Access Statement for South Beer Farmhouse, Clawton



Introduction

South Beer Farmhouse is a traditional Victorian building which stands alone in a large private garden with access to the front and back doors of the property.  It opened as a self-catering holiday cottage in 2003. We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement, if you have any queries please do call.  We look forward to welcoming you.  

 
Pre-Arrival

•  We have a detailed website www.selfcateringcottagesdevon.co.uk with pictures and information on all of our properties. Please note the translator button for different language options.  
• Bookings / enquiries can be made via email - enquiries@selfcateringcottagesdevon.co.uk, by fax - 01409 259 415, phone 01409 253 093  
•  The nearest bus stop is 1 miles away in Clawton village or for more frequent service 3 miles away in Holsworthy.  Traveline public transport information 0870 608 2608 /0871 200 2233 or www.traveline.org.uk 
• The nearest train station is in Exeter, 45 miles away - there is a limited bus service calling in Holsworthy en route to Bude.  
•  We offer the facility to hire wheelchairs and other aides and equipment, please ask for contact details when booking.  
• Waitrose and Asda supermarkets now provide a delivery service to this address. We can also supply eggs from our own chickens and local fruit and veg and extra logs for the fire if ordered in advance.  

 
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

•  Vehicle access to the property half a mile up an unmade track well maintained and stoned but can be uneven after heavy rain or icy weather. 
• There is access to the open sided barn which provides an undercover gravel stoned parking area on the left of the track immediately after South Beer Farmhouse. There is ample parking space for 4 or more vehicles. The parking barn is supported on the track side by 2 concrete pillars which are 4.27m apart. This barn also provides storage area for the domestic oil tank and play equipment. There is a light which can be switched from the left hand side of the barn at 1.65m from the ground. 
•  This parking area has a rough stone surface with grassy space outside the front of the parking barn which can be wet and slippy after rain.
• There is a wooden side gate to the garden immediately to the left of the parking barn with left hand hinge, opens outward allowing a 90cm width access to a narrow gravel path 2 ms long leading to a narrow set of 5 uneven steps up - there is no rail and step heights vary from 10 to 15cms. A flag stone path 38cms wide leads across the lawn at the front of South Beer house to join the main path to the front door.
• There is an overhead light fixed to the east corner of the house which is switched from inside the front porch. This light can be left switched on if we know that guests are arriving after dark.
• To access the main garden gate with no steps up or down from the parking barn, return back along the access track for 20m. The track is stoned and can be a little uneven after heavy rain. The front garden gate is metal under a hedge arch which is 2m high in the middle. The gate has a right hand hinge and opens outward allowing a 99cms wide access with straight 1m wide concrete path to the front door. 
• If you have an exact arrival time, we can arrange to be at the property to greet you otherwise we will leave the key in a hidden agreed spot, with lights on if you plan your arrival after dark. We will call on you usually within 24 hours to check all is satisfactory and you are happy with operating instructions for heating and household appliances etc.  
• Arrival at South Beer Farmhouse is by narrow country lanes with single vehicle access in places, please drive carefully. On departing from the property please listen for oncoming traffic as visibility is limited.  
•  Dogs are welcome and we provide a dog basket, old towels, bowls and poop scoop  

 
Main Entrance

• The main front door is double glazed with window in the top half. There is a 22cms step over threshold into the front porch. The front door opening is 86cms wide and 1.93ms high leading into the front porch area which is slate tiled 1.58m x 1.85m with 2 rubber backed door mats. There is a light switch on the right to operate the porch light and the outside light.
• There is a 4cms step up onto the slate threshold for the interior front door entrance to the hallway. This inner door is wooden with half glazed frosted glass in the upper half in 4 panes. There are 2 half glazed panels to each side of the door.
• The inner door access is 84cms wide and 2.11m high.
• The entrance hall has a diamond quarry tiled floor. The hallway is 4.4m long to the foot of the stairs and 1.78m wide - this is narrowed by 61 cms to 1.17m on the left by the sideboard and radiator.
• The entrance hall has the main central heating thermostat on the right wall on entering the house, a smoke alarm on the ceiling, light switches to the hallway and upstairs landing. There is a single pendulum light in the hall.
• There is an understairs cupboard at the back of the hall for storing cleaning equipment and spare household equipment such as light bulbs and kitchen items.
• There are 4 doorways off the main entrance hall. All doorways open to 76cms wide and are 2.03ms high. They all open into the rooms off the hallway – downstairs shower/wc room/laundry, sitting room 1, sitting room 2, the dining room (access through dining room to kitchen).

