Worcestershire Self Catering Cottages and B&B Accommodation at Hidelow House

Access Statement For Katherine's Cottage

Katherine's Cottage is graded M3(I), V1 and H1 (National Accessible Scheme).

All accommodation in Katherine's Cottage is on the ground floor.

Introduction

Katherine's Cottage is so named to preserve the historical memory of Hidelow, which was bequeathed to the St. Katherine's Hospice in the year of 1240. Hidelow remained in the possession of the St. Katherine's Hospice until we purchased it from them in 1993. The neighbouring farm and the Almshouses in Ledbury still remain in the ownership of the Hospice.

Converted from former stone and timber calf pens, St. Katherine's Cottage is full of character. It has a wealth of exposed timbers and king-pin trusses inside, which still bear the original carpenter's marks. It is very spacious, all on one level and has no steps or ramps.

We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, if you have any queries please do call or e-mail us. We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival
We have our own website www.hidelow.co.uk and are also listed on www.premiercottages.com.

Bookings / enquiries can be made online, via email, fax, phone.
The nearest bus stop is 400 yards away in Acton Green but buses do not run from here regularly and usually are not adapted for wheelchair users. A better bus-stop with more frequent services is in Bromyard, 5 miles away and would require other transport to reach it; we have telephone numbers for accessible taxis if one is required.
The nearest train station (Malvern Link) is 7 miles away; there are usually taxis at the station however it is recommended to book accessible taxis in advance; we have numbers for accessible taxis if one is required.
We offer the facility to hire wheelchairs and other aids and also equipment (such as profile mattresses and hoists), please ask for a price list when booking.
We can arrange for shopping to be delivered, please advise of your requirements. We can also arrange for some freezer meals as well as beverages from the shop to be in the cottage when you arrive, please ask for a menu and order form.

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

Private gravel car parking at the rear of the cottage with space for two vehicles.
Guests are able to park so that doors/ramps can be opened onto a hard paved path.
Vehicles are also able to park so that there is ample access to the rear of the vehicle.
The path leads directly into a covered porch area with plenty of space for a wheelchair to turn, this entrance opens directly into the living room with no steps or lips to manoeuvre around.
Other parking is available although this is gravel parking further away from the cottage and we would prefer a maximum of two vehicles for this particular cottage.
There is also a front entrance to the cottage that opens from the kitchen onto a concrete area but this is generally used as a turning area for vehicles and as such is not as safe to use as the back entrance.
The rear entrance has passive infra-red lights that are activated at night for your safety.

Dining Room

The dining room has an entrance to the lounge (width 85cm) and an entrance to the kitchen (width 80cm).
Circular wooden table (moveable) with legs on each corner, 72cm floor to lowest point of table (underspace), 105 cm long, 105 cm wide and 75cm high.
Free space between table and walls is 95cm either side and 1 metre at the top of the table.
Chairs (all moveable) - 4 wooden chairs with padded seat which have no arms. 1 chair with arms available on request.
There are large free spaces surrounding the table to allow easy access.
Flooring is short pile carpet.

Lounge

Accessed through entrance to the dining room (width 146cm), back entrance to cottage or door to the bedroom(78cm wide).
Flooring is short pile carpet.
Furniture is moveable and there are plenty of non feather cushions provided.
There are lowered windowsills 60cm.
Easy chairs provide armed alternatives (non feather filling), there is also an electric recliner chair available if requested.
Widescreen Digital TV with integrated Freeview and Teletext provided with remote control (also available are DVD, stereo with CD)

Kitchen

Kitchen entrance 89cm from Dining room and 82cm from outside.
Worktop height 93cm.
Oven door is drop down, height of lowest shelf 1.12 metres, can be accessed from the side.
Sink is 88cm high with 65cm clear height under space (54cm wide)
Hob is 93cm high
Flooring is made up of tiles.
Evenly lit kitchen with spotlights above work surfaces where required
Good contrast between floor, cupboards and other surfaces
Fridge freezer, highest shelf in fridge 87cm and lowest drawer in freezer 95cm.
A dishwasher is also provided with drop-down door.

