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.

Physics Building

University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT

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

  • Services / facilities within the building include a common room, laboratories, lecture theatre, staff and student offices, and teaching laboratories.
  • Faculties include the Advanced Characterisation of Materials, CoMPLEX (Computation, Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology), EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Centres for Doctoral Training, Physics and Astronomy, Quantum Technologies, and the London School of Geometry and Number Theory.
  • Related link the adjacent Wilkins Building.
  • Https://www.accessable.co.uk/ucl/access-guides/wilkins-building
  • Comments View
    • The building comprises a basement and lower mezzanine, ground floor, and successive upward floors.
    • The basement and lower mezzanine floors are designated floor F.
    • The ground floor is designated floor G.
    • Successive upward floors 1, 2, 3 and 4 are designated D, C, B and A.

Centrally Timetabled Spaces

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • UCL is based in the Bloomsbury area of central London. Most of the buildings are close to the Euston Road (A501) and are located within the Congestion Charge Zone.
    • There is on street parking available on some of the streets in and around the UCL area.
  • By Bus View
    • There are many bus routes that stop close to the University buildings. The following bus routes stop on Gower Street, outside the main gate:-
      10 (Hammersmith Bus Station to King's Cross Station)
      14 (Putney Heath to Warren Street Station)
      24 (Hampstead Heath to Pimlico)
      29 (Wood Green to Trafalgar Square)
      73 (Victoria Bus Station to Stoke Newington)
      134 (North Finchley Bus Station to Tottenham Court Road)
      390 (Archway Station to Notting Hill Gate).
  • By Train View
    • Euston, St Pancras International and King's Cross stations are close to the majority of the University buildings. However, all of the London Terminal stations are within reach of the campus using public transport.
  • By Underground View
    • The closest tube stations to Gower Street are Euston Square (Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and Circle lines), Warren Street (Northern and Victoria lines), Euston (Northern and Victoria lines) and Russell Square (Piccadilly line).
      There are many other tube stations in the vicinity of the University, including King's Cross St Pancras, Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Goodge Street.
      The step-free underground stations nearby are; Euston Square, King’s Cross St Pancras and Tottenham Court Road.
  • Useful Links View

Useful Information

Building Parking

  • The building does not have its own dedicated parking.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 146cm (4ft 9in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 127cm (4ft 2in).
    • There is 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 single.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 92cm (3ft).
  • Ramp/Slope View
    • There is a ramp/slope at this entrance.
    • The ramp/slope is located between the front of the building and Gower Place.
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The ramp/slope gradient is steep.
    • The ramp is permanent.
    • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
    • The ramp does have handrails.
    • The handrails are on the left going up the ramp.
  • 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 7 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 clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Lift View
    • There is a lift to access this entrance.
    • The lift does bypass the step(s).
    • The lift does not bypass the ramp.

Lift (Main Entrance Platform)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located in front of the main entrance.
  • The lift is a platform lift.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The platform lift accesses a small level change.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 400kg.
  • The lift is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 83cm (2ft 9in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 93cm x 128cm (3ft 1in x 4ft 2in).
  • 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 have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • The lift provides access to the main entrance (photograph 4), or the external entrance to the main building lift (photograph 5).
    • There is a ramp on a slope with a slight incline in front of the platform lift at the lower level (photograph 3).
    • Click here for further details about the ramp/slope on the approach to the main entrance (opens in a new tab).

Lift (Main)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your right on entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are B, M, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1600kg.
  • The lift is approximately 14m (15yd 11in) from the main entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 190cm x 160cm (6ft 3in x 5ft 3in).
  • 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 have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are not within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The highest lift control is at a height of 128cm.
  • The lighting level in the lift is good.
  • Comments View
    • There is outside access to the lift to the right of the main entrance.
    • There is a key card reader 105cm above the ground.
    • There are 2 buttons for the ground floor within the lift (photograph 5).
    • To access the external exit from within the lift, use the G button on the left.
    • To access the building ground floor from within the lift, use the G button on the right.
    • Access to the building ground floor requires a key card.
    • The key card reader in the lift is 120cm above the floor.

Entrance (Wilkins Building)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located to the north of the Wilkins Building.
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) is/are permanently held open.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The door(s) may be difficult to open.
    • The width of the door opening is 142cm (4ft 8in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a/are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located immediately beyond the entrance.
    • There is / are 7 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides going up.
  • Comments View
    • There are further entrances with stepped access to the first and second; third; and fourth floors (photographs 4 to 6).

