Access Guide
Getting To and Around Fitzwilliam College
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Arriving By Car or Bike
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- Fitzwilliam College is on the northwest side of Cambridge, between Huntingdon Road and Storey's Way and it can be accessed from both roads. The main entrance is located on Storey's Way.
- Fitzwilliam College has two car parks, one at the main (south) entrance on Storey's Way, the other on Huntingdon Road (north entrance). If you are a visitor and wish to use the car park please report to the Porters' Lodge on Storey's Way. If you are a conference guest you must speak to your conference organiser. In addition, on-street car parking is available along Storey's Way by the College entrance. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
- Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. The College has plenty of on-site storage for bicycles, including to the rear of Blocks A-D and next to the Porters' Lodge.
- For more information on visiting Fitzwilliam College please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- There are bus stops in Huntingdon Road close to the College.
The bus services that stop in Huntingdon Road include; 5 citi and 6 citi.
These bus services give direct links to; Oakington, Swavesey, Bar Hill, Fenstanton, Madingley, and Cambridge city centre.
The main bus station in Drummer Street is approximately 1.2 miles away from Fitzwilliam College. - Cambridge City Centre Bus Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
- For more information on planning a journey by bus please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Cambridge.
- Cambridge Station is approximately 2.1 miles away from Fitzwilliam College. The station has direct links to London Kings Cross, London Liverpool Street, Cambridge North, Kings Lynn, Stansted Airport, Brighton, Ipswich and Norwich. The rail companies that operate out of this station are; Cross Country, Great Northern, Thameslink and Greater Anglia.
- For more information on Cambridge Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on planning a train journey to Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
- Cambridge Railway Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
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Accessing the College Site
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- The main (south) entrance to the College site is located at the south side of the College site off Storey’s Way. Access is to the right of the Porters’ Lodge and through a foyer out to Gatehouse Court.
- The first door is level, with a slightly raised threshold, and opens automatically with a key card (photograph 1). The width of the door opening is 96cm and the height of the car reader is 104cm.
- The second door to exit, at the rear of the foyer, is power assisted and opens away from you (photograph 2).
- The opening width of the door is 93cm. After exiting the foyer there is a sloped path with a slight upwards gradient leading out to Gatehouse Court (photograph 3).
- Alternative pedestrian access to the site, for key card holders, is via the north entrance which is located off Huntingdon Road next to the main car park (photograph 4).
- Access to this entrance is via ramp or steps to either side (the ramps can be used to bypass the steps). The ramp to the right of the entrance has an easier gradient (photograph 5).
- There are two steps to the right of the entrance and four steps to the left. Both sets have handrails on both sides. Photograph 6 shows the steps to the left of the entrance which can be bypassed by a ramp.
- There are two sets of doors at this entrance (photographs 7 and 8). The first set of doors is key card activated and opens automatically towards you. The width of the door opening is 88cm and the height of the card reader is 92cm. There is also an intercom system at a height of 110cm. The second door opens automatically away from you and has an opening width of 84cm. This entrance gives access to the site through D Block next to Tree Court.
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Getting Around the College Site
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- The external areas of the College site have an extensive network of paths. The paths mostly have a flagstone paving surface which may be slightly uneven in places (photographs 9 to 15).
- At time of survey (September 2025) construction work had altered the access routes around the campus.
- With access between Gatehouse Court and New Court and the rest of the campus being via a manned crossing situated between Gatehouse Court and Wilson Court (photograph 16).
- There is an access road to the rear of Blocks J to S that has a tarmac surface
- The walkways around Fellows' Court are tiled (photograph 17).
- Due to ongoing construction works at the time of survey (September 2025) the most accessible route into Fellows Court is via the path located towards the north of Tree Court (photograph 18).
- Due to ongoing construction works at the time of survey (September 2025) the alternative route to access Fellows Court is heavily restricted and only has a width of 67cm at its narrowest point (photograph 19).
- The site is mostly quite flat, however, there are some stepped and sloped sections along the paths. Steps can be bypassed by taking alternative routes. There are bench seats for resting throughout the College site.
- The Chapel and it's immediate surroundings are closed at time of survey (September 2025) due to construction work.
- A temporary chapel has been established within the Trust Room in stairway L.
- There are some steep gradients on sections of the paths, such as; outside the Auditorium, outside Block L (photograph 20) and leading down to the Hall Building in Tree Court (photograph 21).
- Stepped sections between The Grove and the Hall Building and outside Block L (photograph 22) can be bypassed using the Tree Court paths with steep slopes.
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Additional College Site Information
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- There is extensive directional signage around the College site which makes navigation easier for those unfamiliar with the layout (photographs 23).
- The signage is consistent and clearly presented with good colour contrast.
Accessible toilet facilities are located in the main (south) entrance foyer, the Hall Building, Wilson Court and the Auditorium.
- There is extensive directional signage around the College site which makes navigation easier for those unfamiliar with the layout (photographs 23).
Useful Information
- To see more information on Accessibility and Disability Support please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on University of Cambridge Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332 301.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- To see more information on Fitzwilliam Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Email: [email protected].
Site/Campus Car Park (South Car Park)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located at the front of the College site, off Storey's Way.
- The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Porters' Lodge and the Gatehouse.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park surface is loose chippings.
- Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
- There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
- The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 319cm x 432cm.
- The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone only at the rear.
- The marked zone is 71cm wide.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
- There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
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Drop Off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
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Car Park Access
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- There is step free access from this car park.
- Buildings are not clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is not a campus map available within the car park.
