Speaking from experience, there’s a lot more research to be done on the accommodation, area, attractions and transport, and more things to take into consideration, such as which equipment to pack and what insurance is needed.
As one of the few wheelchair and disability accessible holiday cottages in the North East of England, we like to focus as much as possible on how we can meet the needs of families with accessibility needs on this website. That way, it’s easy for you to make an informed decision about whether to stay with us.
But what comes with accessibility is accommodation for everyone. We cater as well for able-bodied guests as we do for wheelchair users and less mobile guests. Because that’s what a family holiday let should do — provide space the whole family can enjoy and feel comfortable in.
Guests often praise our cottages as being a ‘home away from home’. We love this because if you’re as comfortable here as you are in your own home, it means we’ve got the balance right.
Both our large cottages (Blue Tit and Kingfisher) and small cottages (Robin and Wren) have been designed by us—a family with disabled and able-bodied members—to offer all the comforts of home:
● Spacious living areas with comfy seating
● Large, airy bedrooms with storage for clothing
● Dining areas
● Fully equipped kitchens with crockery, cutlery, utensils and tea and coffee making facilities
● Central heating
● Widescreen TVs and DVD players
● Showers and baths
● Linen and towels
● Free WiFi
Dogs are also welcome.
Essentially, we’ve equipped our cottages with enough essentials and comforts that you never have to step foot outside, other than to stock up on food!
You can read more about the features of each cottage in our post on the benefits of staying at Mellwaters Barn Cottages.
But you should step outside, of course. Not least because we’re lucky enough to be located in one of the most picturesque parts of the UK.
Mellwaters Barn Cottages are situated on a working farm in the beautiful Durham Dales. Access to the cottages features purpose-built footpaths that make the farm accessible so that everyone can take in the stunning views, wildflowers and wildlife, or enjoy a spot of cycling.
The cottages are also ideally located for travelling out and about. We’re on the Bowes loop of the Pennine Way, which has some of the best walking routes in the country and just a
a few minutes from the idyllic market town of Barnard Castle (take a look at some of our favourite things to see and do in ‘Barney’).
Also within easy reach are the historic cities of York and Durham, the Lake District National Park, High Force waterfall and the coastal towns of Seaton Carew, Whitby and Saltburn. With plenty of quaint villages along the way.
Whether you travel north, south, east or west out of Mellwaters, you’ll find something beautiful to see or exciting to do. Each destination has attractions and places to eat that offer great accessibility.
We couldn’t have picked a better location for our cottages if we tried.
If you’re less mobile in any way, our cottages are purposely designed to offer you a comfortable and enjoyable stay. But you don’t have to have accessibility needs to book with us. Mellwaters Barn Cottages, and the surrounding areas, offer something for EVERY 'BODY'.
