Rockstone Cottage Access Statement

Rockstone Cottage Bed and Breakfast
Colwell Chine Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight PO40 9NR
Tel: 01983 753723
Email: enquiries@rockstonecottage.co.uk

Introduction

This statement is a summary of what we provide our guests at Rockstone Cottage to help you make an informed decision as to whether we meet your access requirements.

Rockstone Cottage was built around 1790 and therefore the age and structure of the building is not suitable for a lift to be installed and we do not have any ground floor rooms. All guests are welcome, and we endeavour to cater to all needs however, the stairs and door widths at the property are not suitable for those who are full time wheelchair users.

With prior notice we will do our utmost to meet the needs of anyone requiring a special diet and we are happy to accept registered assistance dogs.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss anything in more detail, please do not hesitate to call us on 01983 753723.

Pre-Arrival

We are situated on the main road to Colwell Bay beach which is a 5 minute walk away.
There is a pavement for almost all the length of the road, but no pavement outside or opposite the cottage.
Guests will need to be able to climb at least twelve stairs to reach the bedrooms. We kindly ask to be notified of your impairment at the time of booking so that we may allocate you the most suitable room.
Freshwater village is 0.4 miles away and is where the nearest convenience store and other local shops can be found including a chemist.
The Southern Vectis No7 Bus Service stops approximately 3 minutes level walk away and operates between Newport and Freshwater via Yarmouth. We can provide bus timetables and route maps for travel over the whole island.
The nearest ferry port is in Yarmouth and is operated by Wightlink Ferries from Lymington.
There are several local taxi firms that we can provide contact details for or make bookings for you.
Our breakfast menus can be provided in large print if required. We regret we do not have facilities to prepare documents in braille.
Please visit our website www.rockstonecottage.co.uk where you will be able to see pictures of our accommodation and the services we provide in more detail.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities

There is a level, gravelled car park at the front of the property with space for 6 cars.
There are no allocated bays, but with prior notice we can reserve a space immediately outside the front door if required.
At the front door there is a stone slab 4cm high and a small threshold strip in the doorway, but no steps.
There is a doorbell to the right of the front door, which is always locked.
Once checked-in, guests are provided with a door key to access the property at will.
The front porch is lit at night.
We are always happy to assist with carrying luggage.

Main Entrance and Reception

The front door opens to 70cm wide.
The entrance hall/reception area is a flat flagstone surface and is 1.5 metres wide at its narrowest point.
There is a flat doormat just inside the door.
The hallway is well lit during the day and evening. Throughout the night an emergency light provides dimmer lighting.
There is a seating area in the hallway enabling seated check-in if required.
A pen and notepad are available on arrival if required.
From the hall, there are 2 self-closing doors. One to the dining room on the right and one to the owner’s private accommodation on the left.

Public Areas – General

The ground floor has level access from the hallway directly into the dining room.
The doorway to the dining room is 69cm wide. The floor is flat with light coloured flagstones, the walls are light in colour and the room is well lit.
The tables are wooden and 75cm in height with 70cm leg clearance.
Chairs are wooden and faux leather and are 50cm in height to the seat with a high back. The chairs do not have arms.
We provide table service at breakfast for hot food and can assist with selecting and carrying food from the cold self-service buffet.
There are 6 stairs leading from the hall to a split-level landing where there are a further 6 stairs to bedrooms 2-5.
There is a white banister with a dark brown handrail on the right-hand side.
From the landing, a further 8 stairs lead to bedroom 1 with a dark brown handrail on the left-hand side.
The stairs are 20cm high x 24cm deep and the width of these two staircases is 82cm.
Bedroom 6 is a further 11 steps up another staircase which is relatively steep. (23 stairs in total) with a white banister and dark brown handrail on the right. The stairs are 21cm high x 22cm deep and the width of this staircase is 79cm. This bedroom is not recommended for anyone with restricted mobility or visual impairment.
All landings and stairs have a brown short pile carpet and beige walls. The lighting is adequate but there is limited natural light in the stairways.

Bedrooms

Five bedrooms have en-suite walk-in shower facilities and one bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with a shower over the bath (see full details for bedroom 2).
All doorways to bedrooms and bathrooms are 72cm wide.
Bathrooms have white tiles and laminate or vinyl flooring.
A shower stool with rubber feet, and 2 x suction handles are available on request.
A non-slip rubber bathmat is provided in every room for optional use.
Bath sheets, hand towels, face cloths and a towelling bathmat are provided as well as quality complimentary toiletries.
Our beds are made with like-down duvets and synthetic pillows. All stated as hypoallergenic by the manufacturer.
Please advise us in advance if sheets and blankets would be preferred and we’ll make your bed accordingly.
All bedrooms are carpeted with a short pile light brown carpet and walls are light.
Each room has a remote-controlled flat screen TV featuring Freeview, radio channels and subtitle option.
Wi-Fi broadband internet access is available in every room free of charge and the mobile signal in the building and surrounding area is very good.
A hospitality tray with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities is provided.
A hairdryer, fan, and hot water bottle are also provided.
All rooms have a wardrobe, drawers, bedside tables and lights, a chair and a full-length mirror.
An iron and ironing board is available on request.
An information leaflet detailing all you need to know for your stay at Rockstone Cottage is provided at check-in and is available in larger print if required.

