Access Statement for Vine Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Rowde  

Introduction

Vine Cottage is a Four Star establishment set on the fringes of the rural village of Rowde near Devizes in Wiltshire and offers bed and breakfast accommodation with three guest rooms. The cottage is a mixture of ages some very recent and some two to three hundred years old. Whilst we aim to meet the needs of all our guests, there are some features which might make access difficult for people with limited mobility. One guest bedroom is on the ground floor, the other two are on the next floor. There is one step into the house entrance and the door has a high lip. Some doorways are fairly low and narrow and are therefore may not be suitable for wheelchair users.

Pre-Arrival

• We are located 2 miles north west of Devizes and 13 miles south of the M4 motorway via Chippenham (9 miles)
 
• Directions by road: -
 
• From the east on M4 to junction 16 (Swindon West), take first exit from roundabout initially follow signs to golf complex, once reaching T junction turn right onto A361, travel to Devizes, then follow signs to Chippenham A342, Rowde village is at the bottom of the Hill, one mile from Devizes. At the bend of the road by the George and Dragon take the 2nd left turn into Bunnies Lane; we are on the right hand side, look out for the sign and Magnolia tree.
 
• On the M4 from the west (or east) exit at junction 17 (Chippenham), follow signs for Devizes A342, after entering the village of Rowde you will pass a car sales garage on your right, take the next right turn into Bunnies Lane.

• From the south, either on A360 from Salisbury or A342 from Andover, follow signs for Devizes, or then continue as above.
 
• From Bath or Trowbridge, follow signs to Devizes, when on the A361 take a left turn signposted Rowde (at the start of the dual carriageway), follow to end and turn left at the T junction (by the Cross Keys) then 2nd left on the bend by the George and Dragon.
 
• Directions by public transport: -
 
• the bus stop is on the A361 Chippenham to Devizes road approx 500 meters from Vine Cottage.
 
• Train to Chippenham station then number 33 bus to the village of Rowde. In the evening a taxi will be required.
 
• From Devizes there is a daily National Express bus to and from London (via Heathrow Airport, Newbury, Hungerford and Marlborough). Then take a number 33 bus (day time only) to Rowde or a short taxi ride.
 
• From Swindon bus or rail station number 49 bus to Devizes then as above.
 
• Train to Chippenham station then number 33 bus to the village of Rowde. In the evening a taxi will be required. 
  
 
• Local taxi's:-
 
• Devizes Taxis - 01380 723129 & free phone 0800 289904, 4-8 seaters + disabled mobility access
• LDS Ltd          - 07525 362848. Ladies cab Services
• Cobra Cabs    - 07939 501300          
• Door 2 Door   - 01380 813097 or 07970 715918
  
• We can book these for you if you wish.
 
• Devizes is approximately 2 miles away and takes around 40 minutes to walk. There is a long steep hill just before reaching Devizes. Driving time is approximately 5-10 minutes. There is a selection of free parking spaces that are time limited and ample pay and display parking. Devizes does suffer from traffic congestion, especially at peak periods.
 
• The nearest shops are in Devizes. Devizes does have a shop-mobility scheme and the shop will be found opposite the Total garage on the way into Devizes. New public toilets with disability access can be found behind the Shambles Market.
 
• Because of the sizes of doorways and high lip in entrance door, our accommodation is suitable for guests with impaired mobility, but not necessarily for wheelchair users.

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

• We have four marked parking areas, though can accommodate up to 7 vehicles if required.  
 
• The car park/driveway is constructed of 20mm gravel is level and has limited automatic lighting after dark. The maximum distance from the front entrance, is approximately 15 meters. We are more than happy to assist you in negotiating the car park/drive, please let us know prior to arrival should you need our help. Our phone number is on our sign board please ring for assistance. There is one step of approx 15cm height and then a 22 cm high lip through the front door. A concrete seat is set close to the front door.
 
• As we have our own pets, we regret that we can not accommodate yours.

 
Entrance

• The front door is 70cm wide with a 22cm lip and has a brief lobby area approximately 120cm x 120cm which also leads onto the stairs. There is a desk and seat under the stairs and a fire extinguisher immediately to the right inside the front door.
 
• All floors in Vine Cottage are level and carpeted. There is a large doormat at the entrance.  
 
• There is a door to a guest room immediately to the left (as you enter) of the front door and one to the right that leads through our lounge to the dining area. 
 

Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc

• The stairs lead directly from this lobby area and are a maximum of 70cm wide have 1Rowde steps with each step up being 20cm, step 10 is an 85cm x 70cm platform to allow turning left or right for step 11. There is a handrail on the right side as you ascend. There is a desk and seat under the stairs.
 
• The hallways and stairs have automatic lighting.  

• There is a fire extinguisher immediately to the right on the landing at the top of the stairs.

Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

• We regret that Vine cottage does not have a guest lounge.

Dining Room

• Entrance to the dining room is via our lounge through the door to the right of the main entrance. The door will always be open at breakfast time and ajar most other times. The door from the lounge to the dining room is only 172cm (5 ft 8 in) high and 70cm (2 ft 3 in) wide.
 
• Guests will be seated at one large table 80cm high. Chair seats are cushioned up to 50cm high and the chairs do not have arms. Note; we have sat 10 people at this table so there is plenty of room.

• Guests are offered cereals, grapefruit, yogurt, toast and preserves from a self service buffet and served a choice from a full English breakfast menu. Vegetarian sausages are available as an alternative. The eggs are from our own free range chickens, though they may on occassion be supplemented by shop free range eggs. Breakfast is included in the price of your room.
 
• If necessary guests at breakfast may use the WC in the Sauna room which is close (max 10m) to the dining room through the kitchen entrance. The door from the dining room into the kitchen entrance is only 170 cm high and 70cm wide.
 
• We are registered with Kennet District Council as a food business and have been inspected.   Although as a 3 room establishment we are not eligible for inclusion within the kitchen star scheme, we have been informed that were we eligible we would rate as a five star kitchen.  
 
• Both owners have attended a NVQ Food Safety Course and been awarded a level 2 certificate.