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Ash Court - Accommodation

Girton College, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0JG

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Girton College (Main Site)

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Girton College is situated on the northwest edge of Cambridge, close to the start of the M11 and the A14. The main vehicle entrance to the site is located on Girton Road, which is accessed off Huntingdon Road (A1307).
    • Girton College has an on-site car park called Mare’s Run, which is available to staff and visitors. There are also car parks located in Cloister Court, Ash Court and by the Old Kitchens Door, which contain Blue Badge bays.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At Girton College the main sheltered cycle park is located just inside the main entrance to the College site, off Huntingdon Road.
    • For more information on getting to Girton 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
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located off Huntingdon Road (photograph 1). Access is shared with vehicles accessing the Cloister Court car park. This shared road/path has a tarmac surface with speed bumps, leading to an archway at the front of the main building (photograph 2), which leads to Cloister Court and the car park. The Porters’ Lodge entrances are on the left hand side of the archway as you enter. There is an accessible entrance, accessed by a slight ramp, with and automatic door, 96cm wide, which requires a key card to enter (99cm high), although there is an intercom at the entrance, 96 cm high (photograph 3). The main entrance into the Porters’ Lodge has 3 marked steps in front of it (photograph 4).
    • There is another vehicle entrance into the College site at the rear, off Girton Road (photograph 5), which gives access to the Mare’s Run car park, and also the Old Kitchens Door and Ash Court via a barrier (photograph 6). There is a card reader and intercom at the barrier. There is a tarmac path, 150cm wide, leading from the Mare’s Run car park (Photograph 7), which leads to a zebra crossing over the road leading to the Old Kitchens Door and Ash Court car parks. Beyond that there is a tarmac pavement, 130cm wide, leading to the Old Kitchens Door entrance, with dropped kerbs at either end (photographs 8 and 9). There is also a marked path leading from the Old Kitchens Door car park to the entrance (photograph 10). The Old Kitchens Door entrance is a single, heavy door, 94cm wide, which requires a key card to access (107cm high), although there is an intercom (118cm high). The entrance is accessed by a slight ramp (photograph 11).
    • Ash Court, containing the other car park, is located further along from the Old Kitchens Door car park, past the Maintenance Building, gardens and orchard. At the far end of Ash Court is the Colonnade Door entrance, accessed by a slight slope (photograph 12) and a path with a paving slab surface. The entrance is a single, heavy door, 88cm wide, which requires a key card to access (105cm high), although there is an intercom (109-118cm high) (photograph 13).
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • Once you have accessed the main building via one of the entrances described above, there is level access to most of the ground floor. The corridors have a variety of surfaces, including tiles, which are shiny in places, vinyl, carpet and wood (photographs 14–17). The only area of the ground floor that does not have step-free access is New Wing, on the far left hand side from the Old Kitchens Door entrance. There are 2 marked steps, 16cm high leading down to the corridor here at both ends. There are grab rails fixed to the wall at the top of both sets of steps (photographs 19 and 20).
    • There are three lifts within the main building, in Ash Court Wing (photograph 21), Pear Trees and the Social Hub. The majority of the areas on other floors do not have step-free access. There are many staircases throughout the main building, which vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform, and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings (photographs 22 and 23). Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to various areas of the main building.
    • There is tarmac, gravel and unsurfaced paths around the outside of the main building (photographs 24–26). The path leading to the Sports Ground and Pavilion has a gravel surface (photograph 27). There are unsurfaced paths throughout much of the grounds and the gardens, although some paths have bark chippings (photograph 28). Yew Walk has a compacted gravel surface (photograph 29). The tarmac path leading to the tennis courts has some steep slopes (photograph 30).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • There is good, clear directional signage, both inside the main building (photograph 31) and around the site (photograph 32). Maps of the site are also available from the Porters’ Lodge, and staff there are able to direct visitors.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor of the main building, next the Porters’ Lodge, just inside the Old Kitchens Door entrance and in the Social Hub, although that was out of service at the time of the site visit (August 2021).

