Queens’ College is committed to being as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. To help plan your visit to Queens’ the College has teamed up with AccessAble in preparing a detailed guide.
Queens’ is located just outside city centre, near the Backs, where Silver Street crosses the River Cam. Sample walking times:
Please see Travel by car for details of motor traffic access restrictions. Drivers with disabilities can obtain permits to allow them through the controlled area.
City centre (0.5 miles). Some pubs and cafés nearby in Silver Street, Mill Lane (0.2 miles), and Newnham Road (0.5 miles). Late-night shopping till 11pm at the Newnham roundabout petrol station (0.5 miles).
Limited parking might be available on site and nearby accommodation by prior arrangement with the Head Porter on 01223 335511. Drivers with disabilities can obtain a permit.
Cambridge operates a Park and Ride system for visitors: the Madingley Road Park & Ride site has a bus connection to Queens’ offered by the “Universal” bus route.
On Silver Street immediately outside Queens’ College is a bus stop for the University “Universal” bus route, offering a service to the University Biomedical campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the Cambridge rail station, the University Library, the University Mathematics Faculty, the University West Cambridge site, and the Madingley Road Park & Ride. See the Universal bus timetable. The Silver Street bus stops are also used by the City Sightseeing tourist buses.
Other local bus and national coach routes operate from the Drummer Street bus station, or Parkside, both about 0.75 miles on foot from Queens’. The local operators are Stagecoach and Whippet. The national operator is National Express.
The railway station is about 1.5 miles on foot from College. The “Universal” bus route operates (except Sundays and public holidays) between Queens’ College and the rail station; otherwise a taxi might be needed.
Queens’ has around 500 undergraduates and 500 postgraduates. The College has many listed buildings, which makes access improvements to the older areas difficult. There is ongoing building work and discussion about disabled access to the College. The College is very willing to help improve disabled access to all areas where possible, so please discuss your individual needs or suggestions in advance.
Smoking is banned (including e-cigarettes) throughout College, except for one small area set aside for smokers, behind Cripps building. This is wheelchair accessible.
The College Nurse is also the College’s Disability Liaison Officer and can assist you with information and advice both before you arrive, and during your time at Queens’.
Tel: 01223 335578 or e-mail: nurse@queens.cam.ac.uk
The Health Centre is located in Cripps Court. The College Nurse holds a weekday drop in clinic during full term. Closed Wednesday afternoons, except for emergencies or pre-arranged appointments. Outside full term separate notices will be posted on the Health Centre door. The Health Centre has an automatic (wheelchair accessible) door on both the main entrance and the bathroom.
It is essential that you advise the College Nurse and Porters’ Lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. An evacuation chair is housed in the Health Centre, and all the Porters are trained in its use.
UK registered Guide Dogs are allowed on site.
Requests to bring an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) onto University and/or College property will not normally be granted but would be considered on a case by case basis. Decisions to allow (or not to allow) an ESA onto University and/or College property will take into account relevant factors such as the reasons for the request and supporting medical evidence, the health, safety and welfare of members of and visitors to the University and/or the College, arrangements to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the ESA and of other animals, adequacy of training, insurance arrangements, the cost implications of any agreed arrangements and, where appropriate, laboratory requirements, licence conditions and any other relevant considerations.
Assistance dogs (other than guide dogs) will need to be UK registered, carry certification and legal ID, and be pre-planned when accessing accommodation and other college services. Access will not be granted unless supporting UK legal documentation is pre-approved by the Head of Welfare or another member of the clinical team. This may take up to 10 working days as external registers have to be verified.
Three residential rooms have been adapted for wheelchair users: W1, BB2, CC3, all with en-suite wet-room showers and WCs. W1 and BB2 have kitchenette facilities within the bedroom, CC3 has an adapted kitchen outside. Wheelchair access is available via ramps to the ground floor of staircases of W, BB, CC and DD, and to the Health Centre.
Please see above information on guide dogs and service animals.
Staying over vacations is possible, please refer to the Student Handbook for further information.
