Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Senior Common Room

St Edmund's College, Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0BN

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 St Edmund's College

  • Arriving By Car or Bike View
    • St Edmund's College is situated to the North East of Cambridge city centre. The vehicle entrance to the Campus is located in Mount Pleasant. There are various Park and Ride schemes for people who would prefer to not drive into central Cambridge.
    • St Edmund's College has limited on-site car parking. The main parking area is located ahead as you enter the College from Mount Pleasant, next to Norfolk Building, where there is 1 Blue Badge parking bay. There is a Blue Badge car park off Mount Pleasant next to the Mount Pleasant Halls Blocks B and G, where there are 4 Blue Badge parking bays. There is also an overflow car park near the Richard Laws Building, where there is 1 Blue Badge parking bay. The overflow car park is clearly signposted from the main car park. Students are generally not permitted to use cars in the immediate locality unless given permission based on specific requirements.
    • Cycling is a popular form of transport in Cambridge. The city is relatively flat and there is an extensive network of cycle routes. At St Edmund's College there are many sheltered cycle stands available off the main car park access road, next to the overflow car park, and also in the area surrounding Mount Pleasant Halls. A sheltered cycle stand for visitors is located outside Bene't House.
    • For more information on getting to St Edmund's College please click here (opens new tab).
    • For more information on cycle routes and maps in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Bus View
    • There is not a bus stop within 150 metres of the campus.
    • There are bus stops in Castle Street close to the College.
      The bus services that stop in Castle Street include; 5 citi, and 6 citi.
      These bus services give direct links to; Swavesey, Oakington, Bar Hill and the city centre.
      The bus station in Castle Street is approximately 250 metres away from St Edmund's College.
    • For more information on planning a bus journey in Cambridge please click here (opens new tab).
  • By Train View
  • Accessing the College Site View
    • The main pedestrian entrance to the College site is located in Mount Pleasant. Access is via an ungated access point which is situated to the left of the vehicular entrance (Photograph 1). There are steps at this entrance to the site (Photograph 2). The steps are 15cm deep and are clearly marked with a handrail on the left going up. There is a 4.7 degree slope at the top of the steps leading in from the street (Photograph 3). The surface at this entrance is uneven in places (Photograph 4).
    • Pedestrians can also access the site via a gated pedestrian entrance to Mount Pleasant Halls on Huntingdon Road (Photographs 5 and 6). The gate opens towards from you and is unlocked by either using the intercom (height 114cm) or using the card reader (height 99cm) (Photograph 7). There is a button to unlock the gate for exit (height 90cm) (Photograph 8). There is a 3.3 degree ramp beyond the gate (Photograph 9). There are steps at this entrance to the site (Photograph 10). The steps are 17cm deep and are clearly marked with a handrail on the right going up. These steps can be overcome by using the lifts in Blocks D and E.
    • There is an additional pedestrian entrance on Mount Pleasant which is adjacent to the vehicular exit from the College (Photograph 11). There is a camber to the edge of the access road of 5.0 degrees. The pedestrian walkway is clearly marked and is 64cm wide.
  • Getting Around the College Site View
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge bay in the main area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around external areas of the St Edmund's College site. The site is mostly level or have slight slopes with wide paths (150cm+) but path surfaces do vary (Photographs 12-20).
    • If you have accessed the College site by vehicle and parked in the designated Blue Badge car park in the Mount Pleasant Halls area there is open step-free access to the network of paths around the external areas of the Mount Pleasant Halls site. The site has stepped areas with slight ramps which overcome them. The paths are wide (150cm), and the ramps in front of Blocks C and F are 147cm wide. These ramps overcome the steps into the quad in the centre of Mount Pleasant Halls (Photographs 21-25).
    • There is a clearly marked pedestrian crossing giving access between the main area of the College and Mount Pleasant Halls (Photograph 26). There are steps leading between the 2 areas of the site (Photograph 28). The steps can be overcome by using a long 4.0 degree ramp with handrails on both sides (Photograph 29 and 30).
  • Additional College Site Information View
    • Many of the buildings at St Edmund's College have stepped access into and around them (Photographs 31-33). Due to the age of the buildings the staircases do vary in materials and layout. The height and depths of steps are not uniform and neither is lighting, handrail provision/type or step markings. There are some buildings which have been adapted to make them step-free, including access ramps to bypass external steps (Photographs 34-37) and internal lifts to access other floors. The accommodation blocks in Mount Pleasant are a new build and have internal lifts to give access to all floors. Please see our Detailed Access Guides for further information on access to buildings.
    • There is a variety of directional signage around the site to help those unfamiliar with the layout (Photographs 38 and 39). There is also a map available on the College website to reference. Accessible toilet facilities are located in the Norfolk Building and the Common Room in Mount Pleasant Halls Block E.

