King's College

Contact Details

Address

King's Parade,
Cambridge, CB2 1ST

Tel.

01223 331 100

Fax

01223 331 193

Email

undergraduate.admissions@kings.cam.ac.uk

graduate.admissions@kings.cam.ac.uk

Website

http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/

Access Issues

Contact

Mr Phillip Isaac, Domus Bursar

Tel.

01223 761 375

Fax

01223 331 315

Email

philip.isaac@kings.cam.ac.uk

Location, Services and Transport

City centre. A 10–15 minute walk to Downing Site and New Museums Site. Five minutes to Sidgwick Site and University Library from Garden Hostels.

Traffic

Traffic is restricted along King's Parade, but it can still be busy with cars and bicycles in both directions. Pavements are uneven, crowded, and often cluttered.

https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/access-around-university/cambridge-city-information/driving

Services and shops

City centre.

Parking

Several disabled bays on King's Parade. Small forecourt in front of King's can often be used for quick visits, but check with the porters first (tel. 01223 331 100). Main car park off West Road, near Garden Hostels. Disabled students could obtain a permit.

Other transport options

Uni 4 bus stop in Trumpington Street nearby.

General Information

General

Approx 424 undergraduates and 270 postgraduates. For men and women. Large, well-known College located directly in the historic city centre. Access is fairly difficult for wheelchair users, as almost all buildings are listed.  Although, there are a number of new developments being planned for the postgraduate community, and these buildings will be accessible.

Smoking

Currently no smoking in public buildings or private rooms. Smoking on the main site is only permitted in the Chetwynd Court and Webb's Court podium

Medical facilities

Nurse holds a weekday surgery during full term, noon–2pm (tel. 01223 331 650).

Emergency procedures

Advise Porters' Lodge if you will need help evacuating in an emergency. Evacuation chairs in some places.

Accommodation and Catering

Wheelchair-accessible rooms

One wheelchair-accessible room with adapted en suite bathroom in New Garden Hostel and a further wheelchair-accessible room with adapted en suite bathroom on the main College site. Market Hostel offers a disabled accessible bathroom which is not en suite.  Bene't Street Hostel (located on Bene't Street, approximately 150 metres from the main entrance) has a wheelchair-accesssible room with adapted en suite bathroom and further similar rooms are being developed on Grange Road and Barton Road (for the postgraduate community).

Other rooms

Many of the more modern accommodation blocks are now en suite and accessible, depending on your needs.  Bene't Street Hostel, New Garden Hostel, Market Hostel, St Edward's Passage Hostel and the Keynes Building may be suitable.

Live-in assistants and assistance dogs

Live-in assistants could possibly be accommodated, and grants may be available to help towards the cost. Assistance dogs have been accommodated in the past.

Early induction and vacation stays

Early induction possible on arrangement. Staying over vacation depends on accommodation, and you may be asked to move rooms.

Catering arrangements

Cafeteria serves three meals daily (brunch and dinner at weekends) in hall. Epos card payment. Formal hall once a week in term time. Kitchen facilities vary greatly according to accommodation — Bene't Street Hostel, New Garden Hostel, Market Hostel and King's Parade (for graduate students) are the best for self-catering.

Special diets

Most special diets can be accommodated with notice — speak to the Head of Catering Services. Information regarding nut allergies is provided.

Physical Access

College grounds in general

Level access to main entrance during day. Gates closed at night, and entry is through card accessed door with high threshold. There is a bell for assistance. Level back entrance through card accessed gate (which has a generous swinging arm). Surfaces mostly paved or gravel, with some cobbles.

College buildings in general

Access to most main buildings is awkward. Main Keynes building is up several steps from Front Court, with no handrail. Access is via Webb's Court and corridor around ground floor of Keynes accommodation. A powered entrance now available from Webb's Court, and there is a lift just inside the entrance to all floors.

Bar

Keynes building. Carpeted, level or sloping inside, and fairly spacious. No low bar counter. Disabled toilet down short ramp. ‘Cellar’ bar in basement, down dark, narrow stairs, with no lift.

Cafeteria

Keynes building. Level access from bar or hall. Can get crowded at peak times. Low tills and tray rails. Staff will help as necessary.

