Accessibility for Guests with Limited Mobility
Welcome to The Old Workshop, a peaceful and picturesque holiday cottage in Monkton Combe, just outside Bath, Somerset. We’re proud to offer a comfortable and practical self-catering experience for all our guests, including elderly visitors, people with limited mobility, and those seeking mobility-friendly accommodation in the English countryside.
While our cottage isn’t fully wheelchair-adapted, it offers several key features designed to make your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible, particularly for guests who prefer to avoid stairs or need step-free access.
Step-Free Level Entry and Parking
Upon arrival guests can be dropped off in the gravelled parking yard in front of the cottage. From there, a short, paved area leads to the front door of the cottage. This door has a width of 82 cm (32 inches), allowing comfortable access for guests using walking sticks, rollators, or standard-sized wheelchairs.
This step-free entrance makes it simple for elderly guests and those with mobility concerns to enter and exit the property independently.
Rear entrance to the cottage
The rear entrance is accessible from the rear gravelled parking area. The route to the back door requires you to take two steps down to the patio, followed by another four steps down and a single step up into the back door. While this entrance provides access, it may present challenges for guests with significant mobility impairments. For those with mobility concerns, we recommend using the primary entrance at the front which is designed for easy step-free access.
Level Access Ground Floor Living Space
The ground floor of The Old Workshop is designed with accessibility in mind. The open-plan layout is spacious, light-filled, and arranged for ease of movement. The living area, dining space, and kitchen are all on one level and connected by porcelain tile flooring, with the entrance area covered with an inset hessian-type carpet. There are no internal steps, and the space is free of rugs, loose mats, or other potential trip hazards.
This smooth, level flooring makes navigation safe and simple for anyone with reduced mobility, including those using canes or other aids.
Ground Floor Bedroom with Ensuite
One of the most helpful features of The Old Workshop for those whose mobility is limited is the ground floor double bedroom, which is accessible directly from the main living space. With a door width of 82 cm, even guests with wider mobility devices should find the room easy to access. Like the rest of the ground floor, the bedroom features porcelain flooring with no thresholds or obstructions.
The downstairs ensuite shower room is accessed from the downstairs bedroom.
Downstairs ensuite shower room
The downstairs bedroom benefits from a private ensuite shower room, fitted with a toilet, hand basin, and enclosed shower cubicle. The shower has a shallow step to enter, though it does not include grab rails or a seat. As such, it’s suitable for guests with light to moderate mobility challenges, but may not be ideal for those requiring full bathroom adaptations. We’re always happy to answer questions about accessibility to help you assess if the space will meet your needs.
Upstairs Bedroom – Access via Stairs
Upstairs, a cozy loft bedroom is accessed via a staircase from the living area. The stairs have a handrail and are carpeted with low-pile material for improved grip, but they may be unsuitable for elderly guests or those with limited mobility or problems with balance.
Please note: there is no door or stairgate at the top of the stairs, so this level may not be suitable for unattended young children. However, it makes an ideal private space for mobile adults or older children.
Upstairs bedroom
The upstairs bedroom has a wood floor with a small rug in front of the French doors in the dormer which can easily be removed.
There is no door or stairgate between the upostairs bedroom and the top of the stairs so this bedroom is not suitable for young children.
The ensuite shower room is accessed from the upstairs bedroom, and has a small bath mat at the door.
Upstairs bedroom ensuite shower room
The upstairs bedroom has an ensuite shower room with similar features to the ground floor shower room: a WC, handbasin and shower. Also similar to the downstairs shower room, there is a small step into the shower, and no grab rails or shower chair.
This upstairs shower room also houses the property’s washer and dryer facilities.
Ideal for Elderly Guests and those with Limited Mobility
We understand that every guest is different, and needs may vary from one stay to the next. While The Old Workshop is not a fully wheelchair-accessible cottage, it offers many practical features for elderly travellers, or anyone seeking a mobility-friendly holiday cottage near Bath.
Highlights include:
Ground floor living and sleeping
Step-free front entrance
Ensuite bedroom on the ground floor
Non-slip, level flooring
Private parking next to the cottage
Peaceful countryside setting near Bath
We’ve hosted many guests with mobility challenges who have found the space welcoming, relaxing, and manageable – especially when compared to traditional, multi-level cottages in the area. Whether you’re planning a relaxing break for an elderly relative, a mobility-friendly holiday, or simply looking for a comfortable and quiet place to stay near Bath, The Old Workshop offers a warm and well-equipped base.
Who The Cottage May Not Be Suitable For
We always strive to be transparent about accessibility limitations. The Old Workshop may not be suitable for:
Guests requiring fully adapted bathrooms (i.e., roll-in showers, grab rails, shower chairs)
Wheelchair users with larger chairs or scooters that exceed standard door widths
Guests who cannot manage small shower steps
Those who cannot manage stairs but require access to upstairs laundry facilities
If any of these apply to your situation and you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Contact Us About Your Accessibility Needs
We want to ensure that your stay with us is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about the accessibility of the cottage, or if you're unsure whether it meets your needs, we encourage you to get in touch before booking. We’re happy to provide additional information or guidance to help you make the best choice for your visit.