Bedroom 1

Located on the 1st floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing, followed by a further 8 stairs which lead directly to the door of the bedroom.
This room has a super king size bed 180cm x 190cm with access from both sides.
2 large windows overlook the garden.
There are 2 occasional chairs
A dressing table with a freestanding mirror and stool are also in this bedroom.
2 steps lead in to the en-suite bathroom and there is no handrail. The biggest step is 12cm high and the narrowest has a depth of 24cm.
The bathroom comprises a corner shower cubicle measuring 82cm x 82cm, wash basin and a standard height toilet.
There are 2 windows in the bathroom.
The floor is grey tile effect vinyl.

Bedroom 2

Located on the 1st floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing followed by a further 6 stairs.
This room has 2 standard size single beds 92cm x 190cm. Access is possible from both sides of one of the beds, and from only one side of the other.
The beds cannot be pushed together.
The room is on the side of the house with a large window.
There is a desk chair at a dressing table.
1 step leads in to the en-suite bathroom and there is no handrail. The step is 11cm high x 26cm deep.
The bathroom comprises a double ended bathtub with a shower over one end, a wash basin and a comfort height toilet.
The side of the bath is 60cm high from the floor.
There is a window in the bathroom.
The floor is mahogany laminate.

Bedroom 3

Located on the 1st floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing followed by a further 6 stairs.
This room has a standard double size sleigh bed 135cm x 190cm with access from both sides.
The room is at the front of the house with a large window.
There is a low occasional chair.
The bathroom is level with the bedroom and comprises a shower cubicle measuring 116cm x 76cm, a wash basin and standard height toilet.
There is no window in the bathroom.
The floor is mahogany laminate.

Bedroom 4

Located on the 1st floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing followed by a further 6 stairs.
This room has 2 standard size single beds 92cm x 183cm. Access is possible from both sides of one of the beds, and from only one side of the other.
The beds cannot be pushed together.
The room is at the front of the house with a large window.
There is not a chair in this room, but one can be provided if required.
The bathroom is level with the bedroom and comprises a quadrant shower cubicle measuring 86cm x 86cm, a wash basin and standard height toilet.
There is a window in the bathroom.
The floor is mahogany laminate.

Bedroom 5

Located on the 1st floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing followed by a further 6 stairs.
This room has a standard double size bed 135cm x 190cm with access from both sides.
The room is at the side of the house with a large window overlooking the garden.
There is a desk chair in the room.
The bathroom is level with the bedroom and comprises a quadrant shower cubicle measuring 86cm x 86cm, a wash basin and standard height toilet.
There is a window in the bathroom.
The floor is mahogany laminate.

Bedroom 6

Due to the location in the house and the unique design of this room, it is not recommended for anyone with restricted mobility or visual impairment.
Located on the 2nd floor ascending 6 stairs to a split-level landing followed by another 6 stairs. There are then a further 11 steps up another staircase which is relatively steep. (23 stairs in total).
There is a short, well-lit landing before reaching the door to the bedroom.
The room has a king size bed 153cm x 195cm with access from both sides although there is a sloping ceiling over the bed measuring 117cm at its lowest point to 224cm ceiling height.
This room is at the top of the house and has a Dorma window with sea glimpses and a garden view. A second, larger window looks out over Colwell Common.
There is an original oak beam across the centre of the room, with 174cm clearance.
There is a small 2-seater sofa and a desk chair in the room.
The door into the bathroom is low at a height of 173cm which leads into the bathroom which has a partially sloping ceiling in places. There is full ceiling height above the shower and wash basin.
The bathroom is level with the bedroom and comprises a shower cubicle measuring 78cm x 74cm, a wash basin and standard height toilet.
There is a window in the bathroom.
The floor is light grey laminate.

Ground and Gardens

The garden to the property is not for use by guests.
At the front of the house on a gravel surface, there are 2 benches and a table for guests to use.

Laundry

There are no laundry facilities available for guest use, but we can dry clothes for guests in our laundry room.

Additional Information

We can cater for most dietary requirements including but not limited to vegetarian, vegan, gluten or dairy-free. Please let us know in advance of your stay.
Rockstone Cottage is a non-smoking B&B; however, smoking is permitted outside at the front of the property and an ashtray is provided.
The building has an audible interlinked fire and smoke-alarm system. If you have specific needs in the event of an emergency, please let us know when you arrive.
There are no fridges in the bedrooms but there is a small fridge in the dining room for guest use. Fresh milk is always available in this fridge for guests to help themselves to for tea and coffee in the bedroom.
Guests are welcome to store small items of food/medication in our own fridge or freezer by arrangement.
For registered assistance dogs, we kindly ask owners to bring bedding, bowls and food for their companions. We can purchase dog food on your behalf by prior arrangement.
Dogs can be walked on Colwell Common located opposite Rockstone Cottage and along Colwell Bay seafront all year round. Designated areas of Colwell Bay beach also permit dogs all year round. We are also happy to walk your assistance dog on request.
Should the need arise, we are a 30 minute drive to St. Mary’s Hospital in Newport. The only hospital on the island.

We hope this statement gives enough information to enable you to decide whether Rockstone Cottage Bed & Breakfast meets your access needs. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss anything in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact us.