Buggy parks, feeding spaces, baby change - who has what?*
*Info taken from websites as of Feb 2024.
Info in italics is directly from the venue / org.
A note on using this guide
Many of the venues / orgs listed here are charities operating at a time of relentless arts cuts.
So don’t be put off if they don’t have everything on the list right now - often the most important thing is their openness & commitment to learn & accommodate.
I’d always encourage a conversation with them about what you need as the first port of call.
If you spot something that needs correcting: hello@southcoastfamilytheatre.co.uk.
I cover Dorset and surrounding areas - Family Arts Network do a UK-wide directory.
Bournemouth
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Central Bournemouth (by the pier)
>> Access info and virtual tour
Baby change: Accessible spaces on the ground and first floors located within changing rooms.
Feeding spaces: We do not have a dedicated space but have an open policy for feeding wherever people feel comfortable. We can usually find a private space such as a changing room or dressing room if people prefer.
Babycchinos: They have a hot drinks machine but this caters for adults only - there is cafe next door, The Terrace Bistro or the Prom Cafe on the seafront.
Buggy Park: Dedicated indoor parking area for bikes and buggies on the ground floor (underneath the stairs)
Water bottle refill: Water dispenser on the ground and first floor
Step free access: Yes, and lift in the building
Other: We have an outdoor lift for those with buggies etc approaching from Westover Road. If approaching from the sea, there is level or ramped access.
SCFT Tips: Family shows at PDSW are always relaxed performances - often intimate, with seating on the floor (check the particular show!)
Dance is awesome for babies - as a mostly non-verbal artform. The beach is right there if you need to blow off steam after being inside.
Central Car Park is a short walk away and cheaper then the Pavilion / seafront carparks which get very busy in the summer. -
>> Access Info
Baby change: We have three baby change within the venue. One is in the main foyer on the ground floor. The second is on the Mezzanine level which is closer to the Ballroom and accessible via a lift. The third is half way up the steps to the circle.
Feeding spaces:
If necessary, we would be able to find a quiet space somewhere in the venue - location would depend on the day.
Babycchinos:
At present we don’t.
There are cafes around Pavilion and in the lower gardens / seafront.Buggy Park:
For theatre shows we park buggies down the corridors either side of the stalls. Unfortunately, they can not be taken into the auditorium.
Water bottle refill:
All our bars offer tap water and refills.
Step free access: Entry to the building is via a ramp and semi automatic doors. Wheelchair access is possible to the majority of public areas within the Pavilion - with the exception of the Snug Bar, Committee Room, Circle and Circle Bar.
Other:Any specific event/ show information regarding children will be posted on our website ie. age restrictions for show, babes in arms policies. Oh – and we don’t offer booster seats at the theatre but parents are welcome to bring car boosters if they wish.
SCFT Tips: Pavilion Theatre is very close to Bournemouth pier - so great to visit the beach / gardens after sitting still! Parking can be expensive and busy around the summer holidays - I recommend Central Car Park a few mins aways. Pavilion is close to Bournemouth Square and most bus routes.
Bridport
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Bridport Arts Centre
>> Access info
Baby Change: In the accessible toilet area
Feeding: As our use of the venue is pretty limited at present, we don’t have a dedicated space I’m afraid
Babycchios: There’s no cafe at the venue
Buggy Park: Buggies can be parked around the building safely
Water refill: There is drinking water provided on the square outside the building and we offer water at the bar.
Christchurch
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>> Access info
Baby change: In the disabled toilet
Feeding spaces: We have a small café space
Babycchinos: No
Buggy Park: No
Water refill: We have tap water. Customers need to speak to coffee bar volunteers or front of house to get water/refills.
Dorset - Various
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Artsreach
Artsreach programnme shows across Dorset in a variety of locations - very often rural Dorset.
The majority of our 40+ venues are village hall / community spaces. Most of these now have disabled access, and an accessible toilet, and we indicate such information for each venue on the venues section of our website.
