Access Guide
Introduction
- The Crystal Rooms can be accessed from every entrance into the venue.
- There is stepped access at the Main, Magic Mike Live Theatre and Box Office entrances.
- There is level access via lift at the Little Newport Street entrance.
- The step-free route to the ground floor of The Crystal Rooms is detailed within this access guide.
- There is no step-free access to the lower ground section of The Crystal Rooms.
- For more information on Leicester Square please click here.
Getting Here (Leicester Square)
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By Bus
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- There are 2 bus stops located along Charing Cross Road between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street (Stops L and K).
Bus routes 24, 29 and 176 travel along Charing Cross Road.
It is also served by night bus routes N5, N20, N29, N41 and N279.
All London buses have ramp access and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users. - For more information on London buses (Transport for London) please click here (opens new tab).
- There are 2 bus stops located along Charing Cross Road between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street (Stops L and K).
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By Underground
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- Green Park is the nearest accessible step-free station and is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
The accessible entrance can be accessed via the park at the rear of the station building.
Leicester Square Station is served by the Piccadilly and Northern Line Services.
Piccadilly Circus Station is served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo Line Services.
Both stations are accessed via steps only.
Leicester Square Underground Station is located on Charing Cross Road at the north-east corner of Leicester Square.
There are a total of 4 access points/exits for the station.
2 of the access points/exits are located on the east side of Charing Cross Road, 1 is located on the west side of Charing Cross Road, and the other is located on the north side of Cranbourn Street.
Access to and from Leicester Square from the access point on the west side of Charing Cross Road does not involve a road crossing.
Access to and from Leicester Square from the access points/exits on the east side of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street involves a busy road crossing. - For more information on London Underground (Transport for London) please click here (opens new tab).
- Green Park is the nearest accessible step-free station and is served by the Jubilee, Piccadilly and Victoria lines.
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By Train
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- London Euston Station and London Charing Cross Station have step-free access to all platforms and staff available to assist with ramps between the platform and the train.
- For more information on access and facilities at Euston Station please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on access and facilities at Charing Cross Station please click here (opens new tab).
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By Road
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- Leicester Square is pedestrianised.
Charing Cross Road (A400) is located parallel to Leicester Square between Cranbourn Street and Irving Street.
Charing Cross Road (A400) connects with Tottenham Court Road which leads to Euston Road (A501) at its north end.
At its south end, it connects with Strand (A4).
Leicester Square is in the Central London Congestion Charge Zone (charges apply Monday - Friday 07:00 -18:00).
It is also in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (charges apply at all times for non-compliant vehicles). - For more information on driving in London please click here (opens new tab).
- Parking in the area is very limited and visitors are encouraged to use public transport.
The nearest underground car park (Q-Park Leicester Square) is located off Whitcomb Street, south west of Leicester Square.
There are 3 Blue Badge bays within this car park.
There is an additional underground car park with lift access (Q-Park Chinatown) located off Newport Place.
There are 3 Blue Badge bays within this car park. - For more information on the Blue Badge Scheme and parking in London please click here (opens new tab).
- London taxis can be hailed in any location or summoned by phone.
There is a taxi rank on the west side of Charing Cross Road, between The Bear and Staff Pub and Barclays.
- Leicester Square is pedestrianised.
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By River
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- 6 TFL River Bus routes run from 22 piers between Putney and Woolwich.
The nearest pier is Westminster.
This is close to Westminster Underground Station on the Jubilee Line which connects to Bond Street Station.
There is step-free access onto the river buses, except at 3 piers.
Please see the TFL website for details. - For more information on London River Bus services please click here (opens new tab).
- 6 TFL River Bus routes run from 22 piers between Putney and Woolwich.
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By Air
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- The nearest airports to central London are London City Airport, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
London City Airport is connected to the centre by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Bank or Tower Gateway, with interchanges to the rail and underground network at Canning Town and Stratford.
From Gatwick Airport there are fast trains connecting to London Bridge Station.
Heathrow Airport is connected by fast trains to Paddington Station and is also on the Piccadilly underground line. - For more information on travelling to London by air please click here (opens new tab).
- The nearest airports to central London are London City Airport, London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
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Useful Links
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- Please use the TfL journey planner for details of the most suitable routes.
The planner can be filtered by options such as step-free routes or maximum walking distances. - To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- The TfL website has links to the TfL accessibility guides, including large print maps and audio guides to order or download.
- To view the web page described above click here (opens in new tab).
- Please use the TfL journey planner for details of the most suitable routes.
Opening Times (The Crystal Rooms)
- The venue is open 24hrs.
Getting Help and Assistance
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
- British Sign Language interpreters cannot be provided on request.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are available.
- There are not mobility aids available.
Outside Access (The Crystal Rooms Entrance - Cranbourn Street)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the south west corner of the building, on Cranbourn Street.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'ENTRANCE'.
- There is stepped 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 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.
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 75cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are 12cm.
- The going of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Outside Access (Box Office and Shop Entrance - Cranbourn Street)
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Entrance
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- This information is for the entrance located at the side of the building, on Cranbourn Street.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
- This entrance is signed with 'Box Office and Shop'.
