Access Statement for Chalkdell Cottage
In this statement we hope to provide you with some more information with regards to accessibility, which we hope you will find useful - please let us know, we always welcome feedback.
Chalkdell Cottage is situated in a terrace of stone cottages approximately one mile from the town centre of Swanage.
The cottages are believed to be over 200 years old and have been Grade ll listed due to historic interest. As the cottage is listed we cannot make any alterations to the structure and therefore, regrettably, the cottage is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Pre-Arrival.
Bookings may be made by email or by telephone. We like to take bookings by telephone as this enables us to talk to each of our guests and answer straightaway any questions regarding the cottage and the surrounding area.
There is a Mainline train station at Wareham (about ten miles from Swanage) and local stations both in the Town Centre and at Herston Halt - which is accessible on foot, either down a road or by footpath over fields. There is a taxi rank outside Swanage Train Station, and also a Bus station. There is a bus stop very close to the cottage.
Arrival & Car Parking
Chalkdell Cottage does not have its own parking, we normally ask our guests to park in Benlease Way which is adjacent to the High Street and only yards from the back door of the cottage. This quiet road usually has plenty of on road parking near to the cottage. We will provide you with a welcome tray of tea, coffee etc.
The cottage can be accessed by both the back door – via a right of way to the back door, or by the front door, which is in the High Street. There is a small step from the street level into the lounge of the cottage, and a small threshold at the backdoor.
There are a few steps in the cottage from room to room. This, we think, adds character to the cottage! For example the kitchen is split-level and there are steps to the different levels in the kitchen. There is also a step from the kitchen to the hall area and another small step into the bathroom, which is situated on the ground floor.
The bathroom has a bath equipped with handles on either side, and has a shower attachment over, a low-level w.c. and hand basin in white – new this year. The hard flooring is easy to keep clean.
The kitchen is galley styled at one end, housing the front loading washing machine, dishwasher and sink and has carpet tiles on the floor, the other end that houses the oven, fridge etc. is laminate tiled. The oven is built in and has a left hand hinged opening. The ceramic hob has three zones and is the same height as the worktops at 90 cm. There are warning lights on the hob, which let you know that the zones are still hot, and also a child lock for safety. All the units were new last year and have a modern look.
The lounge is fitted with good quality, comfortable furnishings which all comply with fire regulations. The three seater sofa and easy chair both have arms and are provided with cushions. The TV /DVD -including freeview - has remote controls, as does the Video. There are two fold up coffee tables that can be placed at convenient positions. The gateleg table can be used with either one flap or two flaps up. We also have available padded lap trays. The carpet to the lounge, hall, stairs and bedrooms is short piled.
The staircase is narrow with a handrail on one side and leads into the double bedroom. There is a standard sized double bed with access round each of the sides and bottom of it. The mattress is pillow topped for comfort. The bedside tables are within easy reach of the bed and have table lamps. The chest of drawers and wardrobe are easily accessible.
An adjoining door leads into the children’s bedroom. This room is small and has sloping ceiling to one side.
The bunk beds are children’s sized at 2’ 6” wide. These can only be accessed from one side or the end of the beds. Children seem to love this room.
The duvets provided for each bed are non allergenic, as are the pillows. We provide bed linen for each of the beds, i.e. sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and mattress protectors.
The cottage is decorated in style and keeping with the age of the cottage and we hope appeals to everyone. The walls are predominately white which lends an airy feel to the cottage. Smoke alarms are fitted in the lounge (with emergency escape light), in the light fitting of the double bedroom and a dual Carbon Monoxide/Smoke detector in the hallway. There is also a Carbon Monoxide detector in the children’s bedroom.
Full gas central heating is by Combi boiler, which also means constant hot water. There are no meters to worry about as the price of hiring the cottage includes both Gas and Electricity.
We have a list of useful telephone numbers for local services and lots of leaflets on local attractions.
Outside the back of the cottage is the patio garden, there are two small, concrete steps up to this area, there are also stone steps up to the shed at the end of the patio. There are flowerbeds on either side of the garden.
The patio garden has a picnic table and bench for dining outside - weather permitting! The table can seat four people with plenty of room.
Nearby Facilities
There are two convenience stores within walking distance of the cottage. Both of these shops stay open late and are open on Sundays.
There is a fish and chip shop a short walk from the cottage, also an Indian restaurant and two pubs which both serve food.
There are many Churches of different denominations nearby.
Contact Information
Linda and Brian Gooding
83 Chalkdell Fields
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL4 9LU
Tel 01727 831126 Mobile 07760 357619
Email chalkdell@live.co.uk
www.chalkdellcottage.co.uk
Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have, we are always happy to answer these.
LMG Jan 2010