Access Statement For Damson Cottage
Introduction
Swanage is a seaside resort initially developed in Victorian times in the valley between two long ridges. As a result many of the side roads including Bell Street are steeply sloping as is access to the houses on them. Access to Damson Cottage from the adjacent, sloping, parking area involves a minimum of three steps, with a handrail, to the back door. Access to the front door from the roadside and up to the sitting area in the garden requires climbing more Purbeck stone steps
Pre-Arrival
• If you have any difficulty walking on uneven, sloping, or soft surfaces, it is advisable to bring suitable walking shoes and a stick or pole with you.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
• Arrival is easiest by car or taxi as Bell Street is on a steep slope up from the High Street where buses stop. There is a parking area beside Damson Cottage for two cars in line. It is on a slight slope and close to the house so it may not be possible to open car doors fully. The easiest access to the cottage is up 3 stone steps with a handrail and via the backdoor to the kitchen.
Main Entrance & Reception
• The front door of the cottage has a low threshold onto a level stone pavement which runs in front of the terrace of four cottages and may be obstructed by pots of flowers. There are five, wide but uneven, stone steps down to kerbside. Due to the slope it can be hard to open passenger side car doors fully.
Public Areas - General (Internal)
• The ground floor of the cottage is on the level and there is one glazed door, usually left open, btween the kitchen/diner and the lounge. The lounge is fully carpeted whereas the kitchen has a tiled floor which could be slippery if wet.
Public Areas - WC
• There is a WC and walk-in shower on the ground floor with non slip flooring. The conventional bathroom with WC is on the 1st floor with the bedrooms and has a shower over the bath with a handrail.
Dining Room
• The dining area is in the kitchen and the table is easily accessable but the tiled flooring could be slippery.
Laundry
• Washing machine is in the Kitchen which see above. Ironing board and iron are in the wardrobe of the front double bedroom – use with care and switch iron off after use.
Shop
• Costcutter Post Office Store is on the busy High Street at the bottom of Bell Street. Cross roads with care – better visibility if you cross the High Street at the shop and not at the Herston Cross junction of Bell Street, High Street and Victoria Avenue.
Leisure Facilities
• Public swimming pool at the nearby Swanage Bay View Park.
Outdoor Facilities
• The garden is up 5 wide but uneven, Purbeck stone, steps and the terrace area with seating is paved with the same local stone. There are surrounding stone walls and raised flower beds which attract bees and other insects.
Bedrooms
• All three bedrooms are on the first floor up a flight of carpeted stairs with one turn at the top where there is a fitted stair gate. All bedrooms and the landing have fitted carpet. Both double beds are accessible from both sides but note there are sloping ceilings throughout the first floor. The full length bunk beds in the third bedroom are suitable for agile children or teenagers and should not be used by babies, very young children or anyone who is particularly heavy.
Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Shared]
• The bathroom with shower over is on the first floor and there is a walk-in shower with WC and non-slip flooring on the ground floor, accessed by a 2'9" wide door direct from the lounge and adjacent the kitchen/diner
Self-Catering Kitchen
• There is a fully fitted kitchen with electric hob, electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, toaster and electric kettle. Care must be taken to prevent young children or the elderly/infirm from accidentally scalding or burning themselves with these appliances. Other potential dangers include the sharp kitchen knives. Whereas these risks are the same as at home extra care should be taken due to unfamiliarity.
Contact Information
• Janet Howells (Owner) – 07971 552082
John Patrick (Manager) – 07855 056195 – contact for urgent maintenance or emergencies
We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve if you have any comments please phone: 07971 552082 or email: bjhowells@hotmail.com |