Introduction
Wild Ken Hill aims to be as accessible as possible and looks forward to welcoming you. This section explains some of the details of our guided tours and the facilities we have in place to promote access to them. If you have any queries or require any assistance please email [email protected]
This accessibility guide does not contain personal opinions as to the suitability of our guided tours for those with disabilities, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our visitors.
Wild Ken Hill is a site of rewilding, conservation, and a working farm. Its land is made up of hilly wood, wetter marshland, pasture landscape, and agricultural fields. As such, the ground is predominantly uneven with thick undergrowth. Ponies, pigs and cattle graze parts of the site and it is home to many, small, wild animals.
Most of the guided tours meet at Heacham Bottom Farm (see below), but Wader Watch meets at Snettisham Beach Car Park (see below) and Introducing Farming starts at The Gravel Pit (see below). Each meeting place has different access details so please make sure you look at your relevant destination below.
In 2022, we began giving some guided tours using a vehicle. There is more information on these tours below.
The quality of mobile phone reception is dependent on network but can largely be accessed across all of the site. There is no public wi-fi across the site. Please call 07979 785880 in an emergency.
Assistance dogs are welcome but otherwise no dogs or other pets are allowed on the tours as they can interfere with wildlife.
Tours are relaxed with a laid-back approach to noise and movement.
The majority of tours take place in daylight but Nature by Night, Dawn Chorus, and Bats tours are in low-level light. Binoculars enhance the experience but are not at all necessary to enjoy any of the tours. Binoculars are not provided.
Carers receive complimentary tickets.
There is no catering on site as yet.
Heacham Bottom Farm
Meeting Location
Address: Heacham Bottom, Lamsey Lane, Heacham, Kings Lynn, PE31 7PQ
What 3 Words: vegans.ringside.item
Grid Reference: TF6804435743
Grid reference link: click here
Arrival and Car Park
The postcode for sat nav is PE31 7PQ. The vehicle entrance for Wild Ken Hill guided tours beginning from Heacham Bottom visits is large-letter signposted from the A149 and from Lamsey Lane, Heacham. The entrance itself is on Lamsey Lane (What 3 words: guled.shock.expecting)
Upon arrival, there are visible signs to the free private car park which is situated beyond the working farmyard.
There are approximately 15 accessible parking spaces within the parking area, which are 5 metres from the welcome and reception area (see below) where the guided tours will start and end.
Heacham Bottom Bus Stop arrivals from the direction of Kings Lynn are serviced with pavement to the meeting location for guided tours off the Lynn road, which pedestrian visitors may use. It is 5 metres to the visibly-signed Wild Ken Hill entrance and a further 215 metres on a tarmac and gravel road to the visibly signed meeting location for guided tours. Visitors arriving at the Heacham Bottom Bus Stop from the Hunstanton direction, directly opposite the bus stop if arriving from the Lynn direction, will need to cross the single carriageway A149 to reach the Wild Ken Hill pedestrian entrance.
Welcome and Reception Area
The welcome and reception area for guided tours at Heacham Bottom is visibly-signed from the Car Park. It is outdoor and grassy, has log seating at 50 centimetres high and is adjacent to the Farm Office. There is a visible man hole cover in the grass.
Your guide will begin and end your tour here. There is no facility to store private belongings or for fresh water.
WCs
The disabled toilet is 220cm high x 160cm wide. The door is 90cm high x 190cm wide and is right hand opening. There is no step into the disabled toilet; it is flush to the ground. The toilets are fitted with 2 handrails. One is 55cm from the floor the other is 100cm from the floor. The flushing mechanism is right-handed. No hand washing facilities are offered in this portable toilet but hand sanitiser is available. We are unable to offer a Changing Places facility.
The standard toilet is 230cm high x 119cm wide. There is a 10cm step into the toilet. Handrails are fitted at approximately 100cm. The flushing mechanism is right-handed. No hand washing facilities are offered in this portable toilet but hand sanitiser is available. We are unable to offer a Changing Places facility.
Walking Tips
All tours begin and end at the welcome and reception area (see above) and are currently on foot. Maximum distances and gradients are detailed against each guided tour but in general you will need a level of fitness that enables you to walk at a gentle pace, with numerous stops to observe things of interest, for 2-3 hours.
