Durham Bus Station.
3
3
Date of visit: September 2025
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Average
Durham Bus Station is located in the heart of the city, making it a really handy starting point for exploring Durham. After a period redevelopment, it reopened in its current form in January 2024 – so I was keen to see how it measures up for accessibility.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There are automatic sliding doors at each of three entrances to the station. I arrived via the rear entrance, which I couldn't find a street name for and easily made it through the doors. As I arrived, I was pleased to see an RNIB sponsored braille map, identifying the different areas of the station. Braille is also used on each of the doors to the toilets throughout the bus station. Tactile paving is used to highlight the main routes throughout the station and at the top and bottom of the steps at the North Road Entrace. The steps here have clearly marked edges, and hand rails on either side and in the centre. The North Road entrance, is step free. There is no shortage of seats throughout the station, mostly located near the bus gates, which have automatic sliding doors. All of the seats have armrests. Departure information is provided on screens at each of the bus gates and on the left wall. I couldn't find any information on other formats, other than the braille I mentioned above, so I can't confirm the presence of a hearing loop, large print or easy read documents.
Accessible facilities: Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by walk or wheel
The road to the back of the station does not have a designated drop-off space, although I saw people using the bus stop for this. There are several accessible parking spaces at the North Road entrance, but these were blocked by construction work. There is a bus stop at the rear of the station as well as at the North Road entrance. Durham Train Station is 480 metres away, but it is located up a hill, which is worth keeping in mind if you are walking or wheeling.
Accessible Toilets
Good
The standard toilets require payment to access, but the disabled toilet is free. The accessible toilet is surprisingly spacious and requires a RADAR key to open. The door opens outwards. Inside, there is enough space for either right-sidetransfer to the toilet. At the time of my visit, there was a wet floor sign in the way. The toilet has a contrasting seat and contrasting grab rails on either side. The red emergency cord hangs to the right and reaches the floor without obstruction, which is good to see. There are two sinks: one small with a push-button tap, grab rails on either side, and a mirror above it; and a larger sink with a deep basin and the same type of tap. The larger sink also has clear knee space underneath for wheelchair users. A hand dryer is located to the left of the sink. The toilet was clean overall. I learned after my visit that there is a Changing Places toilet at this location. I didn't spot signage for this, but I may have overlooked it. If you're reading this review and have used these facilities, please add a review of the Changing Places toilet to help other users.
Facilities: Accessible toilet, Changing Places toilet
