Access statement for Garden Cottage, Ambleside.

Introduction

• Garden Cottage is a stone built end of terrace cottage located on falling ground on a quiet road with no through road for large vehicles known as The Green a short walk down a gentle slope of North Road of 300 metres to the centre of Ambleside.

Pre-Arrival

• We have a comprehensive website www.a-le.co.uk with photographs of the rooms.
• Bookings and enquiries can be made via e-mail, telephone, fax and letter.
• All guests are provided with written directions and a map to reach the cottage.
• The nearest bus stop is 300 metres away on the main road.
• Windermere Railway Station is 4 miles away.
• Taxis are available at Windermere Railway Station.
• Buses run regularly between Windermere to Ambleside.
• Nearest airports are Manchester and Leeds/Bradford.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities

• The cottage is on The Green with no pavement. There is space for one car outside the cottage steps on The Green. Additional cars should be parked in one of the town car parks.
• Access to the main entrance is up the 5 steps with handrail on the right hand side and signed “Rear Entrance to 1,23 The Green” turning right up 6 further steps to the front door.
• The key for the door is posted to guests before arrival or obtained from the local key holder.
• During darkness a PIR light is activated by arrival and illuminates the front area of the cottage and steps. The switch for this is located in the dining area near the window and is to be left in the DOWN “ON” position.
• Access to the rear door is up the 5 steps with handrail on the right hand side and a gentle slope to a door with automatic closing to the rear kitchen door undercover and is the most useful access after arrival. Kitchen door key is located in the Kitchen next to the boiler and to be left in the cottage for future guests.
• The front door is double glazed with handle on the right. The key is operated using “Key operating procedures” issued with the key prior to arrival.
• The front door opens inwards into the sitting and dining area across a stone floor with a large door mat. The main light switch is on the right hand side one metre from the door.
• The “Welcome Pack”, “Appliance Operating File” and “Comments Book” are on the side table near the kitchen door. Information on activities are located on the shelf on the left hand side of the fireplace.

Sitting Room and Dining Area

• The sitting room has a 2 person sofa and 3 person sofa, 1 side table, a nest of 3 tables, 2 table lamps and is lit by 3 60 watt ceiling lights.
• The carpet is light green with a rug in front of the fireplace and under the dining area.
• The Television and DVD with remote controls are located to the right of the open fire place on a dedicated stand.
• The hearth has a coal scuttle and a tool stand for the fire and fireguard.
• The dining table and five chairs are located in the window alcove overlooking the town and Loughrigg Fell.

Self-Catering Kitchen

• The kitchen has three access doors and a door into the Under Stairs cupboard.
• From the Sitting Room there is one step up into the Kitchen.
• The work surface is lakeland slate standard height with standard fridge under with small freezer compartment to the left of the sink.
• Electric hob with 4 rings is located to the right of the sink with extractor fan over and switches above.
• Full set of crockery and cooking items located at low level and eye level in storage cupboards.
• Kitchen is lit by 3 spotlights that can be directed.
• The Oven and Grill is eye level opposite the sink.
• Microwave is located to the right of the oven.
• The toaster stands on the Breakfast Table that can be pulled out and opened out to seat 5 plus. Low level kitchen stools are stored below the table and in the cupboard under the stairs.
• Flooring is cushion floor.
• The central heating and hot water boiler is located above the work surface. The current Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate is filed in the “Welcome Pack” for inspection.
• The emergency lighting pack is stored in the cupboard above the Oven.
• Keys for the Back Door, Shed, Upstairs Patio Door from Twin bedroom and Window locks are located on the wall Key Rail above the Fridge.

Under Stairs Cupboard

• Contains Iron, ironing board, mop and bucket, dustpan and brush, 3 kitchen stools and vacuum cleaner with attachments.

Stairs

• Access from the kitchen up 11 steps with a bend after 2 steps with hand rail on right hand side. Light switch on right hand side in Kitchen. Light green carpet.

Upstairs Landing

• From top of stairs, one step up to the left into Main double Bedroom and one step up to corridor on right with Bathroom, Single Bedroom and Twin Bedroom doors. 

