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Porters' Lodge (Castle Court)

Clare College, Castle Court, Chesterton Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 3AA

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Clare College (Castle Court)

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Clare College has 3 sites; Memorial Court, Old Court and Castle Court. Castle Court is located in Chesterton Lane just to the north west of the city centre. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • There is very limited parking at Clare College and it is strictly controlled. Anyone parking on-site must have prior permission via the Head Porter. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements. At Castle Court there is parking between Castle House and Castlebrae. There are no designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. There is provision for bicycle storage at Clare College.
    • For more information on directions to Clare College please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
    • There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
    • The nearest bus stops to Castle Court are located in Chesterton Road, Northampton Street and Castle Street.
      The bus service that stops in Chesterton Road is 4 citi which links Cambridge to Cambourne and Lower Cambourne.
      The bus services that stop in Northampton Street are 4 citi, 8, X3 and Park & Ride which link Cambridge to Huntingdon, Cambourne, Papworth Everard, Hartford, Hilton and Madingley Rd Park-and-Ride.
      The bus services that stop in Castle Street are 5 citi and 6 citi which link Cambridge to Bar Hill, Oakington and Swavesey.
      The bus station in Drummer Street is approximately 1.1 kilometres away from Castle Court.
    • Cambridge City Centre Bus Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
    • For more information on planning a bus journey in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main entrance to Castle Court is the access road off Chesterton Lane (Photograph 1). It has a steep upwards gradient and there is no footpath for pedestrians so care should be taken. The Porters' Lodge is located to the left as you enter.
    • The College site can also be accessed from Castle Street. There is a pedestrian entrance next to 12a Castle Street for key card holders (Photograph 2). The width of the gateway opening is 75cm and there is a 12cm step over the threshold. The height of the card reader is 140cm. There are 3 unmarked steps just beyond this entrance (Photograph 3). The steps have a handrail on the left.
    • There is also a vehicular entrance in Castle Street (Photograph 4). This entrance has a slight upwards gradient and the block paving surface is uneven in places. There is stepped access to other areas of the site from here.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • There is stepped access around much of the external areas on the western side of Castle Court site. There are 14 steps leading down to Ethelreda (Photograph 5) although these can be bypassed by using a path next to the Porters’ Lodge. There is a long slope, with a slight downwards gradient, leading down to Castle House from the car park (Photograph 6). At the end of this path there are 4 unmarked steps with no handrails leading down past the fire exit from the Blythe Room (Photograph 7). There are then further stepped level changes to the rear of (and leading down to) the Castle Street buildings (Photographs 8-10).
    • The main footpaths leading around the central and eastern areas of Castle Court site are step-free and mostly level with a few short sloped sections. (Photographs 11-14). The paths surfaces are mostly tarmac with some loose stone chippings. A few sections have a flagstone/block paving surface. Most paths are quite wide (150cm+).
    • There are some large boulders at the intersection of the paths between Castlebrae, Braeside and Castle End (Photographs 15 and 16).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • At the time of the survey there were resurfacing works taking place outside some of the Castle Street buildings.
    • Many of the buildings at Castle Court have stepped access into (Photograph 17) and around them although there is lift access in Castle End and a platform lift to overcome the steps outside the entrance (Photograph 18).
    • There is very limited directional signage around the site (Photograph 19) which means those unfamiliar with the layout may need an escort or a map to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Castle End building. There are seats outside for people to rest (Photograph 20).
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

Getting To (The Porters' Lodge)

Outside Access (Porters' Lodge)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'PORTER'S LODGE'.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 87cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 116cm (3ft 10in).

Reception (Porters' Lodge)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located to the left as you enter.
    • The reception point is approximately 1m (3ft 3in) from the entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are moderate to good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 89cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 74cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is carpet and laminate.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is a waiting area close to the reception point.
    • Access to the waiting area is unobstructed.
    • There are seats with armrests on both sides.
    • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to use the waiting area.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.