University Parks

University Parks - (1 of 1)

Summary information

  • There is step free access through the three gates on Parks Road, and the gate on South Parks Road. Gates are held open during opening hours.
  • The Cox's Corner and Lady Margaret Hall entrances have narrow gates and will not be accessible to most wheelchair users.
  • Paths around the Parks are wide, step free and have a firm surface. Paths can be uneven in places.
  • There is an accessible toilet next to the Cricket Pavilion which requires a Radar Key.
  • There are also standard male and female toilets.
  • There is no parking onsite, but there are public Blue Badge spaces on Keble Road. These are just under 200m from one of the entrance gates in Parks Road.
  • Please see University Parks website for general information such as opening hours and map

This table contains summary information

On-site designated parking for Blue Badge holders No
Public designated parking for Blue Badge holders within 200m Yes - on Keble Road close to the entrance
Other nearby parking Pay and display
Main entrance Level access via main gates. Gates held open
Alternative entrance Some gates not wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible toilets Yes - Radar key needed
Lift N/A
Hearing support systems N/A
Google maps
https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2469.428905412219!2d-1.2556868840679598!3d51.76176579989352!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4876c4021439b873%3A0x6ea8b06419511b5b!2sUniversity%20Parks!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1649165851414!5m2!1sen!2suk
University map
https://maps.ox.ac.uk/bd821e30-d8ba-11eb-a363-059e537832a1/search/projects/23/6336bc9ca56580b7ce5716f6?instance=iframe_small
  • There is no public parking at University Parks
  • There are public Blue Badge spaces available on Keble Road. These are just under 200m from the Keble Gate on Parks Road. 
  • Click on the link below to view a map of Blue Badge parking in central Oxford.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • Entry into the Parks is free.
  • Please see the Parks website for more information including opening hours.
  • There are several entrances into the Parks - many are wheelchair accessible, some are not.
  • Once inside the Parks, all path surfaces are hoggin. This has a firm level surface.

Parks Road entrances

  • There is a path running alongside the Parks with three entrance points. The path is shared by pedestrians and cyclists with a central line dividing the two.
  • All three entrances are step free, level and have gates that are held open during park opening hours.
  • The Keble Gate at the south has a clear width of 1.8 m.
  • The Ginkgo Gate in the middle has a clear with of 2.1m.
  • The entrance gate at the north (by Norham Gardens) has a clear width of 1.4 m. The surface here is slightly worn and uneven; puddles can form when it's raining.

Lady Margaret Hall Gate

  • There is a level footpath from Norham Gardens (close to Lady Margaret Hall) leading to a gated entrance.
  • The gate is designed to deter cyclists from entering the park - this means that it is unlikely to be accessible to wheelchair users, and others using mobility aids. 
  • The gate must be pushed fully in one direction, then visitors enter a small side compartment (1.2 m x 1.2m). The gate is then pushed fully in the other direction to enable visitors to enter or leave the park.
  • The gate is manual and large, but it is not heavy.

High Bridge entrance

  • There is a pedestrian path from Marston to the Parks - this has an uneven surface which may not be accessible for wheelchair users and people using mobility aids. 
  • There is a gate into the park with a clear width of 1.1 m. This is held open during opening hours.
  • The path into the Parks goes over High Bridge - this is very steep (1 in 4 gradient).
  • There are railings either side of the bridge which are lower than standard railings - about 80 cm high.
  • The bridge is 1.7 m wide.

South Parks Road

  • There are very wide gates into park with a clear width of over 2m. Gates are held open during opening hours.
  • Vehicles also use this entrance. Traffic volume is low, but vehicles and pedestrians share the surface for a distance of about 40m.
  • The surface is level, with some sections that are poorly repaired and uneven.

Marston cycle track entrance

  • There is a cycle path from Marston to the Parks leading to a gated entrance
  • This is a narrow gate is designed to deter cyclists from entering the park - this means that it is unlikely to be accessible to wheelchair users and people using mobility aids. 
  • There is a adjacent gate locked with a Radar Key padlock and bottom bolt. This gate has a clear width of 1m.
  • The Radar Key padlock is 1 m high. The bottom bolt is 55 cm high.

Science Area entrance

  • There is access into the Parks from the University Science Area.
  • There is a wide level path leading to the entrance.
  • There is a gate into the park with a clear with of about 2 m. The gate is held open during opening hours.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • The information signs at High Bridge entrance and Science Area entrance have Parks information only.
  • All other information points have Parks information and a map.
  • Signs are positioned high up and have small text.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • The public toilets are in the centre of the Parks next to the cricket pavilion.
  • There are male, female, and accessible toilets

Accessible toilet

  • A Radar Key is needed to access the toilet.
  • The entrance to the path leading to the toilet is uneven.
  • The gate at the path leading to the toilet is held open and has a clear width of 76 cm.
  • Outward opening toilet door -  clear width of 86 cm.
  • The door is medium weight. 
  • The door sticks against the ground when fully open.
  • The door is locked with a small twist lock.
  • There is a pull bar on the inside of the door.
  • The room dimensions are 1.5 m wide by 2.3 m long.
  • The cleaners cupboard in the toilet reduces the available space.
  • The lights switch on automatically.
  • The toilet seat height is 45 cm.
  • The toilet cistern can be used as a back rest.
  • The lever flush is on the closed side of toilet.
  • As you face the toilet, transfer space is on the left.
  • Dropdown rail on transfer side of toilet.
  • Wall mounted grab rails on closed side of toilet.
  • Sink not reachable from toilet seat.
  • Vertical grab rail on left side of sink.
  • Poor contrast between the walls and  handrails and other fixtures.
  • No clothes hooks.
  • No mirror.
  • Pull cord alarm next to toilet. Reset button not reachable from toilet.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • There is a network of paths throughout the Parks.
  • Map available on the Parks website.
  • Paths are mostly hoggin - a mix of gravel, sand and clay that binds when compacted.
  • Hoggin gives a firm level surface.
  • A few stones and tree roots stick out of path surface in places.
  • Some sections of path are moderately uneven where surfaces have become worn and damaged.
  • Small sections of path are tarmac or concrete. These are firm and level.
  • Paths are generally level, but have a slight downwards slope either side for water drainage.
  • Paths are generally between 2 m and 4 m wide.
  • A few sections of paths are narrower - never less than 1 m wide.
  • There is plenty of seating  on paths. Seating section has more details.

October 2022 update

  • A small section of path alongside cricket pavilion leading to toilets is closed.
  • Access to toilets remains by using the grass alongside the path.
  • Grass surface is firm and level but may become muddy when weather is wet.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • Benches are available throughout the Parks.
  • Benches are usually immediately next to the paths.
  • Some benches are set back from paths.
  • Almost all benches have back rests and arm supports.
  • Benches have a range of seat heights - from around 40 cm high to around 53 cm high.
  • Almost all benches have plenty of space around them.
  • Visitors can also sit on the grass around the Parks.

Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge:

  • The café is next to Keble Gate.
  • The café is owned and operated by a private company, not University Parks.
  • Seating is outdoors. There is no covered area.
  • Loose tables and chairs that can be moved if needed.
  • Chairs have backrests but do not have arm rests.
  • Tables are small and the legs prevent wheelchair access underneath. 
  • The seating area is spacious.
  • Café counter is 1.3 m high.

Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge:

Image gallery

Contact details


University Parks
South Lodge
South Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3RF

university.parks@admin.ox.ac.uk
01865 282040
www.parks.ox.ac.uk

Contact the Access Guide


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