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Higher Bowden holiday cottages was developed from two 17th
century farms and is located on
a hillside in the South Hams making accessibility to persons
with limited levels of mobility (levels 1, 2 & 3)
quite restricted - see description at bottom of this page for UK
definition of mobility levels. The paths around the site are a
mix of pavement, gravel and steps which can restrict the
movement of wheelchairs to the vicinity of the cottage and the
car park. Access between the cottages and the swimming pool
requires walking up or down a steep hill (1:2.5 incline) or a
number of steps. See images below
The Indoor swimming pool is on multiple
levels with 5 or 6 steps between levels thus restricting access
to persons with "Mobility Level 1". On a case by case basis
(subject to health and safety requirements) we can allow
disabled persons into the swimming area via the
normally locked sliding glass doors.
The upper complex of cottages are located
around a paved courtyard which makes wheelchair access
practical. However all the cottages in this section of the
complex are on at least 2 levels with steep staircases between the
levels. The cottages are therefore just about suitable to persons who
have "Mobility Level 1", i.e those who only need a wheelchair
for some of the time and can negotiate a flight of stairs.
Please note that in all the cottages the staircases have hand rails but showers, baths
and toilets
do not have additional grab rails. The
car parking areas are covered in gravel which can
make pushing wheelchairs difficult.
Buttercup, Wisteria, Rose
& Oaktree cottages, within the lower complex, are on
two levels and are just about suitable for persons with "Mobility
Level 1". However Hayloft cottage can be made suitable for
persons with "Mobility Level 3" by the addition of ramps
(supplied by Higher Bowden) for entering the cottage and
between the kitchen and living room areas. The ramp between
kitchen and living room is a very steep (40%) requiring an able
bodied person to push the wheelchair up and down the ramp. This cottage has a
downstairs twin bedroom with en-suite shower and toilet - see above 3 images.
Please note that in all the cottages the staircases have hand
rails but showers, baths and toilets
do not have additional grab rails.
Where practical we will do our best to
improve the accessibility however in order to avoid disappointment regarding
accessibility to the cottages and grounds please discuss these
issues with Lin or Peter prior to booking a cottage.
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Mobility
Level 1 : Typically suitable for a person with
sufficient mobility to climb a flight of steps but would
benefit from fixtures and fittings to aid balance. |
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Mobility Level 2: Typically
suitable for a person with restricted walking ability
and for those that may need to use a wheelchair some of
the time and can negotiate a maximum of three steps.
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Mobility Level 3 Independent:
Typically suitable for a person who depends on the use
of a wheelchair and transfers unaided to and from the
wheelchair in a seated position. This person may be an
independent traveller. |
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