Accessibility Guide for The Mill House - Little Comfort Farm

Travel by public transport

From junction 27 of the M5 take the North Devon Link Road (A361) to Barnstaple.

At round about just before Barnstaple take signs for the A361 to Ilfracombe.

Pass through Braunton still on the A361 (towards Ilfracombe).

Pass through the village of Knowle still on the A361.

2/3 mile after Knowle turn right towards Halsinger at Heddon Mills Cross, by bus stop. Please take great care at this junction as it is an accident black spot.

Proceed 1.8 miles turning left at the second crossroads.

Then left again after a very short distance.

Continue for 1 mile down a winding lane, over a small bridge and take the third entrance for Mill House.

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with B-Line Taxis, Barnstaple by calling 01271 322117. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You can get a taxi with Fremington & District Taxis by calling 01271 323037. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is free.

There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.

From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The path is sloped.

The route is 1900mm wide, or more.

There is a wide stone path on a slight slope from the car park to the main entrance of Mill House

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.

Sadly, whilst COVID is a concern in our area we are unable to provide assistance with luggage, for your health and wellbeing. 

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.

Bedrooms

All bedrooms have windows.

Bedrooms have ceiling lights, bedside lamps and natural daylight.

Lights are LED and energy saving. TVs have subtitles.

All bedrooms are non-smoking.

We have non-allergic bedding.

No bedrooms have fitted carpets.

We have wi-fi free bedrooms, for visitors with electro-sensitivity.

All cleaning products are eco-friendly and are formulated with significantly less chemicals than regular cleaning products. As such they are less likely to be the cause of an allergic reaction., We have organic, 100% natural award winning beds by Demko. , All bedlinen is made from organic cotton by Greenfibres., Natural paints have been used throughout by Earthborn., Sustainable building materials have been used throughout the cottage including wood fibre insulation and clay based plaster and render (non gypsum)., The architectural design reduces electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). This comprised attention to spatial layouts, radial wiring and use of shielded cables within 1m of all bedrooms. Electromagnetic radiation isolation switches are in all bedrooms. , All floors are oak and our kitchens are made from solid reclaimed pine with slate worktops. , No/minimal plastic has been used in construction and furnishings. All furniture is solid wood either FSC certified or upcycled., Our water is from a well on the farm and created in our water plant room with UV light. The water does not contain chlorine or fluoride and is fed to the cottage through non-PVC pipework. and The farm has been certified organic by the Soil Association.

We can move the bedroom furniture, to improve accessibility.

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access.

The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left and right.

Accessible bedrooms

Accessible bedroom Super King/Twin

The route to the bedroom is 780mm wide, or more. The bedroom door is 780mm wide. There is 660mm at the side of the bed. The bed is 560mm high. There is 230mm under the bed.

The bedroom is flexible (either double or twin). The bathroom is ensuite. The bathroom door is 780mm wide.

The bathroom has a separate shower. The bathroom has a level access shower. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only. There is 100mm at the side of the toilet.

There is 1000mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 420mm high.

The basin is 700mm high. The taps are lever operated. There is space under the basin, with no pedestal or boxing.

The walls and the bathroom fittings have high colour contrast.

This bedroom can be arranged as either a super king or a twin room. The space on the side of the bed is measured for the super king. This is the only bedroom on the main level that has an ensuite bedroom. There is good contrast between the bathroom fittings and the walls as can be seen in the image. 

Accessible bedrooms

Accessible bedroom First twin

The route to the bedroom is 780mm wide, or more. The bedroom door is 780mm wide. There is 1250mm at the side of the bed. The bed is 580mm high. There is 240mm under the bed.

The bedroom is twin. The bathroom is separate. It is not an ensuite.

The bathroom door is 790mm wide.

The bathroom has a separate shower. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only. There is 200mm at the side of the toilet.

There is 700mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 42mm high.

The basin is 70mm high. The taps are lever operated. There is space under the basin, with no pedestal or boxing.

The walls and the bathroom fittings have high colour contrast.

The twin beds are arranged on opposite sides of the room but can be arranged differently upon request and to suit the needs of the guest. 

The bathroom for this bedroom is right across the hallway. This is the small of the bathrooms on the main level. 

Accessible bedrooms

Accessible bedroom Second Twin

The route to the bedroom is 910mm wide, or more. The bedroom door is 780mm wide. There is 1650mm at the side of the bed. The bed is 580mm high. There is 240mm under the bed.

The bedroom is twin. The bathroom is separate. It is not an ensuite.

The bathroom door is 780mm wide.

The bathroom has a separate shower. The shower has a seat. The shower has a handrail.

The bathroom has a bath.

The bath has a handrail.

The bathroom has a level access shower. There is a shower chair available. The level access shower has handrails.

