Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

University College – The Castle Undercroft Café and Bar

University College, Durham Castle, Palace Green , Durham , DH1 3RW

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

Summary

  • Building View
    • Services / Facilities within the building include; the Undercroft Cafe and Undercroft Bar.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Female standard toilet facilities are located to your right on entrance opposite the bar entrance.
    • Male standard toilet facilities are located to your right just past the first main entrance door.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Approach

  • 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.

Outside Access (Undercroft)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the courtyard.
    • This entrance gives access to the West Courtyard Café, Undercroft Bar and Public Toilets.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'The Undercroft'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or 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 single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 118cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 158cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the first entrance door.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of and between the entrance doors.
    • There is/are 10 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.
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • There are five deep steps in front of the entrance (photograph 2).
    • One shallow step at the base of the entrance (photograph 3).
    • The slope is located immediately after the first entrance door (photograph 4).
    • Four medium steps between the entrances (photograph 5).

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is stone and wood.
    • There is some flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes 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 play background music/sound.
    • Music/sound is played in the bar and café areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The patterned flooring is in the toilet area.

Step(s)

  • Stepped Level Change 1 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located in front of you on entrance.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the West Courtyard Café.
    • There is/are 5 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • 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.
    • The Junior Common Room serves as additional seating for the Undercroft Bar.
  • Stepped Level Change 2 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located between the West Courtyard Café and the Junior Common Rppm.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the Junior Common Room.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • 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.
    • The Junior Common Room serves as additional seating for the Undercroft Bar.
  • Stepped Level Change 3 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located to your right after the first entrance door.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the male standard toilets.
    • There is/are 3 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • 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.
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 3.
  • Comments View
    • There are two medium steps to access the female standard toilets these are located immediately after the entrance and can be seen in photograph 4.

Eating and Drinking (West Courtyard Café)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the bar.
    • The bar is located in front of you on entrance via the Undercroft Bar Entrance.
    • There is stepped access to the bar.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is a bar where food and drink can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include; written wall menus and handheld menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • Takeaway cups are available.
    • This area does not play background music.
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 97cm.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 72cm.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • There are also bench seats.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Eating and Drinking (Undercroft Bar)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the café/bar.
    • The bar is located to your left on entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the bar.
    • For access there are double manual doors which may be difficult to open.
  • Service and Menus View
    • There is a bar where drinks can be ordered.
    • Staff can bring food and/or drinks to tables.
    • Menu types include; handheld menus.
    • Menus are not clearly written.
    • Menus are not presented in contrasting colours.
    • Takeaway cups are not available.
    • Drinking straws are available.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
  • Service Counter(s) View
    • The height of the counter is 115cm.
    • There is not a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered section of the counter.
    • There is not a moveable card machine available for payment.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
    • The distance between the floor and the underside of the lowest dining table is 70cm.
    • The distance between the floor and the underside of the highest dining table is 97cm.
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 70cm.
    • The surface height of the lowest table is 43cm.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs are permanently fixed.
    • Some chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • There are also coffee tables, high tables, armchairs and bench seats.
    • The type of flooring in this area is wood.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

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

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The male toilet is located between the first and second Undercroft Bar Entrance Doors.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 1m from the Undercroft Entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 82cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There are three medium steps with a height of 14cm to access the toilet. They have good colour contrasting and no handrails.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The female toilet is located to your right after the second entrance door.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 3m from the Undercroft Entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • 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 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • The female toilets are accessed by two medium steps which can be seen in photograph 5. They do not have good colour contrast and have no handrails.