Bristol is home to a diverse range of attractions, cultural venues and green spaces, welcoming visitors from across the UK. Making these destinations accessible to everyone is essential to ensuring that people with complex disabilities can enjoy days out with family, friends and carers.
At Astor Bannerman, we’re proud to have contributed to accessible facilities across Bristol, helping venues provide the specialist equipment needed to support comfort, dignity and independence.
From exploring interactive science exhibits at We The Curious to enjoying a film at Odeon Luxe Cabot Circus, these projects demonstrate the important role that Changing Places toilets play in creating more inclusive public spaces.
Page Park, Bristol
Page Park, located in Staple Hill, South Gloucestershire, is a much-loved green space where the local community can enjoy the outdoors. With support from South Gloucestershire Council and the Friends of Page Park, a new Changing Places toilet was installed to help make the park more accessible to visitors with complex disabilities.
The facility provides essential space and specialist equipment for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets, helping visitors enjoy the park with greater confidence.
The installation includes:
- Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist
- Astor ABW6 Height Adjustable Wash Basin
- Astor Invincible Height Adjustable Changing Table
- Mobile Privacy Screen
These facilities support safer transfers and personal care while helping to maintain users’ dignity and comfort.
The project is an important step towards making public parks and outdoor spaces more inclusive for everyone.
Odeon Luxe, Cabot Circus
Cinema trips are an important part of spending time with friends and family, and accessible facilities help ensure that more people can enjoy these experiences.
The new Odeon Luxe cinema at Cabot Circus opened in February 2026, bringing a modern cinema experience to the heart of Bristol. Its Changing Places toilet provides specialist facilities for visitors who require additional space and equipment for personal care.
Astor Bannerman supplied and installed key equipment for the facility, including:
- Astor OT200 Ceiling Track Hoist
- Astor CTE3 Height Adjustable Changing Table
- Astor ABW-CP Wash Basin
- KwickScreen Privacy Screen
The room also features a full-room-coverage alarm system, grab rails, a wide access door and clear signage.
By considering accessibility as part of the overall venue design, Odeon Luxe helps make cinema visits more achievable for people with complex care needs.
We The Curious, Bristol
Situated on Bristol’s Harbourside, We The Curious is an interactive science museum that encourages visitors of all ages to explore, experiment and discover.
With hands-on exhibits and engaging experiences, it is a destination where accessibility can make a meaningful difference to how visitors participate and enjoy their day.
We The Curious provides a range of accessibility features, including accessible pathways, sensory bags, clear signage and a Quiet Room. Its Changing Places toilet adds another important layer of support for visitors who require specialist personal care facilities.
The room includes:
Designed in line with the Changing Places specification, the facility provides approximately 12 square metres of space for a wheelchair user and up to two carers.
Our team visited We The Curious with Leo and Jess from L&J Cool Access Consultancy to experience the venue’s accessibility first-hand. The visit demonstrated how thoughtful design and suitable facilities can help people with disabilities take part in activities and enjoy new experiences with greater confidence.
The Changing Places toilet is also available to visitors to the Harbourside during the venue’s opening hours, subject to access arrangements. Visitors should check directly with We The Curious before travelling.
Royal West of England Academy (RWA), Bristol
The Royal West of England Academy is a prominent cultural destination in Bristol, showcasing exhibitions, events and workshops within its historic Grade II* listed building.
Ensuring that heritage and cultural venues are accessible presents particular challenges, making the provision of suitable facilities an important part of welcoming a wider range of visitors.
RWA has introduced a Changing Places facility to support visitors with complex mobility and personal care needs, helping more people enjoy its exhibitions and cultural programme in comfort and dignity.
The facility includes:
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Mobile Privacy Screen
We visited RWA with Leo and his carer, Jess, to see how the facility worked for people who rely on specialist equipment. Their feedback highlighted the value of having sufficient space and the right equipment available when visiting public venues.
By investing in accessibility, RWA is helping to make art and culture more welcoming and accessible to a wider audience.
Changing Places Toilets: Facilities Designed Around People
Changing Places toilets provide more space and specialist equipment than a standard accessible toilet. They are designed for people who need additional support with personal care, including those who cannot use conventional accessible facilities.
A well-designed Changing Places toilet typically includes:
- An adult-sized, height-adjustable changing table
- A ceiling track hoist to support transfers
- A height-adjustable wash basin
- A centrally positioned toilet with appropriate support rails
- Space for a wheelchair user and up to two carers
- A privacy screen and appropriate safety features
When these facilities are carefully specified and installed, they can help remove barriers to visiting public attractions, taking part in community activities and enjoying time away from home.
Each project has its own requirements, so room dimensions, equipment positioning, access arrangements and relevant guidance should be considered from the outset.
Get In Touch
The projects across Bristol demonstrate how accessible facilities can help create more inclusive destinations, from parks and cinemas to museums and galleries.
At Astor Bannerman, we manufacture and supply specialist equipment for Changing Places toilets, supporting projects with solutions designed around the needs of users and carers.
We believe accessibility should be considered from the earliest stages of planning, helping organisations create practical spaces that support personal care, dignity and independence.
Whether you are planning a new Changing Places toilet or upgrading an existing facility, our team can help you identify suitable equipment and work towards a compliant specification.
