Banks Homes Riverside: accessibility
Plan your Riverside visit with Durham’s accessibility information and the Box Office. Call 0191 387 1717 or email box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk with the fixture and your requirements. Booking the viewing place, parking and arrival route together helps staff recommend a practical way into the ground.
Booking accessible tickets
Durham provides accessible viewing with companion seating nearby and asks visitors to arrange it in advance. Describe whether you use a wheelchair, need an aisle seat or have difficulty with steps. Confirm the particular stand, row, route and companion-ticket conditions before buying an ordinary ticket. The current public accessibility page does not set out a single companion tariff for every event; the Box Office can confirm the arrangement for your match.
For a hospitality booking, ask about the route into the suite, its viewing position and accessible toilet as well as the meal. A room being accessible does not establish that every balcony seat has the same approach. Give staff your equipment dimensions and any transfer requirements so the booking matches the way you will use it.
Getting to the ground
The club describes Chester-le-Street station as a fifteen-to-twenty-minute walk from the stadium. Assess that distance against your needs and check station assistance before selecting a train. A bus into town or a planned vehicle drop-off may suit your group better. Use the actual date’s travel information, including the journey home after an evening fixture.
Blue Badge spaces exist inside the ground and in nearby public parking areas, subject to availability. Arrange the correct permit with Durham before travelling. County and major-match arrangements differ: a Championship guide identifies prepaid disabled parking through Gate 6, while big events use designated nearby spaces. Ask how far your allocated space is from the entrance and whether the route suits your equipment.
Gate 2 has lowered Box Office windows. Durham also offers Gate 0 as a quieter entrance by prior arrangement for visitors who would benefit from reduced crowd stimulation. Confirm your gate and arrival time with staff rather than walking directly to a different turnstile.
Inside the ground
Accessible toilets and routes are signposted around the venue. Stewards can show you the nearest suitable facility when you arrive. The Changing Places room is beside the Media Centre, identified under Block 5 in the club’s Blast guide. It has a height-adjustable adult changing bench, ceiling-track hoist and accessible toilet. Contact Durham beforehand to discuss access and any equipment or help you will need.
Food and drink outlets vary by fixture. Ask staff for the most straightforward route from your viewing place, and allow time to move during an interval. Keep a payment card ready: Durham’s major-match and county guides describe cashless payments. A hearing loop is available in the Club Shop.
Sensory support and commentary
The Sensory Room is in the Media Centre with views of play. It offers a quieter setting away from the main crowd and has limited capacity, so register interest with the Box Office before the match. The club’s match guides require a valid match ticket to use it. Ask whether a place is available for your group and how you reach it from the entrance.
Volunteer-led commentary supports blind and partially sighted spectators. Contact Durham to request it for your chosen fixture and establish the meeting point; do not rely on a location from an older match guide. The Multi-Faith Room near the Media Centre provides a place for prayer or quiet reflection, with access managed on the day.
Speak to a steward if you need assistance with navigation or an unexpected difficulty. Explain any evacuation support you may need when arranging your visit. If travelling with an assistance dog, ask the club to confirm seating space and the current access arrangements before the day.
Contact
Contact box.office@durhamcricket.co.uk or 0191 387 1717. Include the fixture, group size, accessible viewing, companion requirements and parking needs. Back to the Chester-le-Street visitor guide.