Cathedral 23.07.21 75
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Accessibility

Planning your visit and accessible facilities
Accessible routes
Onsite accommodation

We aim to provide a warm welcome and first-class experience to all of our visitors and worshippers.

The Cathedral is a medieval building, and although it is not always possible to provide all the facilities we would like, we always do our best to make the Cathedral as accessible – and welcoming – as possible.

 

We encourage feedback and suggestions to help us improve accessibility and facilities for all who come to the Cathedral.

Please email us at [email protected] 

 

Accessibility

Your visit

The Cathedral is located in the centre of Canterbury, and the main step-free entrance into the Cathedral Precincts (grounds) is via Christ Church Gate in The Buttermarket.

Although flat, The Buttermarket and several of the public roads and access routes to the Cathedral Precincts (grounds) are cobbled.

Visitors to Canterbury can use the ‘Shopmobility’ scheme based at Gravel Walk in Whitefriars (Tel +44 (0) 1227 459889).

For advice or information on visiting the city, please see the Visit Canterbury website or email [email protected]

Onsite parking - General visiting and worship

Parking within the Cathedral grounds is only available for Blue Badge holders, subject to limited availability and by prior arrangement. Please contact our Visits team via [email protected] or +44 (0) 1227 865279 to check availability.

Please use the public car parks within the city, many of which are within a short distance to the Cathedral. There is also a park and ride scheme, with buses running regularly from the outskirts of Canterbury. For more information, visit the Canterbury City Council website.

 

Onsite parking - Events

Many events hosted at the Cathedral are managed and facilitated by external companies, and in this case our Cathedral teams will not be able to advise on parking, ticketing or other event information.

If you are travelling to the Cathedral for an event, please read full event information and contact the listed event organiser directly regarding parking and other enquiries.

There are no toilets within the Cathedral building itself.

An accessible toilet is at the south east end of the Cathedral Precincts, 135 metres from our Visitor Centre. Access is level concrete with no steps.

  • It is a unisex toilet and there is no need for a key.
  • The door opens outwards and locks by a twist lock.
  • The dimensions of the cubicle are 1.5m x 2.5m (4ft 11in x 8ft 2in). There is not sufficient space to the side of the toilet for a wheelchair and sideways transfer.
  • There is a monitored pull cord distress alarm call system positioned next to the toilet.
  • The hand dryer is 88 cm (2ft 10in) from the ground.
  • The basin is 76 cm (2ft 6in) from the ground and has lever taps.
  • The toilet seat is 48cm (1ft 6in) above floor level.
  • There are grab rails, wall-mounted and drop-down rails.

There is a separate baby change facility in the toilet block.

Our Visitor Centre has a small number of wheelchairs available for free loan to visitors, for use within the Cathedral and Precincts.

There are permanent ramps located at the South West door (main visitor entrance) into the Nave, at the north corridor into the Cloisters, by the Dean's Steps into the Crypt, and at the east end of the Precincts into the Memorial Garden.

Occasionally, temporary ramps may be in place within the Cathedral or Precincts for maintenance work. These should not be used by the public, and are not fit for wheelchairs or buggies.

There is a lift by the Dean’s Steps on the north-east side of the Cathedral, to enable step-free access to the Quire. The dimensions are 1.04m x 1.34m (3ft 4in x 4 ft 4in). There are no braille or tactile markings.

The lift in our Visitor Centre provides step-free access between our Welcome foyer, Viewing Gallery and Shop.

Our staff and volunteers are available at all times to offer assistance.

Cathedral volunteers wear a yellow sash, whilst our staff can be identified by their blue Cathedral lanyards and passes, or by their blue tops with the Cathedral Chapter logo.

Our chaplains and virgers - dressed in black cassocks – and our uniformed Cathedral Constables are also available should you need assistance.

Holy Communion

If you are unable to go up to the altar for Communion during a service, please speak with one of our stewards before the service starts. They will be happy to make arrangements for you.

 

Large-print service sheets

Large-print service sheets are available from our virgers or Stewards on request.

 

Induction Loop

An Induction Loop for people who are hard of hearing has been installed in the Nave, Quire and Crypt for use during services. Hearing aid users should adjust their aid to T.

Guided tours

Specialised tours - including BSL tours and tours for people with a visual impairment - can be arranged in advance through our Visits Office:
+44 (0) 1227 762862 / [email protected]

Touch and Hearing

A ‘Touch and Hearing’ model is available inside the main entrance into the Cathedral. Please ask for assistance at the Welcome or Audio Desk.

Visitors can bring their well-behaved four-legged friends into the Cathedral building and grounds.

  • Dogs must be on a short lead at all times.
  • Owners must clean up after their dogs.
  • Unfortunately, dogs aren’t able to accompany their owners on a guided tour or mini talk.
  • Only assistance dogs are permitted at services.
  • Dog bins are available.
  • Water bowls are available at the Cathedral Visitor Centre and refreshments Kiosk.

 

Cathedral Lodge Lounge

Only assistance dogs are permitted in the Lounge - our on-site café - during the café opening hours (10am-4pm).

Other well-behaved dogs are allowed in the Refectory garden, when open to diners in the spring and summer months (weather permitting), during the café opening hours.

Accessibility

Accessible routes

The Cathedral has many steps throughout the building and most are very old and uneven. Where possible - but not everywhere - steps have white markings and/or handrails are provided. All doors into the Cathedral are heavy.

The Trinity Chapel at the top of the Quire is the only area not accessible for wheelchair users. A touch-screen computer (at wheelchair level) with text and images gives details of the tombs and stained glass windows in the Chapel.

Step-free access into the Nave is through the North Door, which has heavy, double doors of 1.44m (4ft 8in) wide.

There is a lift by the Dean’s Steps on the north east side of the Cathedral to enable step-free access to the Quire. The dimensions are 1.04m x 1.34m (3ft 4in x 4 ft 4in). There are no braille or tactile markings.

Step-free access to the Cloisters and Chapter House is via the east end of the Cathedral.

The route is mainly levelled concrete and paving, though it is partly cobbled near the monastic ruins leading to the Dark Entry.

The path is moderately sloped at the far eastern end.

Step-free entry into the Crypt is on the north side of the Cathedral, via a heavy door of 1.2 m wide (3ft 11in) and down a wide ramp, with handrails and moderate slope.

There are picnic areas which are mainly on levelled grass.

There are also benches throughout the site.

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