Access Statement for Stockham Farm Exmoor

Access Statement for Stockham Farm Exmoor Self Catering Holiday Cottages

Address: Stockham Farm, Stockham Hill, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9JH

Website: https://stockhamfarmexmoor.co.uk

Tel: Ali Pegrum: 07785 901017 and Jeff Pegrum: 07976 951860

Introduction

Stockham Farm has two self-catering holiday cottages – the Victorian Wing Cottage and the Piggery Cottage – located just over a mile from Dulverton, Exmoor, Somerset. The cottages are situated on the farm and are approximately 50 metres from each other.

Inclusivity

We are pleased to welcome everyone at Stockham Farm, regardless of faith, nationality, sexuality etc. We even featured in a special ‘Everyone is Welcome’ video created on behalf of Visit Somerset soon after the pandemic.

Those with mental health issues or stressful lives find the tranquility at Stockham extremely calming and restorative. Guests are welcome to practice yoga on the big lawn whilst enjoying the far reaching view across the Exe Valley. Star gazing at Stockham – an Exmoor National Park ‘Dark Sky Friendly’ destination – is always popular.

For guests with mobility or sight issues, we have provided handrails where possible and appropriate lighting which are detailed below.

We are always pleased to explain any element of farming, Exmoor wildlife, trees, flowers, birdlife or animal welfare to all our guests if they are interested, particularly our youngest guests and those with learning difficulties or on the autism spectrum.

We are creating a special ‘Fairy Forest’ at the farm for visitors of all ages – an area of woodland that has been restored and protected and now has mown paths through trees with wild flowers and tiny doors for fairies. This will become a special sensory area and a magical imaginary journey for children and adults with learning difficulties.

Pre-Arrival

The Stockham Farm Exmoor website contains photographs and videos of both cottages, booking information and useful links to local area attractions.
Reservations/enquiries can be made via email, telephone, the direct website booking form, via Airbnb or via The Best of Exmoor agency.
The nearest airports are Exeter (45 minute drive) and Bristol (1hr 15 minute drive).
The nearest railway station is Tiverton Parkway, approximately 40 minute drive and 12 miles from Stockham Farm.
Taxi information can be found on the FAQ page of the website.
Public transport using buses is very limited on Exmoor and guests are advised to check online via https://www.firstbus.co.uk/somerset/plan-journey/timetables and https://www.atwest.org.uk/198-bus/
Guests are invited to bring their walking equipment and bicycles to Stockham Farm. Details are provided in the cottages of suggested walking and cycling routes to take from the door.
Pets are accepted by prior arrangement.
Guests are also invited to bring their horses to Stockham and there is a detailed listing on the website explaining our equestrian provision and requirements. Stables, paddocks, straw, haylage and riding routes are provided at the farm.
A cot and high chair are available if required for very young guests.
Mobile signal is excellent, particularly for EE.
WiFi is extremely fast via Starlink with download speeds in excess of 100 mbps and upload speeds in excess of 30 mpbs – each cottage has its own dedicated WiFi log in password.
Each cottage has an easily accessed dedicated metered EV charging point (13 amp trickle supply) outside. Guests are advised to bring their own adaptors.
Both cottages contain lots of information for local attractions, events etc

Outside

Stockham Farm is a working farm, in as much as there are sheep and horses located in the fields all around and certain fields are cut for haylage in the summer for personal use. The gardens and grounds extend to 35 acres.
The horses are brought into the stables in the stable yard opposite the Piggery cottage.
The stable yard, stables and barns contain farm machinery, animal feed, farm tools etc.
Guests do not have access to these areas unless they are bringing horses with them on holiday.
Each cottage has a dedicated garden area for guests to enjoy.

The Victorian Wing Cottage (sleeps up to 4 people)

Arrival, Departure and Car Parking

Guests have access to the cottage from 16.00 on the day of arrival.
Check out time is 10am on the day of departure.
There is private parking for up to 4 vehicles outside the cottage.
The parking area is flat and tarmacked.
There is PIR sensor lighting above the enclosed porch across the parking area.
There is no step into the porch, and two steps from the porch into the cottage living room. There is no handrail.

Access

The cottage is accessed via the large porch door, with two steps up to the glazed door into the sitting room.
Outside light with sensor.
Light in porch.
There are no grab rails in the porch.
The porch contains four deckchairs and a special boot rack.

Sitting Room

Large room with inglenook fireplace and woodburning stove, all implements supplied.
Fireguard can be provided upon request.
Two large sofas and coffee table.
Two bookshelves and Welsh dresser.
Smart TV.
Wood effect laminate flooring with underfloor heating.
Door to cellar where ironing board, vacuum etc can be found at top of cellar steps. No need for guests to go down into cellar.
Carpeted stairs with handrail to mezzanine floor.
Double glazed windows with monkey tail lockable handles.

Mezzanine Floor

Mezzanine level has small carpeted area with an emergency exit straight ahead into garden (no steps) and doors to left and right.
Underfloor heating throughout mezzanine level.
To the left is the kitchen/breakfast room.
Good contrast between wood effect laminated floor, cupboards, Welsh dresser and table.
Pine table with 4 wooden chairs with cushions and safety grippers on table and chair feet.
Exmoor map on wall.
Welsh dresser containing all glassware and crockery.
Tall fridge/freezer split 50/50.
Slim dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, toaster, kettle, electric fan oven and electric ceramic hob with extractor fan hood.
Double glazed windows with monkey tail lockable handles.
To the right is the bathroom.
Ceramic tiles on floor.
Heated towel rail.
Bath with power shower above.
WC and basin.
Carpeted stairs with handrail to first floor.

