We are committed to ensuring that all visitors, regardless of ability, can enjoy their experience here.  We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and accommodated.  Below are the measures we have implemented to enhance accessibility:

 

Physical Accessibility:

• All the facilities onsite are fully accessible to wheelchair users, small mobility scooters and pushchairs, with ramps available where necessary. 

• There is a marked accessible parking area opposite the Village Shop. This is on the same side of the road as the Model Village and offers a flat surface into our entrance.

• Free parking is located in the council car park (entrance opposite the Griffin Pub). There are identified disabled parking spaces available.

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Identifying and finding us

• Our retail shop front is painted white with the access door and frame painted in dark blue to form a sharp contrast. The entrance is framed in summer by large hanging baskets, providing further colour contrasts for those with partial sight.

• The garden entrance is a large archway framed with Model Village in ironwork over the top.

Getting off the premises

• The exit route from the shop is the reverse of the way in.

• Leaving the Model Village customers with accessibility challenges can either go via the shop door that has a ramp or via the Wheelchair/Pushchair gate that leads to the front of the premises. The shop can then be accessed via the wide front door from the forecourt (as detailed earlier).

Customer Toilets

• The Model Village Garden contains toilets for visitors to use. These include a toilet with low level WC with grab rails; low level basin with easy-to-use lever taps and hand towel dispenser.  A full-length mirror is provided.  This toilet has a sky light for additional natural light and low level safety light switch.​

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​​Communication and Information:​

• Our team members are on hand to assist visitors with disabilities and are readily available to provide information and support.

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​​Assistive Services:​

• Service animals are welcome throughout our premises.

 

​Sensory Considerations:

• Our garden setting is outside in a large space however, that space can be busy.  To accommodate those with neurodiversity, autism or learning challenges we offer a quiet hour once a week, during holidays.   You can book online for our Wednesday Quiet Hour session that is from 9am to 10am.  Our gates open at 10am, but if you would like to stay after that time you are very welcome.

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Essential Companion Tickets:

We understand that some guests will not be able to access Model Village Godshill without the assistance of an Essential Companion.  We are pleased to be able to offer an Essential Companion ticket for those guests who require additional assistance.

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What is an Essential Companion Ticket?

• An Essential Companion ticket allows an additional person to enter, with a paying guest to assist with their visit, free of charge.

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Who is eligible for an Essential Companion Ticket?

• An Essential Companion ticket is available for people where support is needed that is significant and substantial and in excess of what could be reasonably expected of family/friends already accompanying the guest.  The support must be due to disability-related needs.

• We accept the Nimbus Access Card for identification.  If you do not have a card, you can apply here.

• Why Access Cards?

  • Designed to streamline the process of communicating access needs, the access card translates a disability or impairment into easy to understand symbols.  It also serves as recognised proof of requirements eliminating the need for repeated explanations at different venues.  This is crucial to help build a more inclusive environment as it encourages venues to be proactive in their accessibility efforts.  So whilst the card supports individual needs, it also contributes to a broader movement towards better accessibility for all.

 

The Role of an Essential Companion

• By accepting the Essential Companion ticket, your companion accepts responsibility for providing you with the support you need to visit the Model Village.  This includes being able to provide you with additional assistance during the course of an emergency evacuation.  Model Village team members are unable to provide assistance in excess of their typical role and general reasonable adjustments, so it is important that, if you need help moving around, your companion is ready, willing and able to support you with this.

 

Young Carers

• It is the policy of Model Village Godshill Ltd that all children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 18 or over at all times.  We accept that young carers are a much valued and needed source of support, but we are only able to accept them under the free Essential Companion ticket scheme where there is no risk of them being left unattended.

• If we feel that either the disabled customer or their companions are abusing the Essential Companion system, we reserve the right to refuse access under the Essential Companion scheme for future visits.

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If you have any questions or require assistance during your visit, please reach out to our team members, who are here to ensure that your experience is enjoyable and comfortable.

Thank you for choosing Model Village Godshill as your destination.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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