Access Statement for Walkers End Holiday Cottage
Introduction
Our self catering cottage is a hillside end terrace property built in 1898 with access to the front and rear of the property. Access is shared with the adjoining owners’ mid-terrace property. We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement; if you have any queries please call us. We look forward to welcoming you.
Pre-Arrival
• We have a basic website and are also listed on www.visitherefordshire.co.uk
• Bookings / enquiries can be made via email, fax and phone.
• The nearest bus stop (Wyche Cutting) is approximately 150 metres away from the cottage up Fossil Bank on the main road to the village (B4218).
• The nearest train station (Colwall) is 1.5 miles away; taxis can be arranged. Malvernian Coaches bus service No 675 travels via the centre of the village, approximately 70 metres from the train station, to our nearest bus stop.
• We are a hillside location with steep steps, limitations to the hillside parking area and non-control of our alternative occasional access through our neighbours’ property. As such Walkers End is only suitable for guests with minor mobility impairment, and guests with visual impairment who are accompanied.
• We can make arrangements for shopping to be delivered, please advise of your requirements.
Arrival and Car Parking Facilities
• Off road parking is provided on the owners’ driveway which has a dropped kerb onto the road and parking room for one large or two medium sized cars. The driveway is approached downhill on Fossil Bank at an approximate 60 degree angled left turn from the road. There is a 2.5m concrete/gravelled slope onto the level gravelled parking area which measures 3.2 metres wide, narrowing to 2.7 metres at the gates. A very few cars with low spoilers have experienced difficulties when pulling up the rise.
• Parking is 21 metres from the rear entrance to the cottage.
• There are double doors each measuring 1.2 metres wide which open outwards leading into the owners’ garden. Access to both cottages is via steps and gravelled path down to a shared courtyard.
• There are 6 concrete steps down, measuring 18cm high x 39cm deep x 73cm wide, with no handrail onto a gravelled path measuring 2.1 metres long x 70 - 100cm wide.
• There is a further flight of 12 brick-built steps, measuring 15-18cm high x 26-33cm deep x 70cm wide. Here there is a handrail, painted white on the left. The surface of the steps can be slippery when wet.
• At the bottom there is one step measuring 84cm wide 60cm deep with a16cm step down into the courtyard. The courtyard has a slightly uneven surface of mixed paving, slabs and gravel with a drainage channel 14cm wide x 18mm deep across its length.
• The rear entrance is approached via a level passage round the back of the cottage measuring between 72-65cm wide. There is a wooden gate which opens outwards, hinged on the right.
• The passage opens onto a wider slabbed and gravelled area outside the rear entrance into the kitchen.
• A level slabbed path with wide gravelled edges, 1.4 metres wide, leads to a small terrace and the front entrance of the property. The front entrance is 10.5 metres from the rear entrance
• Security lighting activated by heat sensors allows safe lighting of the steps, courtyard and rear entrance.
Alternative occasional access
• If required, there is access to the front of the property via a gravelled pathway through the gardens of the neighbouring 2 cottages.
• Distance from the kerbside to the front entrance is 25.5 metres, and to the rear entrance is 37 metres.
• This access is 31 metres downhill from the parking area, via a no-through road with no pavement.
• Access is level from the road, via a dropped kerb and through a series of 3 garden gates.
• The 1st gate is 91cm wide hinged to the left with an assisted closer opening inwards, 2nd gate 87cm wide, hinged on the left, opening outwards, 3rd gate 82cm wide, hinged to the left and opening inwards.
• The path is shingle and gravel, except the paved area immediately outside the cottage front entrance.
• This access is across our neighbours’ garden and as such we have limited control over its condition. Parking on the roadside outside the first gate is not available, but it is possible to drop off bags and luggage here. There is no lighting at night across our neighbours’ garden.
Main entrance and Reception
• The rear entrance is used as the main entrance to the cottage. It has one step up, 70cm high, with a 12mm aluminium weatherstrip and the door is hinged on the right.
• The rear door is 70cm wide. It is a stable-door type with a door handle at 130cm high. It opens directly into the kitchen, which has a laminate floor.
• The front entrance is via a full length double glazed door 66cm wide and 198cm high, hinged on the right which opens directly into the living room. There is a 10cm high step up, 14cm deep, slightly wider than the door. There is a 2cm metal weather strip attached to a wooden weather strip 4cm high and 8 cm wide.
• At both entrances there is a rubber door mat outside, 1.5cm high.
Public areas – General (Internal)
• Mains smoke alarms are fitted in master bedroom, 2nd landing and loft bedroom. There is a green steady light to show it is working and on activation there is a flashing red LED light.
Public areas – WC
Not available.
Dining Room and Living Room
Dining Room
• The dining room leads directly off the kitchen via a fire door with assisted closer, opening inwards and hinged on the right, 66cm wide and 182cm high.
• There are 2 steps in the doorway down from the kitchen to the dining room, each 14cm high x 25.5cm deep x 66cm wide.
• Each step, with laminate surface has a 4mm high plastic finishing strip on the edge.
• Table (moveable side to side), legs on each corner is 63.5cm floor to lowest point of table (underspace), 90cm square, extending via pull out leaves to 1.2m long, or 1.5m long.
• Free space around the table (when not extended) is 50cm to chimney breast, 95cm to kitchen door, 105cm to wall and 62cm to stairway.
• Chairs (all moveable) – 4 wooden chairs with a detachable seat pad and no arms. There are 2 further folding wooden chairs available, 1 in the dining room and 1 in the master bedroom.
• There is a stereo radio/cassette/CD player with remote control.
• Flooring is short pile carpet in the dining room and living room, a flush carpet strip in the doorway between them.
Living Room
• Accessed through the dining room via a door, 71.5cm wide x 195cm high opening into the room and hinged on the right.
• There is a leather 3 seat sofa with arms which cannot be moved, and a single tub armchair which can be moved. A coffee table in the centre of the room is moveable as is a padded footstool and wooden footstool.
• There are plenty of cushions, both feather and non-feather. The feather cushions can be removed on request.
• TV is provided, with Freeview and teletext, and also available a VHS video player/recorder and DVD player, each with remote control.
Laundry
• There is no separate laundry but there is a standard size washing machine, front loading in the kitchen.
• For drying clothes there is a fold-out clothes airer available stored in the curtained dining room alcove, rotary clothes airer in the garden, and undercover outside pulley-operated airer in the shared shed.
Shop
• Not available.
Leisure Facilities
• Not available.
Outdoor Facilities
• Access to a small level lawn via a flight of steps, with raised deck at 15cm high and 7cm step up from deck to an Arbour seat, bistro table and 2 chairs.
• Small level seating area outside front entrance with bistro table and 2 chairs.
Conference and Meeting room, Banqueting, Clubs, Entertainment
• Not available.
Bedrooms
Room combinations: First floor – double bed, loft bedroom/second floor – kingsize/twin.
General
• Feather duvets and pillows or synthetic fibre available on request.
• Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are 100% cotton.
• Radio clock alarm in both bedrooms.
First Floor
• Reached via a staircase of 13 steps. First 3 steps are right turning, height 18cm, 36cm deep narrowing to 10cm. First step 60cm wide, second step 70cm wide, third step 80cm wide. There is no handrail next to the first 3 steps.
• Remaining 10 steps are 18.5cm high x 21 cm deep and 77cm wide. There is a handrail attached to the wall on the left hand side.
• At one point on the stairs the vertical head height is 177cm. The rest of the vertical head height is 181cm.
• The stairway is open sided on the right with the dining room to the 9th step.
• Short pile carpet on the stairs and throughout the first floor, except bathroom.
• Landing – at the top of the staircase there is a first landing 80cm wide x 97cm deep. A fire door with assisted closer leads off this, opening into the master bedroom. To the right there is another fire door with assisted closer, 74cm wide x 185.5cm high, leading to a further landing, hinged on the left.
• Second landing is 87cm wide minimum at radiator x 3.1m length.
Master bedroom: Bed height 60cm, width 4ft6in, space each side of bed 125cm and 50cm. Largest area of free space clear of doors or furniture is 2.52 metres x 125cm.
Second floor
• 2 steps 93cm wide x 19cm high x 24cm deep lead from the second landing to a fire door with assisted closer, 73cm wide x 183cm high, hinged on the left leading to a half landing, 77cm wide x 91cm deep. 11 further steps 77cm wide x 19cm high x 22cm deep lead to loft bedroom. The vertical headroom on the stairs is 2.36 metres. There is no handrail.
Loft bedroom: Bed size (when twin beds): 2ft6in, bed height 50cm with full standing height on one side of each bed. Bed size when double, 5ft, bed height 50cm with standing height on each side of the bed 162cm.
• As some of the room is under the eaves, most people have to stoop when accessing the drawer space and wardrobe. The central floor space when twin bedded allows full standing at 194cm height in the centre of the room.
• Flooring on stairs and bedroom is short pile carpet.
Bathroom and WC (shared with both bedrooms)
• There is no downstairs WC.
• First floor, bathroom with WC combined.
• The bathroom door is 58.5cm wide x 196cm high and opens out onto the second landing, hinged on the right. It has a cottage-style drop latch at 153cm high.
• Bath has a flexible thermostatic shower over, adjustable height from 147cm to 2 metres and folding shower screen to the left. Bath and basin have lever taps.
• Bath height is 55.5cm, length 147cm, depth 68.5cm. Integral bath rails available on both sides.
• There are 2 angled support rails above the bath, one to the right of the shower and one to the left of the bath at the opposite end to the shower.
• Non-slip vinyl flooring.
• Toilet seat height 42cm. Space to the left 30cm, space to right 144cm.
• Basin height 80cm.
• Good colour contrast between floor, walls and furniture.
• Free space of bathroom floor is 2 metres x 101cm.
Self-catering kitchen
• Kitchen entrance 66cm wide from dining room and 70cm from the outside.
• Worktop height is 92.5cm.
• Cooker (full gas): grill door drops down, and height is 59cm. Oven door opens out, hinged on left with lowest shelf at 16cm. Hob is 90cm high.
• Sink is 92.5cm high with cupboards under.
• Breakfast bar is 93.5cm high x 45cm deep x 150cm, with 2 high stools with backs, seat height 63cm.
• Wall cupboard handles at between 130 – 140cm and internal shelf at 159cm high.
• Flooring is non-slip laminate.
• Central free floor space is 105cm x 3.23 metres.
• Good contrast between floor, cupboards and other surfaces.
• Large fridge-freezer available, highest shelf in fridge 157cm high and lowest drawer in freezer 12cm high.
• Evenly lit kitchen with spotlights with separate working light above main work surface and light above cooker.
Grounds and gardens
• Small private garden with upper grassed area and deck reached via 7 wood-fronted gravelled steps 130cm wide x 14-17cm high x 63-70cm deep. Further sloping lawn area with flower/shrub borders and level paved terrace to the front of the cottage with aromatic herbs.
• Refuse bins and recycling area is in a lit brick shed adjacent to the rear entrance. Door opens outwards, 66cm wide x 170cm high.
Additional Information
• Information folder is produced in (mainly) 12 point, but can be increased on request.
• Mobile phone reception – all possible, though Orange has limited connectivity inside the cottage.
• Free broadband internet access (WiFi) available.
• The cottage is non-smoking throughout.
Contact Information
• Property address: Walkers End, 3 Fossil Cottages, Fossil Bank, Upper Colwall, Malvern, WR13 6PJ
• Contact Name and Address: Andrew and Hattie Walker, 2 Fossil Cottages, Fossil Bank, Upper Colwall, Malvern, WR13 6PJ
• Telephone: 01684 562597
• Fax: 01684 562597
• Mobile: 0777 272 4343
• Email: info@walkers-end.co.uk
• Website: www.walkers-end.co.uk
• Grid reference: SO 767 436
• Local Public Transport Numbers: Bus - (MalvernianCoaches) 01684 575082 Train 08457 484950
• Local taxi number 01684 540717 mobile 07836 339019
• Local Tourist Information Centres: Malvern: 01684 892289; Ledbury: 01531 636147
Future Plans
• We are planning to repave the shared courtyard to replace the existing mixed paving surface (Winter 2009).
We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve. If you have any comments please phone 01684 562597, mobile 0777 272 4343 or email info@walkers-end.co.uk