Overview

When Queen Victoria granted city status to Belfast, it was quickly decided that a grand building was needed to mark the occasion. This led to the construction of City Hall, which officially opened on 1st August 1906. This Baroque Revival-style building stands today as both a symbol of Belfast’s pride and a functioning government building. Like much of the city, it shares a strong connection to the Titanic. Viscount William Pirrie, who was Lord Mayor just before construction began, was also the managing director of Harland and Wolff (H&W) – the shipyard that built Titanic. Pirrie's vision shaped both projects and resulted in the involvement of some of his most skilled craftsmen to work on City Hall’s interiors. Many of the features inside are believed to resemble Titanic’s lounges and suites, particularly the ornate carved panelling. It’s a stunning building to visit – and with plenty of accessibility features, it’s well worth the trip if you’re in the city.

Transport & Parking

Although Belfast City Hall is a popular stop for tourists, it doesn’t have its own public parking facilities. There are three private accessible parking bays available, but these are only for those attending an event or meeting at City Hall – and must be booked in advance through the event organisers. Linehan Street, around 320 metres away, offers some on-street parking, though these are standard spaces and may already be taken if you arrive later in the day. On the plus side, Donegal Square is well-served by public transport, with bus stops on every side and regular services throughout the day. The nearest train station is Grand Central Station – which also doubles as a major bus terminal – and is less than half a mile from City Hall. Despite the lack of a car park, there are plenty of transport links.

Access

came in through the Donegal Square West side and made my way through the gardens at the North Entrance. The path is smooth and well-paved, with plenty of benches along the way if you fancy a rest. If you're coming in via the North, you'll see metal gates at the front. Only one is bolted open, but it's wide enough for both manual and powered wheelchairs to get through easily. There’s a gentle slope leading up to the main entrance. In the middle, there are steps, but on either side, you’ll find ramps with grab rails. The front doors are automatic and open straight into the main foyer. There is no shortage of automatic doors, which is always a plus. Immediately on the left is the Changing Places toilet, which I’ll cover in more detail further down. The reception desk has a lowered section, making it easy to access from a wheelchair. The building is level throughout, and there’s a large lift available if you need to go upstairs. There are induction loops available at reception, the visitor exhibition, Bobbin café, the gift shop, and the first-floor function rooms. SignVideo is available to support communication for those who use BSL. If you prefer a quieter visit, off-peak times are usually between 9:30 am and 11 am, and again from 3 pm to 5 pm. A quiet room is also available on request. There is one mobility scooter and two manual wheelchairs available for visitors, which is really helpful for those who may need assistance. The building is level throughout and has a large lift inside. SignVideo is available to support communication for people who use BSL. As well as being a working city hall, the building is also home to a museum, with lots of interesting artefacts and photographs on display, charting Belfast's history. The Bobbin café is bright and spacious, with lots of seating. There isn’t a designated lowered counter, but the main one is at a good height for wheelchair users. An induction loop is also available. Towards the back of the café, there is a quieter seating area that might suit people who prefer a little more calm. There are power sockets under many of the seats, which is ideal for charging your mobility device, mobile phone, or anything else that needs a little power.

Toilets

I spotted two accessible toilets on the ground floor. One was out of order, and the other was occupied, so I wasn't able to gather information on these. However, there is a rather pristine Changing Places toilet just at the entrance to the building, which I was able to visit. Whilst the facility is great, it requires that you obtain a key card – or access card – from reception in order to use the toilet. I'm really not a fan of people having to tell others that they need the toilet when a non-disabled person wouldn't have to do this. The door does not have a RADAR lock, so this is mandatory. That said, the staff are very helpful and don't make a fuss, which I appreciate. The toilet has many of the expected features of a Changing Places toilet, including an adjustable sink with a lever-style tap and contrasting rails on either side, an adjustable change bed with a shower, a nearby colostomy shelf, and a ceiling track hoist. There are vacant transfer spaces on either side of the toilet, which also features contrasting grab rails. Emergency cords are installed at the adjustable change bed and the toilet, and in both instances, they were hanging freely to the floor.

Staff

The staff were helpful, though they had some initial reservations about my request to review the venue. I spoke with a manager who was very accommodating. Security also gave me a guided tour of the accessibility features, which was nice.

Photos