Useful Information

Site/Campus Car Park (Main Car Park)

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located off Mount Pleasant.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Norfolk 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.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 198cm x 570cm.
    • 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 permit holders, visitors and Blue Badge holders.
  • 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 clearly signposted from this car park.
    • There is not a campus map available within the car park.
    • The nearest designated bay is 9m (9yd 2ft) from the Norfolk Building Main Entrance.

Getting To (Senior Common Room)

  • Location View
    • The Senior Common Room is located on the southwest side of the campus next to the library building.
    • The Senior Common Room can be accessed via a path that leads from the main campus car park outside reception.
    • There is not wayfinding signage along the route to the Senior Common Room.
    • Other services / Facilities within the building include; The building contains the Senior Common Room.
    • St Edmund's College link (new tab) - click here.
  • Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities View
    • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor.
    • Shared standard toilet facilities are located along the first floor corridor.
    • Standard shower facilities are located at the far end of the first floor corridor.

Outside Access (Main Ramped)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the ground floor of the Senior Common Room building.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped 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.
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the key card reader is 95cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • There is a push pad/button to exit the main automatic doors.
    • The exit push pad or push button is 95cm from floor level.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 85cm.
    • 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 not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.

Outside Access (Stepped Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front left of the building.
    • This entrance gives access to the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is stepped 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 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 128cm.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are light.
    • The width of the door opening is 71cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 2cm or below.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located at the front left of the building.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 21cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between 30cm and 45cm.

Breakout Space(s)

  • There is not a hearing assistance system for the room(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the room(s).
  • There is some fixed furniture within the room(s).
  • The clear floor space beneath tables in the room(s) ranges between 66cm and 72cm.
  • A height adjustable table/bench is not available.
  • There is a/are chair(s) with armrests on both sides within the room(s).
  • The room does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
  • Floor coverings in the room(s) are not even.
  • There is a hot beverages machine in the room at a height of between 118cm and 139cm.
    Carpet edges may serve as trip hazards.
    There are coffee tables with a height of 42cm.
    There is a 15cm step to access additional seating on an upper part of the room and access stairs to the first floor.
    There is a 15cm step to access additional seating on an upper part of the room and access the kitchen.
    The kitchen has a heavy door width of 77cm that opens away from you, and a counter height of 90cm.

Other Floors

  • Stairs View
    • Stairs can be used to access other floors.
    • The stairs are located to your left on entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 5m from the stepped entrance.
    • The stairs are clearly visible from the entrance.
    • There are manual, heavy, single doors to enter and exit the stairwell on the ground floor.
    • The floors which are accessible by the stairs are G and 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 20cm.
    • The depth of the step(s) is/are not between the recommended 30cm and 45cm.
    • The depth of the steps is 24cm.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
    • The steps have a handrail on the right going up.
    • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
    • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
    • Handrails are easy to grip.
    • Handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
    • There is a landing.
    • Clear signs indicating the facilities on each floor are not provided on landings.
    • The lighting levels at the steps are good.
  • Other Information View
    • The service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are meeting room, standard toilets and standard shower.
    • There is a handrail to the left that covers the first three steps only.

Inside Access

  • Access and Circulation View
    • There is not step-free access throughout the building.
    • The type of flooring is carpet.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Signage View
    • Wayfinding 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
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Standard Shower

  • Shower facilities are available.
  • The shower(s) surveyed is/are located at the far end of the first floor corridor.
  • There is not level access to the shower facilities.
  • There is a 6cm step to access the shower.

Accessible Toilet(s) (Ground Floor - Shared - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right on entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 5m (5yd 1ft) from the main ramped 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 no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is light.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is low.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is low.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 240cm x 173cm (7ft 10in x 5ft 8in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The lighting levels are 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 155cm (5ft 1in).
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is low.
    • 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 poor.
    • 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 a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and pedal bin 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 cistern.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 98cm (3ft 3in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is low.
    • 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 72cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is low.
    • 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 103cm.
    • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located along the first floor corridor.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 5m from the staircase.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is no signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • This toilet can be seen in photographs 1, 2 and 3.
  • Toilet Facilities 2 View
    • The shared toilet is located at the end of the first floor corridor.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 20m from the staircase.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is no 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.
    • This toilet can be seen in photographs 4 and 5.