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Summary

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• Building View
  • Facilities within the Castle Area include.
    Ground Floor - Norman Chapel, Exhibition Space, Accessible Toilet
    First Floor - Exhibition Space, Study Room, Meeting Room, Tunstell Chapel
    The Prince Bishops Residence is located between the First and Second Floors on the Main Staircase.
    The Standard Toilets are located between the first and Second Floors on the Student Staircase.
    Second Floor - Norman Gallery and Castle Suites Student Rooms and Accommodation Area.
• Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
  • Accessible toilet facilities with an accessible shower are located in the ground floor stairwell of the main staircase.

You are on Accommodation Summary. Skip to the next section.

Accommodation Summary

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• Parking and Transport View
  • The accommodation does not have its own parking facilities.
  • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • There is a university bus service stop within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • The Cathedral Bus stop is located off Palace Green and serves routes 40AD and 40D.
• Standard Accommodation Information View
  • There is not standard accommodation on the ground floor.
  • There are standard rooms on other floors.
  • The other floors cannot be accessed by lift.
  • There is not an/are not adjoining room(s) available for the standard room(s).
• Amenities and Communal Facilities View
  • There is not a convenience store within approximately 200 metres of the residence.
  • Communal facilities within this residence include a staffed reception, a common room, a bar and a study area.
  • The communal facilities for the accommodation surveyed include; a kitchen.
  • The Porter's Lodge is situated in the Fellows Garden area of Durham Castle. Catered Meals take place within the Great Hall. Students have access to the Castle Library. Students have access to the Castle's Undercroft Bar and Café.
• Additional Accessibility Aids View
  • There is not a deaf alert system available on request.
  • Bed raisers are not available on request.
  • Portable hoists are not available on request.

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

Getting Here

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• By Road View
  • The building is situated in the Peninsula which contains a lot of pedestrian traffic and may be difficult to drive around.
  • There is access for permit holders to the Palace Green Car Park and the Blue Badge bays located along North Bailey. Access to the University Buildings of the Peninsula via car is only available via Sadler's Street.
  • For more information on Durham University Location please click here (opens new tab).
• By Bus View
  • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the building.
  • The nearest bus stop is the Cathedral Bus Stop situated off Palace Green which serves route 40D.
  • For more information on Buses in Durham please click here (opens new tab).
• By Train View
  • The nearest Railway Station is Durham Station.
  • The station is located approximately 0.7 miles to the North West of the University Venues on the Peninsula.
  • For more information on Durham Station please click here (opens new tab).
• Useful Links View
  • The Peninsula area of Durham where the University building is situated is a World Heritage site for more information.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • The Peninsula Area of Durham is dominated by the Cathedral for more information.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
  • Visitor Travel information for Durham.
  • To view the web page described above click here (opens in 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 Approach. Skip to the next section.

Approach

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• Approach View
  • The surface of the approach is cobbled.
  • The approach surface is uneven in places.
  • The venue is located off the Durham Castle Courtyard. Access to Durham Castle is off Palace Green via the cobbled road shown in photographs 1, 2 and 3. The courtyard itself can be seen in photograph 4.
  • There is step-free access on the approach.
  • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

You are on Outside Access (Main Staircase Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Main Staircase Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located off the courtyard.
  • This entrance gives access to the ground floor main staircase.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
  • The width of the door opening is 71cm.

You are on Outside Access (Student Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Student Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located off the courtyard.
  • This entrance gives access to Student Staircase and the Norman Chapel.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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) away from you (push).
  • 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 68cm.
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the door.
  • There is/are 1 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
• Comments View
  • The Norman Chapel is situated between the entrance and the Student Staircase.

You are on Outside Access (Tunstall Chapel Entrance). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Tunstall Chapel Entrance)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located off the courtyard.
  • This entrance gives access to the first floor of the Castle Area.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is stepped access at this entrance.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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) away from you (push).
  • 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 62cm.
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • There is/are 15 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 19cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
• Comments View
  • Immediately upon entry there is signage for the Tunstall Chapel which is situated to your right on entrance.

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

Getting Around

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• Access View
  • There is not step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
  • There is stepped access to There are six steps to access the accessible toilet on the ground floor at the bottom of the main stairwell. There are 10 steps to access the student study room on the first floor. There are 18 steps to access the first floor meeting rooms. There are two steps to access the Tunstall Chapel.
• Circulation View
  • There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
  • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is wood and carpet.
  • There is flooring in corridors/walkways which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • There is some flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
  • There is a mixture of seating with and without armrests at regular intervals.
  • The lighting levels are varied.
• 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 in communal areas.
• Comments View
  • There is an exhibition area along the corridor on the first floor of the building.

