Swallow Cottage, Nr Bakewell, Derbsyhire

SWALLOW COTTAGE, 7 MAIN STREET, ELTON, DERBYSHIRE, DE4 2BW

Access Statement for Small Self Catering semi-detached Cottage
(larger print is available by request)

Introduction

Our self-catering cottage is in the heart of the unspoilt conservation village of Elton in Derbyshire, which is within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park, providing a scenic and convenient centre for every activity the Peak District and Derbyshire has to offer. Our Visitors all comment on their enjoyable stay in an immaculate, comfortable cottage and many return again and again.

Regrettably the cottage is not suitable for anyone with severe mobility problems or wheelchairs. Pets and smoking are not permitted. We would also emphasise that there is no shop, pub or restaurant serving food in the village, but a general store and two excellent pubs are only a mile away. Although there are buses from the village to Matlock and Bakewell, total dependence on public transport could cause problems. Having said that, Elton is on a bus route, and we have had visitors with a free bus pass leave their car in the village to enjoy their travel (often in scenic area) by bus. Also, visitors from overseas have used only buses for their holiday! Up to date bus timetables are available at the cottage.

We have tried to provide as much information as possible in this statement; if you have any queries please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you.

Pre-Arrival
· We have a comprehensive website which can be used to make bookings.
· E-mail, telephone or letter can also make Bookings/enquiries.
· The nearest bus stop is 150 metres from the cottage entrance. The 172 bus runs from Elton to Bakewell and Matlock Station. A timetable of the buses is at the cottage. A full list of Public Transport availability in and around the area and information of transport to the Peak District can be found on pages 6/7 of this statement.
· The nearest public telephone is 150 metres from the cottage on the opposite side of Main Street
· The nearest train station is Matlock, which is 6 miles away; there are accessible taxis at the station.
· The nearest airport is East Midlands which is 37 miles away.
· A hospitality tray including tea, coffee and biscuits with a bottle of fresh milk in the fridge is always ready for visitors on arrival.
· The cottage is always kept immaculately clean and well equipped.
· The sleeping accommodation is in one double and one single bedroom and suitable for up to three people. Children are welcome but there is not much space for a cot.
· Beds are made up with cotton sheets, duvets and bedspreads.
· Towels can also be provided for a small charge.
· There is no RADAR toilet in the village, but many of the nearby towns have this facility and keys can be obtained for visitors when travelling if necessary. See page 6 for details.
· Large Print of instructions for cottage facilities can be provided on request.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities
· Parking for the cottage is in the street which is a quiet road.
· As there is a 5-bar gate and small post office directly opposite the cottage we advise visitors to unload opposite the front gate and then park a few yards from the cottage (either direction) where the road widens.
· The cottage has a walled and gated front patio area reached via a single shallow step from the road.

Cottage Entrance
· The entrance is up 1 step 7cm deep.
· The door opening is 80cm wide and the keyhole lock is 80cm high.
· Inside the entrance is a small hallway.
· The light switches for the kitchen and stairs are to the left of the entrance door.
· The electric meter is on the right of the hallway.
· The stopcock is also situated to the right of the radiator in the hallway.
· The staircase is situated to the right of the entrance hallway. This leads directly into a small hallway and open plan to the kitchen and staircase.
· The stairs are 20cm deep tread and 69cm wide. They have handrails either side. The steps are carpeted with short pile carpet.

Kitchen
· The kitchen is directly in front of the entrance door.
· Worktop height is 91cm high.
· The oven is electric and has two oven compartments. The bottom oven door opens from the right. The top oven, which is also the grill area, has a drop down door. The hob is above the top oven at worktop height.
· The sink is 91 cm high with cupboards underneath. These cupboards have dustpan and cleaning materials.
· The microwave is on a shelf to the right of the sink and is 152cm high. The door opens to the left.
· There is a washer/dryer to the right of the sink. The door opens to the right and instructions are provided. The tap to turn the washer/dryer on or off is under the sink.
· The fridge/freezer has an overall height of 121cm.
· There is under stairs space which holds the vacuum cleaner, spare light bulbs and spare batteries for the smoke alarms.
· The flooring is wood look vinyl.
· The crockery is to be found in the upper cupboards and is all matching Portmeirion Harvest Blue. 6 of each item are available which should be ample as the cottage accommodates up to 3.
· Cutlery is stainless steel and there is comprehensive equipment of good quality saucepans, cooking utensils etc for use.
· There is a modern combi boiler for heating and hot water situated in the kitchen.

