Accessibility

At Sara’s Cottage we want to make everyone’s stay as enjoyable as possible. We are committed to providing suitable access for all our guests, whatever their individual needs.

This access guide does not contain our personal opinion as to the suitability of the cottage for those with access needs. It aims to describe accurately the facilities and services we offer to our guests to give you the confidence to book in line with your specific requirements.

Please check that the access is suitable for your needs and please do not hesitate to contact us if you are in any doubt.

Inclusivity

At Sara’s Cottage we offer luxury accommodation that is dementia & autism friendly - as well as accessible.

Blue Badge Permit

If you are a Blue Badge holder you might be able to apply for a parking permit to park for free in Cornwall Council car parks.

We have available the following extra equipment for your use which needs to be requested in advance of your stay:

  • Self-propelled Aquatec Shower and Commode wheelchair.
  • Smaller wheeled shower chair (not self-propelled).
  • Static shower chair.
  • Toilet seat raiser of 100mm.
  • Free standing toilet surround frame.
  • Bed blocks of 90mm (can only be used when the bed is split into singles).
  • Adjustable bed backrest.
  • Folding bed rail.
  • Over-bed table.
  • Perching stool (ideal for use in the kitchen).
  • Upright fireside chair – H110cm, W70cm, Seat H53cm,W50cm,D46cm
  • Compact Power Riser Recliner chair – H104cm, W80cm, D85.5cm. This chair is placed in the main living room instead of the armchairs.
  • Static Commode Chair. (Maximum weight load 19 stone)

Please note: The Aquatec Commode Chair will not fit over the toilet due to the waste pipe prohibiting the chair going far enough backwards. A guest therefore needs to be able to transfer to their right to use the toilet. The chair can be used as a night time commode.

The maximum weight-load of our equipment is 150kg/23 stone apart from the static commode chair which has a weight limit of 19 stone.

Overview

The Cottage

Sara's Cottage is situated on Carrine Farm, Truro, TR3 6EB, Cornwall and is approximately 3 miles from the cathedral city of Truro and 2.6 miles from Truro Railway Station. Sara's Cottage is centrally situated to facilitate easy access to all parts of Cornwall. Beaches of both the north and south coast are a short 20 minute drive away.

The cottage is situated on a level access with no steps and sleeps up to 6 people with all three bedrooms on one floor. We can accommodate an infant under 2 in addition to 6 people. There are three bedrooms, two of which have an en-suite. There is also a separate bathroom.

The property has an open plan living and dining room plus a garden room/lounge.

Sara's Cottage welcomes up to two well behaved dogs subject to the conditions in our pet policy.

Pre-arrival

There is full information about the cottage including our location on www.sarascottage.co.uk. After you have reserved a holiday you will be provided with a log-in to access our guest guide which provides you with all the information you need to have an enjoyable holiday. There are suggestions for accessible days out.

It is 2.6 miles to the nearest Railway Station (Truro) and 3 miles to the Bus Depot in Truro. There are accessible Taxis at the railway station.

Own transport is recommended due to the countryside location alternatively taxis can be used to and from Truro to access main transport links.

Local Accessible Taxi http://www.a2btaxistruro.com 01872 272989

E-mail contact [email protected]

Car Parking

We have a car park in front of the cottage large enough for a total of three cars.

There is a level concrete area in front of the cottage for parking one car which has a slight concrete incline to the front door.

It is possible to drive your car to within 2 metres of the entrance for ease of access and unloading. If you need help unloading please let us know beforehand so that we can help when you arrive.

The part of the car park that is gravelled is suitable for the other two cars

General

All light switches are 110cm high and all internal doorways are 80cm wide apart from the doorway leading to the en-suite in Bedroom 1 (purple room) which is 75cm wide. There are no steps inside the cottage. The external doorways leading to the patio from the garden room and from Bedroom 2 (main accessible bedroom) are level. Bedrooms 1 and 3 each have a step from their French style doors to the outside rear path making them unsuitable as an exit for a wheelchair user. Any smaller items of furniture are removable at your request for ease of access. All bedding is non-feather. The cottage sleeps 6 plus a cot with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. All our accessible equipment is provided at no extra cost and must be requested in advance of your stay.