 
Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc

• The main staircase leads from the entrance hall to the landing. It has fitted carpet and leads to the landing. There are 15 steps up the staircase with 2 left hand turns. There is a wooden banister and hand rail on the left with wall on the right. The steps are each 18cms high.
• The landing has fitted carpet. It is galleried with a banister on the staircase side. There is a chest of drawers with lamp from double socket point. There are 5 doors from the landing to 4 bedrooms and family bathroom (there is a further ensuite shower room upstairs).
• There is a pendulum light, a noise smoke alarm and radiator.

 
Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

• First right hand door from entrance hall opens into sitting room 2cms threshold to wooden floor. Wooden floor with slate and green oak fireplace - decorative only chimney sealed. Double glazed windows to east and south, large radiator beneath south window. One leather sofa 1.88m long, seat height 46cms. One fabric covered sofabed - as sofa 2m long, seat height 46cms. Opens to sprung mattress bed 1.32m wide, 1.83m long, mattress height 49cms with narrow access to all sides. Coffee table from reclaimed pine 2ft X 3ft X 19ins high. Occasional table with decorative lamp, central pendulum light - switch to left of door on entering. 21inch TV with freeview and DVD. Built in cupboards to right of fireplace with range of games and puzzles. Storage space below with built in wooden shelving. 3 double socket points around the room.
• First left hand door from entrance hall opens into main lounge - original wooden floorboards with large central rug. 2 X 3 seater sofas and 2 matching armchairs. Seat height all 46cms. Reclaimed pine coffee table 2ft X 4ft X19ins high. Reclaimed pine corner TV stand with shelf and drawer below - 40inch flat screen HD ready, plasma TV with freeview,  DVD player and small selection of dvds. 3ft wide reclaimed pine book shelf with selection of books and magazines. Original slate fireplace housing modern log burning stove (left hinge opens outward from handle on the right) with first basket of logs and kindling provided, fire tools.
• Lighting to main lounge - switches on right of entrance to room. 3 wall uplighters, 1 central pendulum candelabre with 3 lamps, 1 movable table lamp. 3 double socket points located around the room. South facing double glazed window with radiator beneath.

 
Dining Room

• Dining room entered by second door on the right from entrance hall, slightly raised entrance to wood laminate floor. Central rectangular dining table from reclaimed pine - 7ft x 3ft x 30ins high with one leg at each corner access to all sides. 10 wooden dining chairs with spindle backs, 3 with arms, 7 without - seat height 18inch/46cms. small bookshelf in alcove with further range of books. Occasional table with lamp and radio/cd player.
• East facing double glazed window, radiator below window, main fuse box to the left of window. 3 double socket points around the room.
• Open fireplace (chimney blocked) with clome oven - decorative only with spot lighting switched on the right of fireplace.

 
Laundry

• see details for downstairs shower room

 
Bedrooms & Sleeping Areas

• Upstairs landing - 5 doors -  one bathroom/one ensuite shower room with narrow doorway and 4 bedrooms. Bedroom doorways 79cms wide X 2m high. Doors are push open for easy access.
• Bedroom one - original wooden floorboards, rugs with resist-slip backing,  kingsize bed (5ft wide X 6 ft long), pocket sprung  mattress - height 22inch/56cms with kingsize quilt (feather quilt with cotton cover, polycotton or organic cotton bedlinen provided, 2 pillows per person throughout some feather, some manmade and environmentally recycled fibres), reclaimed pine bedside cabinet to each side of bed with lamps, access to both sides of bed, (easier access to the leftof bed but furniture can be rearranged if required - please discuss requirements with owners). Built in hanging wardrobe to left of chimney breast. Reclaim pine chest of drawers, full length mirror. Double glazed windows to east with radiator beneath. Light switch on left on entry to pendulum light from ceiling.
• Bedroom two - original wooden floorboards, rugs with resist-slip backing, standard double bed (4ft 6inch wide X 6 ft long), orthopaedic mattress - height 22inch/56cms and bedding as per bedroom one. Bedside cabinets on either side of bed with lamps, switch to left of door on entry to pendulum light from ceiling. Radiator below south facing window. Built in hanging wardrobe beside chimney breast with left hand hinge, opening into bedroom. Travel cot. Chest of drawers. Access door to ensuite shower room and toilet, narrow doorway to left of bed.
• Bedroom three – original wooden floorboards, rugs with resist-slip backing, 2 X 3ft single beds with access to one side only and single sofabed for extra person down the middle of twin single beds still allowing access to beds. Single quilts some manmade fibre and some feather, with organic cotton or polycotton sheets and covers, 2 pillows per person as above. Reclaimed pine bedside cabinets with bedside lamps. One pendulum light switched from left of door entrance. Windows to east and south with radiator below.  Built in hanging wardrobe and chest of drawers. 3 double socket points.

