Swallow and Ivy Cottages

Swallow Cottage

Entrance
There is ample tarmac parking area just outside Swallow Cottage and a grass verge. A short path leads to the front door. A flagstone patio area with table and chairs is located either side of the main doorway. The name of the cottage is clearly located on the wall just outside the door and the doorway has external lighting.

Hallway
There is a small step through the entrance door ( width 940mm) into the hallway. Wall mounted coat hooks are provided just behind the main door. The double bedroom and a small bathroom all lead off this area and are on the same level. Three further three steps (the deepest of which is 175mm) lead from the hallway up into the main living/ dining/ kitchen area.

Living/Kitchen Area
Swallow Cottage living area is mostly open plan. The walls area mainly white lime wash and the floors are flagstone. Furniture consists of two sofas (quite low) , coffee table, dining table and four chairs, standard lamp, TV cabinet with TV, Video and DVD all with remote control. Although centrally heated the cottage also has a wood burning stove. All radiators have easily adjusted thermostat controls. There is a main central light in addition to a standard and table lamp. The furniture in this area is not fixed and therefore could be moved to create more space if necessary. Additional lighting is available in the kitchen area from the cooker hood and above the wall cupboards. The kitchen is equipped with wooden units, the worktop being 920mm high. Units are both floor and wall mounted with fridge, oven and hob, microwave, toaster and kettle. The oven door opens downwards with controls located on the front. Sockets around the work surfaces are white and contrast with the coloured tiles they are positioned against.

Bathroom
The bathroom is accessed from the hallway with a door that swings outwards. The bathroom is compact and consists of toilet, washbasin and bath with overhead shower. The step into the bath is at a height of 530mm. The floor and part of the walls are tiled. The light switch consists of a pull cord, which is located just inside the door and is easy to grip. There are no grab rails around the shower/bath area but the shower controls are easy to grip and the showerhead is adjustable. The shaving socket is located above the mirror over the washbasin.

Double Bedroom
This is accessed from the main hallway through a latch door, which is 740mm wide.
The room has laminate wood flooring, a double bed, two bedside cabinets, a chair a chest of drawers and a fitted wardrobe. Overhead bed lights are operated by a pull cord but there is also a central light with the switch just inside the door. The bed has a firm surface and is at a height of 580mm.

Stairs and First Floor Bedroom
A steep wooden alternate tread stairs leads to the attic bedroom. These stairs would not be suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties or for very young children. A hand rope runs along the right hand side of the stairs ascending. The stairs leads directly to the attic room, which has wooden floorboards and a very low ceiling at the sides. The room has a single bed with a pull-out bed stored underneath.

Ivy Cottage

Entrance
There is ample tarmac parking area just outside Ivy Cottage and a grass verge. A short path with a slight gradient leads to the front door. A flagstone patio area with table and chairs is located either side of the main doorway. The name of the cottage is clearly located on the wall just outside the door and the doorway has external lighting.

Living, Dining/Kitchen Area
The main entrance door is 710mm wide and has a glass panel within the top half of the door. The threshold/step into the cottage is approximately 250mm. The doorway leads straight into a communal area, which encompasses the dining area, kitchen and lounge. The flooring in the room is all on one level and consists of flagstone flooring with a central rug. Furniture consists of two sofas, an extending dining table with four chairs and a stool, coffee table, standard lamp, TV cabinet with TV, video and DVD player. Although centrally heated the cottage also has a wood burning stove. All radiators have easily adjusted thermostat controls. There is a main central light in addition to a standard lamp. The furniture in this area is not fixed and therefore could be moved to create more space if necessary. The room is lit by two large windows.  

Additional lighting is available in the kitchen area from the cooker hood and above the wall cupboards. The kitchen is equipped with wooden units, the worktop being 920mm high. Units are both floor and wall mounted with fridge, oven and hob, microwave, toaster and kettle. The oven door opens downwards with controls located on the front. Sockets around the work surfaces are white and contrast with the coloured tiles they are positioned against. A fire blanket and first aid kit are provided.

Hallway
The hallway leads from the lounge down to the bathroom, two downstairs bedrooms, stairs and large storage cupboard. The hallway is 1020mm wide and on the same level as the living area. A mirror and coat hooks are provided in this area.

Bathroom
The internal door leading from the hallway into the bathroom swings open outwards and has a width of 720mm. There is one ceiling light and a small window for natural light. There are shower facilities positioned over the bath with a step into the bath at a height of 530mm. The shower controls are easy to use and the showerhead is adjustable. There are at present no grab rails in the bathroom. The sink consists of a basin and pedestal and the shaving socket is positioned at a height of 1530mm on the left hand side of the sink.

Double Bedroom
The internal door between the hallway and the double bedroom is an inward swinging door with a clear opening of 680mm. The room contains a double bed, pine wardrobe, chest of drawers and two bedside tables. The floor consists of wood laminate. There is one ceiling light and a large window. Switches on either side of the bed operate two overhead bed lights.

Twin Bedroom
Next door to the double bedroom is the twin bedroom, which is accessed in the same way and also has laminate floors. This room has two single beds, which are slightly narrower than standard singles. It also contains a wardrobe, chest of drawers with tilting mirror and two bedside tables. A window provides natural light but there is also a central light and two wall lights above the beds, which are operated by pull-cords.

Stairs and Gallery
A steep wooden alternate tread stairs leads directly to the small gallery. These stairs would not be suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties or for very young children. The room would not be suitable for a tall adult! A hand rope runs along the right hand side of the stairs ascending. The stairs leads directly to the gallery/mezzanine, which has wooden floorboards, a very low sloping ceiling and a sky light providing natural light. The room has a single bed with bedside table and chest of drawers. This gallery partially overlooks the twin bedroom below.
 

Review Date – August 2008