Accessibility Guide
The following is a guide to help people decide as to whether holidaying at Nethway Farm is right for them. If you have any specific questions please contact us to discuss your requirements and we shall do our best to help you.
Nethway Farm Holiday Cottages are old converted farm buildings in a hidden valley, and were initially built in the 17th Century. The buildings were converted into holiday accommodation back in the 1980’s. One long barn is divided into three cottages, then the old farmhouse, converted into two cottages. We have done what we can to make the properties as accessible as possible considering the constraints of the old stone buildings and lay of the land. The cottages are perfect for all ages especially babies, young children and extended family gatherings, however they are unfortunately not suitable for those in wheelchairs, due to narrow doorways and internal steps. We are proud to welcome guests who have additional needs, especially those with autism. We have had many families return to the farm for their quiet, friendly escape.
If you require medical supplies to be delivered prior to your arrival we will happily liaise with you about this.
Getting here:
We are easily reached by car via good, wide, roads. Locally the A379 and the B3205 before turning left onto Broad Road then arriving at our drive 0.6miles along the road on the left. We are at the end of a private drive with passing places. To take full advantage of the area, a car is required. However should you wish to catch the bus when you are here the nearest bus stop is 0.6miles from the cottages, at the junction of Broad Road and the B3205. Buses pass every hour between 9am and 5pm. Bus time table The nearest main line train station is Paignton station, however we recommend Newton Abbot station, which is half an hour away, as trains here leave more regularly. Information about Newton Abbot train station can be found, here.
At the end of our drive is a large car park with plenty of parking for all. We also have electric vehicle charging for two cars should this be needed. We can provide a wheelbarrow to help you unload your car and transport your luggage to your cottage, should you wish. The distance from the car park to the cottages range from 10m (if using the unloading area near Chamomile cottage) to 50m. The cottages have laid paths to their front doors. Meadowsweet has a step up of 200mm.
The Office:
Situated to the right of the main house and signposted from the carpark you will find the office. Up two steps and over gravelled standing. A doorbell as well as other contact information is by the door if nobody is in the office. On arrival we meet guests at the car park and help guide them to the cottage they have booked.
The Cottages:
The cottages are all internally unique and doorways vary in width. The front doors are a minimum width of 750mm, with the internal doors varying from 660 – 740mm. The cottages are suitable for able bodied and those with limited additional needs. We have a number of families with autistic members who stay in Chamomile or Tarragon as we do not allow pets in these cottages, so therefore allergens are low. All cottages have night lights and emergency lighting and a child safety gate, at the top of the stairs. Stair gates are also fitted as standard at the bottom of the stairs in Hyssop, Lovage and Chamomile. A travel stair gate can be supplied for the bottom of the stairs in Tarragon and Meadowsweet if required. We provide full sized cots, high chairs, potties, toilet seat adaptors, change mats, steps, bath toys and bed guards within the cottage and they are free to use should you require them.
All cottages have a staircase with steps of 190mm high and a minimum depth of 230mm. Meadowsweet has a single 200mm step down to the downstairs bedroom, the family bathroom is upstairs. Hyssop has a large farmhouse kitchen and two steps up, which measure 230mm and 190mm in height with a depth of 670mm, to the living room. Upstairs there is also a 27cm step down to the triple room and bathroom. Lovage and Chamomile cottages have baths with hand rails and showers over. We supply anti slip bath mats for extra safety. Hyssop, Meadowsweet and Tarragon have baths with handrails and a separate shower enclosure with folding/sliding doors.
Each of the cottages have south facing outside spaces. Chamomile, Tarragon and Meadowsweet cottages each have a large outside patio area, with seating and table. These are reached by double patio doors from the rear of the cottages and a step down, ranging from 100mm – 250mm in height. They have a further three steps down into a communal courtyard garden. Hyssop and Lovage cottages have private enclosed gardens with high fencing and stone walls. Stepping onto the decking over the rear patio door thresholds. Table and chairs can be found on the decking to enjoy outside dining. Lovage has 6 steps and Hyssop 7 steps at 180mm high, leading down to grassed gardens with mature shrubs. The width of the steps is 1100mm. There is a permanent fitted gate at the top of the steps to stop toddlers falling down.
We welcome dogs and assistant dogs into three of our cottages, Hyssop, Lovage and Meadowsweet. Click here to find out more.
Outside areas:
We are in a very quiet, calming location with no light or noise pollution. Facilities are open for guests to use whenever they like. Some guests with children who are severely autistic like to use the 5 year old and under play area for sensory relaxation and we are happy to facilitate this and work with other guests. Our swimming pool is kept between 33-34 degrees and has calm lighting to help everyone relax and enjoy themselves. Sessions in the pool are booked for individual cottage family use.
We have a number of animals at the farm and we encourage guests to help feed and get to know them. Both Lizzie and Nathan have previously taught vocational qualifications to children and adults and take time to reassure guests who maybe more nervous of animal interaction. We take pride in watching guests develop confidence during their stay.
External play areas are on gently sloping ground, with a mix of hard standing sloping walkways and steps to use. The trim trail, slides and swings are available to use on grassed areas and inspected by ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) on a yearly basis. Ride on toys are available for the younger guests to use. The play barn is accessed via two external steps up and one internal step down ranging from 200 – 240mm in height. All play areas are inspected daily and used at your own risk.
There are plenty of enjoyable walks around the farm. However the nature of the area these walks are on hilly terrain and over unlevelled tracks and fields. The farm walk leads past a shallow stream which opens out in a grass clearing where we have placed a mud kitchen to encourage outdoor play. There are benches to rest weary legs!
The swimming pool:
The pool is available for private family bookable sessions between 0700 – 2100 (closed on Friday mornings for cleaning). The pool is accessed via 6 external steps, the first of which is 220mm high and the rest at 185mm high to a key coded door. Once through this door there is a large family changing room to the left with fold down baby change. Another sliding door leads to the pool edge. There are 5 wide steps to enter into the pool, which are also great for sitting on. The pool is one level at 1.25m deep. There is an open wifi network in the pool to enable emergency calls from your mobile phone. Our address and what3word location is within the entrance area to the pool. The pool code of conduct is supplied to guests within the guest information pack. There is no lifeguard on duty within the pool and guests use the pool at their own risk. The pool is treated with Chlorine and the levels checked and recorded daily.
Log Shed:
Accessed through a wide stable door directly from the car park. Logs are stored in a pile on pallets and are free for guests to use. Log baskets, kindling and ash buckets are available to use.
Bin Shed:
Large flip top bins for general waste, recycling and glass are within this room. Accessed directly from the carpark and through a wide stable door. These are clearly labelled and emptied fortnightly (weekly during the summer). Bin bags are provided in the cottages for general waste to be put into prior to putting into the larger bins outside. Please make sure nappies are bagged before placing in the bin!
Supplies:
For your convenience we have worked with several local businesses who can supply you with goods for your stay. Please take a look at our local businesses page, here, for more information. We can make sure items you have ordered from local suppliers are in your cottage, ready for your arrival! Supermarket deliveries are also possible.
Above all we are here to assist you to make the most of your holiday. If you have any specific questions we have not covered here or within our FAQ page, then please contact us. Further specific information, directions and a link to our online guest information app, is provided to guests before their stay.
IF YOU REQUIRE THE ABOVE TEXT PRINTED OR IN LARGER FORMAT PLEASE DO GET IN TOUCH.