We do also encourage our audiences to contact the local volunteer box office number if they have any questions or concerns ahead of their visit - our volunteers are amazing and always happy to help.SCFT: Artsreach programme great shows for young people - often in village hall type spaces which aren't too cavernous or large - they can feel more chilled out than larger formal theatre spaces, so I’d really recommend seeing what they have on.
Eastleigh
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The Point
>> Access info
Baby change: Baby changing facilities are located opposite the Café Bar, which is also nice and close to the main theatre, as well as in the toilets adjacent to the Studio Theatre.
Feeding spaces: We don’t have a dedicated breastfeeding space, however the Atrium is more private than our Foyer, and also has a space for toddlers to play.
Babycchinos: Our Café Bar does serve babycinos and these cost £1 each. Our Atrium also has a newly refurbished kids zone for your little ones to enjoy as you sit back and enjoy a coffee.
Buggy Park: Whilst seeing a production in our theatre, buggies can be held in the adjoining corridor.
Water bottle refill: Our water cooler is located next to the Box Office and the bar also provides water in their refill station. There is also a water cooler near the Studio Theatre up the stairs to the Conference Room.
Step free access: The Point is fully wheelchair accessible with flat level access to our Box Office and all performance spaces.
Other: When taking children to the theatre, we would recommend checking how far the closest parking is from the venue, checking the venue’s website to see what refreshments are available at the on-site café, and looking at the booking terms and conditions to see if the theatre offers any discounts. For example, on selected shows at the Point, children under 10 months old can be admitted for free.
SCFT Tips: They have free WiFi, power sockets and comfortable seating if you want to hang out there longer.
Festivals / Popups
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BEAF Arts Co - based in Boscombe
>> More on young peoples projects
BEAF are an innovative and independent organisation of freelancers and volunteers, who feel passionately that culture changes communities for the better.
Alongside their ongoing projects and workshops they curate an annual festival.
More info incoming…
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>> Accessibilty info
The festival have accessible viewing areas and some seating provided. They hire in a changing places toilet (there is also one in the gardens).
They have a quiet space (tent and chairs), which can be used by anyone wanting to get away from the crowds.
Last year they did some work with autism unlimited, so had adult and child ear defenders for audience to borrow and also a selection of fidget toys. They also produce an access guide each festival.SCFT TOP TOPS: ABTSF is a great one to take young people too - most events are free and happen around Bournemouth gardens / seafront. This means you can hop between shows and run around on the grass / beach as you wish! It usually happens over a weekend, so is a great one to just pick a day, and wander round without too much of a plan.
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>> Access Info
When we stage our outdoor multi-location performance festival, Inside Out Dorset every two years, we hire Mobiloo who have accessible toilets that offer a place for breastfeeding and baby changing. We offer free drinking water and always advertise the festival as Accessible.
We offer access guides that describe the terrain and how long the walks are when pushing a buggy or a wheelchair.
We have written event description information so parents or carers can read about the details of the event before committing so that there is no surprises regarding flashing lights, loud noises, long trail paths etc.
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b-side
Isle of Portland>> Access info
They are a multi site festival using existing venues and non arts spaces - so no single answer here - but lots of great info:
We try as much as possible to make our festival as accessible for visitors with mobility difficulties, using wheelchairs or pushing buggies. We use ramps where we can and our Festival Guide has lots of information on access for visitors so they can plan their visit and what is accessible to them.
We usually film the route to difficult sites and share the films on our website so you can see the route, the ground cover, levels and how easy or not it is to walk on.
We often programme quieter events or versions of events (e.g limited numbers) for those who might find noise or crowds an issue, we often programme interactive family-friendly events too.We would always accommodate feeding where we can (ie if venue has a suitable area) - but again this does depend on the sites we use each year.
We have a policy of making our work as accessible as we can - and if we can't of making this information available to people BEFORE they visit.
Ferndown
New Milton
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>> Access info
Baby Change: In our accessible toilet
Feeding spaces: Our café can be used
Babyccinos: No
Buggy park: No
Water refill: Yes from the cafe
Step free access: There is level access to the theatre, bar, gallery and workshop areas.
