ACCESS STATEMENT FOR THE OLD STABLE BED AND BREAKFAST
This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services we offer to all our guests/visitors.
Introduction
The Old Stable is adjacent to our home, Cattishall Farmhouse and was once a stable block. It is a separate building with its own access. We are located three miles from the Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds in a rural hamlet at the end of a country lane. The Old Stable offers two guest rooms; a downstairs twin room with its own private shower and an upstairs double room with en-suite bath and separate shower.
Cattishall Farmhouse and its outbuildings have been here since the seventeenth century. The Old Stable was totally restored and re-furbished in 2014. Whilst we aim to meet the needs of all our guests there are some features which might make access difficult for people with limited mobility.
Pre-Arrival
Every guest receives an email prior to arrival with essential information about their stay and clear directions by car as we are rather off the beaten track.
Full details on how to reach us are in the location and facilities section of our website. Our postcode for satellite navigation is IP31 2QT.
We are situation 2.7 miles from Bury St Edmunds on a dedicated cycle path (route 51)
There is no bus service nearby.
Bury St Edmunds has a coach terminal and mainline station and there is a taxi rank outside the station.
We are one hour from Stanstead airport by car and the same from the port of Harwich.
London is within easy reach, taking approximately 2 hours by car and train.
We regret we are unable to accommodate guest’s pets but do of course welcome assistance dogs.
There is a mobility centre in the town: Ashdown mobility, 23 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds. IP3 3AA
01284 717169 www.ashdownmobility.co.uk
Car parking and Arrival
Ample parking is available in our gravel driveway in front of The Old Stable which is accessed directly from the driveway. This is well lit at night by a motion sensor. Full assistance with luggage can be given on arrival.
The tread on the front door is 70mm/2.75 ins in total and the door width is 900mm/35.5 ins. Once you enter there is an immediate right hand turn leading into the downstairs area. This has a step of 150mm/6 ins high and a width of 950mm/37.5 ins.
Welcome area
Guests are welcomed into our downstairs area where they are asked to register at the table. A pen and paper pad is available if required. The upright dining chairs are 440mm/17.25 ins high. The area is well lit with overhead hanging lights, wall lights and recessed lights.
The floor surface is tiled with underfloor heating. Guests are shown the kitchen area and location of the fridge. Use of the wood burner and outside pool area is explained before showing guests to their room.
Bedrooms
Our downstairs room (The Coach House) is a twin room accessed via a short corridor from the downstairs area. The width of the archway to this is 820mm/32.25 ins. There is no door threshold and the width of the doorway is 740mm/29.25 ins.
The two single beds are 530mm/21ins from the floor to the top of the mattress. These are made up with non-allergenic duvets and pillows and can be accessed from both sides.
There is a parker knoll chair which is 460mm/18ins high. Chair raisers can be provided if required. In addition, there are bedside tables, bedside lamps, a wardrobe and chest of drawers.
Flat screen Freeview digital TV with subtitles available and a digital clock radio.
The floor surface is carpeted with underfloor heating. Heating is zoned so there is a thermostat in the bedroom.
Bedside lighting is also complimented by a central chandelier light.
Tea and coffee making facilities are in the bedroom.
Bedrooms
Our upstairs room (The Hayloft) leads directly off the top of the stairs on the right. The door width is 800mm/31.5 ins
There are thirteen stairs with a 190mm/7.5 ins tread. The width is 800mm/31.5 ins. There is a hand rail on the right-hand side and at the top. The stairwell has separate lighting. The stairs are carpeted.
The Hayloft has a super king bed which can also be made into twin beds. There is plenty of access from both sides. The height of the bed is 650mm/25.5ins. There is also a sofa bed, height 470mm/18.5 ins, a walk-in wardrobe with a light, a dressing table (height 760mm/30ins) and chair (height 490mm/19.25ins). Also, bedside tables and a chest of drawers.
Lighting is via recessed lights and bedside lights. There is also a LED lamp for task lighting.
Duvets and pillows are feather and down, alternatives are also available. Please specify your requirements before arrival.
Flat screen Freeview digital TV with subtitles available and a digital clock radio.
The floor surface is wooden floor boards with three deep pile rugs.
Heating is via two wall mounted radiators. There is a thermostat on the wall which can be adjusted to suit guest needs.
Tea and coffee making facilities are in the bedroom.
Bathrooms
The Coach House has a private shower room adjacent to the bedroom. The door width is 740mm/29 ins.
The access is step free from the bedroom and the shower room is tiled with underfloor heating a heated towel rail.
The toilet is 460mm/18ins in height from floor to seat. A raised toilet seat is available on request. The vanity unit is 850mm/33.5 ins in height. There is clear space under the vanity unit.
The separate shower has an opening of 400mm/15.75 ins, there is no door. The shower tray is 790mm/31 ins by 1420mm/56 ins. The shower tray has a 50mm lip. There is a non-slip mat and a removable shower head.
Lighting is recessed ceiling spot lights and there is additional lighting behind the mirror above the vanity unit.
Taps and shower controls are the lever variety. There is a separate magnifying mirror.
There is wall to ceiling tiles throughout.
The Hayloft has an en-suite shower and bathroom. The door tread from the bedroom is 30mm/1 ins. The door width is 740mm/29cm.
The toilet is 460mm/18ins high and a raised toilet seat is available on request. The bath has integrated grab rails on both sides and is 550mm/21.5 ins high.
There is a separate shower cubicle with adjustable shower head. The shower tray is 790mm/31ins by 1420/56ins. A non slip mat is available. The raised lip into the shower is 100mm/4 ins. The opening is 500mm/19.5 ins.
The vanity unit has a double sink with storage underneath and is 850mm/33.5 ins high. There is a large mirror above the vanity unit and a separate magnifying mirror.
The lighting is within the shower, beside the vanity unit and via spot lights.
There is a heated towel rail. The taps and shower controls are lever type.
The walls and floor are tiled throughout.
Public Eating/Sitting area
This occupies the entire downstairs area with the exception of the Coach house bedroom and its private shower. The flooring is tiled with a rug in front of the wood burner and underfloor heating. It is very spacious with easy access around furniture. It also forms the welcome area so further details are under that heading. There is a large central dining table seating 6 people with co-ordinating chairs (no arms) and a sofa (height 420mm/16.5 ins).
There is a co ordinating dresser where guests can help themselves to fruit compote, yoghurt, cereals, fruit juice etc. Assistance can be provided on request. A cooked breakfast is served at the table.
There is a separate heating thermostat for this area and a wood burning stove.
This area has a lot of natural light due to several bi fold doors that open onto the pool area and face south. They also have an access door to the outside which is 770mm/30.25 ins wide.
The kitchen area has a sink, fridge, kettle and cupboards. The height of the units is 920mm/36 ins. There is mixed lighting (see earlier) and a table lamp. There is no TV.
All dietary needs can be catered for.
Garden
Bifold doors open onto the pool area where there are bistro tables on the decking immediately outside. There is a drop from the door to the decking od 250mm/10 ins and then a further drop of 230mm/9 ins from the deck to the paving surrounding the pool.
Guests are invited to use the pool at their own risk which is heated during the summer months.
Our two-acre garden is open with the National Garden Scheme And guests are encouraged to enjoy this as much as they wish. All access details can be found in the Yellow Book. It is mainly flat with gravel paths. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the property but if guests wish to smoke, they can do so at the end of the driveway.
Additional Information
There are detailed welcome packs in each bedroom with everything a guest would want to know, including instructions in case of fire. There are integrated smoke detectors in the property which are linked to an intruder alarm with a loud bell. All guests are provided with a small torch. The smoke detectors are serviced annually.
Further information in the pack includes access, facilities, cleaning, the garden, the pool. meals, local restaurants, local attractions, Wi-Fi code (free), useful telephone numbers, including emergency numbers, local church services, checkout times. There are also local maps, the breakfast menu and the packed lunch options.
We have secure storage for cyclists and walkers and washing facilities for clothes.
Special diets can be catered for and guests are fee to use the fridge for their own purposes.
Mobile phone reception is good although broadband can be a little slow.
Battery charging for a mobility scooter or wheelchair is available.
Contact Information
Address: The Old Stable, Cattishall Farmhouse, Great Barton, Bury St. Edmunds,
Suffolk. IP31 2QT
Telephone: 01284 787340 or 07738936496
Email joannamayer@googlemail.com
Opening hours: Flexible within reason
Local Carers N/A
Local taxis: AI Cars o1284 766777 or Getaway Cars 01284 701996
October 2016