The ground can be deeply rutted and sometimes pathways, especially where narrow, can be encroached upon by thorny scrub and nettles. Sturdy shoes/walking boots with ankle support are recommended, long trousers and sleeved shirts, and a walking pole or stick if desired. A booking confirmation email will list other things you may like to bring, depending on the weather and time of day.
Viewing platforms
Occasionally a view can be best observed from our viewing platforms. Access to the platforms are completely optional and the views can be well enjoyed from the ground. Platforms are approximately 1.3 to 1.8 metres in height and have a gradual incline ramp on approach of approximately 3.1%.
Equipment
For tours where equipment is used, the guide will demonstrate usage. The thermal image camera is 450 – 540g, and the sweep net is 280g. Binoculars enhance the experience but are not at all necessary to enjoy any of the tours.
It is possible that we need to use a vehicle because of especially bad weather. For enquiries about vehicle access please contact [email protected]
Health and Safety
The guide will be trained in Health and Safety and have access to a First Aid kit.
Our 12+ Policy
Guided tours at Wild Ken Hill hope to provide opportunities for the quiet and patient observation of nature. Some of the animals we are likely to encounter are shy or can be frightened by loud noises or sudden movements. Others may take time to find. For this reason our guided tours are suitable only for children of 12 and over. For children 11 years old or younger and accompanying adults, we offer The Big Picture for Families tour and can also arrange bespoke tours if you contact [email protected]. Both types feature activities designed to engage the younger imagination.
Snettisham Beach Car Park
Meeting Location
Address: Snettisham Beach Car Park, Snettisham, King’s Lynn, PE31 7PS
What 3 Words: blissful.speeded.passage
Grid Reference: TF6482133473
Grid reference link: click here
Arrival and Car Park
The postcode for sat nav is PE31 7PS. Snettisham Beach is brown signed from the A149. Height restrictions for vehicles (2.13 metres) apply to enter the car park.
The car park is large, with ground made up of compacted sand, gravel and areas of grass. The car park has capacity for 300 cars. There may be potholes across the entire car parking and pedestrian areas, and these can fill with water when wet. There are currently height restrictions in operation at this car park. The height restriction barrier fitted to the main gate is 2.13 metres. There is no access provision. Parking charges apply.
Welcome and Reception Area
Your guide will begin and end your tour from the beach car park. A meeting place will be visibly signed but there will be no seating area.
WCs
There are no public facilities at Snettisham Beach Car Park. For toilets in the vicinity, use the accessible unisex toilet at our Heacham Bottom meeting place, PE31 7PQ, detailed above.
Walking Tips
The Wader Watch guided tour begins and ends at the welcome and reception area (see above) and is on foot in all circumstances. Maximum distances and gradients are detailed against each guided tour but in general you will need a level of fitness that enables you to walk at a gentle pace, with numerous stops to observe things of interest, for 2-3 hours.
The ground can be deeply rutted and sometimes pathways, especially where narrow, can be encroached upon by thorny scrub and nettles. Sturdy shoes/walking boots with ankle support are recommended, long trousers and sleeved shirts, and a walking pole or stick if desired. A booking confirmation email will list other things you may like to bring, depending on the weather and time of day.
Equipment
Please bring binoculars if you would like but nothing depends on them. Binoculars are not provided.
Health and Safety
The guide will be trained in Health and Safety and have access to a First Aid kit.
Our 12+ Policy
Guided tours at Wild Ken Hill hope to provide opportunities for the quiet and patient observation of nature. Some of the animals we are likely to encounter are shy or can be frightened by loud noises or sudden movements. Others may take time to find. For this reason our guided tours are suitable only for children of 12 and over. For children 11 years old or younger and accompanying adults, we offer The Big Picture for Families tour and can also arrange bespoke tours if you contact [email protected]. Both types feature activities designed to engage the younger imagination.
The Gravel Pit
Meeting Location
Address: Lynn Road, Norton Hill, Snettisham, Kings Lynn, PE31 7RL
What 3 Words: reverted.hero.trick
Grid Reference: TF6823235557
Grid reference link: click here
Arrival and Car Park
The postcode for sat nav is PE31 7RL. The Gravel Pit is on a farm track, with a turning off the A149. The turning is a right hand turn if you are travelling north from Snettisham, and is a left hand turn if you are travelling south from Heacham and Hunstanton. The turning is visibly signed in both directions of the A149 250 metres in advance of the turning itself. The track is uneven and bumpy with gravel. The track leads to free, grassed private parking for visitors with no access facilities.
