Exciting Accessibility Enhancements at windmill hill City Farm

24th June 2026

At Windmill Hill City Farm we strive to be a welcoming place for all. This includes being as accessible as possible for our disabled visitors.

 

In 2025 we invited the disability charity, WECIL, to carry out an audit of our site and buildings.

WECIL sent a group of adults with different disabilities to spend the day on site and they produced a full report of where we could be doing better to make the farm more accessible. Having people from outside of our organisation with first-hand experience has been a brilliant way to truly understand what we need to change.

We took WECIL's report and turned it into an actionable plan for us to work on throughout the year and beyond.

 

We are happy to announce the following accessibility improvements.
 

 

1. The volunteer building (Old Dairy) has had a complete refit of the volunteer areas. It now has a ramp up to the door, an adjustable height sink, adjustable height tables, a private meeting room, dementia friendly flooring

 

2. We have created 'easy read' information sheets for volunteers engaged in gardening and animal care activities

 

3. A new plinth has been made for the donation point at a wheelchair accessible height

 

4. The maintenance team built a wheelchair accessible ramp onto the stage in the Outdoor Theatre

 

5. The maintenance team have painted white rings on vertical posts around site for visibility

 

6. There are now standing desks available in the majority of staff offices  

 

7. Staff in the Outdoor Learning and Health and Social Care teams now have access to a Widgit account (a visual communication support tool)

 

8. The new website has launched, it was designed with accessibility in mind and has an accessibility plug-in

 

9. DDA dots have now been added to all necessary doors and windows around site for visibility

 

10. There are now grab rails installed in the workshop, and around our animal pens and paddocks

11. There is now an accessible path around the gardens, the road leading from the compound gate to the end of the greenhouse has been levelled and resurfaced, the ramps into the gardens and the Barn Terrace have also been resurfaced and made less steep.

 

12. We have created an inclusive language guide and circulated it to all staff

 

13. A clear and easy to read ‘Ask for assistance’ sign has been put up around the café  

 

14. Our Health and Social Care team have completed epilepsy training

 

15. Four new recycled plastic benches have been placed around the garden to offer more accessible seating options

 

16. The Health and Social Care team purchased two adapted wheelbarrows for people with mobility impairments.

 

17. Three new sawhorses have been ordered for the workshop; these are more lightweight and easier to use than the old wooden ones

 

18. Walkaround completed of all spaces available for hire and summary of access added to each venue page on the website, including distance to nearest accessible toilet and whether step-free access is available.

 

19. We have built a new recycling station for the café garden which is more accessible and easier to use for all.

 

20. Funding has been used to purchase stoma shelves, full length mirrors, lever taps, contrasting grab rails and toilet seats, new signage, and paddle locks for the three accessible toilets across site that we are upgrading.

 

21. Visibility strips have been added to the steps outside the Studio.

 

22. The café now has an accessible menu on the website that was designed to work with screen readers. QR codes that link to this will be put around the café.

 

23. Two new benches have been installed around paddock paths for resting places, funded by Bedminster Secret Gardens.

 

24. Question added to venue hire form to ask about access requirements.

 

25. Our guinea pig and chick housing has been rebuilt to be more accessible, with a gate, lower entry point and seating

We are continuously trying to improve our visitor experience to ensure everyone feels welcome at Windmill Hill City Farm.

 

If you have more suggestions to make our city farm more accessible please let us know.

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