Access Statement for Bob's Cottage, Lower Road, Onehouse, Stowmarket, Suffolk. IP14 3BX
Introduction
Bob's Cottage is a 18th century timber framed detached cottage with late victorian brick extentions under a pantile roof, in
it's own grounds of a third of an acre, incorporating generous private off road parking. It is in the village of Onehouse, 1 mile outside Stowmarket in central Suffolk.
Pre-Arrival
- We have a website with pictures and desciptions of the rooms and details of nearby attractions and facilities. Also a clear "how to find us" section
- Bookings/enquiries can be made directly from the website via email, or by telephone or letter.
- Guests are provided with a brochure , which includes comprehensive directions along with a covering letter.
- Stowmarket Station is 1 mile away and is on the Norwich to London (Liverpoool Street) inter-city line.
- Taxi Service is very good, with several operators in the station area.
- Stowmarket has a Tesco and Asda which provide a delivery service for provisions. However we would be pleased to stock the cupboard and fridge if requested.
- Due to the quaint nature and construction of Bob's Cottage it does not lend itself to easy access for a disabled person in a wheelchair accompanied or not.
- The nearest Shopmobility Scheme is in the Buttermarket ,Ipswich which is 15 miles away. However Stow Mobility in Crowe Street, Stowmarket operates a hire scheme.
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
- Vehicular access to the property is via a fairly steep private gravel drive. there is generous off road parking for 2 large cars allowing all round access.
- The Cottage name and owners phone numbers are displayed on the front gate, the drive is signed from both directions.
- As the cottage is pet friendly dog bowls & poop bags are provided, the garden is secure & fully dog proof.
- The Cottage owners live immediately next door and are happy to greet guests and assist with luggage etc or leave the key in a pre-arranged place if preferred.
- The non lit parking area is at the end of the garden separated by a picket fence & gate, there are two wooden steps up to the gate 7 & 17 cm high the gate is 126cm wide by 96cm high. The non lit stepping stone pathway is 16 metres long to the paving around the cottage. Access can now be made to the front or back doors', the same key fits both locks. There are three concrete steps a further 5 metres towards the back door, a hand rail is provided the steps are each 20cm high & 120cm wide. Outside lighting is installed at this point. Access to the front door is made via the paved path with one shallow step (6cm) at the corner of the building, the front door porch way is provided with a light.
Main Entrance, Reception & Ticketing Area
- There are two main entrances, front door & back door. Generally people tend to use the back door. This is 80cm wide & 186cm high of the stable door type (horizontally split at mid height) and enters into the kitchen. Once you have opened the top half of the door you need to lift the bottom half latch on the inside then push slowly & firmly on the lower half to allow castor wheel at the bottom to traverse the ceramic tiled floor. The light switches are on the right inside the window frame, the first switch operates the kitchen lights and the second one operates the two outside lights for the back pathway. The Welcome Folder is situated on the kitchen table.
- The front door is 79cm wide and 176 cm high, this door opens onto the living room with a 5cm step down into the room. The light switches are situated on the wall to the right of the door 130cm high the nearest switch operates the living room lights & the second switch operates the porch light.
Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc
- The kitchen leads into the central lobby via an open doorway 80cm wide 170cm high, light switch on the right, ( watch your head ceiling is quite low). The floor is brick, to the right of doorway is a writing desk containing phone books & local information under the window. Electricity consumer unit is situated in cupboard next to window. To the left is the toilet & shower room. The cream cupboard on the left contains spare linen with information leaflets of local attractions on the top. The low narrow door (53cm wide 163cm high) directly in front is the door to the snug & living rooms. There is a 1kg dry powder fire extinguisher (labeled) against the wall at the foot of the stairs and a smoke alarm above the doorway. The Carpeted narrow curved stairs leads to the bedrooms. Hand rail on right hand side grab handle at top of stairs. Step off landing into the three separate bed rooms. Smoke alarm on ceiling at top of stair well.
Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc
- Light switch is situated on right door frame 153cm high as you enter from lobby.
- Snug is equipped with wood burner/multifuel stove inside inglenook. Users should familiarize themselves with operating instructions in the Welcome Folder before using. Cupboard to left of fire contains ironing equipment, vacuum cleaner, picnic set & 1kg fire extinguisher. Low beamed ceiling (176cm), floor is brick with Persian rug. The snug is furnished with two small armchairs, a fireside chair, square pouffe and small bamboo occasional table with table lamp. Lighting is provided by wall lights.
