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Route from South Kensington Underground Station to Darwin Building Main Entrance

Royal College of Art, Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2NB

Access Guide

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Summary

  • Building View
    • The distance from South Kensington Station to the Darwin Building main entrance is approximately 0.7 miles.
      The route starts at the South Kensington Station Entrance situated between Pelham Street and Thurloe Street. Along the route there are several roads that will require crossing including Cromwell Gardens which is likely to be very busy.
      There are dropped kerbs at all road crossings enroute.
      The South Kensington area is likely to be very busy and congested especially when traveling along exhibition road.
      .
    • South Kensington Station does not have step free access.
      South Kensington Station is on the Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines.
    • Darwin Building link (new tab) - click here.

South Kensington Thurloe Street Entrance to Cromwell Gardens

  • Turn right on exiting the station and head to Exhibition Road a distance of 40m.
  • The surface of the pavement is block paving.
  • There are pillars with maps along the street.
  • Turn left and head to Thurloe Place a distance of 65m.
  • There is block pavement with a section of tactile paving.
  • There are bollards enroute with widths of 112cm or 120cm.
  • Cross Thurloe Place which has tactile paving on either side.
  • There are traffic lights with rotating cones available with controls at a height of 106cm.
  • After crossing the road continue onwards to Cromwell Gardens.

Cromwell Gardens Crossing

  • There are tactile dropped kerbs either side of the road.
  • There is a level island in the centre of the road.
  • There are traffic lights at the crossing with controls at a height of 106cm.
  • There are rotating cones for the traffic lights.

Continue Along Exhibition Road from Cromwell Gardens to Imperial College Road

  • Continue north along Exhibition Road for approximately 260m until you reach Imperial College Road.
  • This part of South Kensington is extremely congested with pedestrian traffic due to the close proximity of the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert Museums.
  • The surface of the pavement is block pavement.

Continue along Exhibition Road between Imperial College Road and Prince Consort Road

  • Cross Imperial College Road.
  • There are bollards on approach to the Imperial College Road crossing on approach from the south these have a width of 120cm.
  • The pedestrian crossing across the road is raised to be level with the pavement.
  • There is tactile paving on the other side of the road.
  • After crossing continue along the brick block paved Exhibition Road until you reach Prince Consort Road a distance of approximately 195m.
  • As you continue along the road there is a slight uphill gradient.

Prince Consort Road to the Royal Albert Hall

  • Cross Prince Consort Road.
  • There is a raised brick block paved crossing with tactile paving on either side and a central island to cross the road.
  • Continue along the road along the block paved pavement and head uphill until you reach Kensington Gore a distance of approximately 170m.
  • Upon Reaching Kensington Gore turn left and continue left for approximately 140m until you reach a road crossing.
  • The road crossing has dropped kerbs on either side. On the far side of the road is the Royal Albert Hall.

Royal Albert Hall to Jay Mews

  • There is approximately 130m between Royal Albert Hall and Jay Mews.
  • Once you have passed the Royal Albert Hall you will need to cross Kensington Gore.
  • There are bollards on the near side of Kensington Gore with a width of 120cm between them and dropped kerbs on either side of the road.
  • After crossing the road to your left you will find the North door entrance to the Darwin Building.
  • To reach the main entrance of the Darwin Building continue along the block paved pavement in front of you until you reach Jay Mews.

Jay Mews to Darwin Building Main Entrance

  • Cross Jay Mews and then turn left for approximately 30m.
  • There are dropped kerbs on either side of Jay Mews; a road that has an uneven cobbled surface.
  • Upon crossing the road turn left and head along the narrow 102cm width pavement.
  • The pavement has an uneven cobbled surface.
  • Cross the road uneven cobbled road after approximately 30m and head towards the entrance ramp.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the main reception and the lower ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'Royal College of Art Darwin Building'.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped 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) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width with a locked extension leaf.
    • The door(s) is/are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • The ramp/slope is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 147cm (4ft 10in).
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is/are 4 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 15cm.
    • 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 not at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are not easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • The lighting levels at the step(s) are good.