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Dorich House Museum

67 Kingston Vale, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, SW15 3RN

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Access Guide

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Introduction

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the town.
  • This venue is situated in Kingston upon Thames.
  • The venue is not situated on a road which has a steep gradient.
  • The nearest mainline station is Norbiton.

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by staff and visitors.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located to the front of the building, next to the gardens.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are not available.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are uneven surfaces.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does not have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is concrete and loose stones.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance View
    • There is stepped access at this entrance.
    • There is a bell/buzzer.
    • The height of the bell/buzzer is 120cm (3ft 11in).
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • Second Set of Doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
    • The door(s) is / are double.
    • The width of the door opening is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • 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 1 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 not clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are shallow (2cm - 10cm).
    • The steps do not have handrails.
  • Comments View
    • The front doors are kept closed at all times.
    • Access is on request by pressing the bell.
    • The doors are opened by staff.

Level Change (Outside Access)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located in front of the second set of doors.
  • There is/are 2 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are low to moderate.
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is/are 2 clearly marked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the Studio Café (photographs 1 and 2).
    • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
    • There is/are 2 unmarked step(s), with no handrails, for access to the cloakroom area (photographs 3 to 5).
    • The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There are doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is not clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is high colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • This building does play background music.
    • Music is played on the first floor as part of an exhibit.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The large room on the first floor (photographs 8 and 9) is often used as a conference venue (photograph 10).
    • There is also picnic style tables and seating in the outside area (photograph 17).
    • There are chairs with armrests in the outside seating area.
    • The surface in the outer seating area is grass.

Opening Times (Studio Cafe)

  • Monday Closed.
  • Tuesday Closed.
  • Wednesday Closed.
  • Thursday 11:00 - 16:30.
  • Friday 11:00 - 16:30.
  • Saturday 11:00 - 16:30.
  • Sunday Closed.

Eating and Drinking (Studio Café)

  • Location and Access View
    • The following information is for the café.
  • Service and Menus View
    • Tables cannot be booked in advance.
    • There is full table service.
    • Menu types include; handheld menus.
    • Menus are clearly written.
    • Menus are presented in contrasting colours.
    • Staff can read menus to customers if requested.
    • The type of food served here is hot and cold drinks, and cakes.
    • Takeaway cups are not available.
    • Adapted cups are not available.
    • Adapted cutlery is not available.
    • Drinking straws are not available.
    • This area does not play background music.
    • Background music is only played at certain times.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system .
    • There is a portable card machine available for payment.
  • Tables and Seating View
    • The standard height for the underside of dining tables is 72cm.
    • No tables are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs are permanently fixed.
    • No chairs have armrests on both sides.
    • The type of flooring in this area is tiles.
    • There is flooring which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1, 2, and 3 (Roof terrace).
    • The stairs are located straight ahead from the main entrance.
    • The stairs are approximately 4m from the main entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • There are manual, single doors which may be difficult to open to access the stairwell on the second floor and on the third floor.
    • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The steps are not clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The stairs from the ground floor to the first floor have a handrail on the right-hand side going up.
    • The stairs from the first floor upwards have a handrail on the left-hand side going up.
    • The doors to access the stairwell are generally held open.
    • There are curved stairs on the first and second floors with a narrow throw to one side (photographs 5 and 6).
    • There is a gallery located on the first floor.
    • The roof terrace is located on the third floor.

Lift

  • There is not a lift for public use.

Roof Terrace

  • The roof terrace is opened for special events.
  • The flooring is tiles, paving slabs, and loose stones.

Standard Toilet(s) (Ground Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The female and male toilets are located ahead from the main entrance, then on the left along the short corridor.
    • There is step-free access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 10m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is high.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 80cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is lever mixer.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • The female standard toilets are shown in photographs 2 to 5. The male standard toilets are shown in photographs 6 and 7.

Standard Toilet(s) (First Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the first floor, to the right of the stairs.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 22m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 79cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are low to moderate.

Standard Toilet(s) (Second Floor)

  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Toilet Facilities View
    • The shared toilet is located on the second floor.
    • There is stepped access into the toilet(s).
    • The standard toilet(s) is/are approximately 41m from the main entrance.
    • The colour contrast between the external toilet door(s) and wall(s) is low.
    • There is written text signage on or near the toilet door.
    • An ambulant toilet cubicle is not available.
    • The height of the wash basin(s) is 83cm.
    • The wash basin(s) tap type is twist/turn.
    • Lighting levels are moderate to good.
    • There is a 19cm high step in front of the toilet (photograph 4).

Additional Info

  • Staff do not receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Staff do not receive deaf awareness training.
  • Documents are not available in Braille.
  • Documents are available in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service cannot be requested.
  • Staff are not Text Relay aware.
  • Comments View
    • Dorich House is closed during Christmas/New Year, Easter weekend, and for the whole of the month of August.
    • Further information is available at the Dorich House website.
    • There are guided tours available with free admission.
    • Guided tours must be booked in advance.
    • Dorich House is also available for conferences and meetings.