Ted and Kirsten Horton
Higher House
Hillcommon
Taunton
Somerset
TA4 1DU

Telephone: 01823 400570

mailto:
tedandkirsten@tiscali.co.uk

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Access Statement For Apartment at Higher House

Introduction

Our self catering apartment is on the second floor of a converted barn. We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, but if you have queries, please do call. We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival
 
• We have a basic website
• Booking/enquiries can be made via email or phone
• The nearest bus stop to Taunton is 50 metres from the entrance to our property
• The nearest train station - Taunton - is 6 miles away: there are accessible taxis at the station.
• We can arrange shopping to be delivered on arrival
• The nearest local shop is Oake Post Office and Stores, about half a mile away. There is a pavement almost all the way
• We can provide information in large print on request
• RADAR toilets are available in Wellington and Taunton - both 6 miles away

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
 
• You will find our property approximately 50 metres from the B3227on the right side of the road coming from Taunton., having turned RIGHT up the lane at the sign marked Blagroves
• Turn right through double wooden gates into the yard where you will see a row of five carports. The central carport is reserved for visitors
• The car parking space is leveled concrete and is flat and even. There is a light on the wall of the carport nearest the house if needed. 
• Depending upon the length of the vehicle and which way the car has been parked, it is possible to gain access to the boot once parked.
• The distance from the car parking to the stairs leading to the apartment is about 50 metres and the path is paved in part and then gravel: at its narrowest point is is about 1 metre wide. This is not covered.
• Luggage can be unloaded slightly closer to the apartment, but the car should then be parked in the designated space.
• Additional open air parking is available on a grassed area within the grounds of the property. This is also about 50 metres from the bottom of the stairs to the flat, but visitors would either have to come down a grassy slope or stone steps. It is possible to avoid these by a longer walk.

Main Entrance & Reception
 
• External wooden stairs lead to the open air first floor balcony. They consist of one flight of 12 steps and there is a wooden handrail on both sides. The first step is 25 cm high, the remainder 20 cm high. The balcony is approximately 1.9 x 2.1 metres.
A chair is situated on the balcony
• There is a light switch on the wall on the left at the base of the stairs
• The entrance door (hinged left and opening outward) is 75cm wide and the key hole lock is 1 m high. Visitors are supplied with two sets of keys.
• The threshold from the balcony to the lobby is about 15cm high
• The entrance lobby is 1.4 x 2 m
• The staircase to the second floor living area is in 2 flights with landing between - 10 steps and 3 steps. The stairs are 18cm high, 26 cm deep and 73cm wide. They have a handrail on the right. There is a 3 way light switch on the wall on the left, which controls the external light as well as the first floor lobby light and the light on the stairs to the second floor. The door leading to these stairs is 80 cm wide, is hinged  right and opens outwards. All the internal doors are fitted with thumb latches and are 1.30 m high
• The staircase to the second floor bedroom is in 2 flights with landing between - 9 steps and 4 steps. The stairs are 18cm high, 26 cm deep and 73cm wide. The hand rail is on the left. The door leading from the lobby to these stairs is 80 cm wide, hinged right and opens outward.
• Guests are shown around the property and grounds on arrival.

Open Plan Living Area
 
• DINING AREA
• The dining room is open plan with the sitting and kitchen area.
• Oval Table (moveable in all directions) - 4 legs, 60 cm floor to lowest point of table (underspace), 1.25 metres long, 1.15 metres wide and 70 cm high
• Pendant light over table
• Free space between table and walls is at least 1 metre all around
• Chairs (moveable) - 4 chairs with padded seat and no arms. There is a further collapsable chair in the internal lobby - padded seat and no arms.
• There is free space of 2,7 x 3 metres clear of doors and furniture
• Flooring is short pile carpet throughout
• Smoke alarm fitted
• SITTING AREA
• Furniture is moveable and all is non feather
• Individual lighting suitable for reading or embroidery
• One two person sofa and two easy chairs provided both armed
• Freeview TV provided with remote control (also available are DVD, stereo radio with CD)

Laundry
 
• Owner's front loading washing machine availble for visitors use upon request is situated in owner's utility room. Use of owners washing line.
• Airing rail, ironing board and steam iron provided in apartment.

Bedrooms
 
• DOUBLE BEDROOM
• Door width 73 cm
• Double bed provided - 5ft
• Bed height 52cm floor to top of mattress
• Non feather duvets and pillows provided
• Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are cotton or polycotton
• Largest transfer space available to left or right of bed is 1.5 metres
• Bed is movable if more space required to one side
• Largest free space clear of doors and furniture is 1.9 x 3.5 metres
• BEDS IN LIVING AREA
• 3 full sized single beds
• Non feather duvets and pillows provided
• Sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases are cotton or polycotton
• Largest transfer space available to left or right of bed is 2 metres

Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Shared]
 
• Situated between living room and main bedroom
• Door width 73cm - fitted with thumb latch
• Bath with flexible electric shower over, level area at non-tap end of bath
• Bath height is 51cm. Integral bath rails available on both sides
• Free space in bathroom (free of doors and furniture) is 2 x 1.4 metres
• Toilet seat is 45cm high
• Space to right of toilet is 30cm, left 1 metre
• Flooring is laminate
• Space under pedestal washbasin is free - no vanity unit

Self-Catering Kitchen
 
• Kitchen is open plan with dining and sitting area
• Worktop height is 89cm
• 4 ring electric cooker with grill and oven. Oven door hinged left
• Separate microwave
• Sink is 89cm high with cupboards underneath - twist taps
• Cups and glasses in eyelevel cupboards, other items in floor cupboards
• Immediate flooring is laminate
• At least 2 metres free space between all cupboards and other surfaces
• Spot lights over
• Fridge with small freezer available, highest shelf in fridge 55cm

Grounds and Gardens
 
• Extensive gardens of more than one acre  -  lawned area at top of steps adjacent to visitor's entrance.
•There are a number of steps but these can be avoided. Pushchair or wheel chair access possible through out.
•A number of benches are situated in the gardens.
• Gravel, paved and grassed paths. Visitors are always warned that the wooden railway sleepers incorporated into some paths become dangerous when wet.
•There is deep water in the garden. There is a life buoy adjacent to the lake.

Additional Information
 
• Smoking is discouraged
• Variable mobile phone reception
• Broadband internet connection available
• Pets and service dogs welcome - please advise on booking

Contact Information
 
• Address: Higher House, Hillcommon, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 1DU
• Telephone: 01823 400570 
• Email: mail@higherhouse.co.uk
• Website: www.higherhouse.co.uk
• Grid reference: ST 145 261
• Hours of operation: Phones: 9.00am to 9.00pm all week
• Local public transport numbers:
  Bus:First Southern National 01823 272033 
  Train:First Great Western 0845 7000125

We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve if you have any comments please phone 01823 400570 or email mail@higherhouse.co.uk