Cottage in the Dales Access Statement

Introduction

To be recognised within the VisitBritain Quality Assessment Scheme holiday cottage owners must provide an adequate Access Statement which is a mandatory part of the quality assessment scheme. The access statement is intended to provide a clear, accurate and above all honest description of the accommodation, current facilities and the services on offer. This allows potential visitors to make an informed decision as to whether the property and services meet their needs.

The Access Statement goes further by helping to manage expectations by providing a statement of intent and a commitment to providing quality to a guest experience. The value to guests is that anyone with a specific access requirement will certainly benefit from the clear and informed detail about the property.

Cottage in the Dales : Access Statements

Below you have a choice of either summarised or detailed versions of the Access Statement for each of our cottages.

Cottage in the Dales Summary

We have two 18th century stone-built terraced cottages. Each cottage is an end of terrace two storey cottage built of stone under a stone slate roof and are over 250 years old. As such modern building policy, regulations and design gives way to their 18th century construction, heritage, charm, character and features.

While our cottages have been modernised and refurbished for today's comforts, the intrinsic design is still maintained. It is therefore inevitable that our cottages may present a challenge for the less able bodied who require more modern day access design and aids, and specifically if reliant on a wheelchair for mobility.

Both cottages are two storeys, both having staircases (13 steps) with banisters. Each cottage has a variety of other steps that feed access between rooms, the gardens and to and from the street. Both cottages are managed locally by our caretaker who is able to answer questions prior to arrival and during your stay.

Inglenook Cottage Summary

Inglenook has off-street parking. The courtyard is large enough to hold two reasonably large cars and accessed only through a double-gated entrance.

Inglenook Cottage has a straight staircase with banister on the right as you ascend. This provides access to both bedrooms and the bathroom from a small landing. The ground floor and first floor are all level.

From the courtyard Inglenook Cottage has three steps down through the back door to the kitchen. Outside the back door is a raised patio area and is accessed by a small set of steps (5) up from the courtyard. From the courtyard a set of stone steps (14) rises through terraces leading to the garden, part of which is on a gentle slope. These steps rise through three levels and turn through 90 degrees four times.

Access from the street to the front door is via a small walled front garden and up one small step.

Craggley Cottage Summary

Craggley Cottage has street parking on a first come, first served basis. The nearest location is about 25 metres away. The next available street parking is 200 metres away around the village green. The walk to the village green is via the lane called Back Nook which has no pavement and follows a moderate incline. Back Nook is one of two roads that exit the village.

Like Inglenook, Craggley Cottage is served by a staircase (13 steps) to reach the bedrooms and the bathroom. Craggley Cottage staircase twists through 90 degrees at the bottom and also has banisters on the right as you ascend the stairs.

Access to the gardens is from the rear of the cottage. From the kitchen to the patio garden there is a single step. The patio garden surface is loose shingle stones. From the patio garden to the lawned garden there are two steps down.

Conclusions

We believe that our cottages are suitable for guests with sufficient mobility to climb a flight of stairs but who would benefit from fixtures and fittings to aid balance.

Cottage in the Dales : Detailed Access Statements

Click on the relevant icon to access the comprehensive version of the Craggley or Inglenook Cottage Access Statement. You will be able to download the file to your PC and keep for reference. You will need Adobe Reader installed on your PC to be able to read, download and print the document. If you do not have Adobe Reader download it free from Adobe from here http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. If you prefer please do contact us and request a paper version of the access statement to be sent to you via post.

If you have any questions at all regarding any aspect of the access statement and most importantly to discuss your own requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.