Skip to main content

Auditorium

Robinson College, Grange Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 9AN

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Getting To and Around Robinson College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • Robinson College is situated in Grange Road, to the west of the centre of Cambridge. Grange Road runs between Barton Road and Madingley Road. The best way to approach the College by road from the north, south or east is from Junction 12 of the M11.
    • The only onsite parking at the College is the underground car park which is for staff, fellows and visitors only. Parking at the College is only available for visitors by prior arrangement with a fellow or member of staff. Students are not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements. There is some limited on-street parking around the College including Herschel Road.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes available.
    • For more information on getting to Robinson College by road please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on getting to Robinson College by bicycle 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 in Grange Road. Access is via a wide and long ramp (approximately 27 metres) that leads up to an open gateway. There are no resting areas along the ramp and it has a steep gradient towards the top (photographs 1 and 2). There is a handrail on the right hand side going up. The width of the open gateway at the top is 220cm. The main entrance gives access to Front Court which is an open space from which walkways lead off to other areas. The Porters’ Lodge is also located at the top of the ramp.
    • Staff and students with key cards also have the option of accessing the site via an alternative entrance which is also located off Grange Road. This entrance is known as the Bin Brook Entrance and it has 10 steps leading up to it (photographs 3 and 4). The steps are spaced out (tread depths are approximately 125cm) which may not be suitable for some people. The steps are not marked and have handrails on both sides. This entrance gives access to the Umney Theatre Suite.
    • The only other way to access the site would be via the underground car park and the Long Court lift but this would only apply to staff and visitors.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • The main part of the Robinson College site consists of a large red brick building that has external walkways from which the various service and accommodation areas can be accessed (photographs 5-8). To the rear of the main building are the Gardens where some additional standalone buildings are located such as the Crausaz Wordsworth Building and some College Houses and Rooms.
    • The external walkways in the main building all have the same red brick block paving surface and are level. From Front Court (photographs 5 and 6) the walkway to the left is called Herschel Court (photograph 7) and this is where some of the accommodation is located. To the right is the main walkway which is called Long Court (photograph 8) and it is from here that a lot of the main service areas can be accessed.
      There is also an external walkway on the level above Long Court which is called High Court (level 1). Access to High Court is via 18 external steps (photograph 9) with handrails on both sides. The step markings have faded. These steps can be avoided by using the internal lift in the Umney Theatre Suite (photograph 11). High Court also has the same red brick block paving and is level although there are some narrower walkways (92cm – 130cm) along the sections outside P, W and X Stairs (photographs 12 and 13).
    • To access the Gardens you have to go down to -1 level. The lift in the Umney Theatre Suite can be used for this. Alternatively, there is an external stepped walkway from the rear of the Umney Theatre Suite. The steps are spaced out similar to those at the Bin Brook Entrance. There are 10 steps with handrails on both sides. To gain level access to some other service areas on -1 in the main building it may be necessary to use the lift off Long Court which is located next to Stair K. There are some steep slopes along corridors on -1 such as the one leading to the Garden and Seminar Rooms and toilets.
      There is network of paths leading to the key areas around the gardens. After exiting the Umney Theatre lift there are some sloped walkways, with slight gradients, leading outside towards the Bin Brook footbridge (photograph 16). From the footbridge onwards the external paths are mostly flat. The surface of the paths varies between non-slip (footbridge across Bin Brook), tarmac (towards Auditorium), flagstone paving (towards Crausaz Wordsworth Building) and loose chippings (towards Maria Bjornson Outdoor Theatre). There are many bench seats along the routes and in the gardens for resting.
      Just after the footbridge there is also a stepped route to a bench seating area cut into the bank, next to the brook (photographs 21 and 22). There are 4 steps to access this area although it could also be accessed via the grass bank from the larger garden area. There are generally grass slopes in the gardens of varying gradients (photographs 23 and 24). There is a steep slope at the end of the path leading to the Maria Bjornson Outdoor Theatre.
      The flagstone paving on the path leading to the Crausaz Wordsworth Building is slightly uneven in places. At the end of the path there is stepped access up to the building (photograph 25). An enclosed platform lift can be used to overcome the steps (photograph 26).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • There is stepped access into and between floors in some of the Robinson College building areas (photographs 27 and 28). Many of these can be bypassed by using the lift in Long Court or the Umney Theatre Suite. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings and services.
    • There is extensive directional signage around the college to assist those not familiar with the site (photographs 29-32). Accessible Toilet facilities are available on ground level (between Linnett Room/The Chapel and in the Umney Theatre Suite) and also on -1 level (outside the Garden/Seminar Rooms). Please be aware that the layout and size of these toilet cubicles might mean they are not suitable for all users.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Staff, Fellows and Visitors)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Herschel Road.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Dining Hall (via lift) and Porters' Lodge (via stairs).
    • The car park type is underground.
    • The car park does have a height restriction barrier.
    • The maximum height is 198cm (6ft 6in).
    • The car park surface is concrete.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) markings are faded.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 220cm x 445cm.
    • The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by staff and visitors.
  • 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 80m (87yd 1ft) from the Long Court lift.
    • There are a set of manual double doors between the car park and the lift (Photograph 8).
      The right hand leaf is locked which means the opening width is restricted to 72cm.
      The door opens towards you (pull) and has a closer so may be difficult for some people to open.
      After the manual doors there is also a steep downwards slope in the corridor leading to the lift.