Poole
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Lighthouse Poole
Central Poole (By the Dolphin Shopping Centre)>> Access info
Baby change: Baby changing facilities can be found in the ground and first floor toilets in both male and female toilets.
Feeding spaces: We do not have a dedicated space, but staff will be happy to assist in finding a quiet area if needed.
Babycchinos: Not at present, but The Beacon has a range of drinks and food for all ages.
Buggy Park: Yes, on the ground floor, near the ticket office.
Step free access: There is level access to the foyers, bars, Café, toilets and performance spaces and all floors. We have lift access to every floor. The lift is situated near the Sherling Studio.
SCFT Tips: Shows in the Sherling Studio are great for young audiences because it’s a small space with soft benches for seating.
Portland
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>> Access info
Baby Change: In our accessible toilets. One is located at the end of the bar on level one, one is located just outside of Studio 1 and one is located just outside of Studio 2 & 3 on level two.
Feeding spaces: We’re registered with the breastfeeding network as part of their breastfeeding friendly scheme. It’s a scheme that helps to show that we welcome and support breastfeeding families into our venue. The aim of the scheme is to support families to feel confident breastfeeding out and about and to raise awareness about the benefits and barriers to breastfeeding. More information on the scheme can be found on their website.
Babycchinos: Yes – they are 50p
Buggy Park: When we have shows and activity in the building that is aimed at young audiences, we set up a buggy park on level one towards the end of the bar. This is free of charge.
Water refill: Yes, this is available from a dispenser at the end of the bar and there is also a dispenser on level two.
Step free access: All areas of MAST are fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with mobility problems.
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>> Access info
Baby change: We have baby change facilities located in the mens’ toilet outside the Stalls on the left-hand side of the building and in the ladies’ toilet outside the Circle level on the right-hand side of the building. We also have a dedicated Changing Places toilet and, whilst this is proritised for adults with additional needs, naturally we have no concerns with people using it for children if no adults require it at the time.
Feeding spaces: We would support any customer who wished to breastfeed in any of our bars but completely understand that people may prefer a degree of privacy for this. In these cases we recommend that they speak with a member of staff. We do not have a dedicated space for it but we do have some private function spaces and, if one is available at the time, we can open them up for anyone requiring such privacy.
Babycchinos: No
Buggy park: The best place for leaving buggies is in the space at the far right-hand side of main foyer. A member of staff can point anyone to the area.
Water refill: Tap water and water refills are available in all our bars. If a bar itself is busy please speak to a member of staff and we can try and make someone available to fill a bottle on the customer’s behalf.
Step free access: You will find the accessible entrance to the right of the main foyer doors, here you will have step free access into the stalls.
Other: We realise that young children can find the theatre quite loud. Whilst we have no say over show volume as it is a creative decision by the producers we can provide ear defenders for children to help them make the most of their visit. Please speak to a member of staff in the foyer and we can arrange this.
Please be aware that every customer in the auditorium requires a ticket for licencing reasons. Some shows do allow children under 2 to enter for free and sometimes customers think this means they do not need a ticket. This can sometimes case some delays and frustration on customer’s behalf when they are told they don’t have enough tickets and have to go to the box office. If customer makes the box office aware when booking of precisely how many people are coming regardless of age then our box office will be able to help with the best possible offer and make sure that everyone’s experience goes as smoothly as possible on the day.
Southampton
Verwood
Weymouth
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Baby change: In the disabled toilet. It is accessed with a radar key, which we open on request.
Feeding spaces: If a show is on and the need to feed arises then the ocean room can be used. It is only accessed with a key pad lock, so general public cant just walk in.
Babycchinos: No we don’t as we have a coffee machine as opposed to a barista
Buggy park: When a show is on the long corridor leading to the ocean room is always used for trolleys and disabled scooters. There is plenty of space and they are safe and out of the way of guests
Water refills: Yes at all times and free
Other: We do food and have a menu for children which has the usual favourites for kids, nuggets, sausages and Bolognese etc. Nothing makes us happier than seeing the next generation use the theatre. They are the future of keeping us going. The pavilion has a really nice family feel.