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Ripon Cathedral

Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • Ripon Cathedral is a historic Anglican Cathedral used for Christian worship, community gatherings, and ceremonial events. It serves as the seat of the Bishop of Leeds and functions both as an active place of worship and a significant heritage building, open to visitors.
    • There are no toilet facilities.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via a slight slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • The most accessible entrance is also the main entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the Font, the Chapel of St Wilfreds, the Mothers Union Chapel, the Crypt beneath the Cathedral and the Library and Treasury.
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • The Crypt, ground floor and The Library and Treasury can be accessed via stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • Seating is available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located off Minster Road, on the western end of the Cathedral.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is sloped and stepped access at the entrance.
  • The slope bypasses the steps.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There are 2 steps as you enter.
  • There are no handrails for the steps.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 250cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is a second, single automatic door.
  • The door opens by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 79cm.
  • The door has a medium colour contrast.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope as you enter.

Welcome Desk

  • The counter is located ahead to the left, as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 4m.
  • The most accessible route to the counter has a very easy slope.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access to the counter.
  • The height of the counter is 86cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
  • 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: chairs without armrests.
  • There is a giving screen to the right of the welcome desk.
  • The height of the screen is 120cm.

Gift Shop

  • Access to the Shop View
    • There is step-free level access into the shop.
    • There is an opening without doors.
    • The width of the opening is 110cm.
  • Shop View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • The majority of product aisle widths are under 120cm.
    • Product displays/containers that may be more difficult for some to reach or open include: low shelving and high shelving.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • Payment Counters and Checkouts View
    • The payment counter is located ahead, as you enter the shop.
    • Signage is not provided for the counter.
    • The height of the counter is 93cm.
    • There is not a lowered section at the counter.
    • The card payment machine is at a height of 93cm.
    • The payment machine is portable.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is not step-free access between floors.
    • The majority of the venue has step-free level access.
    • There is stepped access to the Font, the Chapel of St Wilfreds, the Mothers Union Chapel, the Crypt beneath the Cathedral and The Library and Treasury.
  • Circulation View
    • Doors are held open along circulation routes.
    • Access throughout may include pillars.
    • There is a low colour contrast between the walls and floor along most circulation routes.
    • There may be background noise.
    • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
    • Seating available in the walkways includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.
    • There is step-free level access to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, St Peter's Chapel and the Chapel of Justice and Peace.

The Nave

  • Location and Access View
    • The Nave is directly ahead as you enter the Cathedral.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the seating area.
    • 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.
    • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • There may be background noise in this area.
    • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

The Quire

  • Location and Access View
    • The Quire is located to the far end of the Cathedral, as you enter.
    • The most accessible route has step-free level access.
    • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
    • There is step-free level access to this area.
    • There is an opening without doors.
    • The width of the opening is 165cm.
  • Seating Area View
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of the seating area.
    • There is stepped access to the upper seating areas within The Quire.
    • 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.
    • The walls and floor have a high colour contrast.
    • The flooring is patterned.
    • Seating available in this area includes: chairs without armrests.
    • Some seating is fixed.
    • There may be background noise in this area.

Chapel of the Holy Spirit

  • The room is located to the right of The Quire.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 80m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is 114cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

St Peters Chapel

  • The room is located to the left of The Quire, at the rear of the Cathedral.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 80m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There is step-free access via a slope into the room.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is 80cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

The Anglo-Saxon Crypt

  • The Crypt is located beneath the Cathedral and is accessed from the queue barriers, to the right of The Nave.
  • There are 15 steps to this area.
  • There is a handrail that switches sides.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail does not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail does not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 21cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm-45cm.
  • Visitors exit the Crypt via a second staircase.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the entrance.
  • There is an opening without doors.
  • The width of the opening is 60cm.
  • There is not step-free level access throughout.
  • There are no doors along circulation routes in this area.
  • Access throughout may include narrow openings.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There may be background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.
  • For a Virtual Crypt Tour to view the Saxon crypt built by Wilfrid in 672 AD, click here.

The Library and Treasury

  • The room is located to the far right as you enter, near the south transept.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 60m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has stepped access.
  • There are no doors to open along the most accessible route.
  • There are 24 steps into the room.
  • There are handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are not easy to grip.
  • The handrails do not cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The step markings are not clearly visible.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm-45cm.
  • There are double manual doors.
  • The doors are permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 165cm.
  • The doors have a high colour contrast.
  • There is step-free level access throughout.
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a low colour contrast.
  • Seating available in this room includes: chairs with armrests and chairs without armrests.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • For a Virtual Library Tour, click here.