Access Guide
Getting To and Around Girton College (Main Site)
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Arriving By Car or Bike
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- 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).
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By Bus
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- There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
- There is a bus stop at the corner of Huntingdon Road and Girton Road. The bus services that stop here are the citi, 5 and citi 6. These services give direct links to Cambridge Bus Station (Drummer Street) and Emmanuel Street, plus Bar Hill, Swavesey and Oakington.
- Cambridge City Centre Bus Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
- For more information on planning a bus journey in Cambridge 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 5 kilometres away from Girton 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 Station AccessAble Access Guide (new tab) - click here.
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Accessing the College Site
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- 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).
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Getting Around the College Site
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- 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).
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Additional College Site Information
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- 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
- To see more information on University of Cambridge Disability Resource Centre please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 332301.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Accommodation please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 339032.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Undergraduate Admissions please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 338972.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Welfare and Support please click here (opens new tab).
- Telephone Number: 01223 338972.
- Email: [email protected].
- To see more information on Latest Information About Coronavirus (COVID-19) please click here (opens new tab).
Site/Campus Car Park (Ash Court Car Park)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, visitors and staff.
- 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 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)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by anybody.
- 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 clearly signposted from this car park.
- There is a campus map available within the car park.
Site/Campus Car Park (Old Kitchens Door Car Park)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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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 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 (Cloister Court Car Park)
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Car Park
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- 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.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park can be used by visitors and staff.
- 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 14m (15yd 11in) from the Porters' Lodge entrance.
- Visitors wishing to park here will need to arrange this in advance.
Getting To (The People's Portraits Exhibition)
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Location
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- The People's Portraits Exhibition is situated along the corridor on the ground floor of the building.
- There is wayfinding signage along the route to The People's Portraits Exhibition.
- Porters' Lodge and Post Room link (new tab) - click here.
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Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
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- Accessible toilet facilities are located just inside the Porters' Lodge Entrance and near the Kitchen Entrance.
- Female standard toilet facilities are located just inside the Porters' Lodge Entrance and near the Kitchen Entrance.
- Male standard toilet facilities are located just inside the Porters' Lodge Entrance and near the Kitchen Entrance.
Outside Access (Porters' Lodge Main Entrance)
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Entrance
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- 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.
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Step(s)
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- 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)
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Entrance
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- 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.
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Ramp/Slope
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- 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).
Tower Wing
- The Tower Wing corridor is located just off the entrance foyer from the Porters' Lodge Entrances.
- There is an accessible toilet and standard female and male toilets at the start of the corridor.
- The Tower Wing corridor has a width of 175cm.
- Along the corridor are the entrances to the Post Room, Reception Room, Lawrence Room and Stanley Library.
- The surface of the flooring is tiled and is shiny, so therefore may appear slippery.
- When reaching the bottom of the stairs there is no 150cm x 150cm turning space and the width of the corridor is reduced to 115cm.
- There is a doorway between the staircase and the area off Ash Court which has a width of 110cm (Photographs 5 and 6).
Ash Court
- The area between Ash Court and the Café has a mixture of stone, tiled and wooden flooring.
- All of the flooring is shiny and may appear slippery.
- There is seating available in this area.
- As you proceed take the passageway to the left and head towards the Cloister.
- The flooring here is stone.
Cloister
- The surface of the flooring is stone which is shiny and may appear slippery.
- The Swimming Pool is located along this part of the exhibition.
- Along the corridor are a series of archways with a width of 200cm.
- The Dining Hall Cafeteria is situated off the corridor.
- The walkway from the Kitchen Entrance connects with the Cloister Corridor.
Kitchen Entrance
- The corridor from the entrance to the Cloister Corridor has a surface of stone block paving.
- There are shared standard toilets in the entrance foyer area, as well as the entrance way to the Old Kitchens Meeting Room.
- To exit the entrance foyer area there is a permanently held open door with a width of 85cm that opens towards you (pull).
- There is then a 150cm x 150cm turning space as you proceed and a corridor that has a width of 184cm at its narrowest point.
- Along this corridor is an accessible toilet and a baby change facility.
Chapel Wing
- There is a doorway with a width of 84cm to access the stairwell at the southern end of the corridor (photograph 1).
- The stairwell can be seen in photograph 2. There is some seating situated here.
- The Fellows Room, Fellows Box and the Chapel Box Room are all located off this corridor.
- The width of the corridor is 180cm.
- The surface of the corridor is shiny and may appear slippery.
- At the end of the corridor is a single door with a width of 84cm to exit the corridor and exhibition (Photograph 8).