The Redcliffe ‘Caves’ are a series of man-made tunnels beneath the Redcliffe area of Bristol, originally dug to provide sand for glass-making and pottery production The tunnel complex has been adapted to allow for access, including the addition of a ramp at the entrance, but is not generally open to the public.

Address: Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS1 6SR

The Redcliffe Caves have some accessibility information available to view on their website, however this pack covers all this information as well as additional notes specifically for the performance: http://redcliffecaves.org.uk/

Bristol Harbour Festival also have general accessibility information for the Festival available here: https://www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk/festival-information-access-information .

Additional information specifically about the Redcliffe Caves can be found here: http://redcliffecaves.org.uk/

Please note that there is no adjoining visitor centre, café or permanent toilets at the Caves, although Bristol Harbour Festival will be providing an accessible portaloo for use during our days of performances on the 21^st and 22^nd July 2018.

The Redcliffe Caves contain a relatively even walkway throughout. Wheelchair users and those with limited mobility can access the majority of the caves.

The Caves are dry with only the occasional puddle that can easily be avoided, but we suggest that stout shoes are worn. The Red Sandstone that the caves are cut from can lightly stain clothing so an old coat could be worn to prevent this. The Caves are not cold, just a pleasant temperature. There is no permanent lighting but we will be providing lighting for the performances and each audience member will also be provided with a torch. The caves are roomy, there is no crawling and on only a couple of occasions you will be required to stoop.

All tickets are free for our performances in the Redcliffe Caves, but please remember to book for your total party size including any personal assistant/support worker tickets as we have a strictly limited capacity in the caves.

Contact Kate McStraw, our Producer, via phone 07792 377106 or email katemcstraw@hotmail.co.uk if you have any questions.

Bus

The nearest bus stop to the Redcliffe Caves is on Redcliffe Way (Bristol BS1 6AL; service name: BRIS). For timetables for this service, visit: https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/plan-journey/timetables/?day=1&source_id=2&service=BRIS&routeid=20510431&operator=3&source=sp . Buses leave Brislington Park and Ride every 10-20 minutes depending on the time of day, and also travel via Bristol Temple Meads Station and the City Centre.

Train

The nearest train station is Bristol Temple Meads, approximately 4 minutes by taxi from the train station to the Redcliffe Caves or 17 minutes by bus from Bristol Temple Meads, Temple Gate Stop to Redcliffe Way (https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/plan-journey/timetables/?day=1&source_id=2&service=BRIS&routeid=20510431&operator=3&source=sp).

First Great Western operate trains from London (Paddington), Reading and Bath into Bristol. You can find out more about their services here: https://www.gwr.com/ .

Virgin Trains operate services between Bristol, the Midlands and the North. You can find out more about their services here: https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ .

For train times, you can also contact the National Rail Enquiry line on 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

Additional information about travelling to Bristol Harbour Festival is available here: https://www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk/festival-information-getting-here

The nearest parking for those visiting the Redcliffe Caves is the Redcliffe Parade Long Stay Car Park (https://www.bristol.gov.uk/parking/redcliffe-parade-long-stay-car-park), but we do expect that this will be busy during the weekend of Bristol Harbour Festival. There is a long slope down from the car park to the Phoenix Wharf entrance to the caves.

Please do not park on Phoenix Wharf unless you have permission to do so as this is a wheel clamping area.

Venue opening times

The Redcliffe Caves are not generally open to the public.

Arriving at the venue

On arrival, you will approach the tunnels entrance by walking downhill from Redcliffe Parade or over Redcliffe Bascule Bridge and along the harbourside (which is flat, hard standing pavement). There is a map on the 'Map & Directions' section of the Redcliffe Caves website: http://redcliffecaves.org.uk/.

Access contact on site

Should you need to speak to one of us prior to the performance start, please ask at the entrance for either Kate or Katie.

Arrival times

You are advised to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your selected performance time; if you would like to arrive more than 30 minutes prior to your selected performance time, please contact us in advance to arrange this.

Please note that the performance will be 45-50 minutes in duration with no interval

Ticket collection

As our performances at the Redcliffe Caves are free you will not be provided with a paper ticket, but you will be asked to confirm that your name is on our Eventbrite guestlist when you arrive.

There are no permanent toilet facilities on-site. Accessible portaloo facilities will be provided during the Bristol Harbour Festival.

The route is flat from the cave to the portaloo.

At this time, we are not able to offer Audio Enhancement such as loops, intra red or mobile connect systems / British Sign Language / Captioning / Audio Description / Relaxed Performances – however this is something we are looking to explore for future performances. Should you have any feedback on this, please do get in contact.

Registered Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Disability Support Dogs, Medical Assistance Dogs, Disability Assistance Dogs and Seizure Alert Dogs are permitted to enter the venue. Owners are responsible for the control of their dogs at all times and they must be on a lead whilst in the Caves.

Please contact us in advanced to discuss accommodation of an assistance dog.

The Caves will be electrically lit but the lighting levels are purposefully kept low to protect the tunnel environment. Please note that there may be moments (approximately 30 seconds long each) of blackout during the performance. If you would like any further information on this, please contact us.

The performance in underscored by recorded music throughout, and there is a live musician (song and guitar) performing within the piece. If you would like any further information on this, or copies of the lyrics being sung, please contact us.

The Caves are dry with only the occasional puddle that can easily be avoided, but we suggest that stout shoes are worn. The Red Sandstone that the caves are cut from can lightly stain clothing so an old coat could be worn to prevent this. The Caves are not cold, just a pleasant temperature. There is no permanent lighting but we will be providing lighting for the performances and each audience member will also be provided with a torch. The caves are roomy, there is no crawling and on only a couple of occasions you will be required to stoop.

This is a promenade performance, watching sections of dance at different sites throughout the Caves. It is approximately 45-50 minutes in duration, and we ask our audiences to stand and walk throughout. Should you need to bring a fold-up seat with you to access the performance, you are welcome to do so, but please inform us on arrival so that we can assist you as required to ensure best sight lines and to inform you of longer sections, where it is most appropriate to sit. All sections are no longer than 5 minutes duration, before walking to the next section.

On arrival you will be given a torch, attached to a lanyard, to wear during the performance. This is a safety precaution, meaning you can shine the torch directly up onto the Cave ceiling should you need assistance / first aid / wish to leave the performance for any reason. If you shine the torch, one of the performance stewards will come to assist you as required.

Head protection helmets are not required in the tunnels.

The performance is 45-50 minutes in duration with no interval.