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Owlstone Croft - Porters' Lodge

Queens' College, Owlstone Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9JJ

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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 within Owlstone Croft.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are Owlstone Croft & the Porters' Lodge.
    • 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.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 237cm x 489cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 127cm wide.
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by student permit holders, staff permit holders 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.
    • The nearest designated bay is 7m (7yd 1ft) from the Owlstone Croft Building.
  • Comments View
    • There are parking spaces on both sides of the Owlstone Croft Building. There are various standard parking bays (Photographs 1, 2, 7 and 8).
    • The car parking spaces can be used by the nursery staff (nursery is within Owlstone Croft), contractors, staff and students with permits. Permits are picked up from the Porters' Lodge in the main Queens' College Campus.
    • The Blue Badge bay that is straight ahead and close to the Owlstone Croft Building has a dropped kerb in front of Owlstone Croft (Photograph 3-5).
    • There is a painted bicycle/pedestrian section leading from the nursery to the pavement by the front main access gate to the campus/site (Photograph 9).
    • The nursery's Blue Badge bay to the right as you enter the site/campus and past the Porters' Lodge designated bay has a slight slope. There is a fence/barrier round the right-hand side and a dropped kerb on the left. This dropped kerb leads onto a block paved pavement with a steep slope (Photographs 10-12).

Getting To (Owlstone Croft - The Porters' Lodge)

  • Location View
    • Owlstone Croft is separate to the main campus and is approximately 1.5 miles away. It is located off Owlstone Road.
    • The Porters' Lodge can be accessed either by a door inside or outside the pedestrian or vehicular access gates into Owlstone Croft. At time of the survey the door on the inside was the only access point.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to Owlstone Croft - Porters' Lodge.
    • Queens' Lodge link (new tab) - click here.

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders, student permit holders and staff permit holders.
    • The car park is located within the access gates to Owlstone Croft, next to the Porters' Lodge.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 242cm x 531cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays have a marked zone to one side and the rear.
    • The marked zone is 116cm wide.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Porters' Lodge Internal Owlstone Croft Entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is a site/campus car park for staff, students and visitors within approximately 200m.
    • The name of the car park is Owlstone Croft Car Park.
    • The car park is located within Owlstone Croft.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is not a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • There is a singular marked bollard on the edge of the marked area of the Blue Badge bay. The bollard is 114cm high and does not obstruct the route to the Porters' Lodge Entrance (Photographs 1 and 2).
    • The other standard car parking spaces can be used by contractors, staff and students with permits. Permits are picked up from the Porters' Lodge in the main Queens' College Campus.

Approach (Vehicular / Pedestrian Access Gates to Owlstone Croft)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and block paving.
    • 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 steep gradient and has no handrails.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 130cm (4ft 3in).
  • Comments View
    • The approach to the pedestrian gates via the pavement has a narrowest point of 108cm. This pavement has a steep slope progressing into a slight slope and is uneven. The dropped kerb onto the pavement from the road is 4cm high (Photographs 2 and 3). The paving by the gate itself is level.
    • The surface changes from asphalt to block paving.

Outside Access (Pedestrian & Vehicular Access Gate into Owlstone Croft)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located leading to Owlstone Croft.
    • This entrance gives access to Owlstone Croft.
    • 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/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 101cm .
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 90cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 110cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 154cm.
    • There is a slope with a very easy incline.
  • Comments View
    • The pedestrian gate has a very slight slope on either side (Photographs 1-4).
    • Past the gate there is a dropped kerb with tactile paving and a short steep slope to the road level. From here you can cross the car park to the parking spaces or the Porters' Lodge (Photographs 5 and 6).
    • Photographs 7-9 show the vehicular gate and intercom.
    • The vehicular access gates have a raised cobbles area in front of them by the intercom (161cm high) and key card/key code reader (150cm high).

