Designed with
you in mind
We are committed to making Sherwood Observatory as accessible as possible to our visitors.
The main entrance to the Planetarium & Science Centre is level access from the car park, down a shallow block paved gradient. From the entrance level, a platform lift provides access to the planetarium/cafe/meeting room level above and the reservoir level below.
The back row of the planetarium auditorium includes two seats that can be removed for wheelchair users (upon arrival, please ask our planetarium presenter if you would like us to move the seats). The remaining rows are accessed by well lit steps (similar to in a cinema) with a hand rail.
If you are prone to motion sickness or have a condition that makes you sensitive to lighting effects the Planetarium shows may not be suitable for you. Please contact us or speak to a member of the team if this is the case.
In the event of an incident that requires evacuation of the building, visitors on the upper and lower levels who are unable to use the stairs will be directed to safe refuge points where an intercom system can be used to call for further support.
The observatory building and radio astronomy centre have level/ramped access to all areas except the main telescope dome, which is accessed by a spiral staircase. Portable telescopes can be set up on an external pad with level access on request. The radio astronomy centre is currently closed for refurbishment.
There is an accessible toilet in the observatory building and on the entrance level of the Planetarium and Science Centre. There is a fully equipped Changing Places Toilet on the Planetarium/cafe level.
Three accessible car parking spaces are available and two of these are equipped with electric car charging stations.
Please note that this page will soon be updated with an accessibility video that shows all of the above features.