Accessibility
The Arts by the Sea festival is a free cultural event that takes place in Bournemouth.
Our Mission is to create:
A celebration of art, culture, people and place with inspirational and inclusive experiences, rooted in our location and reflecting our communities.
Our Values are:
Respect
Inclusivity
Community
We aim to create an inclusive environment and are committed to ensuring that all people find the festival a safe environment where diversity is embraced. We understand that when planning your journey, accessibility will be foremost in your thoughts which is why we are committed to removing barriers to access. We are taking positive action to ensure that everyone can attend, participate in and enjoy the festival experience.
Feedback
If your experience of Arts by the Sea festival falls outside of our Mission, our Values or our Inclusivity aims, please get in touch.
We would love to hear from you so we can understand, learn and improve. Contact us at leigh.hayler@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
The Festival Site
Performances take place in the Square and Bournemouth Lower Gardens.
- There is level access from the Square into Bournemouth Lower Gardens.
The festival locations of The Square and Lower Gardens are all on the level. The Square is the easiest place to access these locations. Access from other points (e.g. Westover Road) may involve some slopes or stairs.
Access
Approaches and Entrances
There is level access to performances taking place in Bournemouth Gardens from The Square.
Levels and gradients
The festival locations of The Square and Lower Gardens are all on the level. The Square is the easiest place to access these locations. Access from other points (e.g. Westover Road) may involve some slopes.
Signage
The performance areas are zoned and numbered. There are large numbered flags in each zone area. Accessible Viewing Area are signposted by flags and shown on the festival map. The Information Point is located in the Lower Gardens and signposted by a flag.
Lifts
You can find the lift on the right-hand side of the Pavilion as you face the front of the building on Westover Road. It gives access from the Pavilion to the Pavilion Terrace overlooking the Gardens. Access to the Lower Gardens and beach from Pavilion Terrace is past Pavilion Dance South West, down a slope and under the flyover to Pier Approach. The lift is wide enough for one full size wheelchair but may not be wide enough for a large electric wheelchair or mobility scooter. The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
There is a cafe on Pavilion Terrace which is only accessible via a slope near the flyover. The café has outside seating and staff will clear an accessible route if there is any obstruction. For more information on using the lift and accessible routes around the Pavilion, please visit their website or contact the venue.
Accessible WC's
Public toilets
Lower Gardens has a permanent Changing Places toilet in the public toilet block.
The festival also provides a Changing Places toilet in the lower gardens staffed between midday and 6.00pm Saturday
There are also accessible toilets around the festival site:
- Bournemouth Central East Promenade, next to Harry Ramsden’s
- Pier Entrance
- Richmond Gardens, Floor 1 multi-storey car park
- Bournemouth Library in The Triangle
Quiet Spaces
Arts by the Sea Festival can be a busy environment, but there are some spaces that are quieter, these are near to the beach and in central gardens. Sound-cancelling ear defenders are available at the Information Point in the Lower Gardens.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance Dogs (and all dogs) are welcome in all areas of the festival site (outside the Town Hall, in Central Gardens, Middle Gardens, Lower Gardens, Town Square and Pier Approach). Between 1 May and 30 September, dogs are not allowed on most of the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenades and paths.
We remind all doggie parents to make sure that you have everything you need to pick up after your pets.
For exact beach locations where dogs are permitted visit the BCP Council website. Click Here