Hearing

  • The televisions have subtitles
  • There is a Geermarc LoopHear portable induction loop available
  • There are eight ceiling tilting spotlights in the kitchen area to enable lip reading
  • A hearing or assistance dog is more than welcome
  • There is a Geofire Agrippa Acoustic Digital Pillow alarm available which includes a flashing alarm
  • Holidays can be booked on-line or via the post

Visual

   

  • We provide information in the cottage in large print on a yellow background • You can park outside the front door where there is a slight concrete lamp which is highlighted in yellow
  • We can give a familiarisation tour on arrival
  • We have black door handles on all doors which provide a good contrast to the doors
  • Wardrobe door handles are black
  • There are no steps in the cottage
  • There is a permanent concrete ramp to the front door
  • The wet-room has a movement sensitive light by the toilet for use at night
  • We have a movement sensitive light which can be placed anywhere in the bedroom for night time guidance
  • There is an emergency pull cord in the wet-room and a hand bell in the bedroom
  • The bathroom radiators are chrome and provide a good contrast to the walls
  • All bathrooms have contrasting fixed grab rails
  • There are three steps to the lawn at the rear of the cottage with edges highlighted in yellow
  • The edge of the patio is highlighted in yellow
  • There is a laminated Fire Safety instruction sheet in the hall which is printed in large font on a yellow background
  • Light switches can be highlighted with day-glo tape or Bumpons (please request in advance of your stay)
  • We have coloured drinking glasses
  • There is a RNIB liquid level indicator available
  • There is a back lit magnifying glass available
  • There is a small pair of binoculars for bird watching

Inside

Entrance hallway

  • The front door leads into the hallway which has a slate tiled floor with no rugs.
  • The hall is 118 cm wide but there is a bookcase that restricts the width to 86cm.
  • The hall has doors leading to the family bathroom, the living room and two of the three bedrooms.
  • A rechargeable fire safety torch is supplied and plugged in at 50cm high.
  • The central heating thermostat is located on the wall at 150cm high.
  • The coat rack for 6 coats is at 175cm high.
  • There is a smoke alarm on the ceiling
  • There is a long wall mounted dress mirror low enough for wheelchair users to use

Garden room/lounge

 

  • There are double doors of 155cm wide and a level floor leading from this room to the outside patio
  • The flooring is slate covered by a rug
  • There is a large 3 seater sofa and a 2 seater sofa.
  • There is a foot stool and 2 side tables
  • There is a floor lamp for reading, a  table lamp and a wall light
  • There is an electric heater for warmth and which works independently from the central heating
  • There is a large LCD TV with remote, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Open plan living room Dining and kitchen area

  • Slate floor tiling with no rugs
  • Dining table (L152cm W 91cm H77cm) and 6 chairs are located in the dining area. The available knee height of the table is 65cm. We can add an extra leaf to provide a knee height of 74cm. One end chair will be removed when there is a wheelchair user staying.
  • There are 4 dining chairs with no arms and 2 carver type chairs with an arm height of 62cm. All chairs have a seat height of 45cm.
  • There are 8 spotlights in the ceiling
  • The fridge freezer has a three drawer freezer at the bottom and a fridge compartment at the top. The bottom shelf of the fridge is 82cm high and top shelf 162cm high
  • All work surfaces and cooker are 90cm high
  • A microwave is located on the work surface
  • There is a Rangemaster double oven cooker with a grill in the top oven. Height of the cooker is 90cm. The grill is in the top oven at 70cm high
  • There is an integrated dishwasher 60cm wide
  • The double doors lead to the garden room/lounge are 100cm wide. There is a slight lip which wheelchairs are able to traverse.

Seating area

  • There is a small rug in front of the wood-burner.
  • There is one large sofa and two armchairs. One armchair is removed when a wheelchair user is staying.
  • There is a ceiling light, two wall lights, one side lamp and a twist arm reading lamp in this area.
  • There is a wood-burning stove for additional warmth (logs provided) There is a heat alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in this area.
  • The wall mounted LCD TV has a remote control, Netflix and Amazon Prime.
  • There is a CD player, radio and Bluetooth portable speaker.