 

. Bedroom four – L shaped room, with original wooden floorboards and resist-slip rugs, 2 X 3ft single beds with access to one side only. Quilts, covers and pillows as bedroom 3. 2 chests of drawers with 2 bedside lamps. South facing window, radiator, 2 double socket points. One pendulum light switched from left of door entrance.

 
Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Ensuite or Shared]

• Downstairs shower room tiled floor, with toilet and basin accessed from second door on left from main entrance hall. (Formerly the farmhouse dairy) houses shower cubicle with 21inch/53cms wide access and 11inc/29cms step up into shower. Glass door opening outward from hinge on left. Plastic non-slip shower tray. Tiled floor to shower room. Pull cord light switch and radiator on left wall on entry. Toilet with wooden seat (height 19inch/48cms access to front and both sides.
• Hand basin with individual taps (hot left, cold right) mirror, shaver point and light above. Triple directional spotlight from centre of ceiling.
• Windows on north and west walls with opaque roller blinds. Extractor fan above shower on movement sensor - please keep bathroom door shut as movement from hall can trigger extractor fan.
• Shower room also houses automatic washing machine and tumble drier, laundry airing rack and basket with pegs. Both appliances are front opening with left hinge.
• Upstairs family bathroom – tiled floor, heated towel rail, bath with mixer tap and separate over bath shower and glass screen. Hand rails fitted to both sides of bath, non-slip rubber mat provided.
• Toilet and basin with mirror, shaver point and light.

·       Ensuite shower room from master bedroom with tiled floor, heated towel rail, shower cubicle, toilet, basin with mirror, shaver point and light

 
Self-Catering Kitchen

• Doorway to kitchen from dining room 33inch/84cms wide with 7inch/18cms step down to heated slated kitchen floor. Fitted kitchen units - worktop height 3ft/91cms. Electric range cooker with 2 ovens, separate grill and plate warmer. Electric kettle, toaster, hand blender, microwave, 12 place dishwasher. Stainless steel sink with mixer tap, half sink and single drainer. 3 double socket points. Instructions for all appliances in box left available for guests Full range of table crockery, cutlery and glassware, cooking utensils and range of quality stainless steel saucepans including large stockpot, steamer and bakeware. Table glasses, mugs, tea cups/saucers, small and large teapot, cafetiere stored in wall cupboards - lower shelf at 50cms/20inches above worksurface. All other items stored in below worksurface units.
• Double glazed windows to east, north and west with fitted blinds.
• Main central heating controls located in cream eye level cupboard with sliding doors to the right of east facing window. Laminate sheet with control instructions will be left nearby on kitchen worksurface. Hot water booster system accessed to the left side of this cupboard if needed in addition to hot water from solar panels. Switch for extractor fan also located on same cupboard.
• Kitchen lighting - 4 directional spot lights from exposed main central roof beam. Switch on the left of entrance from dining room. Fire blanket and extinguisher on the right wall on entrance to kitchen.
• Double glazed door  to utility area on immediate left entering kitchen from the dining room. 8cm/3inch step over threshold to slate tiled room 2.44m X 1.6m with Miele upright fridge and 3 drawer freezer, dog bed, towels and bowls. Back door to outside - window top half, double glazed with left handle and right hand hinge, step over threshold opening outward onto step, with one step 8inch/20cms step down to concrete garden path.
• Light switch to back porch and outside light on rear of house located with kitchen lighting switch. Porch has single pendulum light and 2 double socket points

 

