Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

Birmingham Cathedral

Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

COVID-19 Information

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Snow Hill.

Opening Hours

Parking

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Snow Hill Station.
    • The car park is located on Livery Street, off Colmore Row.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are available.
    • On street Blue Badge parking is located in Temple Row West.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the standard marked parking bays are 670cm x 190cm (21ft 12in x 6ft 3in).
    • Standard marked parking bays are located in Temple Row West.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is a horizontal strip of Blue Badge parking.
    • On street parking on Temple Row West is one way.
    • Enter Temple Row West from Colmore Row and exit towards Waterloo Street.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the Cathedral grounds off Colmore Row.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 200cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 122cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located at the front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is a third set of doors.
    • The second and third set of doors open automatically towards you, they are sensor operated, but can be opened by push pads or manually.
    • The doors are double width.
    • The doors are heavy.
    • The second and third set of door openings are 122cm wide.
    • To exit the Cathedral push pads are available at a height of 108cm.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • 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 during some services.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are low to moderate.

Level Change (Altar)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the Alter.
  • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is portable.
  • Please contact a member of cathedral staff for use of the portable ramp.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 70cm (2ft 4in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading up to the altar.
  • There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Other Floors (Galleries)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is not a landing.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the Galleries.
  • Comments View
    • This staircase gives access to the Galleries but is only used on special occasions or for overflow.

Other Floors (Undercroft)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B-G.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Comments View
    • There are no handrails for 2 of the steps.
    • The Undercroft is now only used for internal meetings.

Accessible Toilet (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the Main Entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the north western corner of the Cathedral.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared 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 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 250cm (4ft 11in x 8ft 2in).
    • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 62cm (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 an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 175cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • 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 not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • 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 fair.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is fair.
    • 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 moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located Accessible Toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 86cm (2ft 10in).
  • Comments View
    • There is a lock on the door leading to the corridor where the Accessible Toilet is located, during services it will be open, or staff will open upon request.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located on the lower floor of the north western side.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the bottom of spiral staircase in the north western side.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in the Accessible Toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • Inside the venue, there is level access to the baby change facility.
  • Comments View
    • There is a lock on the door leading to the corridor, during services it will be open, or staff will open upon request.
    • In the corridor there is a spiral staircase down to the lower floor and standard toilets.
    • The staircase has 14 steps, depth of steps are 18-20cm
    • There is a handrail on both sides of the staircase.

Additional Info

  • 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.
  • This service cannot be requested.