Access Statement

Introduction.

Paul and Verena aim to cater for the needs of all guests who stay at Chestnut House. The following statement is a summary of how we try to provide for everyone’s requirements. If you have any specific questions please do not hesitate to contact us and we will make every effort to assist.


Before you arrive.

We are located in a quiet village five minutes from the M5 (Jct 23). Although it is possible to visit without a car – and many people do use taxis – it is certainly easier if you have your own vehicle. There is a bus stop approximately 400 yards from the property and buses are on an hourly service to Wells, Bristol and Glastonbury and more frequent to Bridgwater.
Bridgwater train station is 10 minutes away by car.
There are several taxi firms. We recommend Broadway Taxis on 01278 422442. They have accessible taxis if required and we can book one for you.
Brochures and menus are available.
Although we do not have any printed in large print, if you mention this request before your visit, we will print one out accordingly. Unfortunately, we have nothing available in Braille.
You can contact us by telephone on 01278 683658, fax on 01278 684333 or email on paul@chestnuthousehotel.com


Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

On arrival at Chestnut House, there is a tight turning off the road; there are no gates and the entrance is open 24 hours although you need to have a key with you to get into the property after 10pm. Check-in after 10pm is only possible if prior arrangements have been made.
There are no marked parking bays but there is ample room for all guests’ cars.
The surface is relatively level and flat. The car park itself is gravelled and there are paving stones leading to the hotel itself. However, the paving stones are not new and care is required to avoid tripping. We can happily assist you on arrival to get into the building.
We will always assist guests with luggage.


Chestnut House is in the middle of the old village; we are about 200 yards form the village shop.

Main Entrance & Reception
There is a step down from the car park walk-way to the front door about 17cm high. We have no ramp available; the house is 300 years old and is therefore not particularly suitable for certain people. That said, it is possible to give you a bedroom with outside access (and thus no steps) and then you can walk around the building to reach the restaurant and guest lavatory avoiding all steps. This is also suitable for wheelchair access to the restaurant.
The front door is locked after 10pm and front door keys are given to all residents.
The door is wide but there is no grab rail and is also unsuitable for wheelchairs.
On entry into Chestnut House, there is a hallway approximately 4 by 4 metres.
There is seating provided in the reception area.
There are slate floor slabs in the Reception and corridor leading to the carpeted lounges. The restaurant is tiled.


Internal Public Areas

Our corridors to the ground floor bedrooms, the lounges and the restaurant are 120 cm wide.
Corridors are well lit, lightly decorated and obviously the lights remain on 24 hours.
The covering on stairs and upstairs corridors is short pile carpet.
Dog water bowl and food bowl are available on request.
The restaurant, both lounges and four bedrooms are on the ground floor.
There are 13 stairs to the first floor bedrooms, all carpeted.
The stairs are 18cm high, 24cm deep and 75cm wide.
There is a veranda with paved pathways right around the house. This has easy access for all.


Guest Lavatory

All bedrooms are en suite and there is a public lavatory off the restaurant.


Restaurant & Lounges

Breakfast is served in the restaurant on the ground floor. There are single internal steps throughout the ground floor and no steps taking the outside route.
Furniture is reasonably flexible and can be moved if necessary.
Each lounge has a loose rug centrally positioned. The armchairs are large and not easily manoeuvred. There are leather chairs in the Drawing Room, easily repositioned if needed.
Restaurant tables are solid and have ‘underspace’ of 62cm high by 100cm wide. Our chairs have no arms and obviously will be moved to allow alternatives.
Although we do not have menus printed in large print, if you mention this request before your visit, we will print one out accordingly. Unfortunately, we have nothing available in Braille.
We do not play background music in any area of the hotel.


Laundry

We are happy to provide laundry and ironing service for you if you are staying more than one night.


Shop

The village store is 300 yards away by foot.


Leisure Facilities

The nearest are in Bridgwater, 10 minutes away by car.


Outdoor Facilities

The garden and veranda are available to sit, enjoy and perhaps have a drink or tea in.


Conference & Meeting Rooms

Please see the appropriate page of our website for further details.


Bedrooms

There are 2 bedrooms on the ground floor with internal access, two on the ground floor with external access and three upstairs accessed using one staircase.


Guest bedrooms

There are single stairs at various points throughout the ground floor. No area internally is without these steps.
The steps are 18cm high, 24cm deep, 75cm wide.
Door widths are standard at about 75cm wide. Rooms are normally double-bedded although we have one twin-bedded.
Our rooms vary in size and there is limited space between beds and dressing table in several cases.
However, all rooms allow for left or right transfer to beds in any combination.
Furniture is usually moveable on request.
Beds are standard at 48cm high.
We offer television with remote control.
Z-beds can be provided on request.
There is very limited seating in the rooms.
There is an en suite shower room in all rooms; one room has a bath.
All rooms are fitted with short pile carpet on the floor.


Grounds and Gardens

We have a splendid enclosed garden with flower border and lawn. Residents are most welcome to use the garden and veranda at any time. Dogs are welcome on the veranda but we ask that they are not allowed to use the garden for any other purpose.
There are dog walks in all directions and we will give you specific details of each walk on request.


Additional Information

All dogs especially Assistance dogs are most welcome.
Mobile phone reception is generally not great inside but fine in the garden or car park.
We also have free-of-charge wireless connections.
We are able to use the front and back doors as well as identified fire exits in emergency. The fire alarm sounds continuously if evacuation is needed. If you require more assistance for evacuating please notify us on arrival and we will ensure you are evacuated safely e.g. hearing impairment. The hotel is small and we are aware of each guest staying with us; you will not be forgotten under any circumstances.
We are happy to take delivery of hired equipment; we do need to know what has been ordered and time of delivery.
We are a no smoking property. Smoking is allowed in the garden or on the veranda if no other guest is using that facility at the time.
We offer drinks during the day and in the evening. Arrangements will be made to ensure all necessary requirements are fulfilled during the night.


Contact Information

Chestnut House, Lower Road, Woolavington TA7 8EF
T: 01278 683658 F: 01278 684333
paul@chestnuthousehotel.com
www.chestnuthousehotel.com

Verena and Paul live in Chestnut House and the property is occupied 24 hours a day. The telephone is answered up to 10pm.

Sedgemoor Council for local carers: 0845 4082540
The Mobility Store: 01278 456488
Traveline: 0870 6082608
Broadway Taxis: 01278 422 442

If we have not covered an aspect of accessibility, please call us.