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Summary

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• Building View
  • Services / Facilities within the building include; a café, a booking desk and accessible and standard toilets.
  • Services / Facilities within the grounds include; Botanic Gardens with nature walks.
  • Botanic Garden link (new tab) - click here.
• Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
  • Accessible toilet facilities are located within the visitor centre, to the left as you enter.
  • Female standard toilet facilities are located within the visitor centre, to the left as you enter.
  • Male standard toilet facilities are located within the visitor centre, to the left as you enter.

You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

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• By Road View
  • The Botanic Gardens are located on Hollingside Lane, just to the north east of the Collingwood College and is just off of the A177 South Road. From South Road turn onto Hollingside Lane and follow the road. Hollingside Lane has a right hand bend, follow the bend and the Botanic Gardens and Visitor's Centre car park is the second turn on the right.
  • There is a car park for the Visitor's Centre and grounds just off of Hollingside Lane. There are 2 unmarked but clearly signed Blue Badge bays within the car park and ample unmarked standard parking bays.
• By Bus View
  • There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
  • The nearest bus stop is on South Road and is 350m away from the Visitor's Centre. It is served by 6 Sapphire and S1 buses.
  • For more information on buses in Durham. please click here (opens new tab).
• By Train View
  • The nearest Railway Station is Durham.
  • Durham station is to the north west of the venue and is approximately 1.8 miles away.
  • For more information on Durham Station please click here (opens new tab).

You are on Useful Information. Skip to the next section.

Useful Information

• Disability Support is located on the ground floor in the Palatine Centre, and provides information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students who disclose a disability as well as students who think they may have a disability.
  The service is part of the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate.
• To see more information on Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
• To see more information on Student Support and Wellbeing please click here (opens new tab).
• To see more information on Applying To Durham please click here (opens new tab).
• To see more information on College Accommodation and Facilities please click here (opens new tab).
• To see more information on Accommodation and Allocations Office please click here (opens new tab).

You are on Building Parking. Skip to the next section.

Building Parking

• The building does have its own dedicated parking.

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• Building Car Park View
  • The car park can be used by anybody.
  • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • The car park is located in front of the building, on Hollingside Lane.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
  • There is/are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
  • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
  • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
  • The car park surface is loose chippings.
• Site/Campus Car Parks View
  • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
• Public Car Parks View
  • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
• On Street Parking View
  • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
• Drop Off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
• Comments View
  • Car registration numbers must be left at the counter in the Visitor's Centre by anyone using this car park.

You are on Approach (Botanic Gardens Kiosk Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Approach (Botanic Gardens Kiosk Entrance)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is compacted gravel.
  • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

You are on Outside Access (Botanical Gardens Kiosk Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Botanical Gardens Kiosk Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located on South Road.
  • This entrance gives access to the Botanical Gardens.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance is signed with 'BOTANICAL GARDENS'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is not 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 not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is an intercom.
  • The height of the intercom is 114cm .
  • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 115cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
• Comments View
  • There is a turnstile to the left of the gate. The width of the turnstile is 51cm.

You are on Approach (Botanic Garden Car Park Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Approach (Botanic Garden Car Park Entrance)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is loose chippings.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a steep gradient.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

You are on Outside Access (Botanic Garden Car Park Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Botanic Garden Car Park Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front left of the Botanic Gardens car park.
  • This entrance gives access to the Botanic Gardens.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance is signed with 'RHS PARTNER GARDEN'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • There is not 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 not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • 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 275cm.
  • The signage is on the left hand gate. There is an uneven surface to the right of the entrance.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance, leading to the right.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.

You are on Approach (Visitor's Centre Front Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Approach (Visitor's Centre Front Entrance)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles and block paving.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.

You are on Outside Access (Visitor's Centre Front Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Visitor's Centre Front Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the Visitor's Centre in the Botanic Gardens.
  • This entrance gives access to the Visitor's Centre and Café.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • 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 not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • There is a second set of doors.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in the doorway.
  • 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 82cm (2ft 8in).
• Comments View
  • The ramp is created by the doorway threshold.

You are on Approach (Visitor's Centre Rear Entrance to Outside Seating). Skip to the next section.

Approach (Visitor's Centre Rear Entrance to Outside Seating)

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is block paving.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 132cm (4ft 4in).
• Comments View
  • This approach leads from the eating and drinking area and is in front of the Visitor's Centre rear entrance.
  • There is a similar approach to the left of the Visitor's Centre rear entrance.
  • The approach to the left as you face the entrance has a very slight slope and is 140cm wide, it is shown in photographs 5 and 6.

You are on Outside Access (Visitor's Centre Rear Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Visitor's Centre Rear Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the Visitor's Centre.
  • This entrance gives access to the Visitor's Centre and café.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • 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 not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • The lip is located to the left as you enter, just beyond the door.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 80cm (2ft 7in).

