We want the Out in Nature trail to be welcoming and accessible. This page explains how to access the Out in Nature trail on the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus, plus ways we can support your visit. If anything here doesn’t meet your needs, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.
You can also experience our trail virtually!
This information can be downloaded in the following easy ready versions: Easy Read, High Contrast and Large Print
Getting here
Campus: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter (EX4 4QJ). The campus is large, with a mix of older and newer buildings and landscaped grounds. Official campus maps (including accessible features) are available, and the University provides area maps with icons for accessible entrances, disabled parking, bus stops and accessible toilets. Please see here
By train: The nearest stations are Exeter St David’s and St James’ Park (approx. a 15-minute walk) and Exeter Central (around a 20-minute walk). Local buses connect stations to campus.
By bus: City routes serve the campus; bus/shuttle stops are marked on University maps.
By car: Several university car parks include Blue Badge bays close to key buildings on the trail. Please check on-the-day signage and University maps for locations and any parking charges or restrictions.
Step-free routes & Gradients
Streatham Campus has a mix of level paths and steep hills. The University’s area accessibility maps highlight step-free entrances, public pathways, and safer walking routes. We recommend planning a route in advance using these maps; a step-free alternative is available for most buildings and points on our trail.
Surfaces & seating
Much of the trail is outdoors on paved campus paths with some gravel/earthy sections (e.g., around gardens or the Bug Hotel). Seating is available at intervals across campus (benches; indoor seating in buildings such as The Forum), though gaps can be 5-10 minutes’ walk depending on route choice. Building-specific access guides for The Forum and nearby venues are published via AccessAble.
Toilets
• Accessible toilets are distributed across campus and shown on the University’s area maps.
• The Forum includes accessible provision; Devonshire House / Students’ Guild area has additional facilities, and there are accessible toilets near Lemon Grove (Cornwall House).
Quiet spaces & sensory info
• Sensory environment: The campus can be busy (students, traffic near roads). Indoors, areas like The Forum features brighter lighting and audiovisual screens; lecture spaces may use fluorescent strip lighting.
• Quieter spots: Garden areas (e.g., Queen’s Quad, Sunken Garden vicinity) can offer calmer breaks depending on time of day.
• Some interiors (e.g., learning spaces) may use projectors/large screens; the Forum/lecture theatres often have fluorescent lighting.
• Outdoor segments include vegetation, varied paths, and uneven ground in places (e.g., near the Bug Hotel); please wear suitable footwear, and be aware of changes in terrain.
Assistance Dogs
Assistance Dogs are welcome across campus outdoor spaces and in University buildings on the trail. The trail passes by many green open spaces for comfort breaks, and has many bins available to throw away waste.
Weather & outdoor conditions
This is a mainly outdoor activity. Surfaces may be wet, slippery or muddy in rain. We recommend:
• Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear
• Sun/rain protection as needed
• Bringing water; refill points available in campus buildings like The Forum (Do ask staff for the nearest one).
Website accessibility
Hello! James here from the University of Exeter Multimedia Design Studio here just to talk website accessibility. I hope you find the custom accessibility tools useful, and that the overall experience feels clear, calm, and easy to use.
Accessibility is something I take seriously. The website currently meets and hopefully exceeds the WCAG 2.1 AA standards. While some third-party plugins (particularly in WordPress) don’t always match my expectations, they serve a purpose and I’m hopeful they’ll catch up with my standards over time.
If you spot any accessibility issues or barriers, or just to tell me how things could be made better for you (no matter how small), please let me know. You can find my contact details here. Thank you, James.
Alternative formats
We can provide this information (and trail notes) in:
• Large print / high-contrast PDF
• Plain-text email
• Audio summary
Feedback
Your feedback helps us improve. If something isn’t working for you- routes, pace, surfaces, signage, facilities- please let us know so we can adapt future visits.
Accessibility Information by Bee Jarvis
