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Chapel

Queens' College, Silver Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9ET

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Access Guide

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Getting To and Around Queens' College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Queens’ College is situated in Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the site is located in Silver Street. Silver Street has a Bus Gate at its west end at the junction of Queen’s Road (the Backs), Sidgwick Avenue, and Newnham Road. Only buses and taxis may enter or leave Silver Street at this junction, so it is advised to access the College site from the east end of Silver Street (Trumpington Street). There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • Parking at College is limited, and by permit only. Visitors are advised to check arrangements before they set off and call at the Porters’ Lodge on arrival to pick up a parking permit. The main parking area is located along the western edge of the College site, to the rear of the Fisher Building, Fitzpatrick Hall and Lyon Court. The parking also extends underneath Lyon Court. 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.
    • For more information on getting to Queens' College by car 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
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located on Silver Street.
      This is via the Porters’ Lodge, which has a single, automatic door, 125cm wide at its entrance.
      There is an intercom, 125cm high, and a card reader, 95cm high, outside the entrance, and a slight slope (photograph 1).
      There are double automatic doors, 109cm wide, at the far end of the Porters’ Lodge leading out to the College.
      There is also a slight slope leading to and just beyond these doors (photograph 2).
    • There are several points where the main College site is accessed from the car park.
      Opposite the main vehicle entrance, there is an entrance via the Fisher Building.
      This has a gate, 114cm wide, then 2 automatic doors, 138cm and 136cm wide, accessed by a steep ramp, 112cm wide with handrails both sides, leading to the first door, and a further ramp, 118cm wide with handrails both sides, or 2 marked, 15cm high steps, leading to the second door (photographs 3-5).
      There is also a gap between the Fisher Building and the rear of Fitzpatrick Hall with a dropped kerb leading up from the car park to the front of the Fisher Building.
      There is a steep ramp with handrails both sides leading up the side of Fitzpatrick Hall, next to the electric car charging points (photograph 6).
      This gives access to Cripps Court via 2 automatic doors in Block FF.
      Further along there are 7 unmarked steps without handrails, leading up to Lyon Court (photograph 7).
      There are also 17 unmarked steps with handrails both sides, which lead up to Lyon Court from the underground car park (Photograph 8).
    • Docketts Gate is located on Queens’ Lane and can be used to give pedestrian access to the area of the College on the east side of the River Cam.
      The gate opens automatically away from you and is 120cm wide (photograph 9).
      There is a card reader 100cm at this entrance, and also an intercom, 120cm high, on the far side of the gate (photograph 10).
      There is a slight slope/dropped kerb with a cobbled surface in front of the gate (photograph 11) and a slight concrete slope just inside, leading down to Friars’ Court (photograph 12).
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • From the Porters’ Lodge, there is a steep slope to the left leading down to the Fisher Building and the bike sheds, which has a brick block surface (photograph 13).
      There is a level covered walkway with a flagstone surface straight ahead from the Porters’ Lodge leading to Cripps Court, which also has a flagstone surface which can be uneven in places (photograph 14).
      There is a cut through on the far side of Cripps Court which leads through to Lyon Court (photograph 15), which also has a level, flagstone surface.
      There is a raised, covered area within this court containing benches and tables, which is accessed by a steep ramp or a medium height marked step (photograph 16).
      There is also seating available on the level areas (photograph 17).
    • Just before you get to Cripps Court from the Porters’ Lodge, there is a flagstone path with a slight slope to the right which leads to the Mathematical Bridge (photograph 18).
      The bridge links the east and west sides of the College site but has a very steep gradient and handrails on both sides (photograph 19).
      The bridge can be bypassed by exiting the site at the Porters’ Lodge, crossing the river via the Silver Street Bridge, then turning left into Queens’ Lane and re-entering the site via Dokett Gate.
      Just before the bridge, there is a path to the left with a slight slope that leads down to a gravel path beside the Cam (photograph 20).
      This leads to the Grove.
    • Just inside Dokett Gate is Friars Court, which has a tarmac, concrete and flagstone surface, with a slight slope which can be uneven in places (photograph 21).
      On the other side of the Chapel is Walnut Tree Court, which has a tarmac surface, is uneven in places, and has a slight slope leading up past the Chapel (photograph 22).
      To the right has you enter from Friars’ Court there is a gap in the wall that leads to the Fellows’ Garden via a steep ramp or 3 unmarked steps with handrails on both sides (photograph 23).
      Opposite the Chapel, there is a cut through to Old Court, which is 124cm wide with a slight slope leading up (photograph 24).
      Old Court has a flagstone surface, uneven in places and with some slight slopes (photograph 25).
      There is also a cut through from Walnut Tree Court to Cloister Court, which is 92cm wide at its narrowest (photograph 26).
      The paths in the centre of Cloister Court have a paving slab surface with a steep slope on the central path at the near end (photograph 27).
      That slope can be used to overcome the steps in the cloisters either side.
      The cloisters have a flagstone surface, uneven in places (photograph 28).
      On the far side of Cloister Court from Walnut Tree Court is a cut through to Old Court, which has a flagstone surface, uneven in places, with a slight gradient (photograph 29).
      There is also a cut through from Cloister Court leading to the Mathematical Bridge.
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at Queens’ College have stepped access into and around them (photographs 30 and 31).
      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.
      There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including access ramps to bypass external steps (photograph 32) and internal lifts to access other floors.
      Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is good directional signage (photograph 33) around the site which means those unfamiliar with the layout will be able to find their way to the main parts of the college.
      Accessible toilet facilities are located just off Lyon Court and in the JCR Office Building off Walnut Tree Court.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the side and rear of the west side of the College site, accessed off Silver Street.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Fisher Building, Fitzpatrick Hall, Gym, Squash Courts, Lyon Court and Cripps Court.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff, visitors and Blue Badge 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.
    • There are no designated Blue Badge bays within the car park, however, bays can be reserved for Blue Badge holders if requested in advance.
      The car park has a tarmac. concrete tile and concrete surface.
      There are 2 electric car charging bays located next to the ramp leading up to Lyon Court (Photograph 5).
      Part of the car park is underground (Photographs 6 and 7). There is a 220cm height limit at the entrance to this area (Photograph 8).

