Access Statement for Toft Hall

Introduction

This large self catering house is a Jacobean Hall built in the late 1500s. As a listed building Toft Hall has interesting architectural features. Whilst we aim to welcome all guests there are some period features that might make access difficult for people with limited mobility. Other Party Houses have specially designed features which are suitable for the less mobile.

Pre Arrival

• We can offer the use of a Deaf Guard system for guests who are hard of hearing and unlikely to hear the fire alarm system.
• This is placed under your pillow at night and will vibrate and lights flash should the fire alarms go off. Please let us know before arrival if you wish to borrow the Deaf Guard.
• A telescopic ramp can be provided – please book in advance. It is a 7 foot twin ramp, overall width 260mm (each), useable width (internal each) 200mm, load maximum 230 kgs with a 65mm edge. They are made of strong aluminium with a black non slip covering suitable for heavy wheelchairs and scooters.
• Hire of additional mobility equipment can be arranged through Moorland Mobility (who will also deliver and collect). Please call Malcolm on 01538 381515 (closed Sundays) or visit moorlandmobility.co.uk. Alternatively the local Red Cross also have some equipment for loan free of charge.
• In Leek there are accessible toilets (on RADAR key schemes) in Silk Street, Leek Bus Station and in the council offices at Moorlands House off Stockwell Street
• There is a Shop Mobility Scheme at The Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley, Stoke on Trent and also in Macclesfield
• The nearest shops are in Leek (c 5 miles) but Tesco.com and peakdistrictfinefoods.co.uk (local farmers market on wheels) will both deliver
• The nearest train station is Stoke on Trent (London Euston c 1hour 35 minutes)
• There are usually accessible taxis at the station
• Alternatively travel to Macclesfield Station and catch the bus from Macclesfield to Ashbourne which stops in Rushton Spencer (c 2 miles)
• To ensure that your accommodation is ready we ask that guests do not arrive before 4pm. Earlier arrival my be possible by prior arrangement
• There is plenty of free parking outside the Hall on the gravel driveway which slopes gently
• Cars can be parked immediately outside the second front door, with plenty of room for access to the vehicle
• The driveway to the front of the property is an unadopted drive and can be bumpy but it is large enough for coaches and minibuses to use and turn around in front of the Hall
• There is outside lighting as night which lights up on sensitivity of movement
• The pathway to the main front door has three steps – 15cm, 17cm and 10 cm high
• The second front door has no step (just the weather lip c 1cm)
• Main Entrance and Reception
• There are two front entrances to Toft Hall
• The main entrance is reached via three steps up a short path (step heights = 15 cm, 17cm and 10cm)
• The second front door has no steps (only a weather board c 1 cm high) and can be parked directly outside
• Inside the front door entrance (door width 90cm) there are corridors (minimum width 90cm) leading to downstairs toilet, music room, snug and dining room. The main stair case rises opposite the front door (staircase width 62cm)
• The entrance hall floor is of old stone flags
• There is a door to the rear garden with weatherboard lip of c 2cm, beyond this door is a stone patio.
• Registered Assistance Dogs are very welcome at no charge
• Public Areas
• There are no lifts

• There are no public phones, but mobile reception is available on all networks (although sometimes you have to move around the property to optimise reception)
• Lighting varies by room. Most rooms have central pendants; the dining room and music room have wall lights only. The kitchen is lit by spotlights.
• All exit routes, including staircases and hallways, have emergency lighting which is either on all the time (staircases) or will come on in the event of a power failure
• The two staircases are both carpeted and have handrails. The main staircase is 62cm width with turns. The secondary staircase (to the first floor only) is a straight rise and 75cm wide (with an ground floor access fire door of 70cm wide)
• There is a step down to a twin bedroom on the first floor. There are steps between this corridor and the quad bedroom.
• There is one small ground floor toilet
• A baby bath and child steps to reach sinks are provided

Downstairs Toilet

• The downstairs toilet has limited space and measures 43cm high to the seat
• The basin is small and 90cm high with separate hot and cold water taps
• The door opens onto the corridor

Dining Room

• The dining room has three doors into it – via the hallway (width 80cm), the kitchen (width 72cm) and living room (width 82cm
• The floor is wooden parquet. The dining table measures 3m67cm x 2m16cm. The height of the under space of the table is 75cm from the floor and the table is 77cm high.
• There is limited space behind the table on two sides
• Chairs (all moveable) there are 20 chairs with leather seats and no arms. The chairs are 48cm high

Lounge

• This is accessed via the dining room (door 82cm wide) or kitchen (door 87 cm wide)
• Flooring is of original quarry tiles and rugs.
• Sofas and easy chairs are provided as well as stools and poufs
• Teletext TV is provided with remote control as well as DVD player
• There is a door (80cm wide) to the garden (with a small step of 7cm) onto a gravel path

Music Room

• This is accessed via the main hallway (door 80cm wide)
• The Music Room has an oak wooden floor with rugs
• Sofas and easy chairs are provided which are moveable for up to x guests
• A Hifi and CD player are provided

Snug

• The Snug is accessed via the main hallway (door 80cm wide)
• It has short pile carpet and has easily moveable low easy chairs with no arms (height)

Laundry

• A domestic washer/dryer is provided in both kitchens
• They are both front loading
• An iron and ironing board is provided

Bedrooms

• All bedrooms are carpeted
• Non feather duvets and pillows are provided in each room
• Extra blankets and pillows are available
• White bed linen and towels are provided free of charge

Kitchen

• The kitchen has three entrance doors from the dining room (70cm wide), living room (89 wide) and second kitchen (73cm wide)
• The floor is quarry tiles. There is a good colour contrast between walls, floors, cupboards and other surfaces
• The fitted units are made by Smallbone and have granite work surfaces (worktop height is 92cm)
• There is plenty of china, cutlery and glassware for all guests
• A large American fridge/freezer is provided which can be used to store medication (highest shelf in fridge is 1m45cm and the lowest drawer in freezer is 35cm)
• The kitchen contains a washer/dryer, double oven and hob, and microwave
• There is a second small kitchen at Toft Hall, which also contains a washer/dryer, double oven and hob, fridge, and microwave (worktop height is 90cm)
• There is no shop available on site
• The nearest shopping centre is Leek, with four supermarkets, Boots, WH Smith and most other requirements catered for.
• There is a limited mobility scheme – see Pre Arrival section
• There is an outdoor table tennis table.
• The garden has gravel paths and some steps to some sections. It slopes on a slight hill. There are two rear doors from the property into the garden, neither of which involve steps but they do have weather board strips of c 1 cm on each door base
• There is a patio outside which can be accessed without using steps
• The garden is mature, with flowers, lawn, herb garden and pond (which is fenced off)
• All guests are welcome to use the garden
• The house has fire alarms throughout
• There emergency lighting on all exit routes and stairwells
• There are fire extinguishers on all landing and in kitchens
• There is strictly a no smoking, no fireworks or sky night lanterns and no candle policy. You may smoke in the garden. Three are sand pots provided for used cigarette ends
• There are comprehensive information folders provided in the property
• Mobile phone reception is ok
• Please note that the layout may be subject to change