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Sopwell House Hotel

Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2HQ

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Access Guide

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Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in St Albans.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • There is/are 3 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 17m (18yd 1ft) from the main accessible entrance.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Comments View
    • The 3 designated bays are unmarked and are next to the main entrance. There are a further 3 unmarked designated bays outside the Spa.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open both ways.
  • The doors are double width.
  • The doors are heavy.
  • The door opening is 180cm (5ft 11in) wide.

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located leading up to the entrance.
  • The ramp or slope is easy.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.

Outside Access (Conference and Banqueting Suite)

  • There is not level access into the venue.
  • The main doors open towards you (pull).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The doors are heavy.
  • The door opening is 158cm (5ft 2in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The doors open towards you (pull).
    • The doors are double width.
    • The doors are heavy.
    • The door opening is 158cm (5ft 2in) wide.

Level Change (Conference and Banqueting Suite)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is moderate.
  • Please contact the venue in advance.
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 1 step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The steps are medium.

Reception

  • The reception desk is 6m (19ft 8in) from the front entrance.
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is medium height.
  • Lighting levels are bright.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a portable loop.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Lighting levels are bright.

Level Change (Inside Access)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the steps in the foyer.
  • The ramp or slope is moderate.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There are steep ramps (110 cm wide), with a handrail on the left hand side going up, which give access to the lift and the Conference and Banqueting Suite from the hotel foyer, bars and restaurants.
    • The door leading to these ramps is 70 cm wide.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-2.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep.
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting level is bright.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-2.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The dimensions of the lift are 146cm x 108cm (4ft 9in x 3ft 7in).
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does not have an audible announcer.
  • The lift controls do not have Braille markings.
  • The lift controls do have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance to the lift is 80 cm wide.
    • The lift can only be accessed from the foyer and bars via a steep ramp (see inside access section). However, there is level access to the lifts from the Conference and Banqueting Suite, which can be accessed via a portable ramp.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Brasserie)

  • Once inside, there is not level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is a la carte.
  • Comments View
    • There is a buffet at lunchtime.
    • Large print menus are available on request.
    • .

Level Change (Brasserie)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the steps in the foyer.
  • The ramp or slope is moderate.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Terrace Bar)

  • Once inside, there is not level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 41cm (1ft 4in).
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is main meals and snacks.
  • Comments View
    • There are two sets of three steps to access this bar. There are three steps in the foyer, which are overcome via the ramp mentioned above, and another three steps leading down into the bar. The portable ramp which is available for the Conference and Banqueting Suite entrance can also be used to overcome these steps.
    • There is also another lowered section in this bar, accessed via two medium steps. Again, the portable ramp can be used to overcome these.
    • Large print menus are available on request.
    • There is also seating available outside on the terrace. Here the distance between the floor and tables is 72 cm.

Level Change (Terrace Bar)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the steps in the foyer.
  • The ramp or slope is moderate.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 6 step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • Comments View
    • There are two sets of three steps to access this bar. There are three steps in the foyer, which are overcome via the ramp mentioned above, and another three steps leading down into the bar. The portable ramp which is available for the Conference and Banqueting Suite entrance can also be used to overcome these steps.
    • There is also another lowered section in this bar, accessed via two medium steps. Again, the portable ramp can be used to overcome these.
    • There is also seating available outside on the terrace. Here the distance between the floor and tables is 72 cm.

Restaurant Bar Internal (Lounge Bar)

  • Once inside, there is not level access to the service.
  • Full table service is available.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • No tables are permanently fixed.
  • No chairs are permanently fixed.
  • The distance between the floor and the lowest table is 41cm (1ft 4in).
  • Menus are hand held only.
  • Menus are not available in Braille.
  • Menus are clearly written.
  • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
  • The type of food served here is main meals and snacks.

Level Change (Lounge Bar)

  • There is a ramp or slope to access this service.
  • The ramp or slope is located to the left of the steps in the foyer.
  • The ramp or slope is moderate.
  • The ramp or slope is permanent.
  • The width of the ramp or slope is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • There are steps to access this area / service.
  • There is / are 3 step(s) to the area / service.
  • Lighting levels at the steps are bright.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium.
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The handrails are on both sides.

Room

  • General Information View
    • There are 129 rooms in total.
  • Accessible Rooms View
    • There are accessible ensuite facilities.
    • There is / are 2 room(s) which has / have accessible ensuite facilities.
  • Accessible Room View
    • The height of the bed is 58cm (1ft 11in).
    • The measurement between the bed base and floor is 4cm (0ft 2in).
  • Accessible Ensuite View
    • The door opens by sliding.
    • The dimensions of the accessible ensuite are 210cm x 180cm (6ft 11in x 5ft 11in).
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 110cm (3ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat is 42cm (1ft 5in) above floor level.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm in height.
    • There is a sink.
    • The height of the sink is 79cm (2ft 7in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a functional emergency alarm in the ensuite.
    • There are mirrors.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • Bath and Shower View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a shower over the bath.
    • The shower head height is fixed.
    • The shower control type is twist/turn.
  • Signage, colour contrast and lighting in accessible rooms View
    • The colour contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • Ground Floor Standard Rooms View
    • There are not standard rooms on the ground floor.
  • Comments View
    • The adapted rooms are located on the 1st floor.
    • Wall mounted and drop down rails are not available.
    • There is a swimming pool.
    • There is a fitness suite.
    • .

Swimming Pool

  • There is not a ramped entrance into the water.
  • There is not a wet side chair available.
  • There is not a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
  • There are steps into the swimming pool.
  • There are 5 steps.
  • There is a ladder type entrance into the water.

Accessible Changing Room

  • There are not accessible changing rooms available.

Accessible Toilet (Conference and Banqueting Suite)

  • There are accessible toilets within this venue designated for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The accessible toilet is 10m (32ft 10in) from the accessible entrance.
    • The accessible toilet is located within the female toilet.
    • There is level access to the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is not a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 180cm x 170cm (5ft 11in x 5ft 7in).
    • Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
    • No emergency alarm fitted in the cubicle.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a coat hook.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There are not mirrors in the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is poor.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • There is an adapted toilet located in the male facilities, with similar specifications.

Standard Toilet(s) (Conference and Banqueting Suite)

Standard Toilet(s) (Main Hotel Toilets)

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are not available in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located within the gardens.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • Comments View
    • Plastic glasses are available.
    • The photograph shows an adapted room.