Getting Around (Floors A, B, C and D)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is a steep ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to CoMPLEX Department.
    • The ramp is located on the ground floor and can be seen in photograph 1. Room E17 in the CoMPLEX Department is located at the bottom of the ramp and therefore has level access from the main entrance.
    • There is/are 5 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to D26-D29, D106-D109.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • There is a slight slope, with no handrails, for access to D26-D29, D106-D109.
    • The ramp or slope does not bypass the step(s).
    • The steps are shown in photograph 2.
    • There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to A22-A30.
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 3. There are slopes with a very easy incline on the second floor between C12 and C14 (photograph 5) and on the third floor between B12 and B14 (photograph 6).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is 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 flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are B, G, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
    • The stairs are located to the rear left of the building.
    • The stairs are approximately 18m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, double doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on all floors.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is an external access point at the basement level of the stairwell (photograph 3).
    • There is a slight slope leading to the key card operated door which opens automatically away from you.

Lift (Wilkins Entrance)

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located between the two sets of doors at the Wilkins Entrance.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are LG, G, 1, 2 and 3.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • The weight limit for the lift is 1200kg.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 90cm (2ft 11in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 153cm x 146cm (5ft x 4ft 9in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift has a hearing enhancement system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.
  • Comments View
    • There are stepped level changes to access the rest of the building from this lift on every floor.
    • The steps to access the first and second floors from the lift can be seen in photograph 3.
    • The steps to access the third floor from the lift can be seen in photograph 4.
    • The steps to access the fourth floor from the lift can be seen in photograph 5.

Getting Around (F Floor Basement and Mezzanine)

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the majority of the building, via lift.
    • There is a steep ramp, with a handrail on the left going up, for access to F19 - F27.
    • The ramp can be seen in photograph 1.
    • There is/are 4 clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to F01.
    • The steps can be seen in photograph 2. There are an additional 10+ steps to access room F10a located beyond this level change. These steps can be seen in photographs 3 and 4.
    • There is/are 10+ clearly marked step(s), with a handrail on the left going up, for access to the upper mezzanine area of floor F from the lower basement floor area of floor F.
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • There is a standard lift which overcomes the steps.
    • The steps can be seen in photographs 5 and 6. Both the lower and upper areas of floor F can be accessed by the main lift.
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is 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 good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does not play background music.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.

Level Change (F Floor Basement F13 to F24)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in the basement level, to the rear of the building.

Accessible Toilet(s) (First Floor - Right Hand Transfer)

  • There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
  • Location and Access View
    • This accessible toilet is located on the first floor to your left on exiting the lift, along the corridor.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the main lift.
    • There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
    • 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 contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is easy to open.
    • The door is locked by a lever twist.
    • The width of the accessible toilet opening is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is poor.
    • The door has a horizontal grab rail.
    • The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is good.
  • Toilet Features View
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 230cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 7in).
    • The accessible toilet does 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 right.
    • The lateral transfer space is 81cm (2ft 8in).
    • The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
    • There is a flush 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 fair.
    • There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the left.
    • There is not 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) to the left of the toilet and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • There is not an emergency alarm.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
    • There is a/are sanitary and general waste (with no lid) disposal units.
    • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
  • Additional Fixtures View
    • 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 within the accessible toilet.
    • The toilet has a backrest.
    • There is a lid attached to the toilet seat.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • The height of the toilet roll holder is 108cm (3ft 7in).
    • The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is poor.
    • There is a wash basin.
    • The wash basin and tap(s) 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 74cm (2ft 5in).
    • There are vertical wall-mounted grab rails on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
    • The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
    • There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
    • The soap dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The height of the soap dispenser is 109cm.
    • 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 103cm (3ft 5in).
    • The contrast between the hand dryer and the wall is poor.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male standard toilets facilities on the first floor and the third floor.
    • There are female standard toilets facilities on the first floor, the second floor and the fourth floor.
    • There are shared standard toilets facilities on the basement floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located on the first floor (photographs 1 to 3).
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 27m from the lift.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.
  • Comments View
    • The female toilets on the first floor (photographs 4 to 7) only have stepped access.
    • The female standard toilets on the second floor are shown in photographs 8 to 12.

Standard Toilet(s) (Floor F Basement)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the basement floor near room F.10.
    • There is ramped/sloped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 43m from the lift.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is poor.
    • 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 89cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is push.
    • Lighting levels are good.
  • Comments View
    • There is an additional shared standard toilet on the second floor (photographs 5 and 6).

Emergency Egress for Building