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The Old Stables 4 star self-catering holiday cottage
Shipbourne, Nr Tonbridge, Kent
Access Statement
Introduction
The Old Stables is a two bedroom timber cottage
previously a Victorian stable and hay loft. The interior is fresh and
simple in design and is converted to a high standard. Set in a beautiful,
rural area it is nevertheless only four miles from the old town of
Tonbridge and 25 miles from London. There are a wealth of historic
properties and places of interest to visit close to the property.
We aim to meet the needs of all our guests, however, due to the inherent
period nature of the property those with limited mobility may find it
unsuitable. The living room and courtyard of the property are accessible
to visitors in wheelchairs but the bedrooms and shower room are not
suitable for use or occupation by wheelchair users.
The Old Stables is located on a narrow country lane that has a slight
incline and no pavements. There is off road parking for two cars and a
small private gravel courtyard with picnic table and chairs.
The double bedroom is on the ground floor and has two steps down into it.
The adjacent ground floor shower room is not spacious enough for
wheelchair use. The first floor bedroom has an open tread staircase and a
sloping ceiling.
The cottage is strictly non-smoking.
Prior to arrival
The website for The Old Stables, www.kent-lets.co.uk,
has a general map and a downloadable booking form.
Enquiries and bookings can also be made by telephone on 01732 810739, by
fax on 01732 810738 or by email at oldstablescottage@btinternet.com
A detailed map and/or travel directions will be posted or emailed to you
before your holiday commences.
Guests should inform us if they would like a larder pack on arrival.
Alternatively, Tesco, Sainsburys and Waitrose (Ocado) deliver in the
area. For food deliveries the post code for The Old Stables is TN11 9RX;
contact telephone number 01732 810739.
In cold weather the electric storage heating will be turned on prior to
arrival.
Bed linen, hand towel, bath mat, tea towels and kitchen towels are
provided. Guests are encouraged to bring their own bath towels, otherwise
these can be hired.
Travel
The Old Stables is close to all major transport
networks in the area.
The M25 is four miles distant as is the M20/M26 and travel directions
from all major roadways are forwarded to guests prior to arrival.
Tonbridge and Hildenborough railway stations with trains from Hastings
to Waterloo, London Bridge and Charing Cross, London (40 minutes journey)
are four miles distant.
Borough Green railway station with trains to Victoria and Cannon Street
is also four miles distant.
There is a limited rail service from Tonbridge railway station to
Gatwick Airport.
Gatwick Airport is 45 minutes away by car, Heathrow is 75 minutes away by
car.
Dover ferries are approximately 75 minutes drive from the property.
Taxis from Tonbridge station wait at the rank and run till late.
Telephone 01732 363636
There are two buses per day into Tonbridge which stop half a mile from
the cottage.
Arrival
Parking: there is room to park two cars
off-road at The Old Stables. One or two cars can be parked on the level in
front of the white gate next to the door of the cottage. Alternatively,
cars can be parked inside the courtyard if dogs or small children need to
get in or out in complete safety. Guests can also arrange to park a second
vehicle in the adjoining gravel drive.
Keys: the key to the property can be collected from Great Oaks
House next door to The Old Stables. If time of arrival is unsure, or very
late at night, then alternative arrangements can be made.
Electricity: the meter will be read on your arrival and you will
be given the reading. It is payable on departure.
Time: arrival is after 2pm. On arrival you will be welcomed and
shown into the property. Any relevant information will be given to you and
how to operate any appliances explained.
Provisions: two miles by road from the property there is a small
parade of shops with all the basic necessities and take-away food outlets.
The supermarket there is open 7 days a week until 9pm at night. However,
there is tea and coffee so that you can make yourself a hot drink on
arrival. In Tonbridge there are all the major supermarkets, most of which
are open till 8pm Monday Saturday and several medium priced restaurants
which do not need to be pre-booked.
Deposit: this is a nominal amount held against any unforeseen or
unfortunate accidental breakage or damage. Normal wear and tear is to be
expected.
Living-dining room
The living area is arranged on an open-plan basis. It
is spacious, with a high ceiling in the seating area. There is a pair of
French doors leading out onto the courtyard. Furnished with a two-seater
sofa and two leather easy chairs, it is suitable for four guests. There is
also a pine topped dining table and chairs. Lighting is adjustable and
there are small night lights available.
In addition to the small television there is a video recorder (and wide
selection of videos), a DVD player (DVDs not supplied) and a CD/tape
player with radio. There are board games and paperbacks provided.
Kitchen
The kitchen area is open-plan with the dining and living room creating a
large sociable space. It has a range of floor units, an electric cooker
with grill, a cooker hood, inset sink and dishwasher.
