Useful Information To Make Your Exciting Day Even Better
We do our best to make our site as accessible as possible for all our visitors. Below is some information we hope you’ll find useful when planning your visit.
If there’s anything else we can help you with please give us a call on 0121 557 6265 or email info@dctt.org.uk; we’ll be happy to help.
Parking
Parking is available with level access to the Portal building. There are accessible spaces on the car park.
Towpath Access
The towpath can be accessed by a lift within the Portal building.
Boarding the Boats
An accessible boat with a platform lift is available for visitors with limited mobility. The accessible boat can accommodate one electric or two manual wheelchairs. Wheelchair users are the responsibility of carers whilst on the boat. If you require our accessible boat please call 0121 557 6265 or email info@dctt.org.uk to ensure that we have it available for you.
The other boats are accessed by three steps down into the boat, with hand rails on either side.
Dogs on our boats and in our building
We welcome “Assistance Dogs” only in our building and on our boat trips. If you intend to bring your Assistance Dog with you please contact us in advance so we can organise this. We retain the right to ask owners to leave if their dog does not behave in an appropriate manner as per their support role or training.
Flashing Lights
As part of the Underground Experience Boat Trip there are two audio visual shows. Strobe lighting is not used however there are some flashing lights and loud music which may not be suitable for people with photosensitive conditions. We can arrange for these shows to not run for your boat trip if you let us know in advance. As this requires us to shut down some of our equipment we ask that you let us know at least a week before you wish to visit so that we can arrange this for you.
On occasions there may be additional lights in the caverns as we prepare for and deliver our seasonal events. For details, please give us a call on 0121 557 6265 or email us at info@dctt.org.uk.
Darkness Underground
We know that some people might be nervous of heading into the darkness underground. If this applies to someone in your group, please be assured that the boats have lights fitted which are left on for most of the trip, and can be kept on if necessary – please let us know before you visit. We can also provide additional torches for guests to borrow free of charge for their trip. Please get in touch before you visit or ask a member of staff on arrival.
Visual Impairments
Our tour guides can offer additional narration to those who are blind or visually impaired. Please call us on 0121 557 6265 or email info@dctt.org.uk to arrange.
Hearing Impairments
The Underground Experience guided tour is available in written format for people with hearing impairments. Please enquire before your visit or ask at the desk on arrival. It is also available in large text.
Quieter Boat Trips
We appreciate that some individuals may find crowds and noise distressing. Please ring us on 0121 557 6265 or email info@dctt.org.uk to enquire about our quietest times.
Toilets
Accessible toilets can be found within the Portal building at both towpath and car park levels.
Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilets.
The toilets on the upper (car park) level have lower lighting levels than those on the lower (towpath) level.
Discounts for Carers and Assistants
We know that some of our visitors require extra levels of support from a carer, companion or personal assistant to enable them to access and enjoy their visit to us. We offer a free ticket for carers on our Underground Experience Boat Trip. Please bring along any of the following carer identification:
- Disabled Living Allowance letter
- Blue Badge
- Signed letter from a GP
- PIP letter
- Registered carer letter or ID card
For our longer trips and special events, carers, companions or personal assistants are eligible for discounted tickets.
If you have any questions about these rates or required identification, please get in touch with us, we’ll be happy to help as much as we can.
Noise Sensitivity
We know that some of our visitors might be sensitive to noise. Some areas of our building and the boat trip are louder than others, so you are welcome to bring your own ear defenders or borrow one of our sets. Please enquire about our quieter times by calling 0121 557 6265 or emailing info@dctt.org.uk .
Helmets
For your safety, we politely request that all visitors wear a helmet when travelling underground in our tunnels and caverns.
Please Get in Touch
We’re constantly improving our access for all on our site so welcome your feedback – we encourage you to get in touch with us to let us know if there is anything else we can do to improve your future visits.
If you have any other particular access requirements please do get in touch with us by calling 0121 557 6265 or emailing info@dctt.org.uk and we’ll be happy to assist you however we can.
