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The Bull - Thames Suite Conference Facilities

The Bull, Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 7PA

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Access Guide

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Hotel Parking

  • The hotel does have its own parking facilities.
  • The car park is located at the front and left side of the building.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
  • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
  • There is/are 3 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 237cm x 470cm.
  • There is not a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
  • All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
  • There are no parking charges for the car park.
  • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.
  • The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
  • The surface on the approach to the entrance is tarmac.
  • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
  • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 2m from the main entrance.
  • Comments View
    • There is one Blue Badge parking bay approximately 5m from the Thames Suite Conference Facilities entrance.
    • There are four electric vehicle charging points in the hotel car park.
    • Speak to reception to begin charging.
    • Charging fees and a maximum charging time applies to non-resident guests.

Outside Access (Thames Suite Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located round the left side of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'THAMES SUITE'.
    • 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 140cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 134cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 134cm.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • This entrance is signed with 'RECEPTION'.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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 a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 116cm (3ft 10in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (away from you).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the opening is 130cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the opening is 128cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the main entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.

The Bull Hotel to The Thames Suite

  • This section describes the internal route from The Bull main entrance to the Thames Suite.
  • From The Bull main entrance, head left, then turn to the right.
  • There is a slope.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There are no handrails at the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 120cm.
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
  • Follow the corridor and pass through the door.
  • The door opens towards you (pull).
  • The door is single width with a locked extension leaf.
  • The door may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the opening is 84cm.
  • Follow the corridor ahead then turn to the right, and the internal entrance to the Thames Suite is ahead.
  • There is a ramp/slope before this entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There are no handrails at the ramp.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is over 150cm.
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.
  • The entrance door is clearly signed.
  • The entrance is signed with 'THAMES SUITE'.
  • The doors open away from you (push).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 180cm.

Lobby (Eton Lounge)

  • The type of flooring in the lobby is carpet.
  • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • Seating in the lobby includes; sofas, bar stools, seats without armrests and armchairs.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Signs and universally accepted symbols or pictograms, indicating lifts, stairs, WCs, circulation routes and other parts of the building are provided in the lobby area.
  • Wayfinding signage is clearly presented/easy to read.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • This lobby does not play background music in public areas.
  • Comments View
    • The Eton Lounge contains a bar (photograph 4), which can be opened for specific events.
    • The height of the bar counter is 108cm.

Inside Access (Conference Facilities)

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is step-free access throughout the majority of the venue.
    • There is not a/are not door(s) in corridors/walkways which have to be opened manually.
    • Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are provided in some corridors/walkways.
    • The type of flooring throughout is carpet.
    • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in the majority of corridors/walkways.
    • There are no seats/chairs at regular intervals.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • The colour, design and typeface of signs is consistent throughout.
    • 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 venue does not play background music/sound.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a portable loop.
    • The portable loop can be obtained from The Bull Hotel reception.
    • Staff are trained to use the hearing system.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested by an AccessAble surveyor.
    • The hearing assistance system was tested on 03/05/2023.
    • The hearing loop was working at the time of testing.

Event Room(s) / Space(s) (Thames Suite)

  • The room surveyed was the Thames Suite.
  • The Thames Suite is located on the ground floor of the Thames Suite building..
  • There is wayfinding signage for the room.
  • There is clear signage for the room(s) (on or near the door).
  • There is written signage for the room(s), in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
  • Hilton Team Members can provide assistance getting to the room(s)/space(s).
  • The corridor/walkway leading to the room(s)/space(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 170cm.
  • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is medium.
  • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is medium.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system available for the room.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The Thames Suite can be divided into three separate rooms, the Marlow Room, Sonning Room and Henley Room, each with its own entrance.
    • The entrance surveyed is the Marlow Room entrance.
    • The layout of the room varies depending on the function or event taking place.

Event Room(s) / Space(s) (Buckingham Suite)

  • The room surveyed was the Buckingham Suite.
  • The Buckingham Suite is located on the ground floor of the Thames Suite building..
  • There is wayfinding signage for the room.
  • There is clear signage for the room(s) (on or near the door).
  • There is written signage for the room(s), in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
  • Hilton Team Members can provide assistance getting to the room(s)/space(s).
  • The corridor/walkway leading to the room(s)/space(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 170cm.
  • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
  • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system available for the room.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The Buckingham Suite can be divided into four separate rooms, the Fulmer Room, Denham Room, Penn Room, and Iver Room, each with its own entrance.
    • The entrance surveyed is the Fulmer Room entrance.
    • The layout of the room varies depending on the function or event taking place.

Event Room(s) / Space(s) (Bulstrode Suite)

  • The room surveyed was the Bulstrode Suite.
  • The Bulstrode Suite is located on the ground floor of the Thames Suite building..
  • There is wayfinding signage for the room.
  • There is clear signage for the room(s) (on or near the door).
  • There is written signage for the room(s), in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
  • Hilton Team Members can provide assistance getting to the room(s)/space(s).
  • The corridor/walkway leading to the room(s)/space(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access.
  • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 172cm.
  • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
  • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system available for the room.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is a bar in the Bulstrode Suite which can be opened according to requirements.
    • The layout of the room varies depending on the function or event taking place.

Event Room(s) / Space(s) (Chalfont Suite)

  • The room surveyed was the Chalfont Suite.
  • The Chalfont Suite is located to the right from The Bull main entrance, opposite the Conservatory Lounge..
  • There is wayfinding signage for the room.
  • There is clear signage for the room(s) (on or near the door).
  • There is written signage for the room(s), in upper and lower case lettering, that is clearly visible.
  • Hilton Team Members can provide assistance getting to the room(s)/space(s).
  • The corridor/walkway leading to the room(s)/space(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access.
  • The door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are double width.
  • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
  • The width of the door opening is 156cm.
  • The colour contrast between the external door and wall is high.
  • The colour contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
  • There is a portable hearing assistance system available for the room.
  • There is sufficient space for a wheelchair user to turn within the room.
  • There are no potential trip hazards within the room.
  • There is flooring which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
  • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is high.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • The Chalfont Suite can be divided into three separate rooms, the Chesham Room, Amersham Room, and Latimer Room, each with its own entrance.
    • The entrance surveyed is the Chesham Room entrance.
    • The layout of the room varies depending on the function or event taking place.

Toilet with Adaptations (Thames Suite - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The accessible toilet was out of use at the time of the survey.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the left from the Thames Suite entrance, through the door to the Gents/Disabled toilet area, then straight ahead.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the Thames 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 pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The door does not have a horizontal grab rail.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 143cm x 183cm (4ft 8in x 6ft).
    • 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 75cm (2ft 6in).
    • There is a flush 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 medium.
    • 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 medium.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • 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 sanitary and general waste (with lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • 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 a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • The shelf does not have the minimum dimensions of 12.5cm x 40cm.
    • The shelf is at a height of 99cm.
    • The shelf is located where it is reachable.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • 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 height of the toilet roll holder is 89cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
    • 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 73cm (2ft 5in).
    • 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 medium.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is no soap available.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 92cm (3ft).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is medium.
  • Comments View
    • The outer door to the Gents/Disabled toilet area opens away from you (push), and may be difficult to open.
    • The open width of this door is 84cm.
  • Comments View
    • The outer door to the Gents/Disabled toilet area opens away from you (push), and may be difficult to open.
    • The open width of this door is 84cm.

Standard Toilet(s) (Thames Suite)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female toilet is located to the right from the Thames Suite entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Thames Suite entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The male toilet is located to the left from the Thames Suite entrance.
    • There is step-free access to the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the Thames Suite entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • 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 84cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.

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