Parking
There is a large private car park adjacent to our site, where Sanctuary visitors can park all day for a discounted rate. Please ensure that you pay for parking at the machine inside the Sanctuary during your visit.
We regret that free parking for Blue Badge holders is not currently available in the private car park adjacent to our site. There are council owned long stay car parks at Yaverland and Fort Street, where free parking for Blue Badge holders is available.
Please note: the car park adjacent to our site is not owned or controlled by our Sanctuary, and we do not derive any revenue from it.
Registered Carer Access
A registered carer accompanying a disabled visitor will be admitted free of charge providing supporting documentation is provided, for example a current DLA letter or an Access Card with a +1 symbol. The normal admission or membership fee applies to the disabled visitor.
Buses
Southern Vectis buses 2, 3 and 8 serve Sandown and timetable information can be found on the Southern Vectis website.
Admissions
If you require both doors to be opened for you to enter our entrance building, please either ask at reception or ring the doorbell for assistance.
Once you have entered the doors to our entrance building, the admissions desk is directly in front of you . There is a lowered section for your convenience.
Shop
The entrance to our shop is accessed through our admissions area and down a sloped section. Assistance is available on request.
Café
Our café has moveable seating and tables. Food is ordered at the counter which has a lowered section for your convenience.
Our Café staff are happy to assist you by carrying your refreshments to your table if required.
Accessible Toilets
There is a large disabled toilet located inside our Café and another located in the main toilet block inside the Sanctuary grounds. Please ask for assistance if required.
The Sanctuary
The surfaces inside our Sanctuary grounds may vary, ranging from smooth sections of tarmac to more uneven grass and gravel areas. We ask that our visitors take care when using the pathways inside our Sanctuary as there may be trip hazards, which are highlighted with signs and tactile displays. Many of our animal habitats have different height viewing areas, and no part of the Sanctuary relies on the use of steps.
Registered Assistance Dogs
Registered Assistance Dogs and fully trained Ability Dogs are allowed inside the Sanctuary grounds when notifying our admissions team upon arrival. However, there are a few areas which are excluded to protect the welfare of our rescued animals, and these areas are well sign posted.
All dogs are allowed inside the Wildheart Café, which is open to the public all year round and does not require Sanctuary admission tickets to enter. We are pleased to provide dog water bowls inside our Café.
Mobility Aids
The Sanctuary has one manual wheelchair available for free loan. We recommend booking one in advance, particularly during the peak season. Island Mobility offers wheelchair hire on the Island.
We do not own any mobility scooters, but the local company Coastal Mobility offers scooters for hire so you may wish to consider using them.