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Chapter House

Jesus College, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB5 8BL

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Jesus College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Jesus College is situated just to the north of Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the campus is located in Victoria Avenue. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • There are 3 main car parks at Jesus College which are located close to Chapel Court, North Court and Library Court. There are 2 designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders which are located in the Chapel Court Car Park. The College advise that if you are visiting West Court you may find it easier to park in the accessible bays in Jesus Lane which are closer. If you are visiting and require on-site parking please contact the College ahead of your journey to make sure a parking space is available. 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.
    • View information on getting to Jesus College (opens new tab)
    • View information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge (opens new tab)
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located in Jesus Lane. Step-free access is via a push pad activated gate and a ramp (Photographs 1 and 2). The minimum width of the gate opening and ramp is 94cm. Push pad heights are approximately 100cm. The exit push pad is positioned in advance of the ramp and the gate closing time has been delayed to allow people sufficient time to use the ramp when exiting. Immediately beyond the entrance is a level paved walkway called The Chimney (Photograph 3) which leads to the Porters' Lodge.
    • Pedestrians can also access the College site via the West Court entrance in Jesus Lane where there is step-free access with automatic doors (Photographs 3 and 4 - please see the Detailed Access Guide for further information).
      Staff and students with key cards also have the option of accessing the site via the vehicle entrance in Lower Park Street (Photograph 6) where there is a pedestrian gate with a key card reader (at a height of 103cm). The gateway is narrow (72cm) and the surface uneven so this may not be suitable for some people. There is an intercom at a height of 122cm so staff may be able to open the vehicle gates if the pedestrian gate is unsuitable.
      Key card holders can also access the site via the main vehicle exit in Jesus Lane where there is also a pedestrian gate (Photograph 7). The gate opens automatically away from you when activated by a key card. Access here is level and the gateway is wide (165cm). The height of the key card reader is 95cm. There is also an intercom for those requiring assistance. The height of the intercom is 123cm.
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bays in the Chapel Court Car Park the nearest step-free route to Chapel Court is via the Angel Archway (Photograph 8 - the nearest entrance, Boaty Archway, has a step over the threshold).
      If parking in the North Court Car Park there is open and step-free access to North Court from the front right corner of the car park. The North Archway is also located in this car park which gives step-free access to Second Court via an open gateway and short passage. When parking at the Library Court/Housekeeping Car Park there is step-free access to Library Court or back up the access road to Angel Archway.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • The Jesus College site is mostly level with paved surface paths that run around the edges of the various courtyards and links them together. Most of the paths are wide (150cm+), even and there are some bench seats for resting.
    • There may be some areas where the paths are more narrow, less smooth or the paving slightly uneven but generally there is step-free, flat access around the external areas of the site (Photographs 9-15). There are some steps at one side of Library Court (Photograph 16) but these can be bypassed by using the path on the opposite side. There is a short steep slope on the path that links Chapel Court to Library Court via the Chapel itself (Photograph 17). There are also short steep ramps in the passageway at G Stair leading off Cloister Court towards J, K, L Stairs and Chapel Court (Photograph 18). The path running to the rear of West Court, next to The Orchard, has a slight slope leading down past the Café Bar (Photograph 19).
    • There is not much directional signage around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will need an escort or a map to reference. There are wall mounted maps at the Angel and North Archways (Photograph 20) and paper copies can be provided on request from the Porters' Lodge.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Jesus College have stepped access once inside. (Photographs 21 - 24). Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. In most of the main listed stairs you can expect to find 15+ unmarked steps with at least one handrail or banister.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located beneath Coleridge Room, off Pump Court and there are also smaller adapted toilet facilities within K Stairs.
    • Accessible toilet and standard toilet facilities are located off Cloister Courtyard.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Chapel Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located in Morgan Avenue, off Victoria Avenue.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in Chapel Court.
    • 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 360cm x 480cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • 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 45m (49yd 8in) from the Angel Archway.
    • There is a one-way system in place, vehicles exit the site via Jesus Lane.
      The 2 designated parking bays are located close to Boaty Archway (Photograph 7) but the accessible pedestrian route into the site is via Angel Archway (Photograph 8).
      There is additional overflow parking on the grass by the rugby pitch (Photograph 9).

Site/Campus Car Park (North Court Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the North of the site, near North and Second Court.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in North Court.
    • 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • 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.
    • If parking in the North Court Car Park there is open and step-free access to North Court from the front right corner of the car park (Photograph 6). The North Archway is also located in this car park which gives step-free access to Second Court via an open gateway and short passage (Photograph 7).
      There is a site map within the North Archway (Photograph 8).

Site/Campus Car Park (Library Court / Housekeeping Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located just before the site vehicle exit in Jesus Lane.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are those in Library Court.
    • 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 not available.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by permit holders.
  • 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.
    • When parking at the Library Court / Housekeeping Car Park there is step-free access to Library Court or back up the access road to Angel Archway (Photograph 7).

Getting To (Chapter House)

Outside Access (Chapter House)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the Northeast corner of Cloister Court.
    • This entrance gives access to the Chapter House and the stairs to the first floor.
    • 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.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 114cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width but one door is locked.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 60cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • There is a push button to release the door catch when exiting.
    • There is a short delay between pressing the button and the door being released.
    • The door is then very stiff and heavy meaning it could be difficult to open for a wheelchair user or someone with poor manual dexterity.
    • The door can be opened wider if required.

Breakout Space(s) (Chapter House - Ground Level)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s) available on request.
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 62cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • The fire place may serve as a trip hazard within the room.
    A portable hearing loop is available from the Porters' Lodge.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to the right as you enter.
    • The stairs are approximately 2m from the entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 14 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 not clearly marked.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are low to moderate.
  • Other Information View
    • The room(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the Parlour Room, Combination Room and Fellows entrance to the Hall.

Entrance (Dining Hall)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located within the Dining Hall.
    • This entrance gives access to the first floor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 78cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.

Breakout Space(s) (Parlour Room - Level 1)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is not step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • There is/are 2 deep (18cm+) step(s) for access to the room(s) .
  • The step(s) is not/are not clearly marked and do/does not have handrails.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s) available on request.
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 37cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • A portable hearing loop is available from the Porters' Lodge.

Meeting Room(s) (Combination Room - Level 1)

  • Signage for the room(s) is not available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The corridor outside the room(s) is not sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the room(s) from the corridor.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the room(s).
  • The door(s) for the room(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the room(s) available on request.
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is not fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) is 60cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • A portable hearing loop is available from the Porters' Lodge.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located at the Northeast corner of Pump Court, below the Coleridge Room.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Level)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the ground level of Chapters House.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 6m from the entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There are a total of 2 shared standard toilet cubicles located opposite one another.
      There is an additional sink located between the two cubicles (Photograph 3).