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Crumlin Road Gaol

53-55 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6ST

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About this venue

The Crumlin Road Gaol dates back to 1845 and closed it's doors as a working prison in 1996. After extensive renovations the gaol has re opened as a visitor attraction and conference centre. Today you can take a guided tour of the prison and hear about the history of the site from when women and children were held within it's walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison.

Access Guide

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Opening Times

  • The venues is open to the public 7 days a week.
  • The first tour begins at 10:00.
  • The last tour beings at at 16:30.

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Belfast.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest mainline station is Great Victoria Street.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is free for all users.
  • The car park is at the back of the venue.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • There are 6 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 370cm x 520cm (12ft x 17ft).
  • The nearest designated bay is 30m (32yd 2ft) from the ticket office and shop entrance.
  • The furthest designated bay is 54m (59yd 2in) from the ticket office and shop entrance.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • The patron does not have to cross a road.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.

Outside Access (Crumlin Road Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located along Crumlin Road.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door opening is 118cm (3ft) wide.

Level Change (Crumlin Road Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located leading up to the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is easy.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Outside Access (Ticket Office and Shop Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the ticket office and shop building.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are double.
  • The width of the door opening is 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • Comments View
    • This entrance gives access to the ticket office and shop from the car park.

Outside Access (Gaol Entrance - Tour)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the Gaol.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
  • The door(s) is / are single.
  • The width of the door opening is 105cm (3ft 5in).
  • Comments View
    • The door is push pad operated and opens towards you
    • This entrance gives access to basement level of the gaol.

Level Change (Gaol Entrance - Tour)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located leading from the old Gaol reception.
  • The ramp/slope is moderate.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading from the old Gaol reception.
  • There is/are 4 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Outside Access (Gaol Exit - Tour)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the ground floor of the Gaol.
  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 110cm (3ft) wide.

Level Change (Gaol Exit - Tour)

  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • The steps are located just beyond the exit.
  • There is / are 10 step(s) to the area / service.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Lift (Gaol Exit - Tour)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the right as you exit the gaol.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The lift is 2m (2yd 7in) from Gaol Exit - Tour.
  • The clear door width is 100cm (3ft).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 100cm x 140cm (3ft x 4ft).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do not have tactile markings.

Outside Access (The Crum Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of cafe.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open automatically.
  • The doors are single width.
  • The door opening is 76cm (2ft) wide.

Reception

  • The reception desk is 1m (3ft 11in) from the Ticket Office and Shop Entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is low height.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use system.

Inside Access

  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The system is a fixed loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played depending on events taking place.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Tour

  • The tour begins just after the ticket office and covers:
  • The original Gaol reception
  • The lower ground floor of the Gaol (including the Historic Holding Cell and the tunnel)
  • The ground floor including the Governors Office, the C - Wing, the Condemned Man's Cell, the Gallows, Drop Man Cell/Flogging Room
  • It also goes outside to the grave site.

Level Change (Tour)

  • There is easy slope leading to the original gaol reception from the ticket office.
  • There are steps leading down the tunnel between the Gaol and the Old Courthouse.
  • There are also steps leading down from the Condemned Man's Cell to the Dead Mans Cells/Flogging Room.
  • The entrance to the Historic Holding Cell is 68cm wide and the entrance to the Condemned Man's Cell is 60cm wide.

Restaurant Bar Internal (The Crum)

  • The following information is for the cafe.
  • Once inside, there is level access to the service.
  • Full table service is not available.
  • Food or drinks are ordered from the counter.
  • Food or drinks can be brought to the table.
  • There is not a lowered section at the service counter.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs have armrests.
  • The nearest table is 1m (3ft 3in) from the Crum Entrance.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • The distance between the floor and the highest table is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • Menus are wall only.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is main meals and snacks.

Other Floors (Main)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-G-1-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is bright.

Lift (Main)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located along the corridor.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG-G-1-2.
  • The lift is 25m (27yd 13in) from Gaol Entrance - Tour.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm (3ft x 4ft).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within reach for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift controls do have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Accessible Toilet (Lower Ground Floor)

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Gaol Entrance - Tour.
    • This accessible toilet is located next to the Historic Holding Cell.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 220cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 3in).
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
  • Comments View
    • The baby change facilities are located in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 95cm (3ft 1in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
    • There is a similar accessible toilet on the ground floor which is 155cm x 215cm and with the lateral transfer space on the left.

Accessible Toilet (The Crum)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is Pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 4m (4yd 14in) from the Crum Entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located at the side of the cafe.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 164cm x 240cm (5ft x 7ft).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 86cm (2ft).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are mirrors in the accessible toilet.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 47cm (18in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3").
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3").
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5").
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • Lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.