Access Statement for Waterside, Warkworth

Introduction

Waterside is a stone-built, 3 storey, mid-terraced house, built in 2007 and located within the Conservation area of the historic village of Warkworth in Northumberland.  The cottage accommodation is laid out over 3 floors with accessibility as detailed below.

Pre-Arrival

Comprehensive information is available on our website, www.coquetcottages.co.uk, detailing places to visit, places to eat, local shops, amenities and services.  This same information is available in Waterside and is also available in printed form upon request.   A large-print brochure for each property is also available upon request.   Brochures can be posted, faxed or emailed and are also available at Waterside. 

Bookings can be made either by telephone, email or fax and we will soon offer on-line booking.

Directions to Waterside by car are provided upon final payment or anytime upon request.

Groceries can be ordered in advance for a small charge and will be placed in the cottage for your arrival.    Groceries can also be ordered on-line from our local Asda supermarket for delivery at a time-slot determined by yourself.   See our webpage 'Need Groceries' for more information on local shops and supermarkets.

A welcome pack including the following items is available in the cottage for your arrival:

The nearest shops are 300-500yds away in the centre of the village.

The nearest bus stop is located approx. 150 yards from the cottage.  See here for full bus timetables.

The nearest train station is approx. 1.5 miles north of the property and accessible taxies are available locally.  A full train timetable can be found on www.nationalrail.co.uk

The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport which is located approx. 25 miles south of Warkworth.

Although level access to the house is possible, it should be noted that Waterside is unsuitable for those with impaired mobility due to the accommodation being laid out over 3 floors.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities

There is a private drive for one car immediately in front of the cottage.  Another car may be parked in front of the cottage, both are within 10 yds of the front door.  Unloading is therefore direct to the property and the access is level.  The nearest public parking is on the riverbank approx. 100 yds from the cottage.  There are no charges for parking in the village.   The street is adequately lit at night.  Keys to the cottage are retrieved from a keysafe located on the rear of the cottage, accessed through a garden gate and up a couple of steps.

Entry to the Property

Access is via the front door by extracting keys from a keysafe which is affixed to the exterior wall adjacent to the front door.  A combination dial should be turned to the required keycode, which will have been provided at the time of paying the full rent.  An outside light at the font of the cottage and also one inside lamp is left on in case of arrival after dark.  All guests are provided with a contact telephone number in case of difficulty upon arrival.

The front door is wooden, 800mm wide, level handle plus mortice lock, push opening and hinged door.

Level access entry through the front door into hallway with kitchen/diner/lounge ahead, WC/cloakroom to the right and bedrooms, bathrooms and second lounge accessed via a staircase with 1 turn.

Open Plan Kitchen/Dining Room/Lounge

West facing windows and a single, paned rear door.

Ground floor level throughout and wheelchair accessible.  Laminate and carpeted floors with rugs.  Accessible light switches and sockets.  Kitchen work surfaces are standard height.  Gas hob has accessible controls.  Several cupboards available at floor level with side opening hinged doors and curved handles.  Oven is inset type, inset to base units with pull down hinged door and accessible controls.

There is an integrated fridge freezer, with the fridge being the upper unit, freezer below, an integrated washer dryer, an integrated dishwasher, electric kettle, Coffee machine, simple 2 dial microwave and toaster.

Dining seating for 6 people (2 chairs placed in storage if 4 and can be placed out on request, or more guests book), dining chairs have no arms and high backs.

There is a 2 seater settee and a square leather cube seat.

A comprehensive information folder can be found on the coffee table, along with a wide selection of tourist information leaflets in a display box in the lounge area.  The payphone telephone is located in the lounge.  There is a wireless router for internet access.  Your laptop however, can access what you want it to either automatically or via ethernet or USB if your laptop is not wireless enabled.

A small TV with digital channels and remote control can be found in the lounge area.  TV has teletext.  There is a hi-fi radio/cd player.   Lighting is by low voltage downlighters in the kitchen area.  There are also 2 side table lamps with low energy bulbs, one has an in-line switch and the other is switched either at the socket or via a push-switch on the lamp itself.  Very good level of lighting day and night..   All electrical items are accessible.

Heating is via radiators.

Access to the patio garden, which is flagged.  There is a patio table and 4 chairs in the garden for guests' use. 

There is a built in barbeque, for which coals and utensils are provided.  The separate warning notice, contained within this file, should be read by all staff who have contact with children. 

Lounge

Located on the first floor, accessed via a staircase.  There is a large corner unit setter, TV with digital channels, DVD and VCR player (all with remote control units) and a selection of DVD's and CD's.  TV has teletext.   Heating is via radiators.  Lighting is via low energy bulbs in side lamps (in-line and direct switches) and a central pendant light.  West facing window set high.  Lighting level is very good night and day.  Flooring is fitted carpet with no rugs.

Bedrooms

There are 2 bedrooms on the first floor adjacent to the first floor lounge.  The larger bedroom has twin single (3') beds, a single shared bedside cabinet, folding 'Director' type chair and double wardrobe with double doors.  North West facing window.  Lighting is via low energy bulbs in a central pendant fitting and a table lamp with inline switch.  Although there is sufficient space around all beds and furniture, it is limited for wheelchair users.   The second bedroom has a single bed and a picture window which is north east facing.   There is a small bedside tables at either side of the bed.  There is a built in wardrobe with an easily accessible hanging rail and floor level access.  On the second floor is a master bedroom suite with en-suite bathroom.  There are bedside cabinets on either side of the kingsize bed, a tall drawer unit and an easy chair.  There are 3 walk in wardrobes with level floor-level access and hanging rails at an accessible height.  There are windows to both front and rear elevations, both are set high in the wall and may present a problem in opening them if you are unable to reach above 5' high.  Flooring is fitted carpet with no rugs.

Bathroom/WC's

On the second floor, there is a built in bath, sink, WC and shower cubicle.  Lighting is via a central single bulb light fitment with energy saving bulb.  There is an electric shower in the cubicle, which although the hose is hooked onto a holder at a high level, can be freely used at a lower level.   There is a mirror integrat to a large cabinet adjacent to the sink.    Lighting is provided by halogen downlighters and is very good day or night.  Heating in both bathrooms is provided by radiators.

Laundry

There is an automatic washer-dryer located in an integrated, base-level, unit of the kitchen. 

Leisure Facilities

There are extensive leisure facilities in the area, including swimming, golf, horse-riding, walking, sailing, rock-climbing, gym, diving, bird watching, etc. for which full details can be found on our website and in the cottage. 

Outdoor Facilities, Grounds and Gardens

There is an enclosed patio garden overlooking the Coquet River.  A table and 4 chairs are provided, along with 2 additional folding chairs.

Additional Information

There is a payphone available in the cottage which can be used for freephone or emergency numbers and chargeable calls can be made by pressing the required shortdial keys to access Credit Call Communications, who can take payment by card for any calls made.  Instructions are contained in the information file in the cottage.

Mobile phone reception is adequate in the cottage.

No smoking permitted in the cottage.

It is your responsibility to evacuate the cottage in the event of fire (fire risk assessed).

Contact Information

Cottage owner and address:

Mrs Jill Dove

Waterside

8 Greens Park

Warkworth

Northumberland

NE65 0GY

Booking Agent:

Mrs Julie Ringland

Coquet Cottages

www.coquetcottages.co.uk

Tel: 0191 3883752

Mobile: 07712 657161

Fax: 0191 3881072

Email: info@coquetcottages.co.uk

Please contact either of us if you have any queries whatsoever about the accessibility of any of our cottages.