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The Commandery

Sidbury, Worcester, WR1 2HU

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About this venue

Encounter the past brought to life in a beautiful building with an 800 year history. Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651. Discover Worcester's Civil War Story, an interactive experience that will take you back over 350 years into a murky, conflicted 17th century Worcester of fiery debates. Experience life as a soldier 300 miles from home, test your skills at battle strategy and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell. The Commandery is the perfect place for a family day out - get to know your fearsome weapons, get stuck into our interactive displays or become a Commandery explorer with our trail backpacks.

Access Guide

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Introduction

Location

  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • The nearest National Rail station is Worcester Foregate Street.

Opening Hours

Parking (Blue Badge Holders Only)

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
    • The car park is located at the rear of the building, off Derby Road.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • There is/are 1 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 405cm x 584cm (13ft 3in x 19ft 2in).
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 70m (76yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are uneven surfaces.
    • The car park surface is loose chippings.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • Although there is only 1 designated Blue Badge bay it may be possible for additional Blue Badge parking to be made available in this car park.

Parking (Standard Parking)

  • The venue does not have its own car park.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • The name of the car park is Commandery Road car park.
    • The car park is located in Commandery Road.
  • On Street Blue Badge Parking View
    • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
  • On Street Standard Parking View
    • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are available.
    • Standard marked parking bays are located in Wyld's Lane.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The standard parking in Wyld's Lane is not marked into individual bays (shown in photographs 5 and 6).
    • The standard parking is 225cm wide.
    • There is room for approximately 12 vehicles.

Access Point (Main Entrance)

  • Access Point View
    • This information is for the access point located on Sidbury.
    • There is not an information board/map at this access point.
    • There is step-free access at this access point.
    • There is a gate which opens away from you (push).
    • The gate is permanently held open.
  • Comments View
    • Photograph 2 shows the uneven cobbled pathway leading from the access point to the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the side of the venue.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • 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 door opening is 80cm.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 80cm.
  • Comments View
    • The second entrance door is to the right of reception.

Reception (Reception - Gift Shop)

  • The desk/counter is 3m (3yd 10in) from the main entrance.
  • There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
  • The desk/counter is medium height (77cm - 109cm).
  • The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
  • The lighting levels are good.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Gift Shop

  • The gift shop is directly ahead as you enter the building.
  • There are a variety of tables and wall units with gifts and books.
  • The tables are 84cm high.
  • The lower section of the wall units is 66cm.
  • There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • Staff are available to assist if items are required from higher shelves.
  • The floor of the gift shop is stone tiles.

Inside Access

  • There is not level access to the service(s).
  • This venue does play background music.
  • Music is played in various rooms throughout the building.
  • Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
  • The lighting levels are varied.

Entrance (The Commandery and Commandery Coffee Internal Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located to the rear the main building.
  • Entrance View
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • Comments View
    • This door is also used to enter the Commandery from the café and the door then opens towards you, (pull).

Courtyard

  • The courtyard forms part of the route through the museum, and leads from the gift shop and ticket office to the start of the tour at the great hall.
  • The route is clearly signposted.
  • The surface of the courtyard is cobblestones.
  • The surface is uneven.
  • There are bench seats along the route to the great hall.

Outside Access (Great Hall Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the courtyard.
    • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 97cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • The ramp/slope is portable.
    • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
    • Please contact a member of staff for use of the portable ramp.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • Step(s) View
    • The step(s) is/are located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is/are 1 step(s).
    • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
    • The height of the step(s) is/are 10cm.
    • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Museum

  • Exhibits cannot be audio described.
  • Tactile signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Braille signage for exhibits is not available.
  • Touch tours are not available.
  • Video tours are not available.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Concessions are available.
  • There is a wheelchair to borrow.
  • To borrow the wheelchair, ask at the ticket counter.
  • Comments View
    • There are a variety of interactive exhibits.
    • The height of the interactive exhibits varies from 44cm to 81cm.
    • There are information folders in some rooms.
    • The information folders are in large print.

Level Change (Funeral Pall Room)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in the doorway to the funeral pall room at the rear right as you enter the Great Hall.
  • The ramp/slope is easy.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does not have handrails.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 85cm (2ft 9in).

Level Change (Workshop, The Painted Chamber and Toilets)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located to the front left of the building as you enter the great hall entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is easy.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • The ramp does have handrails.
  • The handrails are on the left going up.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 84cm (2ft 9in).
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located to the rear of the building as you enter, leading from the great hall to the toilets.
  • There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

Other Floors (The Painted Chamber)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.

Lift (The Painted Chamber)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the front left of the building as you enter the great hall entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • The lift is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the Great Hall entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 108cm x 145cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Outside Access (Garden Exit)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the rear of the great hall.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 82cm.
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • The ramp/slope is located leading to the exit.
    • The gradient of the ramp/slope is slight.
    • 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.

Parks and Gardens

  • The park or garden does have footpaths.
  • The path(s) has a / have tarmac and gravel surface(s).
  • The majority of the path(s) is / are wide enough for wheelchair users.
  • There are easy slopes on the paths.
  • There are bench seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
  • Comments View
    • The garden forms part of the route through the museum, and leads visitors to the Civil War Story.
    • The route to the Civil War Story is signposted.

Outside Access (Civil War Story)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located in the gardens.
    • There is step-free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The door(s) is/are easy to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 101cm.

Other Floors (Civil War Story)

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
    • There are 14 steps between floors.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Other View
    • The area(s)/service(s) on the floors which are not accessible is/are the Spotlight Exhibitions rooms.
  • Comments View
    • There are similar stairs in the Great Hall (shown in photographs 4 and 5) and at the end of the corridor next to the Presidents Room (shown in photographs 6 and 7).

Lift (Civil War Story)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to the left as you enter.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G, 1.
  • The lift is approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the Civil War Story entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 108cm x 146cm (3ft 7in x 4ft 9in).
  • There are separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is not a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does not have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The lighting level in the lift is medium.

Level Change (First Floor - Civil War Story)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located throughout the first floor.
  • The ramp/slope is easy.
  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located on the first floor, in some of the doorways.
  • There is/are 1 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • Comments View
    • There are easy slopes in various rooms and corridors on the first floor.
    • There is a medium height step in a doorway to the centre of the Civil War Story area of the first floor which can be overcome by using the slopes in this area (shown in photograph 3).
    • There is 1 deep step in the doorway leading from the Tudor Wylde Rooms to the Spotlight Exhibitions (shown in photograph 4).
    • This step cannot be overcome by ramps or lifts.

Standard Toilet(s)

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located to the front right and ahead of reception.
    • There is not level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 87cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door may be difficult to open.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 166cm x 222cm (5ft 5in x 7ft 3in).
    • There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap.
    • There is an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are non-infectious waste, clinical waste, sanitary and waste paper pedal bin disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the hand dryer is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • 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).
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
    • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
    • The height of the baby change table once extended is 95cm (3ft 1in).

Additional Info

  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
  • An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
  • The assistance dog toilet area is located in the car park area.