Accessibility

We are committed to accessibility for all visitors, we are continually updating and adding to our wide range of tools and information to ensure an accessible family day out. 

To help you plan for your visit, please see our Access Guide which offers lots of handy hints and tips to help you get the most out of your day.

​Should you need any further information or assistance please email us or call 01482 381000 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm or Saturday & Sunday, 9am - 1pm)

Our Social Story is a helpful tool for families with additional needs to more effectively plan their day. 

This provides information on what you will encounter on arrival to The Deep, throughout your visit and on departure. As well as details on some of the people you are likely to meet.

We offer a wide range of tools and support to help make your visit and journey around The Deep as enjoyable as possible.

All of the below are available free of charge - just speak to our team on the Reception desk when you arrive and they'll gladly help you.

Sensory Pack

Sensory packs are available to borrow from our reception team. These contain ear defenders, crayons, a picture to colour in, a viewfinder, a small sensory toy, a printed social story, some PEC cards, a red/green card, a map of the attraction, sunglasses and two sand timers.  All are popped into a canvas bag, which we ask you to return to reception at the end of your visit.

Mobility Aids

We are pleased to be able to offer complimentary use of the following mobility aids during your visit:

• Electric scooters (3) - please note, these cannot be pre-booked and are available on a first come, first served basis
• Wheelchairs (7)
• Walking aids (4) - 2 rollators with seats and 2 tri-walkers 

To pre-book selected wheelchairs or walking aids please email us or call 01482 381000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm).

Quiet Space

Should you need a quiet space during your visit for prayer, breast feeding or any other reason, please just ask a member of staff who can take you to an appropriate quiet area or room.

Our Changing Places facility offers those with additional needs and their carers additional space and equipment in a comfortable environment.

It is available to anyone who needs it, not just those visiting the aquarium and is accessible without having to pay entry.

Located on the ground floor near the lifts, it can be accessed using a radar key. Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance. 

The room includes:

• Adjustable bench 
• Hoist
• Adjustable basin and mirror
• Centrally placed toilet
• Portable privacy screen   

Further information on our Changing Places facility can be found in our Access Guide.

We are a proud supporter of a number of schemes designed to make your visit a less daunting and more enjoyable experience.

For more information on any of the below please get in touch on 01482 381000 or feel free to email us.

Not Every Disability is Visible

We understand that people with a variety of conditions need to use accessible toilets whilst out and about. We are proud to support of the Not Every Disability is Visible campaign by Crohn's & Colitis UK. You can find out more here.

Sunflower Scheme

We are proud to support the Sunflower lanyard scheme, supporting visitors with hidden disabilities.The scheme offers people with conditions such as autism, dementia or sensory impairment a way to be discreetly identifiable, by wearing the lanyards, pin badges or other sunflower items allowing us to be aware they may need additional time or support during their visit.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard scheme has been successfully introduced to a number of major UK airports, supermarkets, railway stations, sports venues and is now looking to be acknowledged by attractions throughout the UK.

How to get a Sunflower lanyard

Sunflower items including lanyards, pin badges, wristbands etc. can be purchased by those with hidden disabilities or their carers directly from the Hidden Disabilities Store

Our accessible entrance is located nearest to the Humber Estuary, close to the accessible parking bays and there is generally a shorter queue at this entrance. This entrance is welcome to anyone who needs to use it.

Please note that, although we make every attempt to keep queues to a minimum, there will be a queuing system on busy days (including weekends and school holidays). The Deep tends to be busier when it is raining. 

Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs are welcome at The Deep.

Here are some top tips for helping you and your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog to have a safe and enjoyable visit to The Deep:

• If you need water for your dog at any time please speak to a Crew member.
• Please note that we care about the welfare of your animal and as such we would like to make you aware that The Deep exhibition is dark in places, and can be noisy and busy with lots of visitors of all ages moving around: 
  • If during your visit your dog becomes unsettled at any time and you need to leave an area please speak to the nearest Crew member. 
  • If you would prefer to visit during a quieter time, off-peak periods are school term times, and the beginning and end of each day.  Please contact us in advance if you would like to check how busy The Deep is likely to be on the day you are planning your visit.
• Once you are inside the attraction the linear journey through the exhibit means you do not exit the building until the end of your visit. If your assistance dog needs to get outside at any time during your visit please speak to a Crew member and they will accompany you to the nearest exit.
• You may like to consider a harness, jacket or lead identification for your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog so that they are easily identifiable to other visitors to help them to better understand that you may not want them to interact with, or pet, your dog.
• The Deep thanks you for making sure that your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog is well trained, vaccinated and in good health on the day of your visit.  If they are still in training you may wish to arrange a specific quiet time to visit so that our Crew can give you any additional help you might need to make sure their time on site goes smoothly.
• In line with The Deep’s Code of Conduct, 'Activities of all those people on or around The Deep buildings and site must be carried out with due consideration for the safety and enjoyment of others. An appropriate standard of behaviour and attitude is therefore required to be able to continue to access The Deep’.  In addition it is stated that visitors must not cause any distress to The Deep’s animals.  Should The Deep have concerns about your dog’s behaviour or the way in which it is being handled you may be refused entry or be removed from The Deep in line with the Code of Conduct.  In addition, should The Deep’s animal specialists have concerns around how our animals are responding to your dog we may ask you to move away from an exhibit or area.
• If you have any queries at all about your visit in advance please email info@thedeep.co.uk, make contact through social media or call 01482 381000 (option 0) during normal office hours.