Getting To (The Auditorium)

  • Location View
    • The Auditorium is located on both the Ground Level or Level -1 of the Main College Building.
    • The Auditorium can be accessed via the Front Court which is located immediately in front of you as you enter the College via the Main Entrance or via the Garden which is located to the rear of the building and can be accessed step-free by using the Umney Theatre lift.
    • The Main Entrance of Front Court accesses the Auditorium Lounge, standard toilet and the rear stepped entrance into the Auditorium. The Garden Entrance provides level access to the front of the Auditorium, Changing Area and Ambulant Toilet.
    • There is limited wayfinding signage along the route to the Auditorium.
    • Other services / Facilities within the building include; the Auditorium, the Auditorium Lounge and Changing Area.
    • Robinson College link (new tab) - click here.
    • Umney Theatre link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located through the door to the left as you face the Auditorium stage.
    • Gender neutral toilet facilities are located in the Auditorium Entrance foyer on the Ground Floor level.
    • Standard changing facilities are located through the door to the left as you face the Auditorium stage.

Outside Access (Front Court Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Front Court.
    • This entrance gives access to the Auditorium on the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Auditorium'.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is 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) towards you (pull).
    • 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 60cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second entrance area with no doors beyond these doors and with a width of 130cm. There is a small lip on the threshold of this entrance area (2cm or below).

Outside Access (Garden Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located off the Robinson College Gardens.
    • This entrance gives access to the Auditorium.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Auditorium'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or 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.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 120cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the first entrance door.
    • 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.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located leading down to the entrance.
    • There is/are 3 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 12cm.
    • 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
    • There is level access to the front row of the Auditorium and to the Changing Area and Accessible Toilet via the Garden entrance.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • Photographs 1 and 2 show the Auditorium foyer located just inside the Front Court entrance.

Lecture Theatre(s)

  • Signage for the lecture theatre(s) is available in upper and lower case lettering that is clearly visible on or near the door.
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door(s) for the lecture theatre(s) is/are not push pad activated.
  • There are no designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is space for an assistance dog.
  • There is not step free access to the speaker's area at the front of the lecture theatre(s).
  • There are three unmarked deep steps with no handrails to access the speaker's Area (Photograph 12).
  • The height of the speaker's desk/table is 102cm.
  • The speaker's desk/table is not height adjustable.
  • There is staggered seating within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The steps to the staggered seating do have handrails.
  • The steps have handrails which are wall mounted on either side of the room.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is fixed furniture within the lecture theatre(s).
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the lecture theatre(s).
  • The room does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the lecture theatre(s) are even with no trip hazards.
  • There are two internal entrances to the rear of the Lecture Theatre from the Foyer, accessed by the Front Court entrance. The entrance to the right of the foyer has two sets of heavy doors with a width of over 75cm after which there are three clearly marked steps with a handrail on the left going up (Photograph 1, 2 and 3). The entrance to the left of the foyer has two sets of heavy doors with a width of over 75cm after which there are three clearly marked steps with a handrail on the right going up (Photograph 4, 5 and 6). There is level access to the front row of the Auditorium, Changing Rooms and Accessible Toilet via the external Garden entrance.

Changing Area

  • Changing Area View
    • There is a/are changing area(s) available.
    • The changing area that was surveyed is located to the front left of the Auditorium.
    • The changing area is approximately 24m from the Garden Entrance.
    • The changing area is approximately 5m from the Auditorium.
    • There is step-free access to the changing area.
    • The facilities available within the changing area include; standard toilets.
    • This is a shared changing area.
    • Similar shared changing area(s) are available.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 75cm.
    • The type of flooring in the changing area is tiles and laminate.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the changing area.
    • There are changing benches or seats within the changing area.
    • There are no lockers within the changing area.
    • There is not a water dispenser available.
    • The lighting levels in the changing area are good.
  • Shower Facilities View
    • Shower facilities are not available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • Toilet facilities are available.
    • There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • The lighting levels in the toilet(s) are good.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Auditorium Dressing Rooms)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in the dressing room area, off the front left of the Auditorium.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the Garden 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 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 heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm.
    • 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 160cm.
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a dropdown rail.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • 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 poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • 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 not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest and a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 106cm.
    • 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 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • There is a lever flush on the right as you face the toilet.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The gender neutral toilet is located to the right after you enter via the Front Court entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Front Court entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is good.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 81cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.