Accessibility

Punting Accessibility in Cambridge

INTRODUCTION

This access statement aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that are available for all our guests and visitors.

We have two city centre locations: Our boats are located and licensed from Jesus Green Moorings, Quayside Boardwalk, CB5 8AQ. Here you’ll find our Bookings Desk. This is also where your tour will depart. Please find full details in our contact information section.

Our location is a two-minute walk along a boardwalk from the Quayside itself (approximately 200 steps) and a 5-minute walk from the market square. The walk is flat and evenly paved and with non-slip surfaces at our location.

We work to maximise our year-round access within the feasibility of our riverside location. We have a health and safety policy in place and signage where permitted. We have been awarded as a VisitEngland quality rose marque, are an assured tour provider and are premium members of Visit Cambridge.

We are happy to answer any questions please call us on 01223 322200 or email us [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you on the river.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Arriving by Train

Cambridge has two railway stations, Cambridge and Cambridge North. Cambridge central is about 1.6 miles to our location and Cambridge North is about 2.1 miles. Both stations are well serviced with buses and taxis. For information on these services, please go to www.nationrail.co.uk

Regular buses run from Cambridge train station and take around 10 minutes to get to the city centre, stopping in Emmanuel Street. From here it is about a 7-minute walk to our location.

You will find a taxi rank outside both stations, A good proportion of Cambridge Hackney Carriages have wheelchair accessible vehicles. It is advisable to book ahead to avoid a wait on arrival.

There are many local firms, some of the most common are:

www.camcab.co.uk www.a1cabco.co.uk www.panthertaxis.co.uk

Arriving by Car

Cambridge has superb bus services, so the park and rides are a great option and cheaper. Alternately you can use the local car parks. For up to date timetables and more, please go to www.cambridge.gov.uk/parking

All on-street pay and display is free to Blue Badge holders. It is also acceptable for holders to park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, so long as you don’t block the road. For more information: www.cambridge.gov.uk/free-parking-for-blue-badge-holders

Park & Ride Bus

There are 5 park and ride locations on the edge of the city, they are Milton, Babraham Road, Madingley Road, Newmarket Road and Trumpington. For further information: www.cambridgeparkandride.info

Other Bus Routes

There are city-wide services running from Emmanuel Street. Close by, there are regional and national services running from Drummer Street Bus station.

All airport bus services and some additional national services run from Parkside, next to Parkers Piece.

For further information:

www.go-whippet.co.uk www.stagecoachbus.com www.nationalexpress.com

YOUR ARRIVAL

Quayside Bookings Desk

Our bookings desk is located on the Quayside Boardwalk Cambridge which is over the river. There are no steps up or down to our bookings desk.

Jesus Green Moorings

Our Jesus Green Moorings are located at the corner of Jesus Green opposite the La Mimosa Restaurant. Access to this site can be gained from two directions.

The first access direction is from Jesus Green, a large public park that can be accessed from Chesterton Lane, Victoria Avenue or Park Parade.

The second access direction is from Quayside heading to our Bookings Desk, which is beside the Jesus Green Moorings. It’s a short walk, around 200 steps, down a boardwalk. The boardwalk is over the river and has wooden flooring with nonslip coverings. There are railings on one side and a wall on the other.

Once at the moorings, the landing stage is a nonslip fibreglass mesh. The pontoon has five steps down. At the moorings, the boats are pinned in at both ends and are loaded sideways on.

We cannot take wheelchairs onto the boats since they can not be secured. We can look after mobility aids and pushchairs for the duration of your tour. At present we have no special provision for other access needs.

If you have made a booking and may need assistance, please make this known to our team and they will be happy to help you.

Punting Tour of Cambridge College Backs

Our guided tours take you 1.6 km (1 mile) along the central Cambridge section of the river on a flat bottomed boat – a punt. You’ll get to see the private University of Cambridge College Backs.

Our boats can seat up to 12 people and are dressed with cushions and with umbrellas (weather dependant).

Each tour has a fully trained guide who introduces the history of the colleges. All tours take place outdoors in daylight, with a few exceptions (May Ball Fireworks night and prearranged specialised tours).

At present we do not have induction loops installed due to the historic nature of the environment, boats and tour. We operate a policy of complimentary tickets for personal care assistants.

Public Services

There are two public toilets close to our location and open from 8:30am-8.00pm. One on the Quayside and one on Jesus Green. Both have disabled access for visitors in wheelchairs and are a part of the RADAR key scheme.

Additional Information

All dogs are welcome at Rutherfords including assistance dogs. Water is available on request.

We are planning additional disability training for our staff and will be launching a new website. Suggestions and feedback are encouraged on accessibility improvements across our business.

We are open from January to December from 9:30am till dusk (Closing times vary seasonally according to sunset times). We are closed on 25 December. Very occasionally we are forced to close due to river or severe weather conditions.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rutherford’s Bookings Desk Location 52°12’41.5″N 0°07’05.6″E Quayside Boardwalk, Cambridge CB5 8AQ

Rutherford’s Moorings Location 52°12’42.1”N 0°07’06.4”E Jesus Green Moorings, Cambridge CB5 8AQ

rutherfordspunting.com [email protected] 01223322200