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.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England

38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PE

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

Overview

  • About View
    • The Royal College of Surgeons of England is a very large building with nine floors.
    • There are five main lifts and three main staircases within the building.
    • The floors are signed as B2, B1, Ground, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
    • There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking and on-street standard parking.
    • The nearest train station is City Thameslink.
    • The nearest underground station is Holborn.

Getting Inside

  • There is block paving which may be uneven on approach.
  • There are two entrances into the building.
    The main entrance at the front of the building provides step-free access via slight ramps and there is step-free level access into the building at the entrance located to the rear of the building via Portugal Street.
  • The main entrance is signed as the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
    The Rear - Portugal Street entrance is signed as the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
  • The main entrance accesses the atrium on the ground floor of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
  • The Rear - Portugal Street entrance accesses the ARC café on the ground floor of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the building on all floors.
  • There is a very slight slope to access the Members Reading room and the toilet with adaptations on the first floor.
    On the fourth floor there is a very slight slope to access ENT UK.
    .
  • On the fourth floor there is a steep ramp with handrails on either side to access the Philip Leverhulme Room and the offices for the Society of British Neurological Surgeons and the British Association of Urological Surgeons.
    There is a slight slope along the corridor on the fourth floor to access the CEU and the fourth floor toilet with adaptations. These facilities can also be reached by a set of three 17cm steps with handrails on either side.
    There is a very slight slope to access the toilet with adaptations, executive suites and presidents suite on the fifth floor.
  • Floor surfaces in circulation routes are either hard and smooth with a shiny finish or carpeted.
  • There are resting areas located throughout the building.
  • There is wall mounted wayfinding signage throughout the building.
  • There are manual doors in some of the circulation routes around the building.
  • There are quiet spaces located on the first and sixth floors of the building.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 9 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located on floors B2, Ground, First, Fourth, Fifth and sixth.
    • The toilets with adaptations have a transfer space on both sides.
    • Ambulant toilet facilities are located in the standard toilet areas.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located on floors B2, Ground and the sixth floors.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the first, fourth and fifth floors.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located on the ground floor towards the front of the building.

Rooms and Services in the Building

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located at the front of the building.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of block paving.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 224cm (width) x 630cm (depth).
    • There are no hatched/marked zones.
    • The nearest designated bay is 30m from main entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has uneven surfaces.
    • Car parking is not available for use by the general public and is for College use only.
      The College has a dedicated parking space for disabled visitors. Please enquire by booking this space in advance by calling reception.
      Parking in the car park is not available for visitors to the Hunterian Museum.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park is for Blue Badge holders and staff permit holders only.
    • Parking is free for all users.
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • Clearly presented parking signs are not available.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • On-street Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking is available .
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located off both Lincoln's Inn Fields and Portugal Street.
    • The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There are standard electric vehicle charging bays off Lincolns Inn Fields.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the building off Lincoln's Inn Fields.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
  • The ramp bypasses the steps.
  • There are 3 steps with no handrails.
  • The steps are unmarked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 130cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open away from you.
  • The push pad for the automatic doors is at a height of 90cm.
  • The width of the opening is 180cm.
  • The second set of doors have a high visual contrast.
  • The second ramp is located between the first and second set of automatic doors. .
  • There is step-free access via ramp as you enter.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is over 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.

Entrance (Rear - Portugal Street)

  • This entrance is located to the rear of the building off Portugal Street.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 224cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 12 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps have tactile markings at the top and bottom.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Lift (Rear - Portugal Street)

  • The lift surveyed is located to your left on entrance.
  • This lift is a platform lift.
  • The distance from the Rear - Portugal Street Entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • The lift door has a low visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 500kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 100cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 180cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The button needs to be pressed constantly when in use.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Reception

  • The reception is located in the atrium.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 15m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 118cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 76cm.
  • The reception has a television.
  • There is a clearly signed portable hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system was tested and working at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • The flooring is shiny.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre in the seating area (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest in the seating area.
  • Seating available in this area includes: benches and sofas.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located towards the right of the building.
  • The distance from main entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access.
  • Basement 2, basement 1, ground, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1275kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 110cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 235cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
  • All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a mirror to aid reversing, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There are other lifts available at this location which vary in size.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located off the main atrium.
  • The ground, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • The staircase is U-shaped between the ground and the first floor.
    The staircase is straight between the first and sixth floors.

Toilet with Adaptations (Ground Floor - Shared - Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located to your left on entrance.
    • The distance from the main entrance is 20m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a high visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 96cm.
    • The door has a twist lock.
    • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a high visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 180cm (width) x 230cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the right as you face the toilet.
    • The lateral transfer space is 115cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a push button flush on the wall above the cistern.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet has a padded backrest.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 85cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted towel dispenser which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser has a high visual contrast.
    • The towel dispenser is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 94cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm, however it is not within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin and a waste bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 180cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Parent and Baby Room / Feeding Room

  • The room surveyed is located on the ground floor to your left on entering the building via the main entrance.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 25m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • The ramp has a slight gradient.
  • The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with no handrails.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
  • The door opens inwards and has a high visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 86cm.
  • Internally the door has a high visual contrast.
  • The height of the baby change facility when in use is 80cm.
  • There is a wash basin, a paper towel dispenser and a mirror in the room.
  • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
  • The room has a waste bin and a nappy/incontinence items bin.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.