- The nearest designated bay is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the South/Main Entrance.
- Of the two blue bade bays one is clearly marked and signposted and the other is just signposted.
The path leading to the South/Main Entrance from the car park is 125cm wide .
There is an area off this car park specifically for Fellows' parking.
There are two electric vehicle charging available in the car park.
Getting To (The Squash Courts)
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Location
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- The Squash Courts are situated on the ground floor of the Gym.
- The Gym can be accessed off the South College Car Park.
South College Car Park can be accessed off Storey's Way and from within the Car Park via a walkway from New Court. - There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Gym.
- Fitzwilliam College link (new tab) - click here.
- Gym link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located to the left after you enter the building.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located within the female changing room, to the left after you enter the building.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located within the male changing room, to the left after you enter the building.
- Standard changing facilities are located to the left after you enter the building.
- Standard shower facilities are located within the female and male changing rooms.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located off the Storey's Way Car Park.
- This entrance gives access to the Gym and Squash courts on the ground floor.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Squash Courts, Gymnasium'.
- There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
- There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
- The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- A key fob is required for access at this entrance.
- The height of the key fob reader is 96cm.
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The exit push pad or push button is 100cm from floor level.
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are heavy.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm.
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Ramp/Slope
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- The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is portable.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
- The width of the ramp/slope is 77cm (2ft 6in).
- The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 1 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 18cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Getting Around
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Access
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- There is not step-free access throughout the building .
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Circulation
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- There are no doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
- The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is tiles.
- There is flooring in corridors/walkways which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
- There is high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
- There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
- The lighting levels are good.
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Signage
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- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
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Safe Place(s)
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- There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
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Audio
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- This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
Squash Court 1
- The Squash Court is accessed off the ground floor corridor.
- The court is clearly signed.
- There corridor outside has a width of 140cm.
- There is level access to the Squash Court from the entrance.
- The door is heavy, opens away from you and has a width of 71cm.
- The door outside the court has a good colour contrast with the walls.
- The door from the inside the court has a poor colour contrast with the walls.
- No shoes with marked soles are to be worn in the court.
- The court is level.
Squash Court 2
- The Squash Court is accessed off the ground floor corridor.
- The court is clearly signed.
- There corridor outside has a width of 140cm.
- There is level access to the Squash Court from the entrance.
- The door is heavy, opens away from you and has a width of 70cm.
- The door outside the court has a good colour contrast with the walls.
- The door from the inside the court has a poor colour contrast with the walls.
- No shoes with marked soles are to be worn in the court.
- The court is level.
Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the left after you enter the building.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the main 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 and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The visual contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 80cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The visual contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 200cm x 225cm (6ft 7in x 7ft 5in).
- The accessible toilet does not 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 transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and 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, however it is not on the transfer side.
- The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
- There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- 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 and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
- There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
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Additional Fixtures
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- 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 wall which acts as a backrest.
- 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 visual contrast is low.
- 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 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 88cm (2ft 11in).
- The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
- 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 140cm.
- 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 120cm (3ft 11in).
- The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is low.
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Comments
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- There is a distance of 50cm between the toilet and the sink to the right of the toilet.
- There is a horizontal grab rail on the right as you face the wash basin which has good colour contrast with the wall.
Standard Changing Room (Male)
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Location and Access
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- The standard changing room was out of use at the time of the survey.
- This standard changing room is located along the corridor to the left after you enter the building.
- This standard changing room is approximately 12m from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room is approximately 3m from the Gym.
- There is step-free access to the standard changing room.
- A key is not required for the standard changing room.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the standard changing room door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is heavy.
- The width of the standard changing room opening is 77cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Changing Facilities
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- The dimensions of the standard changing room are 248cm x 220cm.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the standard changing room include; a toilet and a wash basin.
- Other fixtures/facilities available include; showers.
- This is a male changing room.
- The type of flooring in the changing room is vinyl.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the standard changing room.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is seating available within the changing room.
- The seating within the changing room includes: bench seating.
- There are lockers within the changing room.
- There is a/are locker(s) within reach for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a water dispenser available.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 174cm from the floor.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the changing room.
- The lighting levels in the changing room are good.
- The width of the changing room is reduced to 200cm by the presence of the lockers.
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Comments
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- There is a good colour contrasted medium step to access the showers with no handrails.
Standard Changing Room (Female)
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Location and Access
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- The standard changing room was out of use at the time of the survey.
- This standard changing room is located along the corridor to the left after you enter the building.
- This standard changing room is approximately 5m from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room is approximately 8m from the Gym.
- There is step-free access to the standard changing room.
- A key is not required for the standard changing room.
- There is written text signage on or near the standard changing room door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens inwards.
- The door is heavy.
- There is no lock for the toilet door.
- The width of the standard changing room opening is 76cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
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Changing Facilities
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- The dimensions of the standard changing room are 248cm x 218cm.
- The fixtures/facilities available in the standard changing room include; a toilet and a wash basin.
- Other fixtures/facilities available include; showers.
- This is a female changing room.
- The type of flooring in the changing room is vinyl.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the standard changing room.
- There is not an emergency alarm.
- There is seating available within the changing room.
- The seating within the changing room includes: bench seating.
- There are lockers within the changing room.
- There is a/are locker(s) within reach for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a water dispenser available.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 174cm from the floor.
- Disposal facilities are not available in the changing room.
- The lighting levels in the changing room are good.
- The width of the changing room is reduced to 198cm by the presence of lockers.
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Comments
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- There is a good colour contrasted medium step to access the showers with no handrails.