Approach (Side Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and block paving.
    • 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
    • There is a very slight slope towards the Porters' Lodge on the approach.
    • There is a dropped kerb to the pavement in front of the door which has a lowest point of 3cm and a highest point of 9cm. It is around 110cm wide at its lowest point before it starts rising. There is a very slight slope on the small section of pavement up to the door (Photograph 2).

Outside Access (Side Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located on the side of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Porters' Lodge.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'The Lodge is not manned (if you require assistance use call point by pedestrian gate or call 01223 335500)'.
    • There is step-free 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 card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 110cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 106cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Comments View
    • There is a wall-mounted hand sanitiser to the left of this door which is 120cm high.
    • The key card reader also has a key code function.
    • There is also a key card reader / key code to exit as well as the push button that is 109cm high.

Approach (Owlstone Road)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is tarmac and block paving.
    • The approach surface is uneven in places.
    • There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach .
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 129cm.
    • The bollard(s) has/have a high colour contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
  • 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.
  • Comments View
    • The slope is in front of the door as you enter.

Outside Access (Owlstone Road)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located outside the main site/campus entrance gates at the end of Owlstone Road.
    • This entrance gives access to the Porters' Lodge ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'No entrance - door not working for key card access. Please use call point on gate for assistance from the porter, thank you.'.
    • 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 card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 112cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The exit push pad or push button is 106cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Comments View
    • The key card reader on the outside also has a key code function.
    • There is a key card reader/ key code as well as the push button to exit which is 108cm high.
    • At time of survey the key card reader did not work to enter, although you could unlock the door to exit (Photograph 3).

Reception (Porters' Lodge)

  • Reception View
    • The reception point is located on the ground floor of the Porter's Lodge Building.
    • The reception point is approximately 8m (8yd 2ft) from the side entrance.
    • The reception area/desk is clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the reception point.
    • There is a clear unobstructed route to the reception point.
    • There are windows, TVs, glazed screens or mirrors at/behind the reception point which could adversely affect the ability of someone to lip read.
    • The reception counter is not placed in front of a background which is patterned.
    • The lighting levels at the reception point are good.
    • The height of the reception counter is 98cm .
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the counter.
    • There is a lowered section of the counter.
    • The height of the lowered section at the counter is 75cm.
    • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the lowered section of the counter.
    • There is a clear knee recess beneath the counter.
    • The counter is staffed.
    • There is not a bell to attract attention.
    • Clipboards can be provided to anyone who is unable to use the desk.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system at the reception point.
    • There is no wayfinding signage available at/close to the reception.
    • The type of flooring in the reception area is stone.
  • Reception Waiting Area View
    • There is not a waiting area close to the reception point.
  • Comments View
    • Within the corridor on the ground floor there are pigeon holes for students and staff to pick up mail. These are 33cm-163cm high (Photograph 1).
    • If you require assistance from the Porter you can call 01223 335 500 or email [email protected]. The Porters' Lodge is not currently staffed (August 2021) but usually is during term-time.
    • There are two staff entrance doors on the ground floor for the office behind the counter that are 76cm wide. They are single, manual, heavy and open away from you (push) and have a slight lip/step on entry (2-3cm).

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is stone.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • Safe Place(s) View
    • There is not a designated place of safety which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
  • Audio View
    • This area does not play background music/sound.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • There is an automatic door between the Porters' Lodge counter/reception area and the side entrance to the Porters' Lodge. It has a push button and key card reader 107cm high on the wall to the side before the door (Photograph 1). The door opens towards the Porters' Lodge counter with a width of 86cm.
    • On the other side of the door (Porters' Lodge counter/reception and Owlstone Road Entrance) there is a key card reader /key code that is 108cm high (Photograph 2).
    • At time of survey there was a clipboard for student/guest registration on the cabinet in the corridor that is 96cm high (August 2021) (Photograph 3).
    • There is a flight of stairs to the second floor which is signed as Staff only (Photograph 4).

Accessible Toilet(s)

  • There is not an/are not accessible toilet(s) available.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are not available.