Bedroom 1

Kingsize bed with two bedside cabinets and lamps with thumb switches.
Dressing chest with 4 drawers and mirror above.
Large mirror on wall.
USB port in one socket beside bed.
Hangers provided on hook behind door.
Carpet and radiator.
Double glazed windows with monkey tail lockable handles.

Bedroom 2

Superking size bed, which is a zip and link style so can be converted into two full size twin beds if requested.
Large upholstered armchair.
Hangers provided on hooks beneath shelf.
Chest of 3 drawers with mirror on wall above.
Beside cabinets with lamps with pull on switches.
USB port in one socket beside bed.
Locked cupboard in corner containing water cylinder.
Carpet and radiator.
Double glazed windows with monkey tail lockable handles.

Victorian Wing Cottage Garden

Victorian Wing guests have sole use of the orchard garden beside the cottage, which is accessed by two slate steps and no hand rail.
The orchard garden is not enclosed, but has low stone walls on three sides with gaps. Far reaching views from the garden.
There are a number of fruit trees in the garden (apple varieties, mulberry and Victoria plum) with flowering borders.
There is a large table and four chairs in the shade of the trees on a specifically flattened area.
Cushions for these chairs can be found indoors in the sitting room.
The kettle bbq is located close to the front door, below the orchard, with pots beside containing herbs for guests’ use. Guests are asked to provide their own charcoal.

The Piggery Cottage (sleeps up to 6 people)

Arrival, Departure and Car Parking

Guests have access to the cottage from 16.00 on the day of arrival.
Check out time is 10am on the day of departure.
There is private parking for up to 4 vehicles outside the cottage.
The parking area is predominantly flat with grey stone.
There are two steps from the parking area to the courtyard garden, through a 900mm high gate. There is no handrail.
There is PIR sensor lighting from the parking area to the front door.

Access

The cottage is accessed via the large half glazed front door.
Outside light with sensor.
Hall with hooks for coats and stairs ahead.

Sitting Room

To the right of the hall is the sitting/dining room.
Large room with gas-fired woodburning stove, instructions for lighting this are provided.
Fireguard can be provided upon request.
Two large sofas, two chairs and a coffee table.
Glazed cupboard containing books and tourism information.
Smart TV.
Pine table with six chairs and cushions and safety grippers on table and chair feet.
Wood effect laminate flooring with underfloor heating.
Locked cupboard containing heating controls.
Single glazed windows.

Kitchen

To the left of the hall is the kitchen, up two wooden steps with a handrail.
Good contrast between wood effect laminated floor and painted cupboards.
Underfloor heating.
Tall fridge/freezer split 50/50.
Slim dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, toaster, kettle, electric fan oven and electric ceramic hob with extractor fan hood.
Exmoor map on wall.
Single glazed windows with window seat and cushions.
Three wooden steps with handrail to the ground floor bedrooms/bathroom area.

Shower Room

To the right is the shower room.
Ceramic tiles on floor.
Underfloor heating.
Heated towel rail.
Large walk in cubicle with power shower.
WC and basin.
Tiled shelf with large mirror above with motion activated lighting surround.

Bedroom 1

Kingsize bed with two bedside cabinets and lamps with thumb switches.
Dressing chest with 3 drawers and mirror above.
Large mirror on wall.
USB port in one socket beside bed.
Hangers provided on hooks beneath shelf.
Underfloor heating.
Single glazed window and Velux window in ceiling with hook provided to open if required.
Carpet.

Bedroom 2

Two full size twin beds.
Hangers provided on hooks beneath shelf.
Small bedside chest of 3 drawers between beds, with lamp with thumb switch.
Chest of 4 drawers with mirror and lamp with thumb switch.
USB port in one socket beside bed.
Underfloor heating.
Two single glazed windows.
Carpet.

First Floor

Returning to hall, access via carpeted turning staircase to first floor. Handrails provided.

Bathroom

Bath with handheld shower attachment and Velux window above bath.
Washbasin and WC.
Heated towel rail.
Ceramic tiled floor.

Bedroom 3

Kingsize bed with two bedside cabinets and lamps with pull switches.
Dressing chest with 3 drawers and mirror above.
USB port in one socket beside bed.
Hangers provided on hooks beneath shelf.
Large upholstered armchair.
Double glazed window with white handles with locks.
Carpet and radiator.

Piggery Garden

The Piggery cottage guests have sole use of the courtyard style garden directly outside the door, which has traditional Exmoor banks and hedges on three sides. Far reaching views from the whole garden.
The garden is a combination of paving and white gravel with a paved area with an outside tap.
On two levels – the lower level has a large table with eight chairs and a parasol provided in the summer.
On the upper level (accessed via 2 steps with no handrail) is the kettle bbq, pots with herbs, a metal bench and garden armchairs with cushions and a matching coffee table.
In addition there is a separate grassy area beside the Piggery pond. The pond is not fenced from the grassy area, but it is fenced from the adjacent parking area.

Access Statement for Stockham Farm Exmoor