The accommodation in this self-catering late-19th Century detached cottage is all arranged on one level

Access to the property is either via six or seven stone steps to the front door or a single stone step to the back door. Please note however that reaching the cottage from the car parking area involves a 20-yard walk to the front door or a slightly shorter walk to the back door. In this latter case, a single step needs to be mounted at the car park end, a wood-chip path negotiated and a further two steps down into the rear access area, navigated. At the rear door, two further, steps take you through the door. The entrance doors (and all interior doors) are a standard 2’6″ wide and are NOT suitable for wheelchair access except with difficulty.

We aim to provide appropriate and relevant information in this statement but if you have any queries please do call us on 01435 883 201 or 0780 0682 422.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival 

The nearest shops are a five-minute drive or a two-mile walk along a combination of narrow country lanes and the busy A265 Heathfield to Burwash road, long sections of which have no pavement.

The nearest bus stop is about 500 yards from the cottage. The nearest train station is Stonegate – approximately two and a half miles away with trains to/from London (Charing Cross) and to/from Hastings. There are no taxis at the station although we do have a number of taxi services in the area that can assist if required.

We can arrange for shopping to be delivered for your arrival and can provide information in large print on request.

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

The off road car parking area is at the side of the cottage and is well within the estate.  The car parking area and pathway is level and laid to ‘chip & asphalt’. That’s gravel to you and me. Please note that the approach lane through the estate is laid to hardcore overlaid with soil and tends to become difficult to navigate in the winter months or during periods of very heavy rainfall. An automatic gate at the entrance to the estate operates 24 hours a day. In the event of difficulty, please call us on 01435 883 201 or 01435 882 943.

Entrance Hall

The front door is a standard 30 inches wide and opens inwards. The ‘hall’ (in fact a long corridor stretching to the back door) has stripped pine flooring.  The only obstacles are two, wall-mounted fire extinguishers – one just inside the front door and one just inside the back door.

Mains powered, smoke alarms are fitted in the entrance hall. Emergency lighting is fitted in the hall and the meter/boiler room outside the main house.

Sleeping Accommodation

The main bedroom is furnished with a King-size pine bed, which is heavy (but not impossible) to move. Lights are controlled by switches at both the entrance door and the bedside. The two bedside cabinets (and lamps) are moveable to allow greater access to the bed but it is doubtful whether this would be sufficient for wheelchair access. A mirror is fitted over the mantelpiece and is unsuitable for use by anyone in a wheelchair. The room is fitted with a carpet. Other obstacles include a wardrobe (in the chimney breast recess) and a pine dressing table and stool.

The second bedroom is furnished with two single (3′) wooden beds, which may be moved to allow greater wheelchair access. Light switches are fitted at the door and between the two beds. A mirror is fitted over the mantelpiece and is unsuitable for use by anyone in a wheelchair. The room has a fitted carpet.

The Kitchen/Diner

There is an open plan kitchen and dining area.

Furniture is moveable.  The rectangular oak dinning table has legs at each corner and comes with four chairs (2 with arms, 2 without). Close to it is a wood burner. Care needs to be exercised when loading the burner with fresh logs since the surface becomes very hot. The floor is of stripped pine.

A radio/CD player in the kitchen has no remote control device.

Wall mounted storage cupboards will present access difficulties for wheelchair-bound guests. Similarly, the extractor hood for the hob and the upper of the two ovens are out of reach to those in a wheelchair.

French windows open out onto a small patio, which is accessed via a single stone step. The total width of both doors is approx 5′ and is provided with a mortise lock and key plus bolts top and bottom.

Bathroom

The bathroom has a close-coupled toilet, pedestal sink, a steel bath of 1700mm length and of standard height.  Mixer taps and a hand-held shower unit is provided although there is a separate shower cubicle within the same room. The shower cubicle is 900mm square and is fitted with 8mm and 6mm toughened glass panels and a stone resin tray.  The glass door opens outwards. The taps and temperature control are 48 inches from the floor of the tray. There are no hand support rails for the bath, shower or toilet. The two light switches are of the pull-cord variety.

Lounge

The lounge has an open coal fire with a 2″ high brick hearth protruding into the room by approximately 14″. Furniture consists of two double sofas, two coffee/lamp tables and a digital TV and DVD player (with remote control devices). Light switches by the door control both the wall-mounted lights and the table lamps. The room has a fitted carpet.

All Areas – General (Internal)

All of the doors are 30 inches wide and open inwards from the hall. The hall is 3′ 6″ wide along its length.    Décor is light and contrasting with pine floors, painted doors and skirting. Floors are slippery in socks or bare feet.

Door furniture is black, wrought iron rim-lock. Many of the windows were replaced in about 2003 and are of the UPVC, double-glazed variety with key locks. Keys are provided but the windows are NOT designed to open fully. They should NOT be regarded as a point of exit except in cases of absolute need. They will not allow passage to anyone who is disabled or of above average weight.

Laundry

There is a front-loading washing machine and tumble drier in the utility room, which is accessed via a covered way outside the back door. The room is also fitted with a stainless steel sink, tap, work surface, ironing board, iron and storage cupboard. The work surface is approximately 3600 mm from the brick floor. The room is centrally heated.

Boiler room and meter cupboard

The oil-fired central heating and hot water boiler provides hot water on demand and is fully programmable. The boiler and the electricity meter and fuse box are in a room next to the laundry room. The fuse box is not accessible to someone in a wheelchair.

Secondary toilet

Accessed via the covered way outside the back door and close to the utility room. Low level, close-coupled WC and wash hand-basin. Brick floor. No heating. One step down from back door of the house.  No handrail assistance for the toilet.

Gardens

The lawns slope gently away from the house and occupy about an acre of the 4.75-acre cottage garden.  Great care needs to be exercised on several levels. A Victorian greenhouse at the bottom of the garden (about 150 yards from the cottage) is out of bounds due to the dangerous state of disrepair. Beyond it, the ground slopes steeply and suddenly down to a stream and is unsuitable for anybody other than the fit and able-bodied. An ornamental pond just inside the cottage gate and about 50 yds from the cottage should be treated with care. It is not deep but water is water and can drown the unwary. A large part of the cottage garden has yet to be brought under control and consists of mature trees and shrubs.

A small, brick patio outside the kitchen/diner is suitable for outdoor eating in the summer. Garden furniture (complete with plastic cups, plates etc) is provided.

The remainder of the estate – about 30 acres of woods, streams, lakes and lawn – is available to our guests. There is, however, no fishing allowed and only very limited access for the disabled. The swimming pool is for the sole use of the owners and is NOT available to our guests.

Additional Information

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside or near the timber cottage.

There is limited mobile phone reception in the area.