You are on Entrance (Visitor's Centre Garden to Botanic Garden Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Visitor's Centre Garden to Botanic Garden Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the right hand side of the Visitor's Centre Garden.
  • This entrance gives access to the Botanic Garden.
  • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
  • This entrance is signed with 'Botanic Garden'.
  • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
  • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
  • There is not a bell/buzzer.
  • There is not an intercom.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are light.
  • The width of the door opening is 122cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • 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 not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

You are on Inside Access (Visitor's Centre and Café). Skip to the next section.

Inside Access (Visitor's Centre and Café)

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• Access and Circulation View
  • There is step-free access throughout the building.
  • The type of flooring is laminate.
  • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
  • The lighting levels are good.
• Signage View
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
• Safe Place(s) View
  • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
• Audio View
  • This venue does not play background music/sound.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

You are on Eating and Drinking. Skip to the next section.

Eating and Drinking

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• Location and Access View
  • The following information is for the café.
  • The café is located ahead as you enter the Visitor's Centre.
  • There is step-free access to the café.
• Service and Menus View
  • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
  • There is a counter where food and drink can be ordered.
  • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
  • Menu types include; written wall menus.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
  • The type of food served here is hot and cold meals and snacks.
  • Takeaway cups are available.
  • Adapted cups are not available.
  • Adapted cutlery is not available.
  • Drinking straws are available.
  • This area does not play background music.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system .
• Service Counter(s) View
  • The height of the counter is 87cm.
  • There is a moveable card machine available for payment.
• Tables and Seating View
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • The majority of tables are accessible to wheelchair users.
  • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • The type of flooring in this area is laminate.
  • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Additional seating is available in the Prince Bishop's Garden at the rear of the building. The outdoor seating has armrests on both sides. The height of the outdoor tables is 73cm. At the time of the survey there was no seating inside the café. The counter is also used as the payment counter for entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

You are on Botanic Gardens. Skip to the next section.

Botanic Gardens

• The Botanic Gardens cover 10 hectares of ground.
• There are a variety to pathways through the Botanic Gardens.
• There are a variety of surfaces for the paths, including tarmac, grass, stone, and compacted gravel.
• The majority of the tarmac paths are over 150cm wide.
• The tarmac paths may be uneven in places due to tree roots growing underneath.
• Some of the pathways have low branches overhanging.
• There are areas of the gardens which can only be accessed by slopes or steps.
• The slopes vary from slight to steep.
• Some of the steps have metal handrails which are not easy to grip.
• Some of the steps have bamboo or wooden handrails which are not sturdy and are not easy to grip.
• The highest steps are 25cm.
• The footpaths at the steps becomes stone.
• There is a bridge in the Bamboo Grove.
• The bridge is wooden with mesh overlay.
• The mesh is worn in places, and the bridge may be slippery when wet.
• There are gates to access some areas of the garden.
• The gates are over 150cm wide.
• There are maps at various points around the garden showing the footpaths.
• The maps are clearly written.
• There are wayfinding route markers along the edge of the paths.
• There are many slopes on the paths in the gardens.
• The slopes vary from slight to steep.
• Most paths are over 150cm wide.
• There are many seats along the routes within the gardens, including bench seats, picnic benches and lower children's picnic benches.

You are on Accessible Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet(s)

• There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.

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• Location and Access View
  • This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the Visitor's Centre via the Visitor's Centre front entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Visitor's Centre front entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is heavy.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm.
  • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
  • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
• Toilet Features View
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 154cm x 194cm (5ft 1in x 6ft 4in).
  • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (2ft 8in).
  • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • There is a spatula type lever flush.
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
  • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on both sides.
  • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • There is an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
  • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
  • There is a/are female sanitary, nappy/incontinence items bin and pedal bin disposal units.
  • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 100cm and 171cm from the floor.
• Additional Fixtures View
  • There is a mirror.
  • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • The toilet has a cistern.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
  • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
  • 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).
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 96cm (3ft 2in).
  • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
  • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
  • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever.
  • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
  • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the soap dispenser is 94cm.
  • There is not a towel dispenser.
  • There is a hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the hand dryer is 104cm (3ft 5in).
  • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.
• Baby Changing Facilities View
  • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
  • There is a flip down baby change table available .
  • The height of the baby change table is 90cm.

You are on Standard Toilet(s). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are available.

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• Toilet Facilities View
  • The female and male toilets are located in the Visitor's Centre, to the left as you enter via the Visitor's Centre front entrance.
  • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
  • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Visitor's Centre front entrance.
  • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
  • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
  • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
  • Lighting levels are moderate to good.