The toilets have handrails. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left. There is 730mm at the side of the toilet.

There is 1040mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high.

The basin is 730mm high. The taps are lever operated. There is space under the basin, with no pedestal or boxing.

The walls and the bathroom fittings have high colour contrast.

This bathroom is accessible and spacious and right next to the bedroom which means that it is also accessible from the rest of the house without needing to go into the bedroom. There is both a fixed and non-fixed shower head in the walk-in shower. The bath is separate to the shower. 

Accessible bedrooms

Accessible bedroom Large King

The route to the bedroom is 830mm wide, or more. The bedroom door is 830mm wide. There is 550mm at the side of the bed. The bed is 570mm high. There is 230mm under the bed.

The bedroom is double. The bathroom is ensuite. The bathroom door is 740mm wide.

The bathroom has a separate shower. The bathroom has a level access shower. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only. There is 200mm at the side of the toilet.

There is 1100mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 410mm high.

The basin is 840mm high. The taps are lever operated. There is space under the basin, with no pedestal or boxing.

The walls and the bathroom fittings have high colour contrast.

This bedroom is on the lower floor of Mill House and accessed via the stairs to the lower level. This bedroom has access to the lower terrace via a large door. 

Accessible bedrooms

Accessible bedroom King

The route to the bedroom is 820mm wide, or more. The bedroom door is 820mm wide. There is 550mm at the side of the bed. The bed is 550mm high. There is 230mm under the bed.

The bedroom is double. The bathroom is ensuite. The bathroom door is 740mm wide.

The bathroom has a separate shower. The bathroom has a level access shower. The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the front only. There is 200mm at the side of the toilet.

There is 1100mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 420mm high.

The basin is 840mm high. The taps are lever operated. There is space under the basin, with no pedestal or boxing.

The walls and the bathroom fittings have high colour contrast.

This bedroom is on the lower level of Mill House and accessed via the stairs to the lower level. This bedroom has access to the lower terrace. 

Self catering kitchen

Mill House Kitchen

We have a separate kitchen and dining room. From the main entrance to the kitchen, there is level access.

There is a portable ramp. The route is 780mm wide, or more.

The door is 780mm wide.

The table and plates have high colour contrast.

From the main entrance to the dining room, there is level access. There is a portable ramp. The route is 780mm wide, or more.

There is no door from the kitchen to the dining room. Although the dining room is on a slightly different level from the kitchen which is accessed by two steps for which we have a portable ramp available. This space is 106cm wide. 

Lounge

Mill House Lounge

From the main entrance to the lounge, there is level access. There is a portable ramp. The route is 780mm wide, or more.

There is a door from the front door to the kitchen. The kitchen and dining room are on a slightly different level which is accessable by two steps or a portable ramp. This space is 106cm wide. The dining room and the lounge are on the same level. 

Down stairs bedrooms

From the main entrance to this area, there are 12 steps. There is no lift and no ramp.

In addition to the three bedrooms which are accessable from the front door, there are two further bedrooms on the lower level. 

Mill House Court Yard

From the main entrance to the gardens, there is level access.

The route is sloped. The route is 1500mm wide, or more.

Mill House benifits from an enclosed, spacious court yard which is accessed via the front door (next to the parking area) for alfresco dining. 

Terrace

Lower Terrace

To get to a table, there are no steps.

From the main entrance to the terrace, there are 14 steps.

The lower terrace is accessed by the two lower bedrooms or can be accessed from the outside by walking around the building down a slight slope or on the road. 

This terraces is enclosed by a low picked fence. 

Gardens

From the main entrance to the area, there are 20 steps.

The gardens can be accessed by walking around the building to the entrace of Little Comfort Farm. There are two ways to go; gradual steps down a slope or a steeper slope through a small gate. The gardens are then accessible via another slope to the lowest part of Little Comfort Farm. From there the lake can be accessed via a small bridge and nature walks can be taking part in by following the various paths sign posted on the farm. The nature walks are not accessible by standard wheel chairs. 

Accessibility equipment

Unless the battery can be charged by pluggin this in a mains electric socket. 

You can hire mobility equipment from www.valleymobility.co.uk/ by calling 01271 269 259.

You can hire mobility equipment from www.essentialmobilitybarnstaple.co.uk/ by calling 01271 859144.

Emergency evacuation procedures

For disabled visitors there is a fire assembly point on the same level as the main level of Mill House. There is a furhter assembly point in the main car park at the entrance to Little Comfort Farm which can be reached through a small gate or down a gradual slope via some steps. 

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.

Staff are available 24 hours a day.

The assistant manager has worked with disabled persons in the past and is aware of how to support a variety of physical and mental health needs. 

The proprietors live in the farm house of Little Comfort Farm.