Accessibility at our Sheepyard Barn

Introduction

We aim to meet the needs of all visitors to our Sheepyard Barn. The following statement is a summary of our provision so that anyone who has any mobility problems, visual problems or other conditions is aware of our provision before arrival. If you have any questions please contact us and we will try to advise you.

Pre Arrival

  • There is a regular bus service to and from Ipswich and Hadleigh; the bus stop is about 1.5miles from The Suffolk Escape.
  • The main railway station with regular trains to and from London Liverpool St and Norwich is in Ipswich, about 6 miles away.
  • There are many local taxi firms some of which have specially adapted access.
  • Depending on your computer our website font size can be enlarged if you want to view this document online.
  • We do not accept any pets however we do welcome assistance dogs.
  • You can contact us by phone, fax or email; details at the end of this statement.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities

  • On arrival there is a large area to park at the property.
  • You do not need to meet us at reception as the keys will be ready in the unlocked property for you.
  • The car park is gravel and the pathways to the barn is tiled. There are 4 x 30cm steps down from the car park to the main entrance.  There is an alternative access to the main door which is level access all on tiles hence avoiding the steps.
  • The car park and the paths are lit at night.

Entrance

  • The main entrance door is 83cm wide and has a slow threshold of just 2cm.
  • There is a light above the door for access.
  • The access from the entrance boot room to the main room is 89cm wide, as with the rest of the open plan living space, this is all on a level power-floated concrete floor.

Lounge/Dining

  • The lounge has a remote controlled 3D LED Free-sat TV.
  • Flooring is smooth concrete.
  • Seating in the lounge is on one huge U shaped sofas 45cm high; the dining chairs (without arms) in the dining area are also standard size.
  • There is a set of large sliding doors leading out on the tiled patio and dining set. There is a step down of 10cm externally and 5cm internally.

Open Plan Kitchen

  • The kitchen is a run of wall units with fridge, freezer, sink, dishwasher and washing machine. The worktop is 92cm high and 60cm deep and large island is the same height. The highest storage shelf in the kitchen is 220cm.
  • There are 2 cupboard mounted electric ovens with the controls at 140cm and the gas hob is at the same height as the worktops. There is a microwave in the base units of the island.
  • There are mixer taps with lever action.
  • The flooring is smooth concrete.
  • The lighting includes halogen and LED spotlights.
  • There is a kettle for the gas hob are provided in the kitchen.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • Access to the bedroom wing is via sliding door 150cm wide with a gentle slope up 15cm with a 4cm threshold.
  • Three of the bedrooms are access from a level corridor with door access 78cm wide. All rooms in this area including bathrooms are tiled.
  • The twin room is through a 78cm door into a dressing room and then up three steps of approx. 20cm height and depth, taking you up to a 85cm door into the twin room.
  • Master Double Bedroom: The superking bed is 60cm high, the dressing table is 75cm high and a platform 17cm high with the egg shaped bath on it. There is an ensuite bathroom with 78cm wide door. Toilet height is 43cm. Large walking in shower access is 60cm wide. Shower tray is approx. 80cm x 170cm. The double basin unit is 83cm high with lever tap.  There is external door to the patio with a 15cm step down to the tiled floor.
  • Family Bathroom: There is a large family bathroom with 78cm wide door. Toilet height is 43cm. Large walking in shower access is 60cm wide. Shower tray is approx. 80cm x 170cm. The double basin unit is 83cm high with lever tap. There is a platform 16cm high with a large bath on it.   The bath is 55cm high.
  • Bunk Room: The bunkbeds are all small double sized. The lower bunks are 60cm high and there is a step small set of steps up to the upper bunks with 58cm wide steps. We would not recommend those with physical or visual disabilities accessing the upper bunks.
  • Red Brick Double Bedroom: The super king bed is 70cm high, the dressing table is 75cm high and a There is an ensuite bathroom with 78cm wide door. Toilet height is 43cm. Large walking in shower access is 60cm wide. Shower tray is approx. 80cm x 170cm. The double basin unit is 83cm high with lever tap.
  • Twin Bedroom: The 2 single beds are 65cm high, the dressing table is 75cm high. There is an ensuite bathroom with 78cm wide door. Toilet height is 43cm. Large walking in shower access is 60cm wide. Shower tray is approx. 80cm x 170cm. The basin unit is 83cm high with lever tap.
  • All bedrooms have bedside pieces of furniture.
  • Each bedroom has a remote controlled LED Free-sat TV.

Swimming Pool

  • The pool is accessed is through a 68cm door from the hallway with a 5cm threshold.
  • The pool surround is tiled with anti slip tiles.
  • There is a bench 40cm high.
  • There is a metal ladder into the pool.
  • The pool water is approx. 110-120cm deep.

Shearing Shed

  • The Shearing Shed is normally set up as a games room with a table football, games console and TV. It can also be used as a double bedroom via fold down bed.
  • Access is through a 76cm door from the tiled walkway from the car park/main barn. There is  a 16cm set up into the room.
  • The Shearing Shed has a WC bathroom with a standard height toilet and a vanity wash basin 32cm high with lever tap.
  • The flooring is tiled.

Outdoor Facilities

  • The land is generally flat; the pathways are tiled or stone in the car park area which some people may find difficult to walk on or to use a wheelchair.
  • There is a dinning patio outside the open plan living room with an outdoor dining table with 10 standard height cushioned chairs.
  • The “Field Shelter” is a cover lounge used in the summer to house some outdoor sofas and arm chairs of standard height. The floor is power floated concrete and can be slippery in wet conditions. There are cushions for the chairs in a box under the Field Shelter.  The sofas and chairs are only in place in the summer months.
  • There is a charcoal barbeque on the patio in the summer months.
  • There is a wood fired oven available for guests to book to use for making pizzas.
  • The Sheepyard Barn has a name sign and there are signs from the road to the barn. There is no Braille signage.
  • The Sheepyard Barn has an external floodlight near to the car park and LED lights near the main door operated by a movement sensor and architectural led lights around the outside of the buildings. There is a flood light shining on the dining deck.
  • The lake is not fenced off; people with a visual impairment will require a sighted person to accompany them at all times.

Leisure Facilities

  • The Sheepyard Barn has an outdoor hot tub. There is no hoist available. Our Insurance Company recommend that pregnant women, the elderly, diabetics and people taking medication should consult their doctor before using the tub.  There is a more detailed list in the barn, a copy can be provided prior to booking if requested.
  • The hot tub is sited on a patio and you need to climb over the edge of the hot tub which is about 95cm high. The water is about 75cm deep at the deepest point. The hot tub water temperature is usually set at 37-38 degrees centigrade.

Additional information

  • The Sheepyard Barn has audible smoke alarms in each room which only sound in the barn; they are not linked to a central alarm. There is no smoking allowed inside any room, smokers can use the patio or covered walkway area.
  • Lighting in all internal areas is with halogen and LED ceiling lights.  Light switches are at approx.. 105cm high.
  • Heating is all via underfloor heating from our wood fired biomass boiler.  The heating is thermostatically controlled via wall mounted panels.
  • Mobile telephone reception is variable; some networks have a poor reception locally.
  • Local public transport: Bus: 0845 606 6171 and Train 08457 48 49 50.

Contact information

Our address is:

The Suffolk Escape, Northlands Farm, Priory Road, Hintlesham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3NX.

Telephone: 01473 652149 / 07957 461011

Email: escape@suffolkescape.co.uk

Hours of operation; these are variable depending on the requirements of the business. Our home is on the farm so we are normally available most of the time. Please contact us by telephone between 9am and 9pm. If we go out, we divert the main telephone number to our mobile phone.

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