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Battle of Britain Ops Block

IWM Duxford, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • The Operations Room was the nerve centre of Duxford’s Battle of Britain. From here the men and women who worked on the ground at Duxford directed the station’s pilots into combat.

Getting to IWM Duxford and Useful Information

Getting Around Duxford

Outside Access (Exhibition Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 145cm.

Attraction / Exhibit (Battle of Britain Ops Block)

  • Attraction / Exhibit View
    • There is step-free level access throughout this area.
    • The type of flooring in this area is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There are resting/seating areas within this area.
    • Explanations for the exhibit(s) is/are in information board format.
    • There is a cinema room to the left after entering with bench seating, there is space available.
      The video which is displayed has subtitles.
      There is a map of the Dowding Radar System, the height of the map is 73cm.
      There is an audio headset, the height of the headset is 110cm.
      There is a phone which plays a recording of a telephone conversation, the height of the phone is 85cm.
      There is a pilots helmet, which plays audio. The height of helmet is 110cm.
    • There is a good colour contrast between the walls and the floor in this area.
    • The lighting levels in this area are moderate to good.

Step(s) (Exhibition Area to Operations Room Viewing Area)

  • There is a/are step(s) located between the Exhibition Area and the Operation Room Viewing Area.
  • There is/are 7 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the step(s).
  • Handrails are 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.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance - Operations Room Viewing Area)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the venue.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is step-free 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.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The main automatic door(s) is/are push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 85cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located just beyond the entrance.
    • There is/are 6 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up the step(s).
    • 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.
  • Lift View
    • There is a lift to access this entrance.
    • The lift does bypass the step(s).

Lift (Accessible Entrance - Operations Room Viewing Area)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located just beyond the entrance.
  • The lift is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the accessible entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • A member of staff does not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • There is a clear level manoeuvring space of 150cm × 150cm in front of the lift.
  • The external controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 110cm from the floor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift controls and the control plate is poor.
  • The colour contrast between the external lift control plate and the wall is good.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 90cm x 140cm (2ft 11in x 4ft 7in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • Comments View
    • There is a help point located next to the lift to contact a member of staff for assistance using the lift.
    • The height of the help point is 120cm and is fitted with a hearing loop.

Attraction Space(s) (Operations Room Viewing Area)

  • Attraction / Exhibit View
    • There is step free access throughout this attraction space.
    • There is not sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
    • The type of flooring in the attraction space is vinyl.
    • There is some flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is not seating available within the attraction space.
    • During busy periods the attraction space can become congested.
    • The height of the viewing area is 81cm.
      There are information boards and photos on the walls.
      There are audio shows about the Operations Room, during the shows the lighting levels are lowered. There are subtitles of the audio show displayed on the wall.
      There are large print information booklets available, along the viewing area walkway.

Accessible and Standard Toilets

  • There are no accessible or standard toilets available within this area.
  • The nearest accessible and standard toilets are located in the grounds between Hangars 3 and 4 or between Hangars 4 and 5.
  • There are also accessible toilets and standard toilets in Hangars 1, 7 and 8.