Disability access information

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Access information for Ridley Hall

The main buildings of Ridley Hall are listed grade II. Of these, the first to be built was the Principal’s Lodge and Entrance Block together with separately listed gate onto Ridley Hall Road (all 1879–81), followed by the north block and Chapel (1981–92) and then the west block (1912). Dashwood House (c.1962) in the north west corner of the site, and the Precincts (c.1984) to the south west corner are unlisted.

Ridley was founded in the late 1800s, and we have both the privilege of our Victorian buildings and their challenges. Making our built heritage, and our learning and living facilities, more accessible in an appropriate and sensitive manner is a central part of our continuing plans of improvement. In 2021, we completed the first phase of our accessibility project, providing access to all our teaching areas, dining hall, and one accessible apartment.

Physical Access

College grounds in general: The main entrance to the college is fully accessible via a ramp with handrails, and through an archway with levelled tiles and paving into the courtyard. Once inside the college, the courtyard and gardens are all accessible by slabbed paved paths and some gravel.

College buildings in general: The Principal's Lodge building and Lecture Hall and 'C' staircase entrance are accessed from the courtyard via ramps with a handrail, and the chapel also has a separate accessible entrance via a ramp with handrail. 'D' staircase (including the common room and dining room) is accessed by two sets of steps or two platform lifts. However other Staircase entrances are currently accessed by at least two steps, and many without a handrail.

Chapel: There is level access via a ramp at the rear of the Chapel (please advise us in advance so that we can arrange access by this entrance). Inside, the chapel is spacious, with moveable chairs.

The chapel is accessible via a ramped entrance, and with movable chairs inside.
The chapel is accessible via a ramped entrance, and with movable chairs inside.

College offices: Most of the buildings which contain college offices are accessed by two steps up or one or more flights of stairs. Offices on the ground floor of Principal’s Lodge (see map) are all accessible. The housekeeping, premises and catering offices are all located in 'D' basement, down a flight of steps.

Common rooms: The common room is situated in 'D' staircase, which is accessible via an external platform life and internal platform stair lift. Inside the common room is carpeted and fairly spacious, with moveable furniture of various heights.

Dining Hall: The dining room is opposite the common room, in 'D' staircase, which is accessible via an external platform life and internal platform stair lift. The dining room is spacious and level inside, with moveable tables, wooden bench seating and a low-level servery.

'D' staircase is accessed by a flight of steps or a platform lift
'D' staircase is accessed by a flight of steps or a platform lift

Gardens: Our gardens are situated within the grounds of the college. They include fairly even slabbed paved paths, some gravel, and a level croquet lawn. All gardens are accessible, with no steps.

Laundry: A washing machine is fitted in our disabled accommodation; however the communal laundry is in the basement, down external stone steps with a handrail.

Library: The library is situated in a purpose-built underground space, with fresh air circulation system in place and two windows. It is accessed via external stone steps with a handrail or via a platform lift.

Reception and post room: Reception is up two steps from the main entrance archway.

Grove Books: The offices of Grove Books are in the basement which is accessed through Reception and down a steep and narrow flight of steps.

Toilets: There is a disabled toilet inside 'C' Staircase, which is fully accessible via a ramp with handrails.

The Lecture Hall: The main lecture hall is fully accessible from the courtyard via ramp with handrails.

Seminar rooms: Our two ground floor seminar rooms are fully accessible and are furnished with movable chairs and tables. There is also a third seminar room which is located on the top floor of the Principal's Lodge building, up several flights of stairs.

Ramped access to the Principal's Lodge building (front left), platform lift to the basement library (front right) and ramped access to the Lecture Hall (middle distance)
Ramped access to the Principal's Lodge building (front left), platform lift to the basement library (front right) and ramped access to the Lecture Hall (middle distance)