Cambridge for the disabled visitor

Cambridge has a wealth of restaurants, cafes & public houses.

Information regarding access into its many restaurants can be found in the Eating & Drinking section of this site.

Restaurants offering good access include,


B Bar Market Passage, Cambridge. Tel (01223) 309796.
The B Bar offers good wheelchair access & toilets.

The city has many fine entertainment venues.

The following offer excellent facilities.

The Cambridge Arts Theatre T: (01223) 503333

Easy wheelchair access into the theatre through two entrances (both entrances have level access & doors which can be opened by a push button placed at a suitable height for wheelchair users). Up to eight wheelchair spaces are available for visitors.

Easy access into the auditorium, which has a Sennheiser infra-red hearing enhancement system & an induction loop in the circle & rear stalls. Lift to all floors, and adapted toilets on each level. Guide dogs are admitted to the auditorium. Signed performances (BSL interpreted and audio described).

The theatre holds two house wheelchairs, advanced booking is required.

The Cambridge Corn Exchange T: (01223) 357851

Ramped access at the front of the building with automatic door opener allows easy access to the foyer café/bar.

Six wheelchair spaces are available for registered disabled visitors & six seats for accompanying persons are provided in the auditorium.
Adapted toilets fitted with RADAR lock.
A Platform lift allows access to upper levels of the venue.
Guide dogs are always welcome.
Some shows are sign interpreted.
The venue has an infra-red hearing enhancement system.

The Mumford Theatre T: (01223) 352932

Level access into the theatre. The auditorium is accessible, with spaces for five wheelchairs. Toilet facilities fitted with RADAR lock. The theatre has an induction Loop.

Further information regarding events in Cambridge can be found in the What's On section of this site.

Guided Walking Tours

Guided walking tours of the Cambridge colleges operate from the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre at Peas Hill on a daily basis. Our experienced Cambridge guides will take the needs of all visitors into account when conducting tours.
No charge will be made for escorts of wheelchair users on tours operated by the Information Centre.
Tickets are limited on all tours, please book in advance of your visit on (01223) 457574.

Punt/River Tours in Cambridge

Enjoy beautiful views of the famous Cambridge colleges by taking a punt tour along the river Cam. The following operators will be happy to assist.

Cambridge Chauffeur Punts (01223) 354164.

Granta Boat & Punt Company (01223) 301845.

Scudamore’s Punting Company (01223) 359750.

Trinity Punts (01223) 338483.

It is advisable to call ahead for further access information.

Tickets can be purchased through the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre at Peas Hill.

City Sightseeing Bus Tours

Cambridge City Sightseeing operate bus tours around the city.

There is headphone commentary in a number of different languages on all buses.

Tickets can be purchased through the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre at Peas Hill

The following city car parks have spaces for Blue Badge holders.

Grafton Centre East – 43 designated spaces allow the first 3 hours parking free.

Grafton Centre West – 3 designated spaces allow the first 3 hours parking free.

Grand Arcade - 27 designated spaces allow the first 3 hours parking free.

Park Street – 8 designated spaces allow the first 3 hours parking free.

Queen Anne – 27 designated spaces allow the first 3 hours parking free.

Payment at these car parks is normally made at machines before returning to your car.

To claim the concession do not pay at a machine - take your Blue Badge to the car park kiosk so that the cashier on duty can process your ticket and take the reduced payment if one is due.

The following city streets have parking spaces for Blue Badge holders.

City Road – 2 spaces
Guildhall Street – 2 spaces
Jesus Lane - 6 spaces
Napier Street – 2 spaces
St Andrews Street – 2 spaces
Hobson Street - 6 spaces
Fair Street - 2 spaces
Kings Parade – 10 spaces
Peas Hill – 4 spaces
Round Church Street – 3 spaces
Trumpington Street - 2 spaces

All on street Pay & Display parking is free to Blue Badge users.

Click here to view maps of Cambridge.

Shopmobility provides anyone with a mobility problem whether through age, accident or disability, (permanent or temporary), access to the city centre.

There are two main Shopmobility centres in Cambridge.

Grand Arcade Shopmobility

Grand Arcade Car Park, Tel (01223) 457452.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.

Grafton Centre Shopmobility

Level 4, Grafton East Car Park, Tel (01223) 461858.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.

Both centres have manual or electric wheelchairs & scooters to hire.
The service is offered free of charge.

Further information contact Shopmobility.
Tel (01223) 457452 or (01223) 461858 or email Shopmobility at jean.white@cambridge.gov.uk.

A third Shopmobility office is located at the Bus Station in Drummer Street for people travelling into Cambridge. The service from this office must be pre-booked by calling (01223) 457452.

The following Council toilets provide access for visitors in wheelchairs. All are part of the RADAR Key scheme.

Arbury Court - Open 8am - 5pm

Cherry Hinton Hall - Open 8am to 6pm.

Chesterton Recreation Ground - Open 8am to 4pm

Chesterton Road- Open 8am to 6.30pm.