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Old Kitchens Door Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at rear of the main building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main building and the Maintenance Building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 250cm x 390cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 120cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 27m (29yd 1ft) from the Old Kitchens Door entrance.
    • Visitors wishing to use this car park will need to request access in advance, as there is a barrier just inside the vehicle entrance from Girton Road (photograph 6). The intercom at the barrier is 99cm high, the card reader is 105cm high.

Site/Campus Car Park (Ash Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in Ash Court at the rear of the main building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main building.
    • 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.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 370cm x 450cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, visitors and staff.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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 53m (57yd 2ft) from the Colonnade Entrance.
    • Visitors wishing to use this car park will need to request access in advance, as there is a barrier just inside the vehicle entrance from Girton Road (Photograph 6). The intercom at the barrier is 99cm high, the card reader is 105cm high.

Site/Campus Car Park (Mare's Run Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in the far corner of the College site, off Girton Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the main building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by anybody.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is step free access from this car park.
    • Buildings are clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is a campus map available within the car park.

Site/Campus Car Park (Cloister Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located just inside the archway at the Porters' Lodge.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Porters' Lodge.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 250cm (8ft 2in).
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 210cm x 360cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 106cm wide.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors and staff.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • 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 14m (15yd 11in) from the Porters' Lodge entrance.
    • Visitors wishing to park here will need to arrange this in advance.

Getting To (Ash Court Accommodation)

  • Location View
    • The Ash Court Accommodation is located to the Northwest of the site.
    • The Ash Court Accommodation can be accessed externally via Ash Court/the Ash Court Car Park, or internally via the entrance located off Cloister Corridor, next to the Swimming Pool.
    • The external entrances into the Ash Court Accommodation are located off The Margaret Barton Colonnade.
    • There is limited wayfinding signage along the route to Ash Court Accommodation.
    • Other services / Facilities within the building include; There are a total of 6 accessible rooms within Ash Court.
      There are 4 rooms located on the ground floor.
      There is then 1 accessible room on each of the first and second floors.
    • Girton College - Main Site link (new tab) - click here.

Outside Access (Porters' Lodge Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the left of the archway leading to Cloister Court from the College Main Entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Porters' Lodge and Main Entrance'.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is 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 a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 142cm (4ft 8in).
    • 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 heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 110cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The 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 114cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 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 not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Porters' Lodge Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the left just through the archway to Cloister Court from the College Main Entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 96cm (3ft 2in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 99cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 104cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) both ways.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located to the right of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is 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 both sides of the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 103cm (3ft 5in).

Outside Access (Old Kitchens Door Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the main building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the main building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Old Kitchens Door and Visitor Entrance'.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 118cm .
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 107cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 94cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • 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 both sides of the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 138cm (4ft 6in).

Outside Access (Ash Court Accommodation - External)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the west side of Ash Court, off The Margaret Barton Colonnade.
    • This entrance gives access to Ash Court Accommodation.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free 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 an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 88cm .
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 100cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 110cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 105cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a similar additional external entrance located to the right of the one surveyed (Photograph 4).
      This additional entrance has a manual door.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.

Entrance (Ash Court Accommodation - Internal)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Cloister Wing, next to the swimming pool entrance.
    • This entrance gives access to Ash Court ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 90cm.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building .
  • Circulation View
    • There are doors in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • There are corridors/walkways with a surface width of less than 120cm (excluding any permanent obstructions over a small distance).
    • The type of flooring in corridors/walkways is wood.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in corridors/walkways.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Floor plans/maps are available.
  • Audio View
    • This venue does not play background music in communal areas.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system in the communal areas of the building.

