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Drake's Place

University of Plymouth, Drake Circus , Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA

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Access Guide

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Summary

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Tuesday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Wednesday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Thursday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Friday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Saturday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Sunday 07:00 - 18:00.
  • Comments View
    • These opening times are for winter months.
    • During the summer, the gardens and reservoir promenade close at dusk daily.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • From the end of the M5 take the Devon Expressway (A38). After 60km take the A374 towards the city centre and follow for 5km across three roundabouts to Charles Cross roundabout. Take the third exit onto Charles Street, turn left onto Glanville Street and take the first turning on the right to James Street in the centre of the University.
    • All parking on the University campus is permit parking and must be arranged in advance. The main section of visitor parking is to the left off James Street.
  • By Bus View
    • Plymouth Citybus services to and from all outlying areas including Devonport, Plympton and Saltash pass the University site.
  • By Train View
    • GWR provides services at Cornwall, Exeter, Bristol and London with links to the rest of the country.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.

Site/Campus Car Park (Babbage Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off James Street.
    • 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 and signposted.
    • There is/are 4 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 220cm x 487cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side but not at the rear.
    • The marked zone is 130cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by visitors and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
    • Signs are clearly presented.
  • 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 27m from the Babbage Building Main Entrance.

Approach (Drake Circus)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Outside Access (Drake Circus Garden Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Drake Circus.
    • This entrance gives access to Drake's Place gardens.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped and stepped 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 155cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located on the right side of the main entrance opening.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located on the left side of the main entrance opening.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 9cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Outside Access (Drake Circus Reservoir Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Drake Circus.
    • This entrance gives access to Drake's Reservoir.
    • 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 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 72cm.

Approach (Sherwell Lane Entrances)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope on the approach.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent, has a slight gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.

Outside Access (Sherwell Lane Reservoir Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located by the Nancy Astor Building.
    • This entrance gives access to Drake's Reservoir.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • 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.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 190cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located to the right as you face the entrance.
    • There is/are 15+ step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 16cm.
    • 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 extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.

Outside Access (Sherwell Lane Garden Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off Sherwell Lane.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 181cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately in front of and immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Gardens

  • The gardens comprise the lower park of Drake's Place. There are benches situated underneath the canopy of the concourse which runs above and there are tarmac paths of approximately 160cm width which run throughout the garden.
  • Most of the slopes are slight when running across the garden but there are some steep slopes when heading up towards the steps to reach the concourse.
  • Additionally, there is a table tennis table located within the gardens as well as information boards relating to the flowers planted in the flowerbeds.

Step(s) (Garden to Reservoir)

  • Stepped Level Change 1 View
    • There is a/are step(s) located to the right after the Drake Circus Garden entrance.
    • The step(s) is/are used to access the steps are used to access the reservoir concourse.
    • There is/are 15+ step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) has/have tactile paving at the top and bottom.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 22cm.
    • 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.
    • 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 steps are used to gain access from the garden to the reservoir when within the garden.

Reservoir Concourse

  • The concourse forms the top part of Drake's Place. It runs around the reservoir from the B3250 to the Nancy Astor Building.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor of the Nancy Astor building.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located on the ground floor of the Nancy Astor building.