Drummer Street Bus Station – Open 8am to 8pm.
A Key is available from the attendant.

The Guildhall, Market Square, Ground Floor, Peas Hill entrance – Open Monday to Friday during office hours.

Gonville Place - Open 8am to 8pm (20p entry)

Jesus Green - Open 8am to 4pm

Lion Yard Shopping Centre – Open 8am to 8pm.

Mill Road (corner of Gwydir Street) - Open 8am to 8pm (20p entry)

Nightingale Avenue Recreation Ground - Open 8am to 4pm

Park Street Car Park – Ground Floor level - Open 8am to 8pm.
The car park attendant holds the key.

Quayside (off Bridge Street) - Open 8am to 8pm

Silver Street Bridge – Near to the ‘Backs’ of the Colleges Open 8am to 8pm.

Victoria Avenue - Open 8am to 8pm (20p entry)

RADAR Keys can be hired from the Cambridge Visitor Information Centre, or purchased from the reception of the Guildhall on the Market Square(Monday to Friday) priced at £2.50.

Click here to view maps of Cambridge.

The Cambridge Tourist Information Centre is located at the side of the Guildhall in Cambridge; its entrance is on Peas Hill opposite St Edward's Church.

The office is open,

Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm,

Saturday 10am to 5pm,

Sundays & Bank Holidays 11am to 3pm (Easter to September)

Access to the information centre is excellent, with automatic doors, & all services on one level.

The office offers the following facilities,

1. A low-level counter providing easy access to counter services.

2. A loan wheelchair is available free of charge. Advanced reservation is required on 0871 226 8006.

3. A RADAR Key providing access to toilet facilities in the city.

4. An Induction Loop.

5. Guide Dogs are always welcome in the centre.

The nearest toilet fitted with a RADAR lock is located in the Lion Yard Shopping centre, only a short distance from the office.

Visit Cambridge produces a Guide to Cambridge for the disabled visitor.

To order your free copy please contact Visit Cambridge by emailing info@visitcambridge.org or by calling 0871 226 8006

Cambridge Colleges

Wheelchair access into the courts & chapels of the main riverside colleges such as King’s, Clare, Trinity & St John’s is made possible through the provision of ramps at key points.

Access into certain areas of the Cambridge colleges (such as college libraries) may be more difficult due to the nature of the historic buildings.

It is advisable for visitors to contact the individual colleges they wish to view in advance, to check access information.

King’s College Chapel
Tel (01223) 331100.

Wheelchair access into the most famous of the Cambridge College Chapels is possible through the provision of a ramp at its south door.

Once inside access between the ante-chapel & the choir is once again made possible through the provision of a small ramp.

Audio tours are also available.


Cambridge Churches

The following Cambridge churches can offer good wheelchair access.

Great St. Mary’s
Tel (01223) 741716.

Great St. Mary’s is the University church; it is located just off the market square. Most areas of the church are on one level, & therefore accessible.

There is no access to its tower.

Little St Mary’s Church
Tel (01223) 366202.

The church was used by Peterhouse, Cambridge’s first College until the 17th Century. It is located opposite Pembroke College on Trumpington Street.
All areas of the church are on one level.

Wheelchair access to other city centre churches is possible through the use of ramps.

Visitors should contact churches in advance of their visit.


Cambridge Museums

Many Cambridge museums are located in University departments. Access is possible for wheelchair users via a series of ramps & lifts.

In many cases it is advisable to call in advance, or to arrange assistance prior to the visit.

The following museums have good access & facilities.

The Fitzwilliam Museum
Tel (01223) 332900.

Wheelchairs are available from the courtyard entrance on request.

The musuem has fully accessible W.Cs. There is lift access to all floors. An induction loop is available for gallery talks & events. A large print information & events leaflet is available on request.

The museum offers special sessions & events for visitors with sensory or mobility impairment.


Kettle’s Yard
Tel (01223) 352124.

Kettle's Yard Gallery:
The exhibition gallery provides wheelchair access & disabled toilet facilities.

Kettle's Yard House:
Limited wheelchair access can be provided to the house. Its entrance is via the path from Castle Street.


Visitors should contact attractions direct to gain further information regarding access & facilities.

Accommodation establishments that have been award a category in the National Accessible Scheme & are therefore suitable for wheelchair users & those visitors with limited mobility, can be found listed in the accommodation section of this site.

Hotels with good accessibility include:

Crowne Plaza Cambridge 0870 4009180.

Express By Holiday Inn Cambridge 0870 9904081.

Garden House Hotel Cambridge (01223) 259988.

Holiday Inn Cambridge 0870 4009015.

For further assistance in finding suitable accommodation contact the Advanced Accommodation Booking Service on (01223) 457581.

British Red Cross (01223) 868686.

Cambridge Deaf Association (01223) 411801.

Cambridge Mobility (01223) 830084.

Cam Sight (01223) 420033.

Directions Plus (01223) 569600.