Access
Welcoming everyone: Accessibility hub
We are excited to welcome you to Theatre Royal Winchester. As a Theatre of Sanctuary and a proud partner in local safe space initiatives, we place equity, diversity, and inclusion at the very heart of everything we do. We want every single visitor to feel secure, valued, and ready to share in the joy of live performance.
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Planning your visit
Booking & Box Office support
Our friendly team is here to help you choose the best seats for your requirements or answer any questions not covered on this page.
- Phone: 01962 840 440
- Email: boxoffice@playtothecrowd.co.uk
- Essential Companion discount: We offer a 50% discount on one ticket for an essential companion accompanying a disabled person.
- Wheelchair bookings: Wheelchair spaces cannot currently be booked online. Please get in touch with our Box Office team directly so we can personally secure the perfect space for you.
Familiarisation visits
If you or a member of your party would feel more comfortable getting to know our spaces before the crowds arrive, we are delighted to offer familiarisation visits. You can arrange a quiet walkthrough of the venue prior to your show date by contacting the Box Office.
Visual Story
We have created a dedicated Visual Story to help you get to know the layout, sights, and sounds of the theatre before you step through the doors.
Getting here & arrival
- Main entrance (Jewry Street): Features a completely step‑free entrance equipped with an automatic door. This is the recommended entrance for step‑free access.
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- Alternative entrance (Tower Street): This entrance has one step up to enter the building.
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For more travel information, please visit our how to get here section.
Access inside the theatre
The main foyer and the auditorium stalls are level ground and can be accessed step‑free from our Jewry Street entrance.
Wheelchair spaces
We offer five dedicated wheelchair user spaces located within the auditorium stalls:
- Stalls seat locations: B1, E22, J22, K2, and M2.
A ramp will also be available to level out the space, which is otherwise on a gentle slope.
These spaces are perfectly configured to accommodate most standard manual and powered wheelchairs.
Because our five dedicated wheelchair user spaces (B1, E22, J22, K2, and M2) and certain accessible seating arrays require precise configuration, they cannot be booked online. Please get in touch with our Box Office team on 01962 840 440 or email boxoffice@playtothecrowd.co.uk and we will happily secure the most comfortable seats for you.
Transferring to a theatre seat
If you prefer to transfer from your wheelchair or mobility device into a standard theatre seat, we highly recommend booking in the stalls for the easiest, level access. Once you are safely transferred, our Front of House team will look after your mobility device and store it safely just outside the auditorium doors to ensure all fire exits remain completely clear.
Choosing the right level for you
- Stalls: All seats here feature level access, though the floor has a gentle, natural slope down towards the stage. If you need to leave the auditorium easily during a performance or want to minimise your walking distance, booking seats on either side of the rear stalls is an excellent option.
- Circle: The Circle features limited accessibility. Row B is the only row on this level that can be accessed step‑free via our guest lift. All other rows within the circle require taking steps.
- Boxes: Access to our private boxes requires climbing steps. Our boxes provide a side view of the stage and are a fantastic choice for individuals who prefer extra personal space or a bit of distance from the main audience.
Accessible facilities
Toilets
We have two fully accessible toilets located on the ground floor, both equipped with baby changing tables. Level access to both is via our Jewry Street entrance:
- Toilet 1: Located conveniently near the main Box Office.
- Toilet 2: Located in the Atrium directly opposite the lift.
Additional toilets across the building
For visitors using other tiers of the theatre, our wider facilities include:
- Stalls (upper basement level – 12 steps): Women's toilets (6 cubicles) and Men's toilets (6 urinals, 1 cubicle).
- Stalls (lower basement level – 17 steps): Gender‑neutral, self‑contained facilities (4 cubicles, includes baby changing).
- Circle level (accessible via lift): Women's toilets (3 cubicles) and gender‑neutral, self-contained facilities (4 cubicles).
The bar & merchandise stall
Our vibrant theatre Bar and our merchandise stalls are both designed with step‑free access. Our team is always on hand to assist you during your visit. If you ever find it difficult to access the bar area, simply speak to our Duty Manager upon arrival, and we will happily assist you.
Support during your visit
The relaxed area (circle level)
Need a quick break from the crowd or the dark auditorium? We have a dedicated, comfortable relaxed area located on the circle level (accessible via 6 steps). The performance on stage is streamed live to a TV screen here, so you won't miss a moment of the show. This space is open to both children and adults and comes equipped with cozy beanbags, colouring activities, and a selection of children's books.
Hearing enhancement system
We may have hearing enhancement headsets and a hearing loop system available for your performance (subject to availability). Please ask our Box Office team when booking.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are incredibly welcome in all areas of our building, including inside the main auditorium. Please mention any specific space requirements to our Box Office team when booking so we can seat you comfortably. Please note that no other animals are permitted inside the auditorium space.
Safety & special effects
Evacuation policy
Our Duty Managers and Front of House team are fully trained in accessible evacuation procedures. If you have specific access requirements, it is highly important that our team is made aware when you arrive so we can coordinate the best possible support in an emergency. For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that patrons who require physical assistance during an evacuation book their seats in the stalls.
Special effects & content warnings
Strobe lighting, smoke effects, and sudden loud sounds are common in touring shows. We ensure that detailed content warnings are prominently displayed on our Front of House digital screens before every performance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book accessible seating?
Because our five dedicated wheelchair spaces (B1, E22, J22, K2, and M2) and certain accessible seating arrays require precise configuration, they cannot be booked online.
Please get in touch with our Box Office on 01962 840 440 or email boxoffice@playtothecrowd.co.uk, and we will happily secure the most comfortable seats for you.
Can I get an essential companion ticket?
Yes. We offer a 50% discount on one ticket for an Essential Companion or Personal Assistant who is accompanying a visitor with accessibility requirements.
Can I transfer from my wheelchair into a standard seat?
Absolutely. If you wish to transfer into a regular theatre seat, we strongly advise booking in the stalls for level, step‑free access. Our team will safely store your wheelchair or mobility scooter directly outside the auditorium doors during the performance to keep emergency paths clear, and bring it back to you at the interval or end of the show.
Which areas of the theatre are completely step-free?
- Foyer & bar: Completely flat, step‑free access via our main Jewry Street doors.
- Stalls: Level access throughout, featuring a gentle slope down towards the stage.
- Circle: Limited accessibility. Only Row B can be reached step‑free using our public lift. All other rows on this level require navigating stairs.
- Boxes: Not step‑free; accessing our side-view boxes requires using steps.
Where are the accessible toilets located?
We have two fully accessible toilets on our ground floor level, both featuring baby changing tables.
One is located right by the main Box Office, and the other is situated in the Atrium opposite the lift entrance.
Both are entirely step‑free via our Jewry Street entrance.
Are there other toilets in the building?
Yes, we have multiple toilet arrays across our levels, some of which require navigating steps:
- Upper basement level (12 steps down from stalls/atrium area): 6 Women's cubicles; 6 men's urinals & 1 cubicle.
- Lower basement level (17 steps down from stalls/atrium area): 4 Gender‑neutral, self‑contained cubicles (with baby changing).
- Circle level (accessible via lift): 3 Women's cubicles; 4 gender‑neutral, self‑contained cubicles.
What happens in the event of an emergency evacuation?
Our Duty Managers and venue staff are extensively trained to assist visitors with mobility and accessibility needs during an emergency. Please inform our team of any evacuation requirements when you arrive.
For maximum safety, we recommend that patrons who need assistance during an evacuation book their seats within our level‑access stalls.
Are there flashing lights or loud effects in your shows?
Strobe lighting, smoke effects, and sudden loud sounds are common in touring shows. We ensure that detailed content warnings are prominently displayed on our Front of House digital screens before every performance and where possible on the event pages of our website. If you have specific concerns, feel free to check with the Box Office before booking.
Can I visit the theatre before my show date?
Yes! We welcome familiarisation visits for anyone who would benefit from exploring the venue when it is quiet. Simply contact our Box Office team to schedule a convenient time to visit.