Dining Room and Lounge
· The door to the dining room/lounge is immediately to the left of the front door. The door width is 70 cm wide and 188cm. The ceiling has beams and the height from floor to ceiling beams is 191cm (6ft 3in.).
· The dining area and lounge are open plan with a door to the garden at the rear of the property.
· The folding table is round and has a folding flap to the front and the rear of the table.
The table is 107 cm wide and 71cm high.
· 4 dining cushioned chairs are provided. 1 chair is kept in the single bedroom. The chairs are easily moveable.
· Flooring is short pile carpet throughout the room.
· One sofa and two easy chairs are provided all with arms. A pouffe/foot rest is also provided.
· The television, with remote control, has a freeview box to obtain digital channels. Also, a DVD and Video player. A selection of DVDs and Videos. Including recordable videotapes are in the cupboard under the TV. A bookcase with a variety of books is to the right of the TV. A CD radio and tape player is on top of the bookcase. Books and magazines of particular local interest are provided. The door to the garden is a stable type door with opening top and is 67cm wide and 184cm high.
· There are two steep steps 40cm leading to a concrete patio.

Rear Patio and Garden
· The concrete patio, which leads on to the rear garden, has a shed to the right, which holds garden furniture and a BBQ.
· There are 2 steep steps 62cm deep, which lead on to a grass area with a picnic table at the bottom. The rear garden has lovely views towards Robin Hood Stride and over the peaks. The rear garden has recently been extended and there are steps to a further grassed garden with dry stone walls.

Front Patio area

The patio area at the front of the cottage is an attractive area with a bench seat, variety of patio plants and has an iron gate and dry stonewall.

Upstairs
The stairs to the first floor as mentioned are not difficult to use unless mobility is very limited and lead to a landing. The window on the landing overlooks the rear of the cottage.

Single Bedroom
· The single bedroom door is 66cm wide.
· It has a 3ft bed 56cm including bedding. The room has ample storage. Space is 49cm wide at the side of the bed.
· A double socket, which can be used for a night-light, is to the right of the door.
· The floor has short pile carpet.

Double bedroom

· The door width is identical to the single room.
· The double bed is 4ft 6” and is 56cm high to the top of the mattress.
· Bedding for both the double and single beds are non-feather duvets and pillows. Duvets are 13.5 tog for the winter and 10.5 tog for other seasons. Two pillows per person are provided.
Mattress, pillow and duvet protectors are always provided and beds made up for arrival.
· Sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases are cotton or cotton/polyester.
· Extra blankets are provided.
· Largest transfer space available to left or right of bed is 39cm.
· The window in the bedroom can be fully opened in the event of an emergency.
· A wardrobe and chest of drawers are provided
· The floor has a short pile carpet.

Bathroom

· The bathroom is modern and has good lighting and a heated towel rail.
· The bath has an electric shower over it with full tiling.
· A non-slip mat is provided for the bath. The bath cannot have a handrail fitted because of the way it is situated but has wide edges. The taps are in the middle and the shower at the end. However, people with limited mobility, i.e. knee replacement have not had difficulty getting in or out. The bath is 54 cm high and the bath is 41cm deep and 156 cm long.
· The sink is 89cm high and has a cupboard under with spare toilet roll and hot water bottles. The toilet has energy efficient flushing. Toilet seat height is 41cm high.
· Flooring is vinyl.

Heating

· The cottage has full central heating. This is controlled by radiator thermostats and for convenience, the lounge has a wall sited programmer which will allow heating to be advanced for easy control outside of the set times.
· The cottage also has double glazing.

Additional information

· There is a comprehensive information folder produced in easy to read print.
· The property has full central heating easily controlled by a roomstat and thermostat valves on the radiators.
· Wheelchair bound visitors would not find the property easy. There is only one toilet which is in the bathroom upstairs. Visitors with more limited mobility, i.e. elderly but can get up stairs or visitors with physical difficulties, such as replacement joints etc. have visited the cottage and had no problems, as the stairs are easy to climb to the first floor.
· The benefit of the bathroom on the first floor is popular with many visitors as many cottages have only downstairs bathrooms.
· Derbyshire Council maintained car parks are free in all areas of the peak district for those with blue badges.
· There is no telephone at the cottage but mobile phone reception is good. A public telephone is just 150 metres from the cottage.
· The cottage is no smoking.
· No pets are allowed.
· In an emergency or for information, our caretaker lives next door to the cottage and is always willing to help with any queries either for the cottage or the area around. Please do not hesitate to contact us, the owners should you have any queries.
· The National Park Authority aims to make recreational facilities available to as many people as possible. This includes providing special parking bays at popular car parks, accessible information centres and picnic sites, toilets with facilities for disabled people and, where practical, access onto suitably surfaced paths. See separate pages with information on toilet accessibility in various towns and villages including facilities for the disabled or baby changing.
· Parking in Derbyshire: The National Park Authority owns 49 car parks. A parking fee is charged at most of these car parks.Disabled people displaying the blue badge park free.

