Lucy Cavendish College
Accessibility Guide
The College recognises that individuals have different and varied needs both in terms of mobility and in social and dietary requirements. These needs are sometimes in conflict with our buildings, some of which were built over 600 years ago. The College provides full access to a number of study bedrooms equipped for use by disabled people. We have portable induction loops available at the Porters Lodge which can be installed in meeting rooms or Hall. We have adapted kitchens to meet special physical or dietary needs. The College would always liaise closely with the Disability Resource Centre to ensure that we are able to meet the individual needs of students with special requirements.
Lucy Cavendish College will be your home while you’re studying at Cambridge. The college is centrally located and your room will be on site or close nearby. The College aims to accommodate all undergraduate students who seek single accommodation for the duration of their courses. Graduates are accommodated in a variety of houses situated within walking and/or cycling distance of College most of which are within 1 mile of the main College campus.
Traffic
Madingley Road and Lady Margaret Road Road are busy with traffic during rush hours, but have several pedestrian crossings. Our main site is accessible via Lady Margaret Road and is in a quiet cul-de sac.
Services and shops
There are many shops and services available in the city centre and on Histon Road.
Parking
Parking is available on site by arrangement only.
Other transport options
Cambridge has a good local bus service. The Universal Bus (U Bus) provides a subsidised service for students. There is a bus stop close to the College. Services run to the University Library, the Sidgwick Site, Silver Street, the railway station, and the Biomedical campus at Addenbrookes via the Busway. In the other direction the U Bus goes to the West Cambridge site (including the University Sports Centre) and Eddington.
Around 380 undergraduates and 540 graduates. We offer a wide range of accommodation, from characterful Victorian houses through to modern apartments. All accommodation is ideally situated for easy access to the College, the University departments and the historic city centre of Cambridge. Ramps and lifts are in place where it has been possible for them to be incorporated.
The College is keen to accommodate students and help overcome any difficulties whenever possible.
Smoking
There is only one area on the College site (outside Warburton Hall) where smoking is permitted. All other locations, including rooms, are strictly NO SMOKING.
Health & Welfare
Lucy Cavendish College has a College Nurse and a Student Welfare Advisor. The University requires all students to be registered with a Cambridge General Practitioner, the College Nurse or the Student Office is able to help with this.
Emergency procedures
The Porters Lodge is available 24/7, and the porters are all trained first aiders and fire wardens. A porter would help with evacuation in an emergency.
Access Issues
Contact: Maria Dias
Wheelchair-accessible rooms
The Warburton Dining Hall is accessible via a ramp and contains a lift. The New Building is fully wheelchair-accessible. Click here for more information about our accommodation.
Live-in assistants and assistance animals
Please discuss well in advance with the Admissions Office and Domestic Bursary teams. The new building has four accessible rooms, two with adjacent carer facilities.
Catering arrangements
Students are encouraged to eat in the Dining Hall or café as part of the student experience. The kitchen is open every weekday lunchtime throughout the year, with the exception of short breaks at Christmas and Easter. When the kitchen is open for cafeteria-style meals then food can also be purchased to take away. There are kitchens suitable for self-catering in every accommodation block. The College takes steps to ensure that all food is labelled for allergens.
Special diets
Special diets accommodated for formal dinners. No special arrangements are made for ordinary cafeteria meals, although there is a wide choice of meals to suit majority of diets.
College grounds in general
The College grounds are generally flat and on one level with slabbed paving and some gravel paths.
College buildings in general
There is a mix of old Victorian buildings and some newer/modern buildings. The New Building, Conference Rooms, Porters Lodge, Dining Hall and ground floor of Oldham Hall are fully accessible. The Library, Dining Hall, Oldham Hall, New Building and Histon Road contain a lift. The new building has four accessible rooms, two with adjacent carers facilities. De Brye and Bertram each have one accessible room. Histon road has three accessible rooms.
Bar
Fully accessible area on the ground floor of the new building. A disabled toilet is located close to the café/bar.
Servery
Fully accessible area on the lower ground floor of Warburton Hall via a ramp from the road outside and then a ramp into the reception rooms where the lift is situated. From the dining hall you can either leave the building via the same route or via the back door where a wheelchair accessible path is available. There is a disabled toilet just off the ramp on the way into Warburton Hall.
College offices
Most offices are in College House and not easily accessed. Other rooms available to meet. The library and Bertram House have two ground floor, accessible offices.
Common room (Paul Paget room)
The common room is situated on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible. A disabled toilet is located just outside the Paul Paget room.
Library
Our Library has a lift. There are some accessible bookable rooms: the Barbara Dyer Room and the Breakout room are accessible via stairs. Lift access is available when Group Study Room 1 is free: check with staff. Group Study Room 1, 2, and the Careers and Enterprise Hub are accessible via lift or stairs. The Foyer area is fully accessible.
Computer facilities
Special hardware or software for visually impaired users could be acquired if necessary. Please read our digital accessibility statement here.
Dining facilities
The dining hall is fully accessible by wheelchair via a ramp from the road outside and then a ramp into the reception rooms where the lift is situated. From the dining hall you can either leave the building via the same route or via the back door where a wheelchair accessible path is available. There is a disabled toilet just off the ramp on the way into Warburton Hall.
The café/bar in the new building is fully accessible.
Gardens
College House Lawn, Strathaird Lawn, Garden Court and and the area between the new building and the library are ground level with stone paths leading to the lawn. Benches and seating are available.
Porters' lodge
Fully wheelchair accessible. Disabled toilet close by, outside the Paul Paget room.
Sport facilities
The gym, situated in Oldham Hall, is wheelchair accessible.
Toilets
Accessible toilets are located in Oldham Hall, Warburton, Strathaird and the new building. Most other houses have toilets on the ground floor, but not necessarily accessible to all.
Laundry
Level access, through a narrow door in main site. Good access in Histon Road building
Other
Music pavilion has ramp access.
Strathaird building is often used for conferences and meetings. Level access to ground floor. Disabled toilet.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs welcome, but please discuss in advance.
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
Librarians are always willing to research new developments.
Signs and wayfinding
Generally good signage. Small site, so wayfinding is not too hard.
Induction loops
We have portable induction loops available at the Porters Lodge which can be installed in meeting rooms or Hall.
Alarms
Accessible rooms in the new building have visual and sensory alarms.
Other
The Music & Meditation Pavilion is a designated quiet social area.
Arrangements for students with Specific Learning Difficulties are on an individual basis, in conjunction with the Disability Resource Centre. Discuss your needs in advance with the College Disability Liaison Officer or your tutor.
Visits always welcome — please contact the College Disability Liaison Officer or Student Office on 01223 332190 to arrange a visit.
At Lucy Cavendish College we have a dedicated team of professionals to look after our students' health and wellbeing, comprising a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, a Specific Learning Difficulties Practitioner, and a College Nurse. More information can be found here.