Venue Description

Lincoln Cathedral has been welcoming people through its doors for 950 years and to this day, we continue a long tradition of welcome and hospitality. We aim to provide a space which is welcoming to all and are committed to inclusive practices through staff training and physical adaptations where possible. Services take place daily and we are open 363 days a year for visitors to experience this beautiful historic building – We hope that you take away wonderful memories of your time in Lincoln.  

Accessibility

Lincoln Cathedral at a glance Level access There is level access from minster yard (ln2 1px) into the cathedral via the main entrance. The cathedral’s visitor centre also has step-free access into the shop and café. The main cathedral floor is step-free except for some small chapels. There is a platform lift to provide access from the cathedral to the visitor centre. There are four lifts available in the visitor centre to provide access from the roadside into the building and to the first floor. Hearing • A hearing loop is available at the welcome desk, shop and in the community rooms Visual • Glass doors have contrast markings • Orders of service are available in large print • Carvings may be touched • Welcome leaflet is available in large print • Café menus are available in large print General • Carers and companions enjoy free admission to the cathedral and to cathedral-run events • Staff have undertaken disability and inclusivity awareness training • Some staff and volunteers have enhanced training in areas such as age, autism and dementia awareness Assistance dogs Lincoln cathedral is a dog-friendly site Assistance dogs are permitted throughout the site Water is available in the visitor centre Quiet area Should you require a quiet area, please speak to a member of staff who will be able to provide access to a chapel Exploring Lincoln Cathedral Arrival There is level access from Minster Yard to the main entrance. Minster Yard is predominantly cobbled. The entrance doorway is narrow. Should you require wider access, please contact a member of staff, by calling 01522 561600 or by visiting the welcome desk. They will be able to assist by offering an alternative entrance. Upon entry, automatic glass doors open towards you, providing access into the cathedral. Welcome desk Information leaflets are available in a number of languages and in large print. A portable hearing loop is available. Wheelchairs are available to use at no cost. The cathedral operates an admission charge 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday and 11.30am to 2.30pm Sunday. Carers and companions enjoy complimentary admission. Exploring the cathedral The cathedral floor is flat; however, it is uneven in places due to the nature of the medieval stonework. Seating is available throughout the cathedral by use of benches and chairs. Visitors may also sit on the stone ledges in the nave. Ramps are located throughout the cathedral to allow level access into the aisles and St Hugh’s Choir. Small chapels are inaccessible to those unable to use steps due to the historic fabric of the building. Guided tours Upper floor tours involve climbing between 150 and 350 steps. No under 14s are permitted. A health and safety sheet must be read and agreed to, prior to joining a tour. Visitors with pacemakers are not permitted to join a tower tour due to frequency interruptions relating to proximity to radio transmitters. Tours for visitors with vision impairments are available - pre-booking is essential. Visitor centre The flooring is flat and made from light coloured stone. Dark contrast barrier mats are positioned by external doors to reduce slip hazards. Walls are mainly stone or white in colour. The walls in the café snug and exhibition gallery are blue. Glass doors have contrast etching. An evac chair is available on the first floor. Exhibition gallery A glass door opens away from you and may be operated by a staff member or volunteer. There is low lighting in the exhibition gallery. Interactive audio-visual display screens are positioned at a low level. Audible interpretation can be heard via wired handsets and all displays are subtitled. An automatic sliding door opens into the cathedral shop. Volume controls are available on all audio-visual displays (with the exception of The introduction video which is pre-set). Staff and volunteers are able to Adjust the volume if required. Contrast levels are pre-set. Text panels are set in two contrasting colours. All displays are at the required height for wheelchair users. For visual displays, digital labels are also available in larger text. All text adheres to museum text guidelines. Discovery Centre A shallow incline ramp provides access into the discovery centre. Audio-visual displays and interactive displays are at low level wheelchair access. Courtyard Double, manual swing glass doors open outwards into the courtyard, Which features flat paving throughout. Functional outdoor furniture may be moved to suit needs. Double, manual swing glass doors open inwards into the cathedral shop. A shallow stone lip returns to interior stone floor. Cathedral café A single width full-length glass fire door separates the café snug from the corridor. The door is kept open and is on an automatic close in the event of fire. The flooring is hard wood. Furniture is not fixed and may be moved to suit access requirements. Tables are square/rectangular and have central bases. A range of table heights is available. Tables seat two or four people but may be adjusted to create larger Table areas. Water is available for service dogs. Cathedral Shop Stock is presented at a range of heights. Staff are always available to provide support if required. A low level till counter is available. Automatic doors open outwards into the dean’s green. Dean’s Green Resin bound pathways are wide and bordered by grassed and planted areas. Wooden public seating areas at low height are provided. Learning Centre All furniture is flexible and can be rearranged to suit requirements. An accessible toilet is available. An outdoor platform lift provides access from street level. Level access throughout internally.

Access Statement

Access Statement Link: https://lincolncathedral.com/accessibility-2/

Toilets

There are four sets of toilet facilities, located in the cloisters, and in the visitor centre. The two main sets for public use are in the cloisters and on the ground floor in the visitor centre. Our accessible toilets are inclusive; providing a gender-neutral safe space for all to use. Cloisters Male Female One accessible toilet with baby change facilities One accessible and inclusive toilet with baby change facilities Visitor Centre Male ambulant disabled cubicle with two urinals Female including ambulant disabled cubicle with high contrast grab rails and fixtures Accessible toilet Baby change with toilet Changing places facility (accessed with radar key) For visitors using the community rooms, additional toilet facilities are located on the first floor. One accessible toilet Four individual unisex toilets For schools and educational groups, toilet facilities are provided for sole use by children in the group. Male Female Accessible and Inclusive toilet Changing Places Toilet The changing places facility may be used by anyone who requires the facility. Admission or purchase is not necessary in order to access the facility. Staff in both the cathedral café and shop have a radar key if required. Changing places toilet - specification Room size 10m2 Door 2040x838x40mm Adult-sized changing bench - wall-mounted, height adjustable – 700mm. Max load 200kg. Wall-mounted tracking x y hoist Sling Celling height – 2.7m Height-adjustable washbasin 300mm with lever control. Maximum load 100kg Peninsular toilet Grab rails Wall-mounted paper dispenser – 20” hygiene rolls for use on changing bench Privacy screen

Staff

• Staff have undertaken disability and inclusivity awareness training • Some staff and volunteers have enhanced training in areas such as age, autism and dementia awareness

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

Lincoln cathedral is a dog-friendly site Assistance dogs are permitted throughout the site Water is available in the visitor centre, and at the West Front entrance. It is available on request from the café