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 Polar Museum

Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1ER

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

Introduction

Opening Times

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Saturday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Sunday Closed.
  • Comments View
    • The Museum will be closed over Christmas and New Year from Friday 20th December 2019 and will re-open at 10am on Friday 3rd January 2020.

Getting Here

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the right of the building.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 1 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 260cm x 490cm (8ft 6in x 16ft 1in).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a hatched marked walkway between the blue badge bay and the ramp with bollards to prevent vehicles from entering it. The walkway has a width of 100cm.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Lenswade Road.
    • Parking along the road is pay and display.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Site/Campus Car Park

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located to the front of the Chemistry Building.
    • The nearest building(s) to this car park is/are the Chemistry 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.
    • There is/are 2 designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within this car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 335cm x 486cm (10ft 12in x 15ft 11in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • This car park can be used by Blue Badge holders and permit holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • Signs are not provided to give information on parking charges/restrictions.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point in this car park.
  • Car Park Access View
    • There is level access to the car park from the Lensfield Road.
    • This car park is not clearly signposted from the Chemistry Building.
    • The nearest designated bay is 155m (169yd 1ft) from the Chemistry Building accessible entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 124cm (4ft 1in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 123cm (4ft).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 3 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.

Outside Access (Accessible Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the right side of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 160cm (5ft 3in).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
    • The width of the ramp is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 5 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • There is an intercom between the first and second entrance doors with heights between 96cm and 104cm.

Outside Access (Staff Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • 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 card reader/lock is 134cm (4ft 5in).
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The width of the door opening is 104cm (3ft 5in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located at the base of the entrance.
    • There is / are 1 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance enters the building halfway between the basement and the ground floor on the right staircase.

Reception (Museum)

  • The Museum Reception is located next to the main entrance.
  • The desk is 20m (21yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance.
  • Clear signage for the reception area is not visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is low (76cm or lower).
  • There is a clear knee recess beneath the low/lowered counter.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The reception also serves as the counter for the museum shop.
    • The shop can be seen in photograph 2.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is a steep ramp, with no handrails, for access to the Russian Periodicals and seminar room on the second floor.
    • The width of the ramp is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There is/are 1 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to post doctoral research area.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The step can be seen in photograph 2.
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is a hearing assistance system.
    • The system is a fixed loop.
    • The hearing loop is located within the lecture theatre.

Museum

  • Exhibits can be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are available.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow.
  • To borrow the wheelchair, contact a member of staff at the reception.

Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities

  • Accessible toilet facilities are located on the ground floor to your right via the accessible entrance.
  • Female standard toilet facilities are located on the ground and first floors..
  • Shared standard toilet facilities are located on the second floor..
  • Male standard toilet facilities are located on the basement floor..

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located to your right on entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • This is a gender neutral toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • 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 168cm x 260cm (5ft 6in x 8ft 6in).
    • The accessible toilet does not 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 107cm (3ft 6in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a female sanitary bin.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 low.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • 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 a/are coat hook(s).
    • There are coat hooks in the toilet at 156cm and 166cm from the floor.
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • There is a mirror.
    • The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The toilet has a cistern.
    • 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 is on the dropdown rail.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side 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 twist turn mixer.
    • There is not a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • There is a handheld soap dispenser available.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 105cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is high.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a flip down baby change table available.
    • The height of the baby change table is 76cm.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located in the stairwell / lift lobby on the second floor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s), via lift.
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 4m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 76cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are good.