This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

Introduction

Round Knott Cottage is an ideal cottage for families looking for self catering accommodation in a rural location. The cottage is located at Monkhouse Hill, a 300 year old converted Cumbrian hill farm. Round Knott is one of a collection of Eleven cottages which are in a courtyard setting within six acres of grounds. There are fields to three sides of us and the B road from which we gain access on the fourth side.
Round Knott has three bedrooms – a double bedroom and two single bedrooms.
Round Knott has been converted from a 100 year old barn and retains much character with its vaulted roof, exposed stonework and beams. The cottage is fully refurbished in a contemporary Cumbrian style.
We look forward to welcoming you. If you have any queries or require any assistance please phone 016974 76254 or email info@monkhousehill.co.uk.

Pre-Arrival

• The nearest railway station is Carlisle, approximately 18lm/11mi from Monkhouse Hill. No bus service is available, but taxis can be booked from http://www.radiotaxis.org.uk/ or over the phone on 01228 527575.
• Shopping can be delivered at your cottage using the postcode CA5 7HW, and selecting Monkhouse Hill Farm in the drop down option. In the extra information, please state your cottage name. Sainsburys, Tescos and Asda all deliver to Monkhouse Hill.
• We have a Welcome All Assistance Cupboard – please ask us to email the inventory to you when you book and let us know what you would like to borrow. These items will be put into the cottage ready for your arrival. Additionally, wheelchairs and commodes can be borrowed from the local Red Cross.

Key Collection, Welcome and Car Parking

• There is an automatic gate outside the cottages which opens when a car activates the sensor (no key/remote needed).
• Parking is available on site for all cottages, and an extra-wide space can be reserved 20m from your cottage on request.
• Parking areas are loose stones, with paved walkways to the Reception and your cottage.
• You can come to reception on arrival from 4pm until 5.30pm to be shown around your cottage but keys will be in the door ready for your arrival.
• A familiarisation tour of your cottage is offered on arrival.
• The parking areas, and most access paths are lit at night. There is an outside light above each cottages entrance, which can be operated from inside and outside.

Entrance to Property

• The main door has a clear opening width of 900mm and is over
• The entrance is well lit both outside and inside, and outside lights are switched on prior to arrival at night. Inside lights are ceiling lights.

Halls, Stairs, Landings, Passageways

• The cottage is on two floors, with an open layout meaning no halls or passageways.
• There are 12 steps, split into three sections around a 180 degree turn. There is a hand rail one one side for the entirety of the stairway. The minimum width of the steps is 850mm.
• The stairway and landing is fitted with short pile carpet.
• The stairway and landing is lit using a combination of ceiling lights and hanging lamps.

Sitting Room/Lounge

• The cottage is on two floors, with an open layout meaning no halls or passageways.
• There are 12 steps, split into three sections around a 180 degree turn. There is a hand rail one one side for the entirety of the stairway. The minimum width of the steps is 850mm.
• The stairway and landing is fitted with short pile carpet.
• The stairway and landing is lit using a combination of ceiling lights and hanging lamps.

Dining Room

• The dining area is situated within the open plan living area.
• There is space around the table for a wheelchair, and the height between the floor and the underside of the table is 650mm. The height of the top of the table is 780mm.
• Chairs are upright without arms, but upright chairs with arms can be provided on request. All chairs are moveable.
• The area is lit via hanging lights and spotlights.
• The floor covering is fitted short pile carpet.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is part of the open plan living area.
• The worktop is at a height of 900mm, the microwave is situated on top of the worktop.
• The door of the grill drops down. The door of the oven opens sideways.
• There is a fridge/freezer, with the highest shelf being 1300mm and lowest at 300mm.
• Standard size washer/dryer
• Most cupboards are under the work top, but there is 3 cupboards at 1700mm. Contents (such as glasses and crockery) can be moved to lower cupboards upon request.
• The sink taps are separately controlled via twist taps.
• A swing top bin, pincer grippers and an illuminated magnifying glass can be provided on request.
• The kettle is cordless, and able to rotate 360 degrees.
• The kitchen is lit with four adjustable ceiling spotlights.
• The floor is tiled.

Bedrooms and Sleeping Areas

• There is a double bedroom and a single bedroom upstairs, and a single bedroom on the ground floor.
• The clear door opening width in upstairs bedrooms is 650mm, and downstairs is 750mm.
• All furniture in all rooms is movable.
• The downstairs bedroom is a single room. There is a double room and a single room upstairs.
• In the downstairs room, there is at least 1000mm of space around the bed.
• Each bedroom is lit by a combination of reading/table lamps, hanging lights and contained mirror lighting.
• The height of the mattress in each room is 520mm, there is 260mm of clear space under the downstairs single and upstairs double bed, but there is 0mm under the upstairs single.
• Each room has a wardrobe, a dressing table and the downstairs single and upstairs double have bedside tables. The height of the wardrobe rails are 1700mm
• Colour contrast between the floor, walls and doorways is medium.
• All bedding is non-feather.
• The floor covering is fitted short pile carpet.
• All double rooms have a digital alarm clock/radio provided.

Bathrooms, Shower-rooms and Toilets

• The bathroom is situated on the ground floor, across from the stairway.
• The door opening is 560mm.
• The shower is over the bath, which sides are 540mm above the ground.
• The WC seat is 410mm above the ground.
• The height of the washbasin is 940mm, and there is a pedestal which extends halfway to the floor. The sink is mounted in a small cove- about 200mm depth and 550mm wide. This could be difficult for a wheelchair to maneuver.
• The bath taps are separately controlled via twist taps.
• The bath has two support rails, and removable support/grab rails, toilet raisers and other access enhancing equipment can be provided on request.
• The room is lit by a ceiling spotlights. There is also a light contained within the mirror.
• The colour contrast of floor, walls and towels is low. The contrast between the doorway and other areas is high.
• The floor is tiled.

Garden

• As well as the balcony, the cottage also has a 5×3 metre paved patio area. This is at level access from the parking space.
• Wooden chairs and a table are provided on the balcony, and there is plastic garden chairs on the patio. Plastic tables can also be provided (they are found in the garden store cupboard)
• The cottage complex is contained within over 5 acres of land.
• There is a mixture of wooded areas, lawns, longer grass and wild flowers. There are also two ponds with an adjoining stream. Grass can be boggy in wet weather.

Additional Information

• Dogs are welcome in the cottage.
• Overall the colour contrast in the cottage is good, aside from the bathroom.
• The nearest hospital is situated in Carlisle. Postcode CA2 7HY.
• The nearest doctors surgery is situated in Caldbeck, approximately 4mi away. Telephone 016974 78254. Postcode CA7 8DS.
• Internet access is available free of charge through a wifi network which works in all cottages.
• EE (including Orange and T-Mobile) have strong 3G/4G mobile reception, O2 and Vodafone have reasonable 2G/3G reception, other networks have more limited reception and are less likely to work indoors.
• Camera’s are in operation in public area’s for safety and security

Local Equipment Hire

• We keep a range of assistance items here at Monkhouse Hill, and can borrow others from the local Red Cross – see Welcome All Assistance Cupboard.