Overview

Arrived in Durham at an open air car park with 2 disabled spaces. Area around passport office only area with smooth area for wheelchair users. Rest of city a minefield of uneven surfaces and steps or slopes that could not be navigated resulting in a lot of unnecessary wheeling about to no avail. I made it along the river in my electric wheelchair from the passport office end. However there is a very steep slope to get up onto Prebends bridge at the end, this gives access to the Cathedral. I do not recommend visiting this city at all for wheelchair users. Also would be a terrible experience for blind/partially sighted individuals. The radar key toilet by the Cathedral is spacious but poorly lit and with minimal aids and not very clean. Any ramps that I saw around the Cathedral grounds area were of an unsafe nature and did not afford appropriate wheelchair access. One at the University police office was a ramp that sat in front of a step that would have to be navigated over, I should of taken a photo! The 2 ramps I used inside the Cathedral were of a safe and appropriate type however not all of the Cathedral is made accessible. I came away feeling rubbish and in extreme pain which is still troubling me a fortnight later.

Transport & Parking

Open air parking limited for wheelchair users. 2 disabled spaces in the car park we parked in. The majority of parking in Durham is in multi stories with restricted hight which is lower than I've usually experienced. If you use a WAV like a Ford torneo, a mid size WAV, you will have to find a space in an open air car park. Blue badge holders pay for parking with extra hours charged at a lower rate after 2 hours. All parking free after 2pm.

Access

No thought to disabled people at all in Durham city. It was a shock to be honest. I come from Norwich, another old cathedral city which has made a lot of efforts regards to access. I know Norwich doesn't have as many hills but hills are no excuse for offering no equity with regards to moving about the streets. Durham city needs a proper access survey.

Toilets

1 radar key toilet by the Cathedral. Large enough but poorly lit and with minimal aids and not very clean.

Staff

The people in the Cathedral were keen to assist but no masks were worn and people got too close which I find is often a problem with people and wheelchair users. I kept moving away but they kept moving closer! I can still hear you from a 4ft distance you know!