Weston super Mare which is a ten-minute walk to the Grand Pier and is located 0.8 miles away.
- Taxis are available at the station. If you require an accessible taxi you can book this in advance, through Apple Central on 01934 413413.
Travelling by car
- Parking is available right opposite the Grand Pier in the Sovereign Centre car park:
https://goo.gl/maps/SJyBhqRykbP6QN7d7
- And nearby at Carlton Street Car Park:
https://goo.gl/maps/uBTMnDqe5soPv7Bw6
At a glance
The entrance to the Grand Pier is easily accessible and has a gradual incline to reach the waist of the Pier (the narrower walkway). The entrance has red brick paviours and leads to the narrow walkway which is traditional wooden slatted boards.
The Grand Pier is based on two floors with lift and escalator access to both floors. Functions and events may also be held on the third floor of the Pier which has lift access only.
You can also enjoy our restaurant and cafe/bar facilities all of which are situated on the ground floor with step free access. Our retail shop is situated on the first floor and is accessible by lift and escalator.
Wheelchairs are available for hire as well as other mobility aids from Dalesway Mobility at the Carlton Street Car Park nearby, who can be contacted on 01934 642002.
Staff are on hand throughout the Grand Pier should you require any assistance.
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone us on 01934 620238
The main pavilion
- The main doors to the Pavilion building are automatic and are 1800mm wide.
- The main entrance and ticket area is situated on the ground floor with step free, level access throughout. in quieter times, tickets can be purchased from the retail shop on the first floor which is accessible by lift or escalators. The retail shop has no doors on it and therefore has easy access into the shop with a smooth level floor.
- The floor surface is tiled.
- The area is evenly and well it with overhead lighting.
- The main Pavilion area has several hundred machines in it with LED lighting, some flashing and music.
- The ticketing desk on the ground floor has a lowered section for ease.
- The change machines are easily accessible from a wheelchair and cups for coins are available at the same height if you are changing notes.
- The ticketing desk has a glass screen to aid lip reading and visitors with a visual impairment.
- We have a hearing loop installed throughout the building.
- We have access to one wheelchair which is available on loan free of charge, but which needs to be booked in advance.
Level Access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
- The main pavilion
- Boardwalk Cafe
- The Grand Cafe
- Tiffany’s Restaurant
- Jacks’ Bar
- FreeFall
- Crazy Circus
- Mirror Maze
- Dodgems
- Ghost Train
- Arcade
- Main Toilet
Things to See and Do
- The site hosts 14 rides and attractions and over 500 family arcade machines to play.
- All of these are situated on the ground and first floors of the attractions. The ground floor has a tiled surface throughout, is well lit and has wide corridors between machines.
- The first floor is accessible from the lift and escalator, has a tiled floor and wide corridors for easy access.
- Outside of the attraction, from the walkway at the shore end of the Pier, we have a number of historical and educational facts about the area in which we are situated, the Pier and its history and the rebuilding of the new Pavilion building which opened in 2010.
- All of our facts can be accessed from a sitting or standing position.
- We have two self-service cafes, one on the first floor called Adventure Cove and one on the ground floor called Boardwalk as well as an a la carte restaurant – Tiffany’s - which is table service at the very end of the Pier with wonderful views on three sides of the estuary. All doors to these as well as the bar on the ground floor are at least 900mm wide for easy access. You can access Tiffany’s either through the main Pavilion building or to the left/South side of the Pavilion through the bar conservatory. Both routes are level and with wide doors for easy access. The conservatory route avoids the arcade altogether.
- Individual bench seats are dotted throughout the perimeter of the Pier as well as gaps for wheelchairs and mobility scooters so that visitors can soak up the wonderful view and watch the world go by.
Public toilets
- Public toilets are located on each level of the Pier Pavilion with level access on the ground floor, as well as the upper floors.
- These toilets have a unisex accessible toilet, and are described as light, easy open door 900mm transfer space to the left of the toilet when facing the toilet.
- The toilet height is 400mm.
- There are vertical rails both sides of the basin and toilet.
- There is a horizontal rail on the side wall adjacent to the toilet.
- The floor is altro and the basin and toilet are both white.
- A flashing light when the fire alarm sounds.
- An emergency alarm pull cord.
- The toilets are well lit with a low-level pull cord.
- The flooring is nonslip laminate.
- There are lever taps on the sinks.
Shop
- There is a shop with a range of souvenirs and books which can be accessed directly from the main entrance on the first floor of the Pavilion building.
- There is also a shop on the way out of the attraction towards the shore of the Grand Pier.
- Both shops are level throughout.
- The first-floor shop has no doors so is easily accessible and has plenty of room around the aisles.
- The shop on the way out of the attraction has a glass door which is 850mm wide and manual.
- A low-level desk and counter are situated in both shops.
- There are tall display racks and low-level gondolas as well as wall mounted goods for easy access.
- The counter has a hearing loop.
- Staff are available for assistance if required.
Place to eat and drink
- All restaurants on all floors have step free level access from the entrance.
- All doors are at least 900mm wide in all restaurants and cafes.
- Tables are well spaced apart with a clear height from the floor of 700mm with chairs without arms and there are no steps to get to the tables.
- Lighting in all areas is natural daylight with overhead lighting used
- The flooring in our café is altro nonslip. The flooring in our a la carte restaurant is solid wood. The flooring on the first floor is altro nonslip.
- Whilst two of our cafes are self-service, we will always assist our visitors upon request.
- There is background music
- The menu is offered in large print.
- We cater for vegetarian and gluten free specific diets. Crockery is white in contrast to the colour of our tables in all of our food outlets
- Allergen information is available on request
Visual & Hearing
- The menu is available in large print in Tiffany’s Restaurant.
- A hearing loop is available in the main Pier Pavilion
- The fire alarm has flashing lights
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 01934 620238.
- We can provide a charging facility for mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs. Details available upon request from reception.
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.
- We welcome trained assistance dogs. A water bowl can be provided upon request.
General
Essential Companion Scheme
Guests who have the following documentation are entitled to our Essential Companion Scheme. Please show the relevant paperwork when arriving at the Grand Pier.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- Blind Persons Registration
- Rainbow Resource Card
This should be dated within the last 12 months. Unfortunately, we will not be able to issue an essential companion card without seeing the above documentation. Essential companions can access the Grand Pier free of charge when accompanying a paying cardholder.
Guests who have the following documentation are entitled to discounted entry and one free carer ticket. Please show the relevant paperwork at the ticket kiosk when you buy or collect your ticket.
For full details please visit the Essential Companion Scheme page
Contact Information
Address: Marine Parade Weston super Mare Somerset BS23 1AL
Telephone: 01934 620238
Email: info@grandpier.co.uk
Website: www.grandpier.co.uk
Hours of Operation: Please see www.grandpier.co.uk/#information for our most up to date times.
Local Equipment Hire: Dalesway Mobility at the Carlton Street Car Park - 01934 642002.
Local Accessible Taxi: Apple Central Taxis - 01934 413413 X1 First Group Bus
Local Public Transport: X1 First Group Bus