Venue access information (Bristol Hippodrome)

Venue Access Information

• Access Parking:

  Customers can park for free with a Blue Badge on double yellow lines (up to 3 hours) or parking meters (no time limit).  Closest roads to the theatre’s Access Entrance are Denmark Street, Gaunts Lane, Unity Street and Orchard Street

  Lift access:

  From the Access Entrance to the wheelchair user’s platform only

  Access toilets:

  There is a unisex wheelchair accessible toilet just inside the Access Entrance.  There is also another one at the rear of the Piano Bar at the front of the venue.

  Access to theatre bars:

  There is a wheelchair users’ platform lift  located inside the Access Entrance down to the Stalls Bar.  This bar is not always open but ‘At Seat Service’ is available on request. There is level access into Piano Bar at the front of the venue.

  Level access to the theatre:

  Through the Access Entrance in Denmark Street.  Please contact the Access line on 0800 912 6971 (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm) for specific information and booking.

   

  Wheelchair user positions & Storage:

  A number of positions are available depending on your requirements – please contact the Access line on 0800 912 6971 (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm) for specific information and booking.

  Visual Story:

  Please email bristolmarketing@theambassadors.com for a copy of our visual story which is designed to assist our patrons who are on the autistic spectrum or who have a sensory or communication condition.
   

  Please Note: the pavements on Denmark Street and the surrounding side streets are very narrow and uneven in places.

• Typetalk: 0871 297 5477  the national telephone relay service which enables deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate with hearing people over the phone.

  You can also come into the Box Office. The Box Office counter is of a height suitable for wheelchair users.

  Box Office opening hours: 10am till 6pm Monday to Saturday (extending to 15 minutes after curtain up on performance days)

  Infra-red and Induction Loop hearing systems:

  There is a Sennheiser Infra Red system throughout the auditorium, and customers can hire a headset from the kiosk on arrival.  There is also an Induction Loop system available in certain rows in the Stalls and Grand Circle –please contact the Access line on 0800 912 6971 (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm)  for full information on which rows to book for this facility. 

  Assisted Performances: Audio Description, Captioned and Sign Language Interpreted performances:

  Sign Language Interpreted Performances – For our patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing we offer British Sign Language Interpreted performances. A sign language Interpreter will be sited at the side of the stage. Please contact the Access line (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm) for information on the Sign Interpreter’s position to make your booking.

  Captioned performances – For patrons who are hearing impaired we offer Captioned performances.  Captioning is a way of converting the spoken word into visible text, that provides people with hearing loss access to live performance. Captions are displayed on two units installed on or near the stage enable people with hearing loss to understand what is said when it is said.

  Audio Described performances – For our patrons who are visually impaired we offer Audio Described performances. Audio description is a live verbal commentary, given through headsets, which describes the setting, costumes, characters, facial expressions, body language and action during silent intervals of the piece being performed. An introduction is provided prior to the show.
  
  Touch tours - Touch Tours are often available prior to an Audio Described performance - please contact the venue’s Access line on 0800 912 6971 (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm). 

  Assisted performances are available on most of the longer running shows (2 or more week runs).  For more information or to book please contact the venue’s Access line on 0800 912 6971 (Mon-Sat 9am to 10pm, Sun 10am to 8pm).

• Assistance Dogs are welcome and can be looked after by the theatre staff during the performance if requested on arrival.

• There is a unisex wheelchair accessible toilet just inside the Access Entrance.  There is also another one at the rear of the Piano Bar at the front of the venue.