Access and facilities for people with disabilities

The Chapter of Durham welcomes all visitors to the Cathedral. However, we are aware that some people may need extra help and advice to make the best of their time here. We do ask anyone who wants or needs that extra help to contact us in advance.

Be assured that we will do what we can to make you feel welcome, really welcome.

Access to the Cathedral

The monks chose a site easy to defend from Vikings. Unfortunately, 1000 years later, this means a steep climb to the Cathedral. This is not easy if you are not fully fit.

Durham City Shopmobility provides battery-operated scooters and a minibus service. They can be contacted on 0191 386 8556. The Tourist Information Centre can be contacted on 0191 384 3720. Durham Cathedral Bus, operated by JSB Travel under contract to Durham County Council, offers a ‘hop-on, hop-off” service between the bus station, railway station and city centre every 20 minutes. They can be contacted on 01388 458099

Parking

There is virtually no parking close by the Cathedral. Contact with the Tourist Information Centre (0191 384 3720) is advisable. We have very limited parking behind the Cathedral, which may be available to single vehicles displaying a Disabled Badge. Advance contact with the Chapter Office is essential as parking can only be reserved by special permission.

The Cathedral and precincts

This great Norman cathedral and its associated buildings were not designed with people who have mobility restrictions in mind. In medieval times the infirm pilgrim to St Cuthbert's Shrine would, at best, have been conveyed on a hand-held litter. The Chapter has, during recent times, endeavoured to improve access as much as possible. Most flights of steps have at least one handrail but some of the floors are uneven and care is required. We do have a manual wheelchair for loan. This can be useful for someone with restricted mobility.

Wheelchair users

Access to the Cathedral is mostly via ramps. Please follow the signs. Within the building, the Chapel of Nine Altars, the Gregory Chapel and the Shrine of St Cuthbert have no ramps. However, the recent purchase of a ‘Stairclimber’ does enable manual wheelchair users to visit these areas under the guidance of a Cathedral employee. Please contact us in advance if you wish to use the Stairclimber, so that we can arrange for a trained person to be available.

Most of the precincts are accessible to wheelchair (and child's pushchair) users. The route to the shop, restaurant and lavatories (including an accessible one) does require leaving the cloisters and following a route outside the main buildings. This is well signed.

The age and structure of the buildings means that there are areas which wheelchair users or those with other disabilities cannot visit at present. Currently, it is not possible for a wheelchair user to visit the the Cathedral Library, the Audio-Visual Display or the Building the Church Exhibition. We are working at providing access to these areas. If you have particular need to visit any of these places, please contact us in advance so that we can discuss with you the ways we can help.

Those with impaired vision

Do start your visit with the Touch and Hearing Centre situated near the Information Desk. A steward will set it up and instruct on its use. We realise that the light levels in the Cathedral can appear low, especially on dull days. Increasing the light level is easily done by a Verger. Guide dogs are very welcome, as are their owners! Visitors with impaired vision are encouraged to touch the many different shapes and surfaces around the Cathedral and precincts. Some of our more interesting carvings, such as the misericords (monks' seats), are behind ropes which will be moved on request.

Care is needed on the uneven floors (including some tombstones) and steps. Wherever possible we have edged the steps with a contrasting colour.

Large-print editions are available for the English Short Guide to the Cathedral and various information leaflets. Ask at the Information Desk. Other leaflets and guides in the Treasures of St Cuthbert and the Monks' Dormitory are also available in large print.

The hard of hearing or deaf

The loop system in the Cathedral covers the nave, quire and transepts. This is unlikely to be of use to visitors except during services and when the sound system is in use.

As yet, none of our guides are trained in sign language. However, many of them have experience of guiding with an interpreter. Although the Cathedral is a place of prayer, it can at times be quite noisy, especially when the organ is being practised or tuned. Cathedral guides and stewards will endeavour to compensate for background noise.

Where to get help

Initially by contacting:
The Chapter Office, The College, Durham, DH1 3EH.
Telephone: 0191 386 4266; Facsimile: 0191 386 4267
Email: enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk.

In the Cathedral and precincts, by contacting Cathedral Stewards (purple or blue gowns), Bedesmen (maroon gowns), or Vergers (black cassocks or uniforms). Other Chapter staff are often around the Cathedral or precincts and, if they cannot help, will find someone who can.

Our welcoming style to all visitors is reactive rather than proactive. All who come to the Cathedral are of value and, although we recognise some have greater need for assistance than others, we do not want to embarrass, patronise or offend. Please do not hesitate to ask for help, either in advance or during a visit. We will do our best.