Located in Hull, East Yorkshire, The Deep is just a 5 minute walk from Hull Marina and is close to the City Centre and the Museums Quarter, offering a fantastic day out for everyone. As a dedicated environmental and conservation charity, The Deep is not for profit and are committed to increasing the knowledge and understanding of the world’s oceans through its participation in vital research and conservation schemes around the world.
With regards to their accessibility, the Deep have to say this: "We are taking part in Disabled Access Day because here at The Deep as we feel we offer excellent access provisions. It is important to highlight to everyone some of the challenges which visitors with disabilities come up against and some simple steps which can be taken in order to ensure everyone can experience what we have to offer."
Hull's award winning aquarium is home to a whopping 3,500 fish including a pair of green sawfish, spectacular sharks, rays and NEW for 2014 a colony of Gentoo penguins. Journey through the creation of the Earth and the world’s oceans travelling through a unique blend of spectacular marine life from warm tropical waters to the cold Antarctic seas.
The design of The Deep has incorporated a gentle slope through the whole attraction making it accessible to everyone. Wheelchairs (including electric) are available to hire free of charge, along with a variety of walking aids including rollaters. The attraction has been awarded Gold in the National Enjoy England Awards - Access for All category, 2011, and Silver in the Enjoy England Award in the Access for All Category, 2009.
The Deep has its own car park on site with disabled parking available, nearest the entrance. Parking is free of charge to blue badge holders. Disabled toilets, with emergency call alarms, are available on every level of the building. All disabled toilet facilities have wide doors to accommodate wheel chair and mobility scooter users. There are railings around the toilet with lowered sinks with easy turn taps. For visitors who require a larger area for changing, a first aid room is available on request.
Limited seating is available within the exhibition, visitors requiring regular breaks may like to borrow a rollator free of charge from reception. The café on the third floor provides wheel chair height tables. All assistance and hearing dogs are welcome at The Deep.
There is a vast amount of information within the exhibition that is purely visual in content. Visitors with hearing difficulties are able to obtain audio and braille guides from reception free of charge. Induction loops can be found at reception, till points within the gift shop and also in the conference suite in the Learning Centre. Personal induction loops are also available to hire free of charge.
Essential carers are admitted free of charge on a one to one basis. In some cases The Deep may ask for proof of disability and the nature of the essential care needed if this is not obvious.
On various dates throughout the year organised “quiet days” are held in the attraction. On these dates the audio system is turned down, the lighting is increased and BSL signed presentations are held. The next quiet day will be held on Sunday 14th December.
Don’t miss the fantastic daily dive shows at 2pm or the Endless Wonders presentation where you can learn more about the beautiful creatures that call The Deep home. There are some fantastic activities in the tropical Lagoon of Light including scatter feed snack time, under the surface presentations and Dylan’s Discovery Corner sessions where you can learn about some of the smaller native species to the UK including starfish, velvet swimmer crabs and sea urchins.