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

Step(s)

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• Stepped Level Change 1 View
  • There is a/are step(s) located leading to the accessible toilet.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the accessible toilet located at the bottom of the main staircase.
  • There is/are 6 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
• Stepped Level Change 2 View
  • There is a/are step(s) located to the rear left of the building on the first floor.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access the Student Study Room.
  • There is/are 10 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
  • The steps can be seen in photograph 3. The carpeting for the steps is patterned. The room can also be reached via travelling up the first nine steps of the level change described in Stepped Level change three and then climbing one additional step.
• Stepped Level Change 3 View
  • There is a/are step(s) located to the rear right of this Castle area on the first floor.
  • The step(s) is/are used to access first floor rear right meeting rooms.
  • There is/are 18 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.
• Comments View
  • The first nine steps can be seen in photograph 3.
  • At the top of the first nine steps to your left there is a single step leading into the Student Study Room.
  • As you proceed up these steps you will pass through the grand Norman arch shown in photograph 4.
  • If you turn right you will encounter the additional nine steps leading to the first floor rear right meeting rooms. These are shown in photograph 5.

You are on Entrance (Norman Chapel). Skip to the next section.

Entrance (Norman Chapel)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located just inside the student entrance.
  • This entrance gives access to the Norman Chapek.
  • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
  • There is ramped/sloped access 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 but one door is locked.
  • The door(s) is/are heavy.
  • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are low to moderate.

You are on Norman Chapel. Skip to the next section.

Norman Chapel

• The flooring within the Norman Chapel is uneven block paving.
• There is limited lighting within the chapel.
• There is bench seating with no handrails within the chapel.
• There is a step with no handrails and a height of 13cm to access the altar.
• There are many original Norman carvings within the chapel.

You are on Tunstall Chapel. Skip to the next section.

Tunstall Chapel

• The Tunstall Chapel is a 16th Century Chapel located to the right of the building on the first floor.
• It is open to visitors and is situated immediately to your right on entering the building via the Tunstall Chapel entrance.
• The entrance width into the chapel is over 75cm.
• There are two deep steps to access the chapel. These can be seen in photograph 1.
• There is a stone surface to the floor.
• There are information boards available detailing the history of the chapel.
• There are steps to access the altar (photograph 4) and the raised pews within the chapel.
• Within the chapel there are many carvings including misericord's which can be seen in photographs 5 and 6.

You are on Other Floors (Main Staircase). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Main Staircase)

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• Stairs View
  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located to your left on entrance.
  • The stairs are approximately 7m from the Suites Entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the stairs are not available from the entrance.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, Prince Bishops Room, 2.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
• Other Information View
  • Students are asked not to use main staircase and instead use the Student Staircase.

You are on Other Floors (Student Staircase). Skip to the next section.

Other Floors (Student Staircase)

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• Stairs View
  • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
  • The stairs are located to your right on entrance.
  • The stairs are approximately 8m from the Student Entrance.
  • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1 and 2.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
  • The steps are not clearly marked.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The steps have a handrail on the left going up.
  • Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
  • There is not a landing.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
  • The lighting levels at the steps are moderate to good.
• Other Information View
  • This staircase is the one students are asked to use when travelling between the accommodation and the Castle Courtyard. Accessed via this staircase on the first floor are the meeting rooms and the Studio Accommodation is accessed via these stairs on the second floor. Between these two floors are the shared toilets and showers for the accommodation.

You are on Kitchen/Dining Area. Skip to the next section.

Kitchen/Dining Area

• The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
• Lowered work surfaces are not available.
• The height of the lowest work surface is 92cm.
• The kitchen does not have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
• There is not a knee recess under a work surface.
• There are low level cupboards.
• There are easy to grip handles or taps for cupboards.

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 off the Main Stairwell on the ground floor.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Suites Entrance.
  • There is stepped access into the accessible toilet.
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • There is no 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 twist lock.
  • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
  • 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 165cm x 215cm (5ft 5in x 7ft 1in).
  • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
  • The lateral transfer space is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
  • There is a 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 poor.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • There is not an emergency alarm.
  • 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 and nappy/incontinence items bin disposal units.
  • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
• 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.
  • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
  • 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 placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the toilet roll holder is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
  • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
  • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
  • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
  • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The height of the soap dispenser is 123cm.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
  • There is a hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the hand dryer is 95cm (3ft 1in).
  • 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 85cm.

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

Standard Toilet(s)

• Standard toilet facilities are not available.
• The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located in the Undercroft Area of the castle.