Contact Information

· Address of property is: Swallow Cottage, 7 Main Street, Elton, Derbyshire, DE4 2BW.
· Address of the owners, Lois and Andrew Clark and for all other contact is: 62 High Street, Dry Drayton, Cambridge, CB23 8BS. Telephone No: 01954 780893. E-mail: lois@swallow-cottage.co.uk; website: www.swallow-cottage.co.uk.
· Caretaker: Mrs Julie Oldfield, 6 Main Street, Elton. Telephone No. 01629 650327.

We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve. If you have any comments or enquiries please telephone 01954 780893, e-mail or leave feedback behind at the cottage.

The following information is taken from the Peak District website.

Public Transport around the Peak District

The Peak District enjoys an extensive public transport network, enabling you to have a full day out exploring the area without using the car. Getting to the Peak District couldn’t be easier by train or bus, and regular services link many of the area’s most popular destinations.

Getting Here by Train

The cities neighbouring the Peak District all have regular intercity rail services from destinations across the country. From these cities, it’s easy to make onward journeys into the Peak District by train. You can catch:

· The Hope Valley Line between Manchester and Sheffield stopping on the way at villages in the beautiful Derwent, Hope and Edale valleys
· The Derwent Valley Line from Derby to Matlock
· The Manchester to Buxton line
· The Manchester to Glossop line.

For information on train times and fares on all these routes, you can call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950, or visit their website at www.nationalrail.co.uk. From Matlock and Buxton, regular bus services will take you into the heart of the Peak District.

Getting Here by Bus or Coach

You can get to the Peak District by bus or coach. National Express service 440 runs from London to Manchester, stopping in Matlock, Bakewell and Buxton. They also offer services to towns and cities around the edge of the Peak District, from where easy local connections are available, as do Megabus.

From Derby, Nottingham and Manchester you could catch the TransPeak bus service, which runs right through the heart of the Peak District.

There are also bus services into the Peak District from many other towns and cities. You can find out more by visiting the website or calling the enquiry number for your area.

Derbyshire or phone 0870 608 2 608
Cheshire or phone 0870 608 2 608
Greater Manchester or phone 0870 608 2 608
Nottingham or phone 0870 608 2 608
Nottinghamshire or phone 0870 608 2 608
South Yorkshire or phone 01709 515151
Staffordshire or phone 0870 608 2 608
West Yorkshire or phone 0113 2457676.

Getting Here by Plane

If you’re coming to the Peak District from further afield, there are two convenient international airports locally. From Manchester Airport a regular rail service runs to Manchester city centre, from where you can connect by rail into the Peak District. Alternatively, take bus service 199 from the Airport to Buxton (there is a regular service to Bakewell or Matlock and to Elton but beware of the connection times to Elton!).
Further south, it’s easy to get to the Peak District from East Midlands Airport. A regular bus service runs from East Midlands Airport to Derby from where you can get to the Peak District by train or bus (again the connection to Elton can be difficult).

Travelling by Bus and Train in the Peak District

Once you’ve got to the Peak District, there are plenty of public transport services to get you around the area. There are even special events and discounts that you can make the most of as a public transport user.

The Peak District Bus Timetable, published in March and October, is a comprehensive source of timetable information. It is available from any Tourist Information Centre in the area or you can order the Peak District bus timetable by post. Alternatively, you can use Derbyshire County Council's online journey planner.

Peak Connections provides a range of leaflets giving information on how to have a day out at some of the area’s main attractions by bus, such as Chatsworth and the Castleton Caverns.

If you’re travelling by train, Transpeak Walks offer a range of free guided walks suitable for all ages and abilities. The volunteer guides meet designated trains for a stroll, or more strenuous walk, into the surrounding countryside. For details of the walks programme visit the Transpeak Walks website.

