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Robinson College

Grange Road, Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 9AN

Access Guide

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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.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Long Court - Chapel and Linnett Room)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located just off Long Court, between the Chapel and Linnett Room.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the Linnett Room.
    • 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 Braille, tactile, pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is fair.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 72cm.
    • 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 128cm x 235cm (4ft 2in x 7ft 9in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail.
    • 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.
    • 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 lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 147cm from the floor.
  • 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 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is good.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is fair.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • The height of the wash basin is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • 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 123cm.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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 poor.
  • Comments View
    • The spatula lever flush is on the right as you face the toilet.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Umney Theatre Suite - Left Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located in the Umney Theatre Suite foyer.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 15m (16yd 1ft) from the Umney Theatre Suite 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 tactile, written text, Braille 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 sliding bolt.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 75cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 125cm x 200cm.
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 70cm.
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • 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 right.
    • There is not 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 poor.
    • 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 a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 161cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is 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.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 53cm (1ft 9in).
    • 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 128cm (4ft 2in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There are no vertical wall-mounted grab rails at the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is twist/turn.
    • 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 76cm.
    • 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 125cm (4ft 1in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is fair.
    • There is not a hand dryer.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Level -1 - No Lateral Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on level -1, next to the Garden Room and Seminar Room cloakrooms.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 40m (43yd 2ft) from the Long Court lift.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is Braille, tactile, 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.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 75cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 200cm (4ft 12in x 6ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • There is not a lateral transfer space.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a lever flush.
    • 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 right.
    • 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 and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 192cm from the floor.
  • 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.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is good.
    • 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 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 92cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is poor.
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Comments View
    • The lever flush is on the right as you face the toilet.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the right wall as you face the toilet, however, it is not positioned in the correct place (unreachable from the toilet seat).
    • This toilet cubicle is approximately 7 metres away from the Seminar and Garden Rooms and approximately 47 metres away from the Dining Hall.