- The door leading from the snug into the living room is 176cm wide 176cm high. The light switch is situated on the wall on the left, the first switch operates the porch light the second the wall lights in the living room. The floor is made of brick with a red wool rug, ceiling height 182cm. Furnishings are a small two seater faux leather sofa, square pouffe and a two seater bed settee for those unable to manage the stairs, an ottoman (contains the quilt for the bed settee), chest of drawers (containing remaining linen for bed settee), bookcase containing books, and remote control combined TV/DVD player standing on a small cabinet. Electric coal effect fan heater is installed in hearth.
Public WCs
- Not Applicable
Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Bar area, Take Away & Cafe
- Not Applicable
Laundry
- Not Applicable
Shop
- Not Applicable
Treatment room/s
- Not Applicable
Leisure Facilities
- Not Applicable
Outdoor Facilities
- Large secure sloping grassed garden suitable for children & pets. Garden games stored in wood shed, picnic table & bench set on barked area near cottage.
Conference & Meeting Rooms, Banqueting
- Not Applicable
Clubs & Entertainment
- Not Applicable
Bedrooms & Sleeping Areas
- Bedroom 1, (green bedroom)
- Door on right at top of stairs (79cmwide 182 cm high), step up on to wooden floor boards with rugs either side of 4ft 6in (137cm) pine double bed. Light switch on left door frame behind the door operating central ceiling light. Bedside lights either side of bed on cabinets. Cotton or polycotton bed linen, choice of feather or polyester filled pillows. Redundant open fire place on back wall in this room retained for decorative use only.
- Bedroom 2 (Yellow bedroom)
- Door in front at top of stairs (69 cm wide 174cm high) step up on to floor boards with rug between two 3ft (90cm) pine single beds. Light switch on right door frame operating bedside lamps, pull cord between beds also operates these lights. Sloping ceiling on both sides of this room as this is in mansard section of roof space maximum ceiling height 179cm.
- Bedroom 3 (blue bedroom)
- Door on left at top of stairs (56cm wide 179cm high) step up on to floor boards with rug beside single metal frame 2ft6in (76cm) light switch pull cord on right of door way operating two table lamps, pull cord beside bed also operates these lamps. Sloping ceiling on both sides of this room as this is in mansard section of roof space. Room is L shaped as stair well passes into it this is barriered with a solid half wall 77cm high and wrought iron decorative framework above. Maximum ceiling height 181cm.
Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Ensuite or Shared]
- Shower room & toilet are situated downstairs off the lobby, doorway (73cmwide 173cm high) 10Kw electric shower is to right of doorway, shower isolator is on pull cord behind door next to shower entrance. Shower tray is120cm wide 71cm deep with 30 cm step up into it. Full width glass panel with sliding glass door 60cm wide for access. Room is half tiled in white ceramic tiles with grey slip resistant floor tiles and automatic electric under floor heating. Wash basin to left of door is supplied by self contained electric water heater regulated at 55deg C. A shaver socket is positioned to the left of the mirrored cabinet above the basin which contains the first aid kit. An extractor fan operates when the lights are in use. The lavatory suite is of the low level close coupled style. Shower room & toilet dimensions 125cm wide 235cm long.
Self-Catering Kitchen
- Kitchen is equipped with 4 ring electric cooker, oven & grill, in chimney recess complete with in built extractor fan & lighting, pull cord operated. Storage shelves to left & right of chimney breast. Single drainer stainless steel sink with self contained UDB electric water heater regulated to 55deg C to right of cooker with cupboards underneath. Preparation work surface to left of cooker with storage cupboards below and under counter fridge with ice box. Wall mounted microwave cooker above work surface. Plate rack above sink unit at 150cm, cutlery in drawers below sink. Ceramic tiled floor (not slip resistant) with automatic electric under floor heating. Wooden dining table with bench & 3 chairs.
Additional Information
- A "What to do in case of fire" notice is displayed on inside of back door.
- A Welcome to Bob's Cottage file is on the kitchen table containing instructions, contact numbers and relevant information, visitors can also contact the owners who live next door for any further questions they may have.
- Bob's Cottage is strictly no smoking.
- Pets are welcome.
Address: Mrs E.L.Bailey.
Keswick, Lower Road.
Onehouse,
Stowmarket,
Suffolk IP14 3BX
Telephone: 01449677206
Mobile 07950690888
Email: info@bobscottage.co.uk
Future Plans
- Improvements to outside lighting planned for 2010
- Website to be updated with acceptance to Visit Britain
- Improvement to drive surface & grass banks.2010
- Long term plan to build garden room in area occupied by picnic table.
- Improvements to outside signage 2010
- Purchase of a larger dining table and bench set 2010
We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve if you have any comments please phone 01449677206 or email keswickbailey@tiscali.co.uk