This accessibility statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors. If you will require assistance in the event of an emergency, please complete and return our Personal Emergency Evacuation (PEEP) form, which you can download by clicking the orange button at the bottom of this page. Further information from the UK government on PEEP forms is available here.
Introduction
Murray Edwards College is part of the University of Cambridge and is a modern, bright College with unique architecture located 10 minutes’ walk from Cambridge city centre. The College has pretty, informal gardens and the second largest collection of women’s art in the world. Murray Edwards is located on Huntingdon Road, at the top of a street called Castle Hill, which has a modest gradient.
Our location just outside the city centre allows for a tranquil environment that is less than a 10 minute stroll from historic Quayside, where bars, restaurants, boutique shops and punting can be found.
The main college thoroughfares and access to the Dome, where lunch and dinner are served, are equipped with motorised doors.
Pre-Arrival
The nearest railway station is Cambridge Station and we would recommend getting a taxi from there, which should cost around £6-7.00.
The nearest bus stop is just outside the College on Huntingdon Road and a number of buses including the Citi 5 & 6 go from the Bus Station on Drummer Street to that stop.
Streets around the College are paved.
Local services for disabled people can be found on the Disability Cambridgeshire website.
For full details, maps and written directions on how to find us, please see our How to Find Us page.
Car Parking and Arrival
Upon arrival at the College, please come to the main entrance, the Porters’ Lodge, which has vehicle access and a generous dropping-off space, located on Buckingham Road which is off Huntingdon Road. Wheelchair access is available from the dropping-off point to the Porters’ Lodge.
If you are coming by car, parking for up to 70 guests is available in our car park located on Storey’s Way. The route from the car park to the Porters’ Lodge is paved in generally smooth stone, concrete or tiling. At one point there is a slight incline to the main College building.
Alternatively, it is possible to be dropped off in front of the Porters’ Lodge, as described above.
It can be difficult for our Porters to help with luggage, as sometimes there is only one of them in the Porters’ Lodge. Please let us know prior to your arrival if you will need assistance and we will do our best to arrange that.
Main Entrance / Reception / Welcome Area
The Porters’ Lodge is situated just above ground level (with the previously described wheelchair access available).
You will immediately be in the Lodge once you come through the doors and this is a wide, clear space.
There are normally visitors’ chairs in this area.
The floor is flat stone and the area is well-lit.
Public Areas – Halls, Stairs, Landings, Corridors
All public areas are well lit.
The College offer power assisted doors to the main circulation routes within the college, with doors being wheelchair friendly width in excess of 1000mm.
All lifts within the college are also wheelchair friendly with opening in excess of 800mm.
Public Areas – Lounges, Lobbies
There is some occasional seating, cafe style tables and chairs, in Fountain Court Walkway. This area has access to Wi-Fi and is also where the New Hall Art Collection hub is located.
Restaurant/Dining Room, Bar & Bar area
There is lift access to the Dome Dining Hall in one of the four staircases, which is on the first floor. It is a very large room with clear access to the servery and between tables.
Doors to the Dome open automatically once the sensor is triggered. To exit, an exit button (which is at an accessible height for wheelchairs users) must be pressed.
The bar is situated on the lower ground level, accessible by stairs or lift.
There are couches and low tables available in the bar, as well as stools and high tables.
Both rooms are well lit with overhead lights.
Floor surface are wooden and smooth.
Unless you are with an event, the bar is not open for drinks however, there are food and soft-drink vending machines.
Accessible toilets are available on lower ground and ground level. There are no toilets on the first floor (Dome).
We have a variety of chairs at Murray Edwards College, please contact us for more information.
Public Toilets
Public toilets are located throughout the College, most often alongside an accessible toilet. There are also gender neutral toilets on the lower ground level near the Dome – please ask the Porters for directions.
There is a disabled / baby changing facility on the ground floor near the Dome, with power assisted door and locking mechanism.
Grounds and Gardens
Our beautiful informal gardens are available to all our guests and the majority can be accessed by wheelchair users by flat, generally smooth paths (there is some unevenness in certain areas).
Conference and Meeting Rooms
We have 19 meeting rooms at Murray Edwards College. All of which, except for the Music and Video Rooms, are wheelchair accessible.
If you need very specific information, such as the width of the doors, please let us know.
All of our meeting rooms are well lit.
Induction (hearing) loops are available in some of our meeting rooms.
Furniture arrangement will depend on the request of your event organiser.
There are toilets and wheelchair accessible toilets near all of our meeting rooms.
B&B
There is 9 en suite bedrooms suitable for disabled guests.
A typical disabled bedroom is larger than our usual rooms, suitable for wheelchair manoeuvrability. The bathrooms have hand rails and shower seats. We have 3 rooms have emergency pull cords in the bathroom and bedroom, connected to the Porters’ Lodge.
These are all single rooms however, if you require an additional bed for an assistant, please let us know and we will try to accommodate that. Alternatively we will provide a connecting room or room next door.
Bathrooms in disabled rooms (en suite or shared) are larger than normal and include hand rails.
There is level access to all bathrooms from the bedroom.
There are no baths.
If you need to know where specific grab rails are, it will depend which room you are allocated. Please get in touch and we will advise what is available.
Colour schemes depend on what room you are allocated. Again, please get in touch if you need to know prior to allocation.
Visual Impairment & Hearing
Doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.
The menu is in large print.
We have information in large print.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
Customer care support
We can provide water bowls for assistance dogs on request.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.
The fire alarm has flashing lights, as well as an alarm and spoken alert.
Future Plans
We are committed to making improvements to our site for all our visitors. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you so please do get in touch.
Contact Information
Local Carers: To find your local carers centre, please visit this website www.caringtogether.org
Local Equipment Hire: For mobility aids, please visit www.cambridgemobility.co.uk
Local Accessible Taxi: Panther – 01223 715715 A1 Taxis – 01223 313131
Local Public Transport: Please visit www.traveline.info