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The College Garden

Westminster Abbey, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA

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Access Guide

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Summary

Opening Times

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Wednesday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Thursday 10:00 - 16:00.
  • Friday Closed.
  • Saturday Closed.
  • Sunday Closed.

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • The Abbey is located in central London, close to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
      Access is from Broad Sanctuary / Victoria Street.
    • There is no parking at the Abbey or in nearby streets.
      It is possible for private cars and taxis to drive into The Sanctuary, at the west end of the Abbey, to drop off passengers.
      There are generally taxis available in this location.
  • By Bus View
    • There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the venue.
    • Westminster Abbey is served by TFL services 11, 24, 88, 148 and 211 from all over London.
      The nearest bus stops are in Parliament Square, Victoria Street and Great Smith Street.
      Please see the TFL website to plan a bus journey to the Abbey.
      Every London bus route is wheelchair accessible, with automatic ramps and designated wheelchair spaces.
  • By Train View
    • The nearest Railway Station is Charing Cross, Waterloo or Victoria.
    • Staff are available to assist with portable ramps from train to platform at these stations.
      There is step-free access from platform to street at each station.
      There are bus services and taxi ranks at each station to complete the journey to the Abbey.
  • By Underground View
    • The nearest underground station is Westminster.
    • Westminster is on the Jubilee Line and District and Circle Lines.
      There is step-free access from tube to street at Westminster Underground Station from the Jubilee Line.
      Portable access ramps are required from tube to platform on the District and Circle Line trains.
      Please see the link to the TFL Journey Planner for access details of connecting routes and stations.
      It is approximately 0.2 miles (5 minute walk) from Westminster Underground to the Great North Door visitor entrance. There are pedestrian crossings at all road crossings on the route.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance

  • There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
  • Staff do not receive disability awareness/equality training.
  • There is not a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
  • Staff do not receive Deaf Awareness training.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/near by.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • There are not mobility aids available.

Approach (Dean's Yard Gate - Step-Free Entrance)

  • Approach View
    • The surface of the approach is stone/concrete tiles.
    • There is a/are fixed bollard(s) on the approach.
    • There is step-free access on the approach.

Outside Access (Dean's Yard Gate - Ramped Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the north east corner of Dean's Yard.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does/do contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of and immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
    • The width of the ramp/slope is 142cm (4ft 8in).
    • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are good.

Access To (College Garden)

  • The College Garden is through The Cloisters, towards the rear of the venue.
  • The most accessible route has step-free level access and uneven surfaces.
  • There is written text signage on or near the entrance.

Outside Access (College Garden)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the end of the walkway leading off the south eastern corner of the Cloister.
    • The entrance area/door is not clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 89cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located after the last doorway.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • Comments View
    • The entrance path to the gardens passes under a series of archways.
    • The narrowest opening is 89cm.
    • All the doors and gates are held open when the gardens are open.

Garden

  • The paths around the garden have a block paved surface, are generally wide and level.
  • There are slight slopes around the garden.
  • There are many benches with armrests set on the paved areas around the garden.
  • The is a gap with a width of 66cm to access to herb garden step free (photograph 5).
  • Alternatively, it can be accessed by a 24cm step with no handrails (photograph 6)
  • The herb garden can be seen in photographs 7 and 8.
  • There are seven 16cm steps to access a seating area at the south west of the garden (photographs 9 and 10).

Ramp(s) or Slope(s) (Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope located off the South Cloister.
  • The ramp/slope is used to access the accessible and standard toilets.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on both sides of the ramp.
  • The lighting levels at the ramp/slope are moderate to good.

Toilet with Adaptations (South Cloister - Left Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the right hand side as you enter the toilet area using the ramp from the South Cloister.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 50m (54yd 2ft) from the Dean's Yard entrance.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 203cm x 180cm (6ft 8in x 5ft 11in).
    • The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 132cm (4ft 4in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a non infectious waste bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
    • The height of the coat hook is 180cm from the floor.
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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.
    • 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 next to the toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • 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 97cm (3ft 2in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin 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 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 78cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 92cm (3ft).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is low.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is high.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.

Toilet with Adaptations (South Cloister - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) for public use.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located ahead as you approach the toilet area using the ramp from the South Cloister.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 55m (60yd 5in) from the Dean's Yard entrance.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is heavy.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 109cm (3ft 7in).
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 168cm x 225cm (5ft 6in x 7ft 5in).
    • The accessible toilet does have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
    • The toilet has a non-slip floor.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 106cm (3ft 6in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste bin.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • There is not a spatula type lever flush.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The alarm did not sound when tested.
    • There is a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are female sanitary, non-infectious waste and general domestic waste disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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.
    • 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 next to the toilet.
    • The toilet does not have a backrest or a cistern.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 41cm (1ft 4in).
    • 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 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin 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 70cm (2ft 4in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is a soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 80cm.
    • There is a towel dispenser.
    • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The towel dispenser is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the towel dispenser is 84cm (2ft 9in).
    • There is not a hand dryer.
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is high.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
    • The lighting levels are good.
  • Baby Changing Facilities View
    • Baby changing facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 92cm (3ft).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left as you enter the toilet area using the ramp from the South Cloister.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the Dean's Yard entrance.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the female and male toilet(s).
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • There is not a lowered urinal in the male toilet(s).
    • An ambulant toilet with wall-mounted grab rails is not available.
    • There is not a lowered wash basin.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • There is not a flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilets.
    • Lighting levels are good.
    • There is a/are similar standard toilet(s) available.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located in a larger cubicle within the female and male standard toilets.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the baby change facilities.
    • The baby change table is not set against the wall, permanently fixed at 75cm from the floor.
    • The baby change table is not height adjustable.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 88cm (2ft 11in).
  • Comments View
    • The first set of female and male toilets is located to the left, halfway down the ramp.
    • There are additional female and male toilets at the bottom of the ramp.