Accommodation (Room G.03 - Ground Floor)

  • Accessible Room Information View
    • This type of accessible room is located on the ground, first and second floors (6 in total).
    • There is step-free access to this type of accessible room.
    • All accessible rooms of this type have similar specifications.
    • Residents need to open a door between the entrance and the room(s).
    • The room surveyed does not have an adjoining room.
  • Accessible Room Features View
    • The accessible room surveyed is located on the ground floor, towards the end of the main corridor.
    • The accessible room surveyed at the time of the visit was G.03.
    • There is step-free access to the accessible room surveyed.
    • The colour contrast between the external room door and wall is poor.
    • The door is manual with a key lock.
    • The keyhole height is 95cm.
    • The width of the door is 91cm.
    • There are not lowered spy holes available.
    • The colour contrast between the internal room door and wall is poor.
    • The bed height is not adjustable.
    • The height of the bed is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 18cm (7in).
    • The bed is not moveable.
    • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
    • A member of staff can reconfigure the room furniture to create a turning space of 150cm x 150cm next to the bed.
    • The height of the desk is 70cm.
    • The desk is not height adjustable.
    • The desk knee recess has the recommended dimensions of 70cm (height) x 50cm (depth).
    • The room surveyed had a height adjustable chair without armrests.
    • Wardrobes have not been adapted to allow use from a seated position.
    • Light switches are between 75cm and 120cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • Electric sockets are between 40cm and 100cm (4ft) from floor level.
    • The window controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
    • There is not an emergency alarm in the room.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • The colour contrast between the room walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels in the room are good.
    • The window is automatic and operated by a switch located above the desk.
  • Bathroom Facilities View
    • This information relates to the ensuite.
    • The colour contrast between the external bathroom door and wall is poor.
    • The bathroom door opens inwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door into the bathroom is 90cm.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The colour contrast between the internal bathroom door and wall is good.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 242cm x 250cm.
    • The bathroom does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The bathroom has a non-slip floor.
    • The colour contrast between the bathroom walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm within the bathroom.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm in the ensuite is tied up and out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor).
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the bathroom.
    • Disposal facilities are available.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • 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 immediately next to or behind the toilet.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • Taps have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is no soap available.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The lighting levels in the bathroom are good.
  • Toilet Details View
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The toilet has a wall which acts as a backrest.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 150cm.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There are dropdown rails on both sides of the toilet.
    • The colour 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 rails 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 colour contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • Shower Details View
    • The ensuite has a wheel in shower.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • Shower controls have clear markings to indicate hot and cold settings.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available for the shower.
    • Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
    • There is a single vertical grab rail to assist standing users.
    • The colour contrast between the shower wall-mounted grab rails and wall is good.
    • The colour contrast between the shower dropdown rail(s) and wall is/are good.
  • Comments View
    • The flush for the toilet is a push button.
    • The sink and flip down shower seat are height adjustable.

Kitchen/Dining Area

  • The kitchen/dining area is accessed by a single door with an opening width of over 75cm.
  • The door is not push pad activated.
  • Lowered work surfaces are not available.
  • The height of the lowest work surface is 86cm.
  • The kitchen does have an unobstructed floor space of at least 150cm × 150cm.
  • There is a knee recess under a work surface.
  • A knee recess is provided adjacent to the sink.
  • Knee recesses are at least 80cm wide.
  • There are some low level cupboards.
  • The height of the dining table is 75cm.
  • There are dining chairs without armrests only.
  • There is an automatic closing window operated via a switch (Photograph 7).
    There are similar kitchen facilities located on the first and second floors (Photograph 8).

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located ahead and to the right as you enter via the external entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 7m from the external entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on all floors.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 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 not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The steps are 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).
    • Handrails do 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 a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • There is an additional set of stairs located at the other end of the building, beyond the additional external entrance (Photograph 6).

Lift

  • The lift is located ahead and then left as you enter via the external entrance.
  • Signs indicating the location of the lift are not available from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 6m (6yd 1ft) from the external entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1, 2.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 630kg.
  • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the lift lobby on the ground floor.
  • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are provided on lift lobby landings.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • Lift doors do contrast visually with lift lobby walls.
  • The external controls for the lift are within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is high.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is high.
  • The clear door width is 90cm.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 110cm x 140cm.
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • There is not a list of floor services available within the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The internal controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • There is not a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting levels in the lift are good.

Accessible Toilet(s)

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

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.