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Old Court - MCR - Common Room

Peterhouse, First Court, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 1RD

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Peterhouse

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Peterhouse is located on Trumpington Street in Cambridge city centre. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • At the time of the survey (August 2021) there was very little parking available at the site due to building work. Normally, some parking is available to staff and some visitors with specific requirements who request in advance. There is no general parking for visitors, and 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. There are bike stands available throughout the site.
    • For more information on getting to Peterhouse by road please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • Visitors to Peterhouse enter via the Porters' Lodge on Trumpington Street. Access into the Porters' Lodge is via a single heavy door 82cm wide and a step which has been worn down to 3cm high in the centre (Photographs 1 and 2). There is also a pedestrian gate to the right of the Porters' Lodge as you face it, 85cm wide (Photograph 3). The step here has been worn down so much it is now a slight slope with a threshold (Photograph 4).
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via the Granta Gate at the rear of the site (Photograph 5), although this is mainly a vehicle entrance for deliveries and contractors, with no footpath for pedestrians. The road goes underneath the Whittle Building and up a long, steep slope (Photograph 6). At the top, pedestrians take the path up to Gisborne Court (Photograph 7). The path is 94cm wide and has a slight slope. There is also a vehicle entrance to the site off Little St Mary’s Lane to the side of the site, via 2 gates (Photograph 8). However, this only gives access to the Blue Badge bay outside the Theatre on performance days. The main entrance to the library is located between the two gates here. There is a gap for pedestrians 44cm wide (Photograph 9).
    • There is an entrance at the end of Grove Lane that give access to the William Stone Building and the far end of the Deer Park. This is via a gate 174cm, which can be made double width to give vehicle access if required (Photograph 10). There is also access to St. Peter’s Terrace off Grove Lane, via a single gate 102cm wide and a slight slope (Photograph 11). All the houses in St. Peter’s Terrace are accessed by steps (Photograph 12). There is also a similar gate further down Grove Lane that gives access to the path at the rear of the houses (Photograph 13).
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • From the Porters' Lodge and Trumpington Street entrance, the paths have a flagstone surface, so are uneven in places (Photograph 14). There is a steep ramp or 2 12cm high steps (Photograph 15 and 16) to access Old Court (Photograph 17). There is a cut through at the far end of Old Court which has a slight ramp, 89cm wide (Photograph 18). This leads through to Gisborne Court. This leads through to Fen Court, which has a concrete tile surface that is more even (Photograph 19). From here there is a slight ramp leading up to the Theatre. The bollard at the top of the ramp makes the gaps 107cm and 110cm wide (Photograph 20).
    • Leading off the side of Old Court is Screens Passage, which is accessed via a shallow, worn step (Photograph 21). The entrance to the Hall is off this passage, and at the end there is a steep ramp, 125cm wide (Photograph 22). If the main gates to this passage are closed, there are doorways in the gates 66cm wide with a 9cm threshold. Beyond the passage there is a gravel path to the left leading to the Fellows Garden (Photograph 23), and a flagstone then compacted gravel path leading through the Deer Park (Photographs 24 and 25). There are unsurfaced and gravel paths leading off the main path (Photograph 26). At the far end of the Deer Park, the main path narrows to 140cm and has a slight slope leading up to the William Stone Building (Photograph 27).
    • The area around the William Stone Building has a brick block paving surface. There is a brick block path, with a slight slope at the start, leading to the rear of the St. Peter’s Terrace houses and the Squash Court (Photographs 28 and 29).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Peterhouse have step-free access into them, although some are accessed by steps only (Photograph 30). Peterhouse is the oldest College in Cambridge, with parts dating back to the 13th century. 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 (Photographs 31-32). Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • 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.
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the first floor in the corner of Old Court and the basement of the Whittle Building.
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Useful Information

Getting To (Old Court - MCR - Common Room)

  • Location View
    • The MCR Common Room is located to the North of Peterhouse, close to the main pedestrian entrance in Trumpington Street.
    • In addition to the main pedestrian entrance you can also access the MCR Common Room from the Old Court.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to Old Court -MCR - Common Room.
    • Peterhouse link (new tab) - click here.

Outside Access (MCR Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the archway of Old Court.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'MCR'.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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 not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • A key is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key lock is 119cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are light.
    • The width of the door opening is 78cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 87cm (2ft 10in).

Breakout Space(s) (MCR - Common Room)

  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • 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 45cm.
  • 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 not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Furniture can be moved to allow a turning space for wheelchair users.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • Comments View
    • There is a gyp within the common room.
    • The height of the counter is 94cm.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the Common Room.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the MCR Entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is written text and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 76cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is poor.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 234cm x 282cm.
    • The accessible toilet does 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 152cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin and storage items.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is not a/are not wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • 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 not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf has the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 92cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is not a toilet roll holder.
    • 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).
    • The height of the wash basin is 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Accessible Shower View
    • The shower does have an unobstructed minimum 150cm x 150cm turning space.
    • There is a shower unit with a detachable shower head.
    • The shower head is height adjustable.
    • The adjustable shower head cannot be placed between 105cm and 185cm when mounted.
    • There is a flip-down/tip-up seat for the shower.
    • The seat/chair is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the flip-down/tip-up or fixed seat is 51cm.
    • Horizontal and/or dropdown rails are available on both sides of the shower seat.
    • The colour contrast between the shower rails and wall is poor.
    • There is a vertical grab rail for the shower.
    • The colour contrast between the vertical grab rail(s) for the shower and wall is poor.
    • There is an emergency alarm for the shower.
  • Comments View
    • There is a toilet roll holder and a basket of paper towels on the shelf.
    • At the time of survey there was storage obstructing the shower.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located at the rear of the Common Room.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 13m from the MCR Entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.