Bedroom

One accessible bedroom. Space for electric hoist and electric profiling bed to replace one single bed.
Twin beds provided - both 3ft; or 6ft. super-king optional
Largest transfer space available to left of one bed is 1.2 metres
Largest transfer space available to right of one bed is 1 metre
Bed heights 52cm floor to top of mattress. Height can be raised if advised before arrival, or profiling bed hired in on request.
Beds are movable if more space is required.
Hoist (Oxford midi) can be hired in on request.
Underneath space of the dressing table is 72cm.
Chair with rigid arms
Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 150cm by 210cm

General:

Non Feather duvets and pillows can be provided in each room.
Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are poly-cotton or cotton.

Ensuite Wet Room

Door width 84 cm
Large wet room with toilet, basin and shower, a shower chair can be provided if required, either with sani cut-out and foot supports or without.
Free space in shower room (free of doors and furniture) is 2.1 by 2.8 metres
Toilet seat height 45cm
The basin has a height of 79cm (to top of basin, underneath space 67cm.)
Space to left of toilet is 86cm, space to the right of the toilet is 33cm.
There are support rails available -one vertical on right of the shower, 1 horizontal rail to left of shower controls, 1 vertical to the leftof the toilet and one horizontal to the right of the toilet.

Laundry

There is a standard size washer dryer in the cottage itself which is front loading, provided in the kitchen.
There is also a separate laundry available which is situated next to the main office.

Shop

The shop is situated to the left of the office and can be accessed from the cottage via a paved wheelchair-friendly pathway.
The shop has oak flooring and all units are accessible to wheelchair users, with plenty of turning space.
A computer is available for internet access and is set on a corner desk, space underneath the surface is 64cm high by 110cm wide.

Additional Information inc. Outdoor and Leisure Facilities

Access to children's play area on a slightly sloping lawn with swings, climbing frame and slide.
Also provided outside is a wooden table 118 cm long and 70 cm wide, 2 armed wooden chairs and a barbecue

Grounds and Gardens

Private garden (grassed and paved) which can be accessed by steps or along a ramp 1:35 with a slightly uneven surface (old paving slabs).
Recycling area can be accessed by a hard, paved pathway, no steps

Additional Information

Information folder is produced in size 14 font (can be increased on request)
A disabled access directory has also been produced to assist disabled visitors in choosing where to visit in the surrounding area based on levels of accessibility. This has been produced by collating questionnaires and feedback from previous guests and is continually updated.
Electrical appliances and taps have on/off and hot/cold bumpons or tactile markers.
Light switches and power points at a sensible height to reach from sitting and standing position.
Reasonable mobile phone reception
Wireless Internet connection
Some assistance aids are supplied for guests who suffer from dexterity problems e.g. arthritis.

Contact Information

Address: Hidelow House Cottages, Acton Beauchamp, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR6 5AH
Telephone: 01886 884547
Fax: 01886 884095
Email: info@hidelow.co.uk
Website: www.hidelow.co.uk
Hours of operation: Phones - 8.30-21.00 every day
Local carers- contact Pauline or Stuart on 01886 884547
Local equipment hire companies: TPG 01432 351666
Local public transport numbers: Bus 0870 Train 0870
Local accessible taxi numbers: The Accessible Taxi 01
Local Tourist Information Centre: TIC 01684 892289

Access Statement For Katherine's Cottage

Katherine's Cottage is graded M3(I), V1 and H1 (National Accessible Scheme).

All accommodation in Katherine's Cottage is on the ground floor.

Introduction

Converted from former stone and timber calf pens, St. Katherine's Cottage is full of character. It has a wealth of exposed timbers and king-pin trusses inside, which still bear the original carpenter's marks. It is very spacious, all on one level and has no steps or ramps.

We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, if you have any queries please do call or e-mail us. We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival We have our own website www.hidelow.co.uk and are also listed on www.premiercottages.com.

Bookings / enquiries can be made online, via email, fax, phone.

The nearest train station (Malvern Link) is 7 miles away; there are usually taxis at the station however it is recommended to book accessible taxis in advance; we have numbers for accessible taxis if one is required.

We offer the facility to hire wheelchairs and other aids and also equipment (such as profile mattresses and hoists), please ask for a price list when booking.

We can arrange for shopping to be delivered, please advise of your requirements. We can also arrange for some freezer meals as well as beverages from the shop to be in the cottage when you arrive, please ask for a menu and order form.

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

Private gravel car parking at the rear of the cottage with space for two vehicles.

Guests are able to park so that doors/ramps can be opened onto a hard paved path.

Vehicles are also able to park so that there is ample access to the rear of the vehicle.

