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Girton College - Main Site

Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0JG

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

Getting To and Around Girton College (Swirles Court)

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.

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 (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 (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.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Porters' Lodge - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the right as you face the Porters' Lodge reception desk.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Porters' Lodge accessible 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 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 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • 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 137cm x 220cm (4ft 6in x 7ft 3in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary 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 fair.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 133cm 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 does not have a backrest or 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 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • 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).
    • The height of the wash basin is 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 fair.
    • 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 107cm.
    • 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 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is fair.
  • Comments View
    • The door leading to the accessible toilet and male toilets off the corridor is 89cm wide (photograph 1).

Accessible Toilet(s) (Old Kitchens Door - Right Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left then right as you enter the Old Kitchens Door entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 11m (12yd 1in) from the Old Kitchens Door 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 fair.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is poor.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 227cm x 177cm.
    • 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 lateral transfer space is 157cm.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a push button flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • 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 an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • 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 not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is 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 covered cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
    • 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 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • 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 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 95cm.
    • 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 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.
  • 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 92cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right of the wash basin.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Social Hub - Ground Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located within the Social Hub, immediately beyond the Cloister Wing 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 fair.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 149cm x 205cm (4ft 11in x 6ft 9in).
    • 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 lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary 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 poor.
    • 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 was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • 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 disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 141cm and 151cm 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 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 contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • 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 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 mixer.
    • 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 85cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.