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St Albans Cathedral - Welcome Centre

Sumpter Yard, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 1BY

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
    • This is a Cathedral Church which also provides guided tours.
    • Services available in the venue include: daily worship services, café, Ecumenical services, a gallery and guided tours.
    • View information on opening times
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • The alternative West End entrance is at the rear of the Cathedral. This entrance has step-free level access via a lift.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: The Nave, The Quire, Shrine of St Amphibalus, Lady Chapel, and St Micheal Chapel.
    • The following areas have stepped access: The Shrine of St Albans, North Transept, and Presbytery.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open.
    • The Ground and Mezzanine floors can be accessed via stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair.
    • There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
    • The designated safe space is located in the Chapel of Transfiguration.
    • Documents are available in the following formats: Braille, large print and different languages.
    • There are BLS tours every 5th Sunday, when there are 5 weekends in a month.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.

Entrance (Main Entrance)

  • This entrance is located at the front of the Cathedral, off Sumpter Yard.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces and a bollard.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • The bollard on the approach reduces the width of the pavement to 153cm.
  • There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
  • The doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 144cm.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second set of double automatic doors.
  • The second set of doors open by sliding.
  • The width of the opening is 164cm.
  • The second set of doors have a low visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access as you enter.

Entrance (West End)

  • This entrance is located at the rear of the Cathedral.
  • The approach to the entrance has uneven surfaces.
  • The entrance area is not clearly signed.
  • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via a very easy slope at the entrance.
  • There is a single manual door at this entrance.
  • The door is permanently held open.
  • The width of the opening is 95cm.
  • The door has a high visual contrast.
  • There is a second single manual door.
  • The second door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 90cm.
  • The second door has a medium visual contrast.
  • There is step-free level access via lift as you enter.
  • The lift bypasses the steps.
  • There are 5 steps with handrails on both sides.
  • The handrails are easy to grip.
  • The handrails cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrails do not extend horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.

Reception

  • The reception is located straight ahead as you enter.
  • The distance from the main entrance is 5m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 114cm.
  • There is a lowered section at the desk.
  • The height of the lowered section is 91cm.
  • The reception has a television.
  • There is a clearly signed fixed hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing assistance system could not be tested at the time of the survey.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Shop

  • Getting Around View
    • There is step-free level access throughout all areas.
    • Access throughout may include narrow aisles (less than 120cm).
    • The majority of main aisle widths are between 120cm - 150cm.
    • There is a high visual contrast between the shelving and floor throughout this area.
    • There is no (or very little) background noise.
    • Signage is not provided.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
    • Payments are made at the reception desk.