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Already longing for a holiday in 2024? Here are some of our suggestions for disabled friendly accommodation options to cover every taste and budget to help take the stress out of planning your get away.
For those looking for a trip to the West Country in 2024, you’ll find a host of hotels, B&Bs and self catering options for a range of accessibility needs.
In Dorset, where you can enjoy the Jurassic Coast, some beautiful accessible beaches, parts of the South West Coast Path and plenty of lovely countryside areas to explore, you’ll find Birchcroft Hideaway. This self catering property is located in Ferndown, which gives you easy access to the towns of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. It can comfortably sleep 8, making it ideal for large family or group breaks and has several accessible features, including wet rooms, adaptable beds, lowered sinks and worktops and a hoist, which is available to hire.
Like the sound of being self-catering? Hilda’s Retreat is a little further along the coast at Poole and is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring a ceiling hoist, profiling bed and a wet room. Guests are also able to use the private outdoor space, with its enclosed garden and accessible patio, even your dogs are welcome to join you!
Elsewhere in the county, you’ll find Marsham Court Hotel, which is in the popular Bournemouth area. The hotel features a Changing Places facility, as well as pool hoists in the communal areas and a sensory room. Their accessible bedrooms have profiling beds, hoists and wet rooms and a wheelchair lift to help guests move around the hotel. As an award winning hotel, you can expect first rate facilities and being in Bournemouth, you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained, from shopping to theatre performances and a host more.
In the neighbouring county of Devon, you’ll find a host of options when it comes to finding somewhere to stay. With coastal and countryside properties, there’s lots to enjoy here. One of Devon’s most popular destinations is the English Riviera on its south coast, where you’ll find places like Torquay and Brixham. One option in this area is Maidensea House, a self catering property that has 8 ensuite bedrooms and can sleep up to sixteen people. All the communal areas are wheelchair accessible and there is a dedicated accessible bedroom on the ground floor. The property is ideal for anyone wanting to explore the English Riviera and spend time in towns like Torquay and Paignton, which are full of family friendly attractions and eateries.
If you want something closer to the city of Exeter and the Jurassic Coast, take a look at the Granary, Larkbeare Grange, which is purpose built and suitable for wheelchair users. It’s a short distance from the city, where you can enjoy live performances, shopping and more. The Jurassic Coast is also close, giving you a chance to explore the coast and the South West Coast Path which crosses through the area. For ideas of things to do nearby, Crealy Theme Park is the biggest of its kind in the South West. The site has several accessible facilities, including two new attractions that are suitable for wheelchair users. Speak to them when booking to learn more about their facilities and policies.
In the North of Devon, towards the Somerset border, is Calvert Exmoor, home to accessible activity breaks. This residential activity centre is ideal for the thrill seekers among you. The activities on offering include climbing, canoeing, horse riding and a host more. Whatever your ability, there is an activity for you, all of them are hosted by experienced instructors and provide a safe, inclusive environment for doing something new and fun.
Another option in this part of Devon is North Hayne Farm. This award winning accessible farm holiday was voted best self-catering farm stay in the South West and is recognised for being both autism and dementia friendly. There is a real focus on autism friendly farm activities, with a range of ASD aids for guest’s to borrow during their stay. There’s plenty to do on site, but if you want to get out and explore, you’re close to the incredible coastlines and attractions you can find nearby.
One attraction that is nearby and well worth a visit is Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum, which is located near Barnstaple. Managed by the National Trust, there is a commitment to accessibility and some staff have had disability training and are happy to help visitors.
Inspired to visit the West Country this year?
You can find more places to stay and things to do here.
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Two Trampers available to hire. Shuttle buggy available most days. Adapted toilets next to tea-room. Dogs on leads welcome in the Carriage Museum, garden, The servants hall and the wider estate. Loose gravel paths, slopes, partly accessible grounds.
Birchcroft-hideaway [sleeps 8 plus 2 babies in 4 bedrooms] nestles in over an acre of woodlands at the end of a winding lane but it is only 6 miles from Bournemouth’s golden sandy beaches.
People with physical, behavioural, sensory, learning and complex multiple disabilities have been visiting Calvert Exmoor since 1996, where they are encouraged to enjoy an exclusive range of adventurous activities and push themselves in a positive, safe, and challenging way.
Crealy Theme Park and Resort has been designed for guests with disabilities and/or additional access needs firmly in mind. All our team are trained to recognise the individual needs of our guests and will do everything possible to ensure all guests have a safe and memorable visit.
The Granary is a purpose built, single storey timber frame self-catering property with two en-suite bedrooms; it is five star (Gold award), National Accessible Scheme level M1.
Hilda’s Retreat is a newly renovated 2-bedroom bungalow with a level interior, both bedrooms are fully wheelchair accessible one with a profiling bed, ceiling hoist to en-suite wet-room, the other with twin beds.
Maidensea House in Torquay is a purpose built luxurious holiday home with 8 ensuite bedrooms, to accommodate up to sixteen people. With one ground floor accessible bedroom and easy wheelchair access to all the communal areas and the beautiful gardens, Maidensea House was designed with multi-generational family holidays firmly in mind
We have 4 standard accessible rooms sleeping up to 2 guests and 1 family accessible room which can sleep up to 4 guests. All have wetrooms, profiling beds and removable ceiling hoists. These rooms can only be booked directly with the hotel so that we can ensure you have the best possible experience. Please call us to ask for more details.
The farm is set on eleven acres within the tranquil fringes of the Exmoor National Park, providing a relaxing holiday environment and opportunities for quiet time and quiet ‘escape places’ on site, which can be vital for anyone who experiences a sensory overload.