Bedroom 1 with ensuite

   

Bedroom size 3.1m x 3.7m (please see bedroom 2 details for wheelchair users)

  • Suitable for a guest at Mobility Level 1- i.e. the less mobile
  • This bedroom is accessed from the main living room and is separate from the other two bedrooms. Door width into the bedroom is 80cm  King size bed 153cm (5ft), height 65cm to top of mattress and length 210cm
  • Non feather luxury quality duvet and pillows and Egyptian cotton linen
  • Clearance from the end of the bed to the wall 150cm. Space left of bed 60cm and right 75cm.
  • There is a chest of drawers 40cm deep which can be removed leaving a large clear space of 150cm deep 200cm wide.
  • There is a fitted wardrobe with plenty of hanging space at 150cm high and a handle height of 100cm.
  • Two bedside cabinets 65cm high with lamps
  • Ceiling light and carpeted floor
  • Double doors 110cm wide with one step leading to the rear path.

En suite size 1.5m x 2.35m – door width 75cm

  • Rectangular shower cubicle 140cm x 65cm with an opening width of 57cm and a step height of 11cm
  • Washbasin 85cm high
  • Wall hung magnified shaving/make-up mirror to the left of the sink at 115cm high
  • Toilet seat height 45cm (toilet seat raiser of 10cm is available)
  • Space beside toilet to the wall is 25cm and 38 cm to sink on the right
  • Flooring is white ceramic tiling
  • Grab handles are located in the shower cubicle and to the wall side of the toilet
  • A shower anti-slip mat is supplied

Bedroom 2 with ensuite wet room

      

Bedroom size 3.5m x 4m Super-king size bed which can be split into adult size twin beds.

This bedroom is graded by Visit England as being suitable for a guest who is a part time wheelchair user at Mobility Level Two.

  • Suitable for a guest at Mobility Level 2, i.e. some wheelchair users
  • Located off the hallway with a door width of 80cm
  • Door leading to the wet-room has a clearance of 80cm
  • Super-king size 6ft bed height to top of mattress 65cm. This bed can be split into two 3ft adult size single beds
  • Non feather luxury quality duvet and pillows and Egyptian cotton linen
  • Fitted wardrobe with hanging space at 150cm high and a lower removable rail at 110cm high. Four side storage shelves 30cm apart. Handle height 100cm
  • Wall mirror with a shelf at 104cm high underneath
  • 2 bedside cabinets 65cm high with lamps
  • Ceiling light and oak flooring
  • Wall mounted TV set with Netflix, Amazon Prime and remote control  Chest of drawers H90cm W60cm D40cm
  • Distance from chest of drawers to end of bed 95cm (removal of the chest of drawers would give a clear width of 135cm)
  • Dressing table at 77cm high and 91cm wide. Clearance underneath from the floor 60cm and 75cm wide
  • Distance from the side of the bed to the wet-room door is 130cm
  • Door leading to the outside patio is 86cm wide. There is a slight double ridge on the bottom of door frame which a wheelchair can traverse.  Gap under the bed is 6.5cm (2.5 inches)
  • Bed blocks available 9cm high (3.5 inches) making a total gap of 15cm (6 inches) if needed. Please note these can only be used if the bed is split into 2 singles and therefore need to be requested in advance of your stay
  • Turning circle of 120cm

   

Ensuite wet room

Size 2.5m x 2.4m – door width 80cm

  • Toilet seat height of 51cm plus a 10cm raiser available
  • Space on non transfer side of toilet to wall is 30cm
  • Clearance under wash-basin with lever taps is 71cm
  • Dropdown grab rail on accessible side of toilet
  • Shower area 120cm by 120cm
  • An Aquatec self propelled shower and commode chair is available
  • A static shower chair is also available
  • Unobstructed entry to shower area 120cm
  • Grab rails by wash-basin, in the shower area and either side of toilet  Make-up/shaving magnified mirror to the left of the basin at 110cm high
  • Mirrored wall cabinet starting at 110cm high
  • Motion sensor nightlight to the side of the toilet
  • Floor is non-slip ceramic tiles with under-floor heating
  • An anti-slip shower mat is supplied
  • With shower screen folded back there is a turning circle of 150cm