The Hope Valley Line also has regular Folk Trains, running into the Peak District from Manchester and Sheffield, and also on the Manchester to Glossop rail line.

At the other end of the Peak District, you can travel back in time by train – Peak Rail run steam trains between Matlock and Rowsley.

Public toilets

The Peak District National Park Authority has toilets in the following places.
All toilets have facilities for people with disabilities, although some can only be accessed by people who hold a RADAR key.
Location Grid Ref Radar key required Baby changing facilities
Alstonefield SK 1305 5564 Yes
Binn Green SE 0175 0435
Bowden Bridge, Hayfield SK 0487 8692 Yes
Crowden SK 0730 9930 Yes
Derbyshire Bridge SK 0185 7155
Dovedale SK 1465 5096 Yes
Hartington Station SK 1496 6108 Yes
Hollin Bank, Stanage SK 2373 8375 Yes Yes
Langsett SE 2110 0045
Mapleton Lane, Ashbourne SK 1751 4734 Yes
Millers Dale SK 1385 7328
Parsley Hay SK 1468 6371 Yes
Tideswell Dale SK 1540 7422 Yes
Tissington SK 1776 5205 Yes
Torside SK 0680 9831
Trentabank SJ 9617 7115
Waterhouses SK 0857 5015 Yes
White Lodge SK 1702 7060 Yes Yes
Opening times:
Summer: 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
Winter: 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
These times apply to Derbyshire Bridge, Dovedale, Tideswell Dale, Mapleton Lane, White Lodge.
All other toilets are open 24 hours.

More information

All toilets are cleaned and inspected regularly, but if you do find a problem please contact :
Weekdays: 01629 816200
Weekends and Bank Holidays: 01629 816572
Email: rangers@peakdistrict.gov.uk
RADAR keys cost £2.50 and can be bought from Information Centres at Castleton, Bakewell and Fairholmes in the Upper Derwent. They can also be obtained from:
Peak District NPA
Aldern House
Baslow Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire DE45 1AE
Please make your cheque payable to 'PDNPA'.
RADAR
12 City Road
London EC1 U8AF
Telephone: 0207 250222

Cycling in the Peak District

You don’t have to use public transport to travel sustainably in the Peak District. There are plenty of opportunities to travel by bike – the Peak District benefits from a significant traffic-free cycle network. There are traffic-free cycle routes from Ashbourne and Cromford towards Buxton (the Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail) and from Bakewell towards Buxton (the Monsal Trail).

If you don’t have your own bike, you can hire bikes from one of three National Park cycle hire centres.

You can also find out more about the National Cycle Network by visiting the Sustrans website.

Cycle Hire

The Peak District is popular with all types of cyclists and with hire centres conveniently placed to access the marvellous traffic free routes you don’t even need to bring your own bike. Cycling is not only healthy exercise but great fun and the perfect way to appreciate the stunning scenery of the area.

A great day out for all the family

With over 30 years' experience of hiring cycles the Peak District National Park Authority currently operates three Centres at Ashbourne, Derwent and Parsley Hay where trained and helpful staff can provide a huge range of cycles and accessories to suit all sizes, ages and abilities. Toilets, car parking, refreshments and local information are all available.

Quality cycles

Cycles are replaced every year to maintain high standards of comfort, safety and performance. We also have baby seats, child buggies, trailerbikes and tandems.

Opening times

Centres are open from 9:30am to 5:30pm (or dusk if earlier) every day from March to October with limited opening during the winter (contact individual Centres for more details).

Cycling for the less able

We can provide tandems, trikes, hand-cranked tricycles, wheelchair cycles and powered mobility scooters.

Good cyclists' code

The trails are often busy at peak times with a mixture of cyclists, walkers and horse riders. These wonderful traffic free trails have to be shared so please consider other users at all times. Use your bell or give a warning when approaching others.

Safety tips
· be prepared for uneven/loose surfaces
· don’t cycle too close to other cyclists
· beware of vehicles on country roads
· cycling too fast can be dangerous
· helmet loan is free to hirers, we strongly
· recommend they are worn
Groups
All types of groups can be catered for, please telephone the Centre to check availability.

Other cycle hire

Cycle hire is provided in other places to help you enjoy the National Park by bike including another Peak Cycle Hire Centre at Middleton Top operated by Derbyshire County Council and private operators at Waterhouses for the Manifold Track (Brown End Farm and Manifold Valley Bikes).

The above information (pages7-12) has been provided from the Peak District Website.