Access Statement for Orchard House
Introduction
We, Judith and Noel Eyres, run a luxury bed and breakfast. We live in a 300 year old barn which was converted to keep as much of the original features as possible and retain the character of the building.
We enjoy welcoming guests to the barn and we are happy to help them in every way to make their stay with us as enjoyable as possible.
The house has a ground floor and a first floor. All our guest accommodation is on the first floor via two separate staircases which lead up to two double and one twin/kingsize bedrooms. There are no bedrooms on the ground floor but the sitting and breakfast rooms are on the ground floor. There is a downstairs cloakroom opposite the front door. The house has oil central heating and each radiator can be adjusted separately.
Pre-Arrival
- We have a website and take bookings via email, telephone or fax.
- It is possible to reach us by car - we are just off the main A49. We are two miles from the centre of Ludlow and also the main Ludlow railway station. We are happy to collect guests from the station but there is no bus service from Ashford Bowdler. We are also happy to take guests to the Park & Ride Bus.
- We are about 9 miles from Leominster, 17 from Hereford and 30 from Shrewsbury where there are shop-mobility schemes available. It is possible to get to all these towns by train.
- There are several taxi services available in the area - we have telephone numbers and use them regularly
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
- We have a large car parking area with space for five guest cars.
- We live in a cluster of converted barns and the driveway/courtyard/parking areas at the front are all flat and laid with gravel. There are no speed bumps or barriers to prevent access. The garden at the back is also flat but is paved and laid to lawns with raised beds and guests are welcome to enjoy afternoon tea out there.
- We are not able to accept pets as we have two dogs of our own. They are very friendly and enjoy our guests.
- We are happy to help with any bags or suitcases to be taken from cars to guests' rooms.
- One staircase is right by the front door. Access to the twin room means walking through the length of the house to the other staircase. There are settees in the sitting room for resting.
- There are sensor controlled lights at the back and front of the house and the name is prominent.
- The house is raised slightly with a step up to the front door and also at the back.
- There is rear access from parked vehicles
Main Entrance & Reception
- The main entrance/reception area is up a large step through an average width side hung front door into a large hall.
- We are very happy to help guests and/or luggage up the stairs to the two double bedrooms near the door. It means going up six stairs to a landing where we could provide a chair for a rest, and then up another six stairs to each bedroom. Once in each bedroom, it is flat and on the same level as the en-suite bathroom.
- A pad and pen are available.
- There is natural light but also overhead bright lighting and two lamps.
- We offer keys to guests for their rooms.
- There is a chair in the hall.
- There are no official opening times as this is our home but we are happy to be available for guests' return from outings for assistance up to their rooms, by arrangement.
- There is another door through the sitting room (average width and side hung) and then another from there through to the breakfast room.
- The stairs are polished wood, also the skirting boards and door frames - there is a red Persian rug in the hall.
Public Areas - General (Internal)
- As the house is our home, there is no lift or escalator. It is a two-storey house.
- We would be only too happy to give assistance where possible but we have no other extra facilities.
- The bedrooms and bathrooms are all carpeted with rugs.
- We do not provide facilities for young children or babies but if parents are happy to bring their own, we are happy to accept them, although we do not have high chairs or cots etc.
- We have inter-linked smoke alarms all through the house and situated on each landing.
- The signal for mobile phones is not always reliable but guests are welcome to use our cordless house telephone.
Breakfast Room – ground floor
- We have a small breakfast room with three double tables. It would be wide enough for a wheel chair. There is a buffet with a selection of cereals etc. The room is carpeted. The tables have four legs, one in each corner.
- We cater for vegetarians and vegans - if advised beforehand. We can provide soya milk and other non-dairy products – please let us know before you come.
- The house is non-smoking.
Garden
- There is an attractive flat garden at the rear of the house. It is paved and laid to grass with attractive raised beds. There is a garden table and chairs.
Bedrooms
- The three bedrooms are not really suitable for wheelchair users because of the staircases.
- There are two double rooms and a twin/kingsize. The bedroom/bathroom floors are all carpeted. The lighting consists of bright spotlights in the ceiling with bedside lamps.
- There are kettles in each room for tea and coffee. There are no fridges.
Bathroom, Shower-room – All ensuite
- Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom on the level - no steps. They are integral to each room.
- There are no fire alarms - only smoke alarms.
- The two double rooms have showers and baths, but the twin only has a shower. There are coat hooks on the backs of the doors