Downderry House

Accessibility

Introduction

Here at Downderry House we endeavour to look after the needs of all our guests. This Access Statement summarises our establishment and what we offer, however if you have any questions or queries please contact us by phone, e-mail or in person and we will be happy to help.

Pre-arrival

• We have five guest bedrooms one of which is on the ground floor. It has its own wide front door with sloping access to the patio garden which in turn leads directly onto the level car parking area.
• We are located on the main road into Budleigh Salterton and there is a bus stop very close to our entrance.
• The nearest rail station is at Exmouth, approximately 10 minutes by car.
• It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the shops and sea front of Budleigh Salterton, but some parts of the walk do not have pavements and the road can be quite busy.
• Should you require a taxi we can arrange your trip with a reputable local company.
• We welcome guests with dogs in our ground floor bedroom.
• Information can be provided in large print if required. We regret we do not have facilities to prepare documents in Braille.
• Our website www.downderryhouse.co.uk provides pictures of our accommodation and garden and includes further information about what we offer including tariff and terms and conditions of booking.

Arrival and Car Parking

• We have ample private car parking located at the front of Downderry House.
• The car park is level and illuminated at night.
• Check in is normally from 3.00pm. Earlier arrival may, however, be possible, please advise us accordingly.
• Assistance with luggage is offered to all our guests.
• Guide dogs are welcome.

Main Entrance and Reception

• Our wide front door is accessed via a low ramp.
• The front door remains open until dusk and a bell is found on the reception desk to summon assistance.
• All guests are shown to their bedrooms and our facilities/services are explained.

Guest Public Areas

• We have a guest lounge and dining room, both accessed from the main reception hall on the ground floor.
• All guest areas, including stairs, are furnished with fitted woollen carpets, bathrooms are tiled.
• There are 13 steps to a half landing then a further 5 to the first floor. This staircase has wide treads and low risers.
• There are 10 steps to a half landing and a further 5 to the second floor.
• Both stair cases have a hand rail on the right hand side.
• Access to the garden is via a door in the entrance hall which has two steps out.
• We have a guest WC located by the front door.
• 3 guest bedrooms are on the first floor, one on the ground floor and one on the second floor. Further details can be found in the ‘Bedroom’ section.
• Downderry House has central heating in all areas with individual thermostats on all bedroom radiators.
• Maps and local information can be found on the reception desk & in its two drawers.

Lounge and Dining Room

• Guests are welcome to use the lounge at any time. It is furnished with sofas and wing chairs which offer higher straight back seating.
• We light an open fire during the winter.
• A selection of books and magazines, along with board games can be found in the lounge.
• We are licensed to sell alcohol and the 'honesty bar' is located in the corner of the lounge.
• Breakfast is served in the dining room.
• A full and varied breakfast menu is offered and any dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.
• No background music is played in any area of Downderry House.

Bedrooms

• 3 Guest bedrooms are on the first floor, one on the ground floor and one on the second floor.
• All rooms are fully carpeted with ensuite bathrooms.
• All rooms have flat screen TVs with remote controls, freeview channels, teletext and subtitles.
• All rooms have DAB radios, tea and coffee making facilities, bottled water and complimentary sherry, along with hairdryer and a selection of magazines.
• Beds are normally made up with sheets and woollen blankets with feather pillows. Hollowfill fibre pillows and duvets are available if preferred.
• Extra blankets and hot water bottles are found in the wardrobes.
• Otterton (left side first floor) has a 5ft double bed
• Woodbury (end of corridor first floor) has a 5ft double bed
• Knowle (right side first floor) has 3ft twin beds
• Tipton (top of stairs second floor) has a 5 ft double bed
• Sidbury (ground floor) has 3ft twin beds which can be linked to make a 6ft double bed.
• Easy access can be gained from both sides of all our beds.
• All bedrooms have seating areas with arm chairs and/or sofas.
• We offer a room service supper tray menu.
• Additional information is contained within the Guest Folder in each bedroom.

Bathrooms

• All our bathrooms are fully tiled, have heated floors, heated towel rails and non slip bath/shower mats.
• Otterton has a cast iron roll top bath (edge 62cm from floor), walk in shower cubicle with 10cm step up, 60cm opening door, single basin and WC.
• Woodbury has large bath with hand grips (edge 62cm from floor), walk in shower cubicle with 18cm step up and 75cm opening door, single basin and WC.
• Knowle has bath with hand grips (edge 55cm from floor). The shower is over the bath with a glass screen. Single basin, separate WC with another hand basin.
• Tipton has a bath with hand grips (edge 55cm from floor), extra large walk in shower with opening door 60cm wide and a step up of 7cm, a single basin and WC.
• Sidbury has a bath with hand grips (edge 55cm from floor), walk in shower with opening door 80cm wide and a step up of 18cm, single basin and WC.

Gardens

• Access to the garden from the house is via a door in the main reception hall which has two wide steps (10cm high) to a paved terrace.
• We have a large area of level lawn accessed either from a sloped upper lawn or a flight of stone steps.
• We have a summer house adjacent to the main lawn along with chairs, tables and loungers for guests use.
• Our garden consists of flower and shrub borders with vegetable and herb gardens located to the rear of the summer house.

Additional Information

• Fire evacuation notices are displayed in the bedrooms.
• In the event of fire a very load continuous alarm sounds and emergency lighting comes on.
• Evacuation is via the front door (or patio doors from the ground floor bedroom).
• Please advise us if you think you would require assistance in the event of fire.
• Fire extinguishers are found on each landing and by the front door and fire call points can be found throughout the building.
• Downderry House is a non smoking establishment throughout but guests may smoke in the garden (an ashtray can be provided)
• We are happy to refrigerate any items for guests.
• Mobile phone reception is good and the whole house is wifi receptive.

Contact Information

If you would like further details or information, or have any comments about the facilities/services we offer please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are open all year except 3 days at Christmas and occasional holiday breaks.