Getting To (The Chapel)

  • Location View
    • The Chapel is located to the east side of the Campus and River Cam. It is in Walnut Tree Court on the opposite side to the Library.
    • The Chapel can be accessed from the Dokett Gate Entrance off Queens' Lane via Friars' Court to Walnut Tree Court. It can also be accessed by the cut through from Old Court if heading from the west side of the Campus (other side of the bridge/river).
    • There is limited wayfinding signage along the route to the Chapel.
    • Queens' College link (new tab) - click here.

Approach (Chapel)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Comments View
    • The approach from either direction to the main entrance has very slight slopes due to the uneven nature of the footpath around the court.

Outside Access (Chapel)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in Walnut Tree Court, on the left-hand side of the building.
    • 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.
    • There is a dark mat or floor marking at this entrance that might be perceived as a hole.
    • 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) 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 66cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • There are no doors at this entrance.
    • The width of the door opening is 137cm.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the first set of entrance doors.
    • 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 6cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are between 30cm and 45cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • The main entrance door is opened by a large heavy handle that is 119cm-129cm high. It is not locked. The door can stay open (Photographs 1-3).
    • Just inside the first door there is a grate which has a lip of approximately 2cm. There is a dark mat partially placed on top of this (Photograph 4).
    • Photograph 5 shows the second entrance.
    • There is a similar locked entrance door on the other side off Friars' Court.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the majority of the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet and stone.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are low to moderate.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Audio View
    • This area does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Chapel

  • *Entrance Area*
  • Before the second entrance into the main area of the chapel, there is piano to the left of 4 pillars which are spaced 230cm apart. There is a slight lip from the stone flooring onto the carpeted area (Photographs 1-2).
  • There is a table within this area with singing/reading material for services. The table is 80cm high with clear space underneath of 64cm (Photograph 3).
  • *Chapel Seating*
  • The Chapel has 3 rows of seating. The front row of benches are 46cm high and have step-free access to them. They do not have a Bible stand (Photographs 4-6).
  • The two rows of seating behind are accessed by two 20cm steps, either directly after the entrance into the Chapel or via 2 areas on either side between the benches.
  • The back two rows can also be accessed via the first step up to the altar and then a 8cm (second rows) or 27cm step (back row). There is a pipe running in front of this step which makes the step wider. This is the same on both sides (Photograph 7).
  • The benches are 46cm high and have Bible stands. The seating on the back row is more ornate and is divided into individual seats. The two rear rows have shelves 42cm high under the Bible stands.
  • The second row has a width of 37cm between the bench and stand in front. The back row has a width of 45cm between them.
  • *Altar*
  • The altar is accessed via 7 different steps. The steps are 13cm-15cm high and vary in their depth. The narrowest are 2 of the 3 steps directly in front of the altar which have treads of 34cm (Photograph 9 and 10).
  • The altar itself is 100cm high, with ledges for ornate candlesticks and a cross (Photograph 12).
  • To the sides of the altar are two grills which although are flat could be trip hazards due to a change in surface from stone to metal. However, this is an area little used by most people (Photograph 14).
  • There is a piano on the third step/level before the altar with a seat that is 49cm high (Photograph 11).
  • There are also two chairs on this third step/level before the altar with armrests on both sides (Photograph 13).
  • There are two locked rooms to the sides of the altar and the rear of the Chapel.

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.
  • The nearest accessible toilet(s) is/are located on the west side of Walnut Tree Court near the President's Garden (signed JCR Office).

Accessible Toilet(s) (JCR Office - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located next to the President's Garden, in the JCR Office building.
    • 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards (automatically).
    • The door is push pad or push button activated.
    • The push pad or push button is 102cm from floor level.
    • The door is locked by a push button or pad.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 83cm.
    • 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 good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 160cm x 260cm (5ft 3in x 8ft 6in).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush 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 good.
    • 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 good.
    • 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 and general waste (with no lid) 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 not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The toilet roll holder is on the dropdown rail.
    • 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 is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the right hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • 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 94cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is good.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is good.
  • Comments View
    • To access the toilet cubicle, you have to first pass through the entrance into the building. as shown in the photographs.
    • This is via a push pad activated door that opens automatically away from you.
    • The width of the door opening is 89cm and the height of the push pad is 75cm.
    • A radar key is needed in order to activate this push pad.
    • The height of the exit push pad is 98cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.
  • The nearest standard toilet(s) is/are located in Pump Court, just inside the Old Kitchen Entrance.