The car park is large, with ground made up of compacted sand, gravel and areas of grass. The car park has capacity for 300 cars. There may be potholes across the entire car parking and pedestrian areas, and these can fill with water when wet. There are currently height restrictions in operation at this car park. The height restriction barrier fitted to the main gate is 2.13 metres. There is no access provision. Parking charges apply.
Welcome and Reception Area
Your guide will begin and end your tour from the car park. An outdoor meeting place will be visibly signed but there will be no seating area.
WCs
There are no public facilities at Snettisham Beach Car Park. For toilets in the vicinity, use the accessible unisex toilet at our Heacham Bottom meeting place, PE31 7PQ, detailed above.
Walking Tips
The Farm Tour guided tour begins and ends at the welcome and reception area (see above) and is on foot in all circumstances. Maximum distances and gradients are detailed against each guided tour but in general you will need a level of fitness that enables you to walk at a gentle pace, with numerous stops to observe things of interest, for 2-3 hours.
The ground can be deeply rutted and sometimes pathways, especially where narrow, can be encroached upon by thorny scrub and nettles. Sturdy shoes/walking boots with ankle support are recommended, long trousers and sleeved shirts, and a walking pole or stick if desired. A booking confirmation email will list other things you may like to bring, depending on the weather and time of day.
Equipment
Please bring binoculars if you would like but nothing depends on them. Binoculars are not provided.
Health and Safety
The guide will be trained in Health and Safety and have access to a First Aid kit.
Our 12+ Policy
Guided tours at Wild Ken Hill hope to provide opportunities for the quiet and patient observation of nature. Some of the animals we are likely to encounter are shy or can be frightened by loud noises or sudden movements. Others may take time to find. For this reason our guided tours are suitable only for children of 12 and over. For children 11 years old or younger and accompanying adults, we offer The Big Picture for Families tour and can also arrange bespoke tours if you contact [email protected]. Both types feature activities designed to engage the younger imagination.
Vehicle-based tours
We use a modified Ifor Williams people carrier low slung for improved access.
With a handrail to the left, there are two steps up into the trailer (25cms from ground, then 38cms up to the deck) with a door-opening of 80cms. The central back-to-back seating allows one person an allocated a seat width of 45cms with an upper back rest. The vehicle is fitted with compulsory lap-fitting seat-belts and a solid safety rail 110cms high down each side. Please inform us in advance if you require more space so that vehicles are not overcrowded. The height from floor to roof in the passenger area of this vehicle is 190cms. If wet, a canvas tarpaulin with windows will be used for shelter with the window 115cms from the trailer’s deck (the window positions may reduce visibility); in dry conditions, the outside canvas will be raised. Six emergency stop buttons around the trailer can signal the driver. For Health and Safety CCTV will operate during the tour though images will not be saved. Entering the vehicle requires stepping up and simultaneously slightly ducking your head
Access at Gathering festival
Car/Bike Parking
There will be free car parking and a bike rack adjacent to Gathering. It will be approx a 3 min walk to the main tents. Please bear in mind that the field sits within a wilding area so the terrain is rough and uneven and can get muddy in poor weather. Please wear suitable footwear.
Public Transport from King’s Lynn
The nearest train station is King’s Lynn (25-35 mins). There is a taxi rank at the station and Lynx bus numbers 34, 35, and 36 run between between King’s Lynn and Hunstanton, with a request stop in either direction at Heacham Bottom Farm. Alight here for the Wild Ken Hill entrance. The bus is accessed from Stand E at King’s Lynn Bus Stop a short walk from the train station.
Accessibility on the Gathering site
Wild Ken Hill is a working farm. Its ground is therefore rough and uneven but there are no steep inclines. There will be designated disabled parking spaces and toilets. The tents, picnic area, bar and bookshop will be accessible to wheelchair users though the ground surface will be field grass in all parts of the site. Most of the programme will be audio visual and as this is our first year we are not prepared for BSL yet. The talks and workshops are relaxed and welcome all.
This is the first year that we will be running Gathering. As such, the precise layout and features of the event site are still being developed. We aim to upload further information on accessibility within the site in due course.
Water
Water filling stations will be available on the site.
Toilets
There will be unisex and disabled toilets situated around the site, signposted on the day.
Guided Tours & Workshops
Please see descriptions of the individual guided tours and workshops for accessibility information on each.