The path leads directly into a covered porch area with plenty of space for a wheelchair to turn, this entrance opens directly into the living room with no steps or lips to manoeuvre around.

Other parking is available although this is gravel parking further away from the cottage and we would prefer a maximum of two vehicles for this particular cottage.

There is also a front entrance to the cottage that opens from the kitchen onto a concrete area but this is generally used as a turning area for vehicles and as such is not as safe to use as the back entrance.

The rear entrance has passive infra-red lights that are activated at night for your safety.

Dining Room

The dining room has an entrance to the lounge (width 85cm) and an entrance to the kitchen (width 80cm).

Circular wooden table (moveable) with legs on each corner, 72cm floor to lowest point of table (underspace), 105 cm long, 105 cm wide and 75cm high.

Free space between table and walls is 95cm either side and 1 metre at the top of the table.

Chairs (all moveable) - 4 wooden chairs with padded seat which have no arms. 1 chair with arms available on request.

There are large free spaces surrounding the table to allow easy access.

Flooring is short pile carpet.

Lounge

Accessed through entrance to the dining room (width 146cm), back entrance to cottage or door to the bedroom(78cm wide).

Flooring is short pile carpet.

Furniture is moveable and there are plenty of non feather cushions provided.

There are lowered windowsills 60cm.

Easy chairs provide armed alternatives (non feather filling), there is also an electric recliner chair available if requested.

Widescreen Digital TV with integrated Freeview and Teletext provided with remote control (also available are DVD, stereo with CD)

Kitchen

Kitchen entrance 89cm from Dining room and 82cm from outside.

Worktop height 93cm.

Oven door is drop down, height of lowest shelf 1.12 metres, can be accessed from the side.

Sink is 88cm high with 65cm clear height under space (54cm wide)

Hob is 93cm high

Flooring is made up of tiles.

Evenly lit kitchen with spotlights above work surfaces where required

Good contrast between floor, cupboards and other surfaces

Fridge freezer, highest shelf in fridge 87cm and lowest drawer in freezer 95cm.

A dishwasher is also provided with drop-down door.

Bedroom

One accessible bedroom. Space for electric hoist and electric profiling bed to replace one single bed.

Twin beds provided - both 3ft; or 6ft. super-king optional

Largest transfer space available to left of one bed is 1.2 metres

Largest transfer space available to right of one bed is 1 metre

Bed heights 52cm floor to top of mattress. Height can be raised if advised before arrival, or profiling bed hired in on request.

Beds are movable if more space is required.

Hoist (Oxford midi) can be hired in on request.

Underneath space of the dressing table is 72cm.

Chair with rigid arms

Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 150cm by 210cm

General:

Non Feather duvets and pillows can be provided in each room.

Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are poly-cotton or cotton.

Ensuite Wet Room

Door width 84 cm

Large wet room with toilet, basin and shower, a shower chair can be provided if required, either with sani cut-out and foot supports or without.

Free space in shower room (free of doors and furniture) is 2.1 by 2.8 metres

Toilet seat height 45cm

The basin has a height of 79cm (to top of basin, underneath space 67cm.)

Space to left of toilet is 86cm, space to the right of the toilet is 33cm.

There are support rails available -one vertical on right of the shower, 1 horizontal rail to left of shower controls, 1 vertical to the leftof the toilet and one horizontal to the right of the toilet.

Laundry

There is a standard size washer dryer in the cottage itself which is front loading, provided in the kitchen.

There is also a separate laundry available which is situated next to the main office.

Shop

The shop is situated to the left of the office and can be accessed from the cottage via a paved wheelchair-friendly pathway.

The shop has oak flooring and all units are accessible to wheelchair users, with plenty of turning space.

A computer is available for internet access and is set on a corner desk, space underneath the surface is 64cm high by 110cm wide.

Additional Information inc. Outdoor and Leisure Facilities

Access to children's play area on a slightly sloping lawn with swings, climbing frame and slide.

Also provided outside is a wooden table 118 cm long and 70 cm wide, 2 armed wooden chairs and a barbecue

Grounds and Gardens

Private garden (grassed and paved) which can be accessed by steps or along a ramp 1:35 with a slightly uneven surface (old paving slabs).

Recycling area can be accessed by a hard, paved pathway, no steps

Additional Information

Pre-Arrival
We have our own website www.hidelow.co.uk and are also listed on www.premiercottages.com.

Future Plans

We are continually improving our services and cottages as a result of guest feedback.