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.

Wilkins Refectory

Wilkins Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT

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

Evacuation and Fire Safety Provisions

Overview

Getting Inside

  • The approach to the venue is step-free and level.
  • Wilkins Refectory has two external entrances.
  • To the south of the Refectory is the main entrance which has level access with two double doors.
  • To the north of the Refectory off Wilkins Terrace there is an entrance that has a lift bypassing the stairs in front of the entrance. Leading into the external seating area and a set of entrance doors which are double automatic doors followed by a slight ramp.
  • There is also a set of double doors located off the external seating area leading to the toilets and baby changing area. These facilities can only be accessed off this external area.
  • The main entrance is signed as Welcome to Wilkins Refectory.
  • The main entrance leads directly into the main counter area at the front of the Refectory.
  • The Wilkins Terrace entrance leads into the seating area of the Refectory.

Getting Around

  • The toilet facilities are located off a set of double doors off the external seating area.
  • The toilets area cannot be accessed internally from the Refectory; they can only be accessed via the external seating area.
  • There is no access to the Refectory from this entrance.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There is 1 toilet with adaptations.
    • The toilet with adaptations is located in the toilet area located off the external seating area.
    • The toilet with adaptations has a right hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free standard toilet facilities are located in the toilet area located off the external seating area.
  • Changing Places and Changing Facilities View
    • Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet area located off the external seating area.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located off the East Courtyard.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access at the entrance.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 220cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.

Lift (Wilkins Terrace)

  • The lift surveyed is located off Wilkins Terrace.
  • The distance from the Wilkins Terrace entrance is 5m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and a lift.
  • The floor - 1, Wilkins Terrace and the Jeremy Bentham Room 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 1000kg.
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast.
  • All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast.
  • Some of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a separate door to exit, a visual floor indicator and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Entrance (Wilkins Terrace)

  • This entrance is located off the Wilkins Terrace.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free level access via lift at the entrance.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 20+ steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not 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 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 120cm.
  • The doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope as you enter.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.

Eating and Drinking

  • Service View
    • This area has a counter where food and drink can be ordered, a food and drink ordering touchscreen and numerous seating options.
    • Full table service is available on request only.
    • Menus types include: menu boards, touchscreen and countertop.
    • The following dietary requirements can be catered for: gluten free, dairy free, lactose free, nut allergy, vegetarian and vegan.
    • The following are available: drinking straws, takeaway cups and takeaway cutlery.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Order and Payment View
    • The payment counter was surveyed.
    • The counter is located in front of you on entrance.
    • There is step-free level access to the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 85cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The counter has a television and patterned/distracting backgrounds.
    • The height of the touchscreen display ranges from 110cm to 174cm from the floor.
    • The touchscreen has the following accessibility aids: screen shrink.
    • When made accessible the height of the touchscreen display ranges from 110cm to 144cm from the floor.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: There is a slight ramp to access the seating area from the Refectory.
    • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
    • The flooring is shiny.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests and benches.
    • Furniture available in this area includes: tables.
    • Some chairs and tables are fixed.
    • The surface height of the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • The clear height under the tables is suitable for wheelchair users.
    • There is background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • There are separate counters at the rear of the seating area for Wills at Wilkins and the Sundae Society.
    • Wills at Wilkins counter is at a height of 93cm with a lower part at a height of 85cm.
    • The Sundae Society counter has a height of 93cm.

Lift (Bicentennial Lift)

  • The lift surveyed is located to the far right as you enter from the Wilkins Terrace.
  • The distance from the Wilkins Terrace entrance is 30m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and manual doors.
  • Floors -1, 0 and 1 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 385.
  • The external lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille 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 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 110cm (width) x 135cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings, Braille 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 separate door to exit and a visual floor indicator.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located off the external seating area of the Wilkins Terrace.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has step-free level access and manual doors.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 110cm.
    • 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 210cm (width) x 210cm (depth) and there is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the 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 high visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a high visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a high visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a medium visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 50cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 75cm 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 low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 90cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 100cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There are no coat hooks.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.