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City of Caves

Garner's Hill, Nottingham, NG1 1HF

Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • City of Caves is a network of historic, underground sandstone caves in Nottingham. The caves were used as a tannery, public house cellars and an air raid shelter.
    • Facilities available in the venue include: a gift shop.
    • There are no toilet facilities.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a steep ramp at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
    • The following areas have stepped access: access to the caves, and most of the route around the caves.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: access to the main entrance/gift shop and some of the route around the caves.
    • There are no doors along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
    • The reception area/gift shop and the caves can be accessed via stairs.
    • There are no toilets at this venue.
    • The caves are not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs due to the many steps, very uneven surface and very narrow walkways on the tour route.
    • The caves may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions (e.g. claustrophobia) - please check before visiting.
    • Some areas have very low ceilings or low doorways.
    • The narrowest walkway in the caves is 50cm wide.
    • The lighting is low in most areas of the caves.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • The alternative formats documents can be provided in include: different languages (on request).
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Staff receive the following training: Dementia Awareness, Neurodiversity Awareness, Unconscious Bias Training, Safeguarding, First Aid and Fire Safety.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located near the steps at the top of Garner's Hill.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a slope at the entrance.
  • The slope gradient varies between slight and steep.
  • There is a single manual door.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • The door has a low colour contrast.
  • There is a second set of double manual doors.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • One of the doors was locked at the time of the survey.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The width of the opening is 68cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • Between the first and second entrance doors there is a steep ramp with resting places and handrails on both sides.

Reception/Gift Shop

  • Location View
    • The reception is located to the left hand side, as you enter.
    • The distance from the entrance is 5m.
  • Route View
    • The most accessible route to the reception has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • Access View
    • There is step-free level access to reception.
    • The height of the reception desk is 115cm.
    • There is a lowered section at the desk.
    • The height of the lowered section is 78cm.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
    • Seating available in this area includes: benches and stools.
    • There is a portable payment machine.

Stairs to Access the Caves

  • The stairs are located to the right hand side of the reception desk.
  • The ground level and the caves can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 20cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • The steps narrow to 5cm deep at the centre of the spiral staircase.

Exhibition/The Caves

  • The area is indoors.
  • There is not step-free access throughout.
  • The following areas have stepped access: access to the caves and many parts of the route round the caves.
  • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: many parts of the route round the caves.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • The following may be experienced here: water effects and lighting effects.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • Display information includes: pictorial, audio description and information boards.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches.
  • Guided tours are available.
  • There is not step-free level access throughout the tour.
  • The following areas have stepped access: access to the caves and many parts of the route round the caves.
  • The following areas have step-free access via slopes or ramps: many parts of the route round the caves.
  • The tour also has uneven surfaces, narrow walkways and narrow openings.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided throughout the tour.