In addition there is a fridge with small freezer, microwave, hand mixer,
sandwich toaster and electric kettle. The kitchen is fully fitted with
cooking equipment and utensils, mixing bowls, strainers etc. There is also
china, cutlery, serving dishes, mugs, glasses, cafetieres, teapot etc.
Shower room
The shower room is on the ground floor adjacent to the double bedroom.
There is a glass shower cubicle with an electric shower unit. The hot
water in the basin is heated by the water heater under the kitchen sink.
There is a light operated extractor fan, an electric heated towel rail and
a shaver light.
Bedrooms
The main bedroom has a standard size double bed without a footboard to
accommodate extra tall guests. There is an antique double wardrobe with
hanging space and shelves. There are two small bedside cabinets with
drawers and wall mirrors. The bed can be moved if more space is required
from one side. There are two windows and open beams to the roof.
The twin bedded room is on the first floor and is approached by an open
tread staircase. There are handrails but it is not suitable for use by
infirm elderly guests or toddlers. A child safety gate is fitted at the
top on request.
This is an attic room but, although attractive, the sloping ceiling does
restrict access. For this reason we consider it most suitable for
children. However, the beds are full size, one metre wide with quality
mattresses. They can be moved to form a large double but those using it in
such a configuration will have to access it from the bottom.
In this bedroom there are hooks for hanging clothes and two small trunks
for underclothes or tee shirts but no wardrobe. A guard in front of the
night storage heater is provided.
Beds
The mattresses on all the beds are top hotel quality, fire retardant and
all have mattress and pillow protectors. Each bed has at least one
anti-allergy pillow.
Beds are made up with non-feather duvets but sheets and blankets are
available in place of these on request.
There is a full size wooden cot suitable for normally active children up
to the age of two, on request. (also a baby bath, high chair and child
safety gate on request)
Outside
The glass French doors to the living room open onto a private gravel
courtyard. There is a picnic table and benches, garden loungers, a
Bar-B-Q, and a shed with various garden games. By the gate are the
recycling and refuse bins for the cottage.
Laundry
In the cottage is a combined automatic washing machine and dryer. In
addition there are two drying racks which can be used in the cottage or in
the courtyard outside.
Safety
The cottage is fitted with two fire extinguishers, two smoke alarms and
a fire blanket for cooker fires. Torches are also supplied.
There is a strictly non-smoking policy: the cottage is of timber
construction and so tall candles are not a good idea. However, hurricane
lamps and tea lights are provided for those that want candlelight.
Clothes or other items must not be draped over the heaters as this can
cause them to fuse and cut-out and could be a potential fire hazard.
There is a modern fuse board by the stable door.
The open tread staircase is not suitable for the infirm or very young
There is a pond in the adjoining garden. This is not accessible from the
cottage but guests must take care to keep all gates into the courtyard
shut and not allow children or dogs to wander.
Dogs
Dogs are accepted at the discretion of the owner of the property: cats
are not.
Dogs are not allowed on the chairs or the beds. Neither are they allowed
in the bedrooms.
Dogs must not be left in the property if the owner goes out: they should
accompany their owner. However, if it is unavoidable that a dog has to be
left in the cottage it must be safely shut in a wire dog kennel (which can
be supplied) with no risk of soiling.
The owners dog is often in the garden of the adjoining property and
every care must be taken to keep the guest dog within the confines of the
guests courtyard.
All soil must be collected and disposed of daily.
If the guest dog scratches or damages decorations, furniture or
furnishings these damages must be paid for. Similarly, if the dog causes
any nuisance (such as excessive barking) then it will have to be placed in
a local kennel for the duration of the guests stay.
Additional information
There are folders provided with guest information and suggested places
to visit, itineraries etc.
Mobile phone reception is dependent on the provider: we find that O2 and
Vodaphone are the most reliably available networks.
Internet access cannot be guaranteed. Some guests can access it without
difficulty using their mobile phones but other have to move their laptops
out into the garden!
The electric storage heating is not designed to cope with the severest
winter weather. Portable heaters are available should guests prefer them
for cool mid season weather.
Departure
We ask that you vacate the cottage by 10 am in order that it can be
thoroughly serviced before our next guests arrive.
Please leave the cottage clean and tidy when you leave. There is a
cleaning cupboard with vacuum cleaner, floor brush, cleaning materials and
spare bulbs etc for your convenience.
The electricity meter will be read immediately prior to your departure.
Please pay this before you leave. The key can be left inside the locked
cottage on top of the fridge.
We are always pleased to have feed-back about your stay: we like our
guests to enjoy the cottage and surroundings and any suggestions about how
we can improve our service are welcomed.
Contact information
Elizabeth Cohen
Great Oaks House
Puttenden Road
Shipbourne
Kent TN11 9RX
tel: 01732 810739 fax: 01732 810738 mob: 01749 591716
email: oldstablescottage@btinternet.com website: www.kent-lets.co.uk
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