Accessibility and Parking
General
South Lodge was designed and built in 2008 to be accessible to elderly guests and those with specific needs. This has been done without spoiling its luxury design and feel.
South Lodge is a one storey building. There are no stairs, just a maximum of two small steps up to the front doors, easily overcome by appropriate ramps. Access to certain rooms is completely level.
We request that anyone wishing to make an enquiry or booking informs us of any special needs they have in order for us to meet any personal requirements.
Parking
Our car park is at the side of the building just yards from the rooms.
The car park is flat and level.
One disabled bay is marked outside Room Three, our fully accessible room, but with advanced notice new ones can be created and reserved.
You may park at the front entrance of South Lodge to drop off luggage or passengers if necessary, but two rooms (including Room Three) have direct level access from the car park.
We can help with luggage.
If arriving by train we can order a taxi for guests with advance notice.
Checking In
Once inside South Lodge there is access to reception with no steps or ramps. If you’re in a wheelchair you might like to know that all the doorways are 830mm wide or wider.
Guests also have direct access to certain rooms from the car park.
The Building
All of the single floored building is on one level, including the reception area, breakfast areas, corridors and rooms.
Breakfast areas and the corridor are well lit with good colour contrast.
The garden
Access to the gardens is via the main house or from certain bedrooms (see below). Most of the flowerbeds are adjacent to paved areas, as are the sitting areas. All other areas are accessible via our lawns, which only undulate slightly at worst. The garden begins right outside the guests’ rooms, meaning a good view as well as easy access.
Bedrooms
Bedroom lighting is of different light levels.
There is one fully accessible bedroom (Room Three) with en-suite facilities for wheelchair users.
The rooms
All the rooms have walk-in showers with overhead or hand-held showerhead options. Rooms One, Three and Four have a metre wide glass sliding door that allows access to a private patio. Again there is one step down, and again we have ramps where needed.
For visually impaired persons some light switches have Braille translation.
Room Three
The door that opens directly to the dedicated parking is 900mm wide. The room is sufficiently spacious to allow free movement and a turning circle of 1200mm is possible in the bathroom area. This large suite also has additional features for bathroom use and moving around. Two washbasins at differing heights without pedestals offer ease of use for most people. Grab and drop rails are available over the basins, by the WC and in the shower. A portable shower seat is available.
For visually impaired persons the light switches colour contrast with the walls, which themselves are in a variety of shades.
Breakfast
Most diets can be catered for by prior arrangement.
A large print menu is available on request.Other Information
Guide dogs are welcome.
The hotel has no signs or literature in Braille but can provide email documentation
Training
Both the owner/managers are past trainers in customer care and equality in the workplace.
Still not sure?
At South Lodge we are fully aware that no two guests are alike and everyone has their own particular needs. So, if you have any questions, or there is some way we might help you, please do not hesitate to pick up the phone. Our philosophy is a good environment for everyone.