Chapel

Access is via the south gate up a ramp, with a further ramp inside providing acess from the antechapel to the choir chapel. Plenty of space for wheelchairs, but arrange in advance if attending a concert or ticketed service.  There is limited access to the permanent exhibition due to the narrowness of the corridors and steps.

College offices

Most College offices, including tutorial, development, accounts and catering offices, are up several steps. Staff will meet elsewhere on arrangement.

Common rooms

JCR within bar. MCR up a large flight of stairs, with handrail, but no lift. Low sofas and chairs inside.

Computer facilities

The main computer room is in the library accessed by a lift.  There is an additional computer room in a basement, down a narrow flight of stairs with no handrail. All individual rooms are networked.

Dining hall

Keynes building. Level access from cafeteria or bar. Very large inside, with large well-spaced tables and moveable chairs.

Fellows' areas

Two steps up from Front Court, or ramp via Webb's Court. Disabled toilet reached via another door in Webb's Court.

Gardens

Fellows' gardens across Queen's Road, through key-locked gate. Mostly level, with a firm footpath providing easy access for wheelchairs. Large level grass area. Few benches.

Laundry

Main laundry in basement, down steep stairs. New Garden Hostel laundry in basementl.  Laundry in Spalding Hostel on ground floor, as is the case with Bene't Street.

Library

First and second floors of Webb's Court. Ramp to main door, and small lift up to library. Swipe card access. Some sections up several steps, with no handrail. Toilet down steps, with no handrail. High shelves and cramped workspaces. Staffed office hours.

Porters' Lodge and post room

Porters' Lodge up one step. Post room up several steps, with no handrail. Porters can keep or deliver post for you on arrangement. Lodge manned 24 hours a day.

Sport facilities

Main gym in basement of Bene't Street, accessed via a lift.  Small weights gym in basement of Keynes, down ramp and through narrow heavy door. (No supervision or alarm, telephone available).

Toilets

Disabled toilet adjacent to bar, automatic opening door. Disabled toilet in Saltmarsh room and in Webb's Court, near Beves room entrance.

Other

• Beves meeting/dining room has level access from cafeteria and Keynes corridor, also ramped access via Webb's Court. Spacious inside, with moveable furniture.
• Saltmarsh rooms up a twisting flight of stairs, with handrail. Access is possible via library lift, but arrange in advance. Disabled toilet inside.
• Both Gibb's building and A staircase, where most Fellows have their offices, are accessed only via long flights of stairs. No lifts are currently possible, although arrangements could be made to have supervisions and meetings elsewhere.
• Coffee shop accessed via ramp from bar. Low counter. Small but not cramped, and staff will help carry drinks and food to tables. Moveable chairs and tables, some with armrests. Some low sofas and chairs.

Visual Impairments

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs welcome.

Computer facilities

Special hardware or software for visually impaired users could be acquired if necessary.

Large print, Braille and audio

Large print letters and information on request.

Library and magnification equipment

No special facilities for text enlargement. Lighting in library rather dim, but portable lamps are available on request.

Signs and wayfinding

Signposting evident in College. Staircases are labelled, mostly externally, but you have to look closely. Ask porters for directions.

Other

• Bar and coffee shop very well lit, with big windows.
• Strobe lighting is sometimes used in the cellar bar and during King's Events. Ask the organiser in advance if it will bother you.
• Hall can be very dimly lit, especially for formal dinners.
• Little lighting in Fellows' gardens, although the paths to New Garden Hostel are dimly lit.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loops

No induction loops currently available, but are being considered.

Alarms

No sensory fire alarm available, but asre provided as required.

Other

• Music in bar often loud, but staff will turn it down on request. Softly furnished, so good acoustics during the day. Cellar bar (when open) controlled by sound monitor.
• Chapel is very large and echoey.  Speakers are installed for sound amplification in antechapel. No loop system installed. Ask to be seated appropriately if attending a special service.
• Hall is also large and echoey, but has sound amplification.
• Coffee shop is furnished with sofas and dining chairs and can be very noisy at peak times.

Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health Issues

Arrangements for students with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre. Discuss your needs with your tutor.