Holywell Music Room

Holywell Music Room - (1 of 1)

The oldest custom built concert hall in Europe, the Holywell Music Room opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1748. Due to the age of the building not all areas of the building are accessible to people with mobility impairments. There is ramped access to the main entrance (although the path surface is loose gravel). There is level access to the auditorium and an induction loop in place. There are several seats at ground floor level, and space to accommodate four wheelchairs. 

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This table contains summary information about the building

On-site designated parking for Blue Badge holders No
Public designated parking for Blue Badge holders within 200m Yes
Other nearby parking Yes - Pay and Display
Main entrance Level
Alternative entrance N/A
Wheelchair accessible toilets 1
Lift N/A
Hearing support systems Yes
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Floor plans

Follow the link to view a floor plan of the building showing level access routes: 

 

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There is no parking available on site. There is public blue badge parking available on Broad Street – this is approximately 177 m from the entrance. There is also public blue badge parking on nearby Jowett Walk – this is approximately 275 m from the entrance.

Please click on the link below for a map of Blue Badge parking in central Oxford:

 

There is a central path and 6 steps up to the level area in front of the entrance doors. There are handrails both sides and contrasting markings on the step edges.

Alternatively there are ramps either side of the central path which curve around to the level area in front of the entrance doors.  The start of the ramp to the right has a low step up from the pavement. The start of the ramp to the left is level with the pavement. The surface of both ramps is loose gravel and there are no handrails. There are up lights set into the ground on both ramps which could cause glare. Note that both ramps are relatively steep and have no level areas until you reach the top.

The double doors are usually held open while people arrive for concerns. The doorway is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Once inside the door you will find yourself in the entrance lobby. The box office counter is to the left, and the main auditorium is straight ahead.

 

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

The box office is immediately on the left as you enter the building. The counter is 105 cm high and does not have a lowered section, or recessed area. There is no hearing loop here. 

 

Please click on the thumbnail below to enlarge:

There is level access from the entrance through to the auditorium; although some visitors may need to take extra care on the old stone floor which is worn and can be slightly uneven in places. In addition there is a section of carpet with raised metal edge guards which may present a hazard for people with visual or mobility impairments.

The auditorium has rows of tiered seating with stairs leading up to the higher rows. The stairs have contrasting markings on the step edgings but no hand rails.

There is seating at ground floor level. There is bench style seating throughout, with back rests but no arm rests.

There are 4 designated wheelchair spaces at ground floor level.

There is an induction hearing loop.

The stage has three tiers with a step between each one. There is no step free access to the stage either from the main auditorium space, or the green room at the side. 

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

Accessible toilets

The accessible toilet is on the ground floor with level access from the entrance and auditorium. This has an older style arrangement of handrails around the WC. The rails are fixed (as opposed to a drop down rail). These is a horizontal rail on the right side only (as you are looking at the WC). There are no hand rails by the wash basin. In addition the door opens into the toilet (as opposed to opening outwards).

There are male and female toilets on the ground floor. Both of these can only be reached via 2 steps down to a lower area of the ground floor.

 

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

Much of the tiered seating in the auditorium is reached by steps. These have contrasting markings on the step edges but do not have hand rails. There is seating that is at ground level.

There are 2 steps leading down to the male and female toilets. There are also 2 steps from this area up to the performers green room. There are contrasting markings on the step edges. It is also possible to access the green room from the stage - there is a step down.

There are three tiers to the stage area; each tier has a step.

 

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

The double entrance doors will usually be held open at the start and end of concerts. This is a wide doorway which will easily accommodate wheelchairs.

There is a further double door into the auditorium which will also be held open. This doorway is also wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Apart from the toilets, audience members will not need to use any other doors.

There are manually operated doors at either end of the green room. Note that there is stepped access only to this room. 

 

Please click on the thumbnail below to enlarge:

There is a fixed induction loop in the auditorium. Hearing aids with the loop setting (T switch) activated will be able to access the induction loop. 

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Contact details


Venue located at:
Holywell Music Room
Wadham College
Holywell Street
Oxford
OX1 3SD
 

Wadham College website

Access enquiries


c/o Wadham College
conference.office@wadham.ox.ac.uk
01865 277 558

 

Contact the Access Guide


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