Disabled Access Guide for Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans

The venue is situated within the centre of the town or city.

This venue is situated in St Albans.

The venue is on a road with a steep gradient.

The nearest mainline Railway Station is St Albans Abbey.

The area outside the cathedral is paved and cobbled.

This venue does have its own car park.

Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.

The car park is at the back of the venue.

The car park type is open air/surface.

There are 2 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.

The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 2.7m x 4.4m (8ft 10in x 14ft 5in).

The nearest designated bay is 14m (15yd) from the Slype door entrance.

The furthest designated bay is 17m (18yd) from the Slype door entrance.

The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user unaided.

The car park surface is tarmac.

There is a dropped kerb/non stepped access from the car park to the venue.

The dropped kerb does not have tactile paving.

The patron does not have to cross a road.

The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.

There is not a designated drop off point.

There is level access to the service.

The main doors open away from you (push).

The doors are single width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 106cm (3ft 5in) wide.

This entrance gives level access into the Cathedral and Gift Shop.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open towards you (pull).

The doors are double width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 174cm (5ft 8in) wide.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located between Sumpter Yard and the entrance.

The ramp or slope is easy.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

The width of the ramp or slope is 199cm (6ft 6in).

This entrance gives level access to the Information Desk and Café.

There are 9 medium steps between Chapter House and the rest of the Cathedral.

There is not level access to the service.

The main doors open away from you (push).

The doors are single width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 90cm (2ft 11in) wide.

There is a second set of doors.

The doors open away from you (push).

The doors are single width.

The doors are heavy.

The door opening is 90cm (2ft 11in) wide.

There are steps to access this area/service.

There are 5 steps to the area/service.

The lighting levels at the steps are bright.

The steps are clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do have handrails.

The handrails are on both sides.

The steps are located immediately beyond the entrance.

The reception desk is 4m (13ft 1in) from the front entrance.

There is level access to reception from the entrance.

The reception desk is low.

Lighting levels are bright.

There is not a hearing assistance system.

There is not level access to the service.

There is a hearing assistance system.

The system is a fixed loop.

Staff are trained to use the hearing assistance system.

The lighting levels are low.

There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.

The ramp or slope is located on the south side of the cathedral.

The ramp or slope is steep.

The ramp or slope is permanent.

There are steps to access this area/service.

There are 5 steps to the area/service.

The lighting levels at the steps are bright.

The steps are clearly marked.

The steps are medium.

The steps do not have handrails.

There are level changes throughout the Cathedral; most of which can be accessed via portable and fixed ramps.

There are 9 medium, clearly marked, steps between Chapter House and the rest of the Cathedral.

There are 5 medium steps for access to the High Altar.

Manual wheelchairs are available for visitors to borrow but pre-booking is advised.

Guides are always available to assist visitors.

The floor surfaces are uneven in places.

The floors which are accessible by stairs are LG-G.

There are 9 steps between floors.

The lighting level is bright.

The steps are clearly marked.

The steps are medium height.

The steps do have handrails.

There is not a landing.

The services on the floors which are not accessible are refrectory and standard toilets.

The handrail is in the centre of the staircase.

There is a lift for public use.

The lift is located adjacent to the Saints Chapel.

The lift is a platform lift.

The floors which are accessible by this lift are G-UG.

The lift is 50m (55yd) from the accessible entrance.

Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.

The dimensions of the lift are 1.3m x 1.15m (4ft 3in x 3ft 9in).

The platform lift overcomes 4 medium steps, with handrails on both sides, which give access to Saints Chapel containing the Shrine.

There are adapted toilets within this venue designated for public use.

Location of and access to adapted toilets

Features and dimensions of adapted toilets

Position of fixtures in adapted toilets

Colour contrast and lighting in adapted toilets

Wall mounted and drop down rails are available.

Availability and Location of Standard Toilets

Standard toilets are available.

Access to Standard Female Toilets

The female toilets are located opposite the refrectory.

The female toilets are 12m (13yd) from the accessible entrance.

Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female toilet.

Lighting levels are bright.

Access to Standard Male Toilets

The male toilets are located opposite the refrectory.

The male toilets are 12m (13yd) from the accessible entrance.

Inside the venue, there is not level access to the male toilet.

Lighting levels are bright.

Baby Change Facilities

Baby change facilities are located within the standard toilet.

The baby change facilities are located in both Ladies and Gents toilets..

Once inside, there is level access to the service.

Full table service is not available.

Food or drinks are ordered from the service counter.

Food or drinks can be brought to the table.

There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.

No tables are permanently fixed.

No chairs are permanently fixed.

The distance between the floor and the lowest dining table is 72cm (2ft 4in) cm.

Menus are hand held.

Menus are not available in Braille.

Menus are not available in large print.

Menus are clearly written.

Menus are presented in contrasting colours.

The type of food served here is hot and cold meals & snacks.

Staff do not receive disability awareness training.

Documents can be requested in large print.

Registered assistance dogs are welcomed.

A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.

This service cannot be requested.

A raised or tactile plan of the building is available on request.

Drinking straws are available on request.

The photograph shows the steps between Chapter House and the rest of the Cathedral.

The photograph shows the steps immediately beyond the front (West Door) entrance.

The cathedral is open in addition to the opening times given here for concerts, etc.

Please ring the cathedral for further details.