       Accessible holiday accommodation in Cornwall | Sara's Cottage

Bedroom 3

   

Size 3.2m  x 3.1m

  • Located off the hallway with a door width of 80cm
  • King size 5ft bed which splits into two small singles suitable for children. Height to top of mattress 70cm. Space at the side of the bed is L70cm and R85cm.
  • Non feather luxury quality duvet and pillows and Egyptian cotton linen
  • There is a fitted wardrobe with hanging space at 150cm high and 4 side shelves 30cm apart. Handle height is 100cm
  • There is a chest of drawers 35cm deep and 107cm wide which can be removed to give clearance to the right hand side of the bed of 100cm •
  • Two bedside cabinets 70cm high with lamps
  • Ceiling light and carpeted floor
  • Double doors 110cm wide to the outside
  • Wall mounted TV set with remote control and Netflix
  • Clearance from end of bed to open door is 90cm

Family Bathroom

 

Can be used as a private bathroom to bedroom 3. Size of bathroom 2.4m x 1.65m

  • Accessed from the hallway, door width 80cm
  • Washbasin height 80cm with lever taps and shaver point at 110cm  Roll top bath 65cm height with shower over and grab handle. Tap turner, a 10cm high step and an anti-slip mat are provided.
  • Distance from door to bath 170cm. Front of sink to window 115cm  26cm to the wall on the left of the toilet and 45cm clear to the sink on the right 84cm to towel radiator
  • Floor is slate tiling and there is a grab handle by the toilet

Outside

Garden

There is a rear outside private garden accessed from the conservatory or from all three bedrooms. To access the lawn there are three steps to negotiate of differing heights. Width of steps is 90cm and from the bottom to the top, the steps are 10cm, 18cm and 16cm. Alternatively, the lawn can be accessed via a level slabbed path 110cm wide from the front of the cottage on the left side. The path has a slight incline to the grass.

The path from around the right hand side of the cottage is level patio style slabs and is 125cm wide. There are two steps (15cm high) up to the wood and recycling shed. If the steps are a problem we can relocate the recycling boxes for level access and refill the log basket for you.

Clearance around to the back of the cottage and patio is 80cm from the right hand side of the front of the cottage.

The garden has wire mesh fencing all around and gates are located at various exit points. However, we cannot guarantee that your dog will be secure as we are surrounded by Cornish hedges which some dogs can jump over

Patio

   

  • Level access from the garden room/lounge to the patio
  • The doors from the garden room are 155cm wide
  • To reach the outdoor table there are no steps
  • The table is 70cm high with clear under space for a wheelchair user
  • The door from Accessible Bedroom 2 also leads to the patio

Additional

Additional Information

  • Guest information is on-line in the Guest Planner
  • Should you need a large print copy of any information please ask  Mobile phone reception is generally very good
  • We can provide a telephone in the cottage and all calls must be paid for before departure
  • There are plenty of ideas for Accessible days out on our website and on our Guest Planner. Printed copies can be provided or personal help from us during your stay
  • In the event of an emergency at night please telephone our landline 01872 279608 for assistance. During the day the best number is Diane’s mobile 07917 147281

Accessibility equipment

  • We provide extra mobility equipment as listed at the start of this guide free of charge
  • The nearest toilet area for assistance dogs is the garden
  • You can store a mobility scooter in one of our barns
  • You can hire a Tramper Mobility Scooter at various locations from Countryside Mobility by telephoning 07958 517919
  • You can hire a Mobility Scooter or Wheelchair by telephoning 01209 313401
  • You can hire equipment like the below from Enable Accessibility by 07453 977765

   

Emergency evacuation procedures

  • We have emergency evacuation procedures noted in the cottage and on our Guest Planner.

Extra equipment can be hired from: