Address

185 Drayton Road

Norwich 

NR3 2PG

We are based next door to The Post Office / Premier shop in the old Draytona Bakery in the crescent of shops on the north side of the roundabout, where Drayton Road (A1067) crosses Mile Cross Road (A1024).

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Opening Times

Wednesday 10am - 4pm

Thursday 10am - 4pm

Friday 10am - 12pm

We are also open some weekends, school holidays and other days for special events. 

Check our calendar for What's On. 

Admission 

All activities and events are free to attend. 

You may need to book for some activities by emailing us. 

Free hot and cold drinks are available.

Everyone is welcome.

185 is an all-inclusive environment in which everybody is welcome. We invite all members of the community to come to 185 and experience connection, creativity, and belonging. 

Getting Here

Parking for cars is limited so we advise walking, cycling or using public transport.

On foot: From the city centre walk north over the river. There is a riverside walk along Marriot's Way. Take a right at Anderson's Meadow along Mile Cross Road towards Drayton Road.

By bike: There are bike racks in front of the Premier shop next door and a Beryl bike and scooter zone next to the food takeaway on the opposite end of our row of shops. There is a cycle path from the city centre along Marriot's Way. Take a right at Anderson's Meadow along Mile Cross Road towards Drayton Road.

By bus: The Yellow Line Bus runs every 15 minutes, Monday to Saturday daytimes from Taverham to the city centre and back. The nearest bus stops are a few minutes walk from 185 along the Drayton Road. Bus companies serving Mile Cross include Sanders Coaches, First Eastern Counties and Konectbus.

Car parking: There are limited free parking places in front of the venue / shops. Please be considerate of our neighbours if you park here or in the surrounding streets. 

Disabled parking: There are no designated accessible parking places outside the venue.

Access

If you'd like to tell us about your accessibility needs or ask a question before your visit, get in touch at 185@thecommonlot.org

Large print versions of printed materials are available on request.

The venue is on the ground floor. Our entrance has a small ramp up into the front room. The floor is level inside throughout. 

When you enter the building, you'll enter the front room. This is a welcoming space with chairs and tables laid out for activities. In the corner of this room is an area with free tea, coffee and other drinks available. 

There is a wide opening into the back room. This is used for arts and crafts sessions, meetings or talking groups needing a quieter space. There are book shelves with art and gardening books to look at.

To the left of the front room is a foyer area with an accessible toilet room with a wide door. Next to the toilet is a narrow room with a belfast sink for washing art materials. On the other side is a compact kitchen for washing up. 

If you have any medical conditions you would like to make us aware of, please speak to a facilitator on arrival or email us.

Autistic spectrum conditions and sensory impairments

There is a big window in the front room and a row of windows in the back room letting in lots of natural sunlight. Please note that the main ceiling lights are fluorescent. If you would prefer alternative lighting during your visit let us know.

There are adult and child noise reducing headphones and a selection of fidget toys available to borrow.

Please be aware we are a busy venue and do not yet have a designated quiet space. 185 is a drop-in, multi-use space which can also be used for exhibitions, meetings, reading, homework, prayer or breastfeeding. We are working towards becoming a more neuro-inclusive space and creating an outdoor area for summer.

Babies and children

Babies and children are welcome at 185. We regularly host family activities during school holidays - please see our calendar for forthcoming events. 

Children and young people under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Breastfeeding is welcome in all areas of 185. We do currently not have baby changing facilities.