Upstairs Bedrooms

Main Bedroom 1

• Wide Door hinged to the left carpeted with light green carpet.
• Pine double bed 4 foot 6 inches wide with head against wall with mattress and mattress protector with duvet, duvet cover, sheet and 4 non allergenic pillows with  protectors and pillow cases.
• Furnished with double wardrobe, 4 level chest of drawers, 2 bed side tables with reading lamps, casual chair and window seat overlooking the fells.
• Access to three sides of bed.  

Twin Bedroom 2

• Access from landing through standard door with light green carpet.
• Two divan beds with pine headboard, duvet, duvet cover, mattress protector, sheet and two non allergenic pillows with protectors and pillowcases each.
• Furnished with single wardrobe, two bedside tables reading lamps and 4 drawer chest of drawers with mirror over with light and shaving point over.
• Window and Patio Door to Upstairs Patio Area. Key located on right hand side of chest of drawers.
• Access to three sides of beds.  

Single Bedroom 3

• Access from Landing with standard door with light green carpet.
• Pine 3 foot bed with mattress and mattress protector, sheet and two non allergenic pillows with protectors and pillowcases.
• Furnished with single wardrobe, bedside table and reading lamp and 4 drawer chest of drawers.
• Window viewing town and fells.
• Access to bed on two sides. 

Upstairs Bathroom with Shower

• Access from Upstairs Landing through Standard door.
• Sliding catch lock.
• Low level toilet unit.
• Wash basin with standard taps and glass shelf and strip light with pull switch and shaving point.
• Spa Bath and Electric Shower with step over side of bath. Isolation switch for Spa bath located on wall in Upstairs Landing.
• Wall Radiator heated when hot water is generated for drying.
• Central Heating and hot water controls with instructions for use located in left hand cupboard behind sliding door mirror.
• Cushion floor covering. 

Laundry

• There are drying areas above the kitchen radiator and bathroom radiator and drying line under cover outside the kitchen door.
• There is a washing machine.  

Waste Disposal

• All waste to be put into Orange Waste bags in two dustbins outside Kitchen door. Bags are collected by South Lakes District Council on Wednesday WEEKLY.
• Orange bags are located under the sink in the kitchen. 

Outdoor Facilities

• Outside the Kitchen Door is a second toilet, storage cupboard in the centre containing a barbecue and tools, garden tools, stepladder for replacing light bulbs etc. and the left hand storage for coal and ashes bucket and shovel.
• The secluded Lower Patio is accessed from the front door up one step. The  Lower Patio has a plastic round table and 5 plastic chairs.
• Access to the upper patio is up 5 steps to the lawn and 5 steps up to the visible Upper Patio with a round wooden table and 5 wooden patio chairs and panoramic views over the town and fells.
• Access to the storage Garden Shed for large items bicycles etc. up 5 steps from the Upper Patio. The key is located on the Key Rail in the Kitchen. 

Local Facilities

• Full range of shops from 300 metres away in Ambleside including small town “Spa ” store and Village Shop for groceries.
• Supermarket (Booths) 4 miles away in Windermere and nearest main town with complete range  of shops at Kendal 13 miles away.
• Many restaurants and pubs offering food from 200 metres away.
• Cinema with 4 screens 500 metres.
• Lake District Museum 400 metres.
• Rydal Mount (Wordsworth House) 2 miles.
• Grasmere and Dove Cottage (Wordsworth) 4 miles.   

Leisure Facilities

• The great outdoors of The Lake District including Windermere Lake one mile away. There is “Pitch & Putt”, bowls and tennis facilities in the town as well as cycle hire.   

Additional Information

• The premises are NON- SMOKING.
• We do not allow animals in the cottage due to Asthma in the family.
• The cottage is in a good Mobile (Cell) telephone area. There  is no telephone at the cottage. Nearest public telephone is in the town at the top of Compston Road approx. 500 metres.  

Contact Information

• Address: Mr. & Mrs. W. Ascroft-Leigh, The Bitters, Bucklebury Alley, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9NH.
• Telephone: 01635 – 200647 and Mobile (Cell) 07860 – 412598.
• Email: Bill@a-le.co.uk
• Website: www.a-le.co.uk
• Hours of opening: Open All Year including Christmas and New Year.
• Emergency Number: 01635 – 200647.  

Future Plans

• Open up dining area and improve the view.  
• We welcome your comments. Please use the “Comments” Book in the cottage, telephone 01635-200647, e-mail Bill@a-le.co.uk or by letter on return of the key.