Welcome to The Deep, Hull’s award winning aquarium, offering a great family day out for visitors with access or additional needs.
Our aim is to deliver excellent service to all of our visitors and continually strive to improve and provide a quality experience for everyone.
We appreciate any feedback and would love to hear about your experience of visiting The Deep. If you would like to leave us a review, please visit Euan's Guide.
We are committed to accessibility for all visitors, we are continually updating and adding to our wide range of tools and information to ensure an accessible family day out.
To help you plan for your visit, please see our Access Guide which offers lots of handy hints and tips to help you get the most out of your day.
Should you need any further information or assistance please email us or call 01482 381000 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm or Saturday & Sunday, 9am - 1pm)
Our Social Story is a helpful tool for families with additional needs to more effectively plan their day.
This provides information on what you will encounter on arrival to The Deep, throughout your visit and on departure. As well as details on some of the people you are likely to meet.
We offer a wide range of tools and support to help make your visit and journey around The Deep as enjoyable as possible.
All of the below are available free of charge - just speak to our team on the Reception desk when you arrive and they'll gladly help you.
Sensory Pack
Sensory packs are available to borrow from our reception team. These contain ear defenders, crayons, a picture to colour in, a viewfinder, a small sensory toy, a printed social story, some PEC cards, a red/green card, and a map of the attraction. All are popped into a canvas bag, which we ask you to return to reception at the end of your visit.
Mobility Aids
We are pleased to be able to offer complimentary use of the following mobility aids during your visit:
- Electric scooters (3) - please note, these cannot be pre-booked and are available on a first come, first served basis
- Wheelchairs (7)
- Walking aids (4) - 2 rollators with seats and 2 tri-walkers
To pre-book selected wheelchairs or walking aids please email us or call 01482 381000 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 1pm).
Quiet Space
Should you need a quiet space during your visit for prayer, breast feeding or any other reason, please just ask a member of staff who can take you to an appropriate quiet area or room.
Our Changing Places facility offers those with additional needs and their carers additional space and equipment in a comfortable environment.
It is available to anyone who needs it, not just those visiting the aquarium and is accessible without having to pay entry.
Located on the ground floor near the lifts, it can be accessed using a radar key. Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance.
The room includes:
- Adjustable bench (currently unable to adjust height. Please use hoist provided.)
- Hoist
- Adjustable basin and mirror
- Centrally placed toilet
- Portable privacy screen
Further information on our Changing Places facility can be found in our Access Guide.
We are a proud supporter of a number of schemes designed to make your visit a less daunting and more enjoyable experience.
For more information on any of the below please get in touch on 01482 381000 or feel free to email us.
Not Every Disability is Visible
We understand that people with a variety of conditions need to use accessible toilets whilst out and about. We are proud to support of the Not Every Disability is Visible campaign by Crohn's & Colitis UK. You can find out more here.
Safe Place Scheme
We are pleased to be a supporter of the Safe Place scheme which supports vulnerable people - including those with dementia, learning difficulties, or other needs - to feel safe out and about in the city.
A Safe Place has stickers staff there can support a person and help them make contact with carers or loved ones, then stay with them until that person arrives. Find out more about the Safe Place Scheme here.
Sunflower Scheme
We are proud to support the Sunflower lanyard scheme, supporting visitors with hidden disabilities.The scheme offers people with conditions such as autism, dementia or sensory impairment a way to be discreetly identifiable, by wearing the lanyards, pin badges or other sunflower items allowing us to be aware they may need additional time or support during their visit.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard scheme has been successfully introduced to a number of major UK airports, supermarkets, railway stations, sports venues and is now looking to be acknowledged by attractions throughout the UK.
How to get a Sunflower lanyard
Sunflower items including lanyards, pin badges, wristbands etc. can be purchased by those with hidden disabilities or their carers directly from the Hidden Disabilities Store
Our accessible entrance is located nearest to the Humber Estuary, close to the accessible parking bays and there is generally a shorter queue at this entrance. This entrance is welcome to anyone who needs to use it.
Please note that, although we make every attempt to keep queues to a minimum, there will be a queuing system on busy days (including weekends and school holidays). The Deep tends to be busier when it is raining.
The Deep recommends pre-booking your visit to avoid disappointment, as we cannot guarantee walk up entries during busier periods, such as school and bank holidays etc. You must book a time for your arrival, but once you are inside you are not restricted to how much time you spend. On average our visitors spend between 2 and 3 hours at The Deep.
Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Dogs are welcome at The Deep.
Here are some top tips for helping you and your Assistance Dog or Emotional Support Dog to have a safe and enjoyable visit to The Deep: