Larkbeare Grange
Access statement for 2008
Introduction
Our house is believed to have been built in the 18th and 19th centuries and is set in peaceful countryside; whilst we aim to meet the needs of all our guests there are some period features which might make access difficult for people with limited mobility. We are a four-bedroom, five star bed and breakfast and these pages are a summary of our business. We are a member of Green Tourism Business Scheme and are also a member of South West Tourism. If you have any specific questions please feel free to call us and we will endeavour to help. Please note that all measurements are approximate.
Pre-Arrival
Whimple station (Waterloo/Exeter line) is 1.5 miles away and we are very happy to collect guests from the station. We can recommend taxi companies and K Cars have one suitable to carry a wheelchair.
We are not ideally suited to those travelling without a car. We send directions with our confirmation – also available on our website.
Brochures and menus can be provided in large print by prior arrangement – we are unable to produce them in Braille.
Our website is www.larkbeare.net which gives full details of our house - you can contact us via phone on 01404 822 069 or email
Most mobile phone networks work in the house and each room has a direct dial telephone.
It is helpful to have an approximate time of arrival so we can be ready to welcome you. The house is open from 4:00pm.
Parking
There is a tarmac, tree-lined drive from the main road to the house. Guest parking is by the barns, to the east of the house and we suggest you park facing the hedge either side of the garden arch. There is good lighting in front of the house and some additional lighting on sensors in the parking area. We help guests with their luggage, but do ring the front doorbell if we have not heard you arrive.
Main entrance & reception
There is a gentle slope towards the house onto the terraced area. There are two steps (each 150mm high) approaching the front door under the portico, which is on the south side of the house. There is one step over the threshold (70mm); the door is 950mm wide. The door is open from 4pm; it is locked at night and after 11:00am
The hall has a polished wooden floor and gives access to the dining room, sitting room and door to rear hall with access to drawing room and loos.
There is an information holder in the hall with details on what to do in the area
Dining Room
The dining room is 5m x 4m and the door is 850mm wide. It has a polished wooden floor and a large mahogany table for breakfast. The table is 740mm high and we have chairs with and without arms. A high chair is available. Menus can be provided in large print by prior arrangement. Overhead halogen or wall lights provide excellent lighting depending on the time of day. Large sash windows overlook the garden
Sitting room
The sitting room is 5m x 4m and the door is 850mm wide. It is carpeted and has a sofa and armchairs. We have some upright chairs if preferred. We serve afternoon tea in here and the fire is lit in the winter. There is a selection of board games and playing cards. Overhead halogen or wall lights provide excellent lighting depending on the time of day. Large sash window overlook the garden
Drawing room - see Meeting Room
Downstairs loos
There are two loos off the rear hall. The door into this area is 750mm wide and the doors into each cubicle are 750mm wide. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
Boot Room
We ask guests to come in this way if they have muddy boots or shoes. We have a short-haired Jack Russell and are able to accept guests’ dogs to sleep in this area (preferably in a cage).
Laundry
We have a utility room, which houses our laundry. We can hang wet/damp clothes in here to dry. We offer a laundry service for guests for a small charge. We have an iron and board that we can put in a bedroom on request
Shop
Not available on site – nearest village shop is Talaton and town is Ottery St Mary
Leisure facilities
Not available
Grounds and garden
We own the fields either side of the entrance drive. The garden is on the south and east side of the house. It is mainly lawn and runs from the paved area outside the front door. Croquet can be played in clement weather. Tables and chairs are available throughout the year and guests can enjoy the garden whenever the weather permits. Tea in the afternoon can be served here, or under the shade of the walnut tree. There is a children’s swing for use of those under 55kg – children should be supervised at all times. A short walk across an uneven, sometimes muddy, field leads into the orchard, which is a recommended visit – we can lend binoculars.
Meeting Room
The drawing room is 7.5m x 4.2m and the door is 850mm wide. It is carpeted and has two sofas and armchairs, or can be set up with a boardroom table for twelve. There is an open fire when the room is used in the winter. Overhead halogen or wall lights provide excellent lighting depending on the time of day. French windows (with one step of 100mm) lead on to a paved, walled garden. There is a small pond (safely filled with pebbles), fountain, seating and grass area with flat paved path leading around the house to the front door.
Bedrooms
There are no bedrooms on the ground floor and a staircase with 14 steps (each 180mm high) and handrail lead to the first floor.
All rooms have:
Vi-Spring beds
thermostatic controlled radiators
overhead halogen, wall or desk lights to provide excellent lighting depending on the time of day
curtains which are lined and inter-lined
Egyptian cotton top and bottom sheet with goose down duvet
down and feather pillows – foam pillows are available
as we have very high quality bedding we ask that babies and small children are kept off the main bed
bedside table on each side with telephone, alarm/radio, lamp and torch
a minimum access of 1.3m on one side of the bed
lights which can be operated from switches by the door and on either side of the bed
built-in wardrobe with blankets, loose wooden & padded hangers and chest of drawers
double 13 amp sockets at desk height
digital TV; tea and coffee tray with kettle
hairdryer
luggage rack
wireless internet
a selection of books and magazines
large heated mirror over basin
shaver point
full length mirror
heated towel rail
a folder in the room provides additional information
The suite
Two more steps (180mm high) lead onto a large landing at the front of the house and a door (850mm) leads into the bedroom, which is 5m x 4m. Carpeted, with sash windows looking south and east over the garden and fields. Bed is 1.82m x 2m [6” x 6’6”], is 600mm high and can be split into two single beds. Large desk with carver chair. Through door (680mm) and two steps (150mm) down into lobby (2.4m x 900mm) off which is bathroom (2.9 x 1.9m) with full size bath (1.7m x 740mm) and hand-held shower, walk-in shower (900 x 700mm) with grab rail, two basins and loo. Also off lobby is door onto main landing and a door into dressing room (3.9m x 2.6m) facing east, in which is a wardrobe and two armchairs, which may be turned into single beds.
South bedroom
Two more steps (180mm high) lead onto a large landing at the front of the house and a door (850mm) leads into the bedroom, which is 5m x 4m. Carpeted, with sash window looking south over the garden and fields. Bed is 1.68m x 2m [5’6” x 6’6”] and is 600mm high. Two armchairs (one with and one without arms); large desk with carver chair. Through door (680mm) and one step (150mm) down into bathroom (3.9 x 1.9m) with full size bath (1.7m x 740mm) and hand-held shower, walk-in shower (700 x 700mm) with grab rail, basin and loo.
West bedroom
Door (760mm) leads into the bedroom, which is 3.3m x 3.9m. Carpeted, with casement window looking west over neighbour’s courtyard. Bed is 1.68m x 2m [5’6” x 6’6”] and is 600mm high. One armchair with arms; writing desk with carver chair; full length mirror. Through door (760mm) into bathroom (2.9m x 2m) with bath (1.7m x 730mm) and hand-held shower, walk-in shower (730mm x 730mm) with grab rail, basin and loo
East bedroom
Door (760mm) leads into the bedroom, which is 3.2m x 4m. Carpeted, with casement window looking east over the garden and fields. Bed is 1.83m x 2m [6” x 6’6”] and is 600mm high and can be split into two single beds. One armchair with arms; writing desk with carver chair. Through door (680mm) into bathroom (2.35mm x 1.55m) with bath (1.55m x 680mm) and hand-held shower, walk-in shower (650mm x 650mm) with grab rail, basin and loo
Additional Information
An induction loop system is not available
All bedrooms are on the first floor
There is no lift to the first floor
Guest rooms are not adapted for wheelchair users
The ground floor is level throughout
There are 14 steps from the ground floor to the first floor
The height of each step is between 180mm and 200mm
The width of corridors range from 1.15m to 1.85m
Beds can be made with sheets and blankets on request
Foam pillows are available
All rooms will take a rollaway bed, but the suite is most suitable for families
Mains voltage is 230v. Shaver point also has 115v socket
Floors and rooms are not signed with numbers or names
Guests’ food can be stored in main refrigerator
Thermos jug of fresh milk is put in rooms in the evening
All corridors and rooms are well lit
Dogs may sleep in the boot room but are not allowed in the carpeted areas of the house
Because we do not allow animals in the main part of the house, rooms are free of animal hair
Both owners have Food Hygiene certificates
An information booklet in each room gives details of services provided including procedure in the event of a fire
There is an automatic fire alarm with smoke detector and sounder in each room - please let us know if you might not hear the alarm
Emergency lighting torches are on the corridors
Fire extinguishers are placed on first floor landing, hall, kitchen and utility room
A fire risk assessment is available for inspection
Please let us know of any special requirements at the time of booking
We have an environmental policy to reduce our footprint as much as possible
We are a non smoking house
Contact Information
Charlie and Julia Hutchings
Larkbeare Grange, Larkbeare, Talaton, Exeter, Devon EX5 2RY
Telephone: 01404 822 069
Email:
Website: www.larkbeare.net
Grid reference: 192 068976 By air: T 50° 46.3’N 003° 19.1’W
Hours of operation: Arrivals from 4:00pm. Departures by 10:45am
Future Plans
To provide additional accommodation in new building, which would be suitable for wheelchair users and improved family rooms. No dates available for completion.