Outdoor Facilities

• The overall garden is about half an acre
• The front garden is south facing and laid mainly to lawn with a straight concrete path down the middle to the front door.
• On top of a bank there is a high (about 8ft) mixed dense hedge to the front screening the lawn from the access track. 
• There is a rectangular flag stone patio area to the left of the front of the house 2.5ms X 4ms 
• There are 2 'wood effect' picnic benches made from recycled plastic ( easy to maintain but no hot items please) 1.5m X .75m wide - they are very heavy and would require several people to move them but they can be arranged to suit guest requirements. A BBQ is provided but may be stored away from the house in winter - please ask if you require bbq during winter.  
• There are further plastic garden chairs available if required
• The garden to the west of the house is lawn and shrubs with a post and rail fence, with 'stock' mesh. The lower garden fence has some barbed wire on top to prevent livestock entering the garden - please beware.
• The garden on the west side is lawn on gentle slopes with views over open fields and wonderful sunsets.
• There is a small widlife pond surrounded by low stone wall, covered with strong 8inch/20cm steel mesh - small children beware.
• There is a wooden gate in the west fence which allows guests access to the neighbouring fields. There may be livestock (usually sheep or horses) but you are welcome to use the fields for dogs under control and children to play in (please observe wildlife hygiene rules - clean up after dogs and make sure hands washed before eating/drinking).
• The garden to the north or rear of the house is on 2 levels. Immediately behind the house is more lawned area and there is a privet hedge to about 7ft sheltering the house from the rear. There is a stone well with 2ft high walls, with secure steel mesh and solid wood cover.
• There is a wooden recycing and bin shelter with facilities for storing domestic rubbish and recycling.
• There is an outdoor tap and short hose on the back of the house for washing dogs/outdoor equipment etc
• There is a narrow concrete path from the back door down the garden leading to 4 wood and gravel steps to the lower garden laid mainly to lawn with shrubs along east border beside wooden clad hay barn and evergreen hedge along north boundary.
• There is a fold away 'whirlygig'  drying line in the lower lawn.
• The sewage system is located in a corner to the west of the lower garden - please do not walk or stand on the tank. It is emptied and serviced regularly. It is vital that guests do not dispose of sanitary products, nappies or hygiene wipes down the toilet as this interferes with the filter system and can cause problems.
• There is a narrow flagstone path from the back door to the east of the property which leads to a gate into the old farmyard. Unless both South Beer Farmhouse and the Stone Barn have been booked together there is no access through this gate.
• All guests have access to Beer Mill Nature Trails from the garden gate - 130 acres of waymarked trails with rest points, activity points and information boards along the way. You will need robust footwear (ideally wellington boots) for most of the year and sensible protective clothing. For further advice please visit Nature Trails page of the website.

 

 

 
Additional Information

• South Beer Farmhouse is a no smoking property. Smoking is permitted outside the property please beware of fire and extinguish all cigarettes etc safely. Do not leave around the garden or parking area. Ash trays are provided beneath kitchen sink.

. Central heating is switched off from end of May into September as an energy saving measure. Hot water is provided by solar panels and ‘green’ electricity back up system. Central heating can be requested during this period but there may be an additional charge to cover the cost of domestic fuel oil.
• Due to wildlife and nature work fireworks and sky lanterns are NOT permitted
• Dogs are welcome at all our properties and we provide a large dog bed, old towels and bowls 
• We do ask that dogs are not allowed in the bedrooms or bathrooms or on  the furniture.
•  We ask that dogs sleep in the utility room or their own travel pen at night and that guests pick up after their dogs immediately.
•  We are happy to 'dog sit'  in our kennel at Beer Mill if you would like to go out without your dog - pets cannot be left unattended in the houses. 
• .Sadly there has been some damaged caused by chewing/scratching dogs and we must ask that owners are prepared to cover the full cost of any damage or we will have to levy a damage deposit (which we do not want to do - we prefer to trust our guests) 
 

 
Address:  Address:  Address:  Beer Mill Farm, Clawton, Nr Holsworthy, Devon EX22 6PF  
   
  Telephone:  01409 253 093 
   
  Email:  enquiries@selfcateringcottagesdevon.co.uk 
   
  Website:  www.selfcateringcottagesdevon.co.uk 
   
  Local equipment hire companies:   Launceston Mobility Centre 01566 774 030  
  

 
Telephone:  01409 253 093

 
Future Plans

• 2010/11we have put a new roof on South Beer Farmhouse with super insulation, completely rewired the electrics of the house to comply with current building regulations and safety standards, there is a new central heating boiler and radiators all with thermostatic controls and new solar panels to help reduce the carbon emissions from our business and your holiday. There is a new oak kitchen and appliances. In 2011 we began generating electricity from our own photovoltaic panels. We have redecorated inside and outside of the property. Going forward routine maintenance is ongoing during quieter times of year and on changeover days so that South Beer Famhouse will always remain at a high standard for your holiday. Please notify us immediately if you have any cause for concern. 

 
Contact Telephone and Email Address

 

We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve if you have any comments please phone 01409253093 or email enquiries@selfcateringcottagesdevon.co.uk

 

 

Updated October 2011