The cafeteria offers three meals daily, and there are four formal halls each week. There is a small coffee shop in the bar. Payment can be made by cash or via the UMIS cashless payment system using the University Card.
Most special diets, including Kosher and Halal, can be accommodated. Speak to the Catering Manager or Chef. Kosher meals require 5 working days notice, Halal meals require 2 working days notice.
View accessible routes sitemap
The College sites on both sides of the river Cam have step-free entry points with automated doors and gates, and step-free routes are available to almost all ground-floor public destinations in college. On the west side of the river, the main Porters’ Lodge offers step-free entry into the college from Silver Street, with a mild downward ramp into the College, through automatic doors, all wheelchair accessible. On the east side of the river, the Dokett Gate on Queens’ Lane is automated and wheelchair accessible, operated by University Card, or by remote control from the Porters’ Lodge. The Old Court entrance from Queens’ Lane has two steps up into college and a heavy gate, and is therefore unsuitable for wheelchair users and some individuals with reduced mobility.
Connecting the two sides of college is the Mathematical Bridge, which has steep 1-in-5 ramps on both sides. This is negotiable by powered wheelchairs or mobility vehicles, but unpowered wheelchair users will probably require assistance.
Inside the site, there are step-free routes to most destinations, with occasional ramps.
The majority of residential staircases have steps at entry, even to get to the ground floor. Exceptions, having step-free ramped access to ground floor rooms, are: staircases W, BB, CC, DD, and Essex Building. There are two lifts in Cripps Court (at AA staircase, and in the Dining Hall lobby connecting to higher floors on FF staircase). Where automatic doors are fitted, they are operated either by push-button or by University Card: some push-button operated doors become secure card-operated after 8pm.
Level access to both entrances. Spacious inside, with a variety of seating areas. Lowered bar counter. Level access to outside patio. Accessible toilet in nearby corridor.
Serving area next to hall. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious.
Level access through double doors, usually one of them bolted from inside. Fixed pew seating, with some ground floor pews.
The Financial Office and IT Office are on the ground floor of Essex Building, which is wheelchair-accessible. Some other College offices are up stairs and through heavy doors, please contact staff to meet elsewhere if necessary, or contact the College Nurse to discuss.
JCR & MCR both accessible.
All residential rooms have an ethernet socket for wired internet, and the whole estate is covered by University wi-fi for wireless internet. The College IT Office is on the ground floor of Essex Building, wheelchair accessible.
Next to cafeteria. Level access through push-button automatic doors. Level and spacious inside, with moveable furniture.
SCR accessible using lift in AA staircase in Cripp’s building.
Gardens on site, in the older part of College. Mostly level and accessible, but some surfaces are uneven. Level gravel path along river.
One ground floor laundry, large inside but with a rather narrow door. Second laundry behind Friars’ building, rather small and down a slight slope, ground floor.
Level access to ground floor, with entry by University Card. Two upper floors accessed by staircase. Work space on ground floor, and staff will help during office hours.
The Porters’ Lodge is the main entrance for pedestrians and is level, with a dropped counter. Both the Porters’ Lodge and post room are accessible via automatic doors. Every student will have their own pigeon-hole: if there is any concern over the position of this, please discuss with the Porters.
Gym and Squash Courts on site, ground floor and accessible. Sports fields on Barton Road. Boathouse on Trafalgar Road.
Two accessible toilets, one on each side of the river. One is in Lyon Court near the bar and Fitzpatrick Hall, and the other is in Walnut Tree Court, with access via RADAR key: a spare key can be collected from the Porters’ Lodge.
Please discuss in advance.
Special hardware or software could be acquired if necessary.
Large print letters and information on request.
No special facilities for text enlargement. Some could be acquired if necessary.
Good, clear, green and white signs all around College. Map available from the Porters.
Due to the age of our buildings in some areas of College, there are uneven and worn floors and some narrow staircases.
Visual or sensory alarms can be acquired.
Induction loop is installed in the chapel.
Arrangements for students with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre: please discuss your needs with the College Nurse.
Contact: Domestic Bursar
Tel: 01223 335520
Fax: 01223 335577
Email: info@queens.cam.ac.uk
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