Woburn Safari Park Unveils ‘Trailblazing’ SEND Education Facility

A New Standard for Inclusive Education

Developed in collaboration with specialists and families, the center aims to close a long-standing gap in accessible tourism. The facility is not merely an adapted space but was engineered from the ground up to support the sensory and emotional needs of its visitors.

Natasha Kyle, Head of Education at Woburn Safari Park, explained the mission behind the project:

“For too long, many children with SEND have missed out on experiences like visiting a zoo or taking part in animal care. We’ve created an environment where children can feel safe, supported, and inspired—where they can build confidence and develop a lifelong connection with learning.”

Key Features of the SENse the Safari Facility:

• Staff can adjust lighting and noise levels in real-time to prevent overstimulation;

• Dedicated spaces for children to regulate if they become overwhelmed;

• Features include rising benches, lowered sinks for accessibility, and calm outdoor play areas; and

• Hands-on activities ranging from tactile water play to animal food preparation and supervised invertebrate handling.

"A Safe Space for Everyone"

The launch has garnered significant praise from the SEND community. Neil Reynolds, the lead architect from Louis de Soissons, noted that the project was "deeply personal" as a parent of children with SEND. His goal was to move beyond simple accommodation to active support.

Greg Rutherford emphasized the emotional impact the facility will have on families who often find public outings stressful:

“It’s always amazing to see trailblazers pushing things forward. My hope is that others adopt the same mindset so as many people as possible feel included. Everybody should have a safe space to go to.”

Hannah Caswell, Assistant Head at Daventry Hill School, added that such environments are vital for reducing travel anxiety. “When you’re travelling somewhere, you don’t want to worry that their needs and preferences won’t be accepted,” she said.

Community Impact and Future Access

The project received the full backing of Andrew Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford, whose family seat is Woburn Abbey. The Duke described the opening as a "fantastic achievement" for the local community and a magical step forward for inclusive visitor experiences.

Booking Information: The facility will soon be available for full or half-day hire, catering to schools looking to host SEND-friendly workshops. To further support visitors, the park provides specialized resources including:

• Social scripts to prepare children for their visit;

• Communication boards located throughout the facility; and

• Specialized workshops tailored to different age groups and needs.

As the UK tourism industry faces increasing pressure to improve accessibility, the Woburn model stands as a challenge to other national landmarks to prioritize inclusive design in their future developments.

Woburn Safari Park has officially opened SENse the Safari, a first-of-its-kind education center specifically designed for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The facility, hailed as the first purpose-built SEND classroom within a UK zoological setting, was launched by Olympic gold medalist Greg Rutherford. The retired long jumper, who is a parent to an autistic child, described the space as “incredible” and expressed his hope that the project would serve as a blueprint for other major UK attractions.

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