Accessibility
Cambridge for the Disabled Visitor
Cambridge for the disabled visitor highlights the accessibility of Cambridge colleges, museums, entertainment venues & restaurants. It provides essential information regarding facilities such as parking, toliets and accommodation.
The Cambridge Tourist Information Centre also produce a guide to Cambridge for the disabled visitor. This provides a useful insight into the city & its facilities.
To order your free copy please contact Visit Cambridge by sending an email to tourism@cambridge.gov.uk or by calling 0871 226 8006
Cambridge Tourist Information Centre
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. An Induction Loop.
3. 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.
More Information...
Food & Drink in Cambridge
Cambridge has a wealth of restaurants, cafes & public houses.
For more information on accessibility for individual venues, please see our Food and Drink section of this site
Entertainment in Cambridge
The city has many fine entertainment venues.
The following offer excellent facilities.
Cambridge Arts Theatre
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.
Cambridge Corn Exchange
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.
Anglia Ruskin Mumford Theatre
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 Tours of Cambridge
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
Scudamore's Punting Company Granta Place
Scudamore's Punting Company Quayside
It is advisable to call ahead for further access information.
Tickets can be purchased through the Cambridge Tourist Information Centre at The Guildhall, 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 The Guildhall, Peas Hill.
Parking in Cambridge
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 in 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.
Toilet facilities in Cambridge
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.
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)
Click here to view maps of Cambridge.
Cambridge Colleges, Churches and Chapels
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.
Visitors should contact Churches and Chapels 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.
Visitors should contact attractions direct to gain further information regarding access & facilities.
More info...
Where to stay in Cambridge
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.
For further assistance in finding suitable accommodation contact the Advanced Accommodation Booking Service on (01223) 457581.
Local Contacts
British Red Cross (01223) 868686.
Cambridge Deaf Association (01223) 411801.
Cambridge Mobility (01223) 830084.
Cam Sight (01223) 420033.
Directions Plus (01223) 569600.
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