- There is stepped access at this entrance.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection 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 double width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 180cm.
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Step(s)
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- The step(s) is/are located in the doorway.
- There is/are 1 step(s).
- The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
Counter (Box Office and Shop - Tickets)
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Counter
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- The counter is located ahead as you enter via the Box Office and Shop entrance.
- The counter is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Box Office and Shop entrance.
- The counter is clearly visible from the entrance.
- There is step-free access to the counter.
- There is a clear unobstructed route to the counter.
- There are no windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors behind the counter which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
- The counter is not placed in front of a plain background.
- The lighting levels at the counter are moderate to good.
- There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
- There is not a lowered section of the counter.
- The counter is staffed.
- There is not a hearing assistance system at the counter.
- The type of flooring in this area is carpet.
Step-Free Access to the Ground Floor Crystal Rooms & Accessible and Standard Toilets
- Step-free access to the ground floor of The Crystal Rooms is possible by using the Little Newport Street entrance to access the building.
- From there, take the Little Newport Street entrance lift down to the ground floor bypassing the steps at the entrance.
- Following this, enter the Grand Casino and head towards the lift located in the Macau Lounge.
- Take this lift up to the first floor.
- On exiting the lift head to towards the rear of The Penny Bar past the accessible and standard toilets.
- Then take the Magic Mike Live Theatre lift down to the ground floor.
- On the right as you exit the lift on the ground floor there is a set of manual, heavy, 75cm+ wide double doors leading to the ground floor of The Crystal Rooms.
- There is a slight downward ramp with handrails on both sides immediately beyond the double doors.
- The accessible and standard toilets mentioned above can be accessed from the ground floor of The Crystal Rooms by taking the Magic Mike Live Theatre lift up to the first floor.
Accessible Toilet(s) (The Penny Bar - First Floor)
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located on the first floor, in The Penny Bar.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a gender neutral 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 fair.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is easy to open.
- The door is locked by a twist lock.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 93cm (3ft 1in).
- 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 fair.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 146cm x 235cm (4ft 9in x 7ft 9in).
- 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 left.
- The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
- The transfer space is obstructed by a sanitary bin.
- There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side (on top of the cistern).
- There is not 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 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 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 fair.
- 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are general waste (with no lid) and sanitary disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 166cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- 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 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).
- 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 fair.
- 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 100cm.
- 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 good.
Standard Toilet(s) (The Penny Bar - First Floor)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The female and male toilets are located on the first floor, in The Penny Bar.
- There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is fair.
- There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- It was not possible to access the female toilet.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is sensor.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Casino (The Crystal Rooms - Ground Floor)
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Access
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- There are doors to access this area .
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
- The width of the door opening is 76cm.
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Gaming Area
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- Games and facilities in this area include; Slot Machines.
- There is not room for wheelchair users to manoeuvre throughout this area.
- Seating in this area includes; stools and chairs with no armrests.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The slot machine controls range from 110cm to 140cm.
- Lighting levels are moderate to good.
Step(s) (The Crystal Rooms to the Grand Casino and Macau Lounge)
- There is a/are step(s) located leading up to the Grand Casino and Macau Lounge from The Crystal Rooms.
- The step(s) is/are used to access the Grand Casino and Macau Lounge.
- 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 going 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 both sides of 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.
- The lighting levels at the step(s) are moderate to good.
Step(s) (The Crystal Rooms - Access to Additional Machines and Standard Toilets - Lower Ground Floor)
- There is a/are step(s) located to the left as you enter via the Box Office and Shop entrance, at the rear of The Crystal Rooms.
- The step(s) is/are used to access additional machines and standard toilets in The Crystal Rooms.
- There is/are 15+ step(s).
- The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
- The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
- The going 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 both sides of the step(s).
- Handrails are not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
- Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- Handrails are not 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.
Casino (The Crystal Rooms - Additional Machines Area - Lower Ground Floor)
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Access
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- There are no doors to access this area .
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Gaming Area
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- Games and facilities in this area include; Slot Machines.
- Staff at tables can assist customers in playing.
- The surface height of the drinks tables is 65cm.
- Seating in this area includes; chairs with armrests, sofas and stools.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
- The slot machine controls range from 110cm to 140cm.
- Lighting levels are low to moderate.
Standard Toilet(s) (The Crystal Rooms - Additional Machines Area - Lower Ground Floor)
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Toilet Facilities
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- The shared toilet is located in the additional machines area of The Crystal Rooms.
- There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
- The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
- The height of the wash basin(s) is 86cm.
- The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
- Lighting levels are good.
Related Access Guides
- To view other AccessAble access guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- Hippodrome Casino - Grand Casino and Macau Lounge - Ground Floor link (new tab) - click here
- Hippodrome Casino - Lola's Underground Casino - Lower Ground Floor link (new tab) - click here
- Hippodrome Casino - First and Second Floors link (new tab) - click here
- Hippodrome Casino - Magic Mike Live Theatre link (new tab) - click here
- Hippodrome Casino - The Cranbourn Club, The Club & Diamond Rooms - Third Floor link (new tab) - click here
- Hippodrome Casino - Poker Stars Live - Fourth Floor link (new tab) - click here