This access statement does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs,                                                                                                 but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our guests/visitors.

 

Access Statement for three self-catering accommodations for

Mill House Cottages, Hitcham, Suffolk;

                   Franz Cottage                                          Lily Cottage                                           The Bakery

 

Introduction

Mill House Cottages are located in a hamlet in the quiet rural village of Hitcham on the B1115, which runs between the nearest towns of Stowmarket and Sudbury and between the villages of Bildeston and Great Finborough. There are other access country roads but directions from the A12 or A14 are what visitors find most helpful:

By Car from the M25 take the A12 accessing the B1070 to Hadleigh. Once through the small town of Hadleigh follow the sign for Sudbury A134.  At the junction where the B1070 meets the A134, take the B1115 to Stowmarket, which are a left turn then an almost immediate right turn onto the B1115.  Passing through the village of Bildeston the Hitcham village sign is approximately 2.5 miles from Mill House Holiday Cottages. Once in Hitcham pass the village shop and post office which is approximately 1.1 miles from your destination with a large sign on the road side on the left which says Mill House Holiday Cottages.

 

To find us from Stowmarket (off the A14) head for Stowmarket then turning right following the sign for the B1115 Great Finborough of which Hitcham is the next village.  Mill House Cottages are approximately one mile past the Hitcham village sign, on the right hand side of the road with a large sign by the gate.

 

Coach and Train – for all your travel information visit www.traveline.info   

 

Bus Stop approximately 100 metres from Mill House Holiday Cottages on the junction of The Brettenham Road and B1115 (it is an unofficial bus stop and not on timetables), which is between Hitcham Causeway and Hitcham adjacent The Ranch bus stops.  

Buses to Stowmarket (approximately 15 minutes) and Hadleigh (approximately 30 minutes) are very limited.   Visit www.traveline.info  for all current local bus routes and time information

The road outside the main gate of Mill House Cottages is the B1115 and is a thirty-mile speed limited throughout the village.  There are no paths off the road in most areas of the village except by the shop to the pub.

 

Hitcham Shop and Post Office 1.1 miles opened Monday to Saturday from 7.30am – 7pm (Monday - Saturday), closed on Sunday.                   The shop has an assortment of basic household provisions and food, which includes a limited selection of fresh vegetables and meat produce, daily baked bread, canned and packet food, small freezer section, off licence and newspapers and magazines.

A newspaper delivery can be organised through Melanie, which comes from Bildeston.

 

Bildeston Village Shop and Post Office is 3.3 miles opens everyday from 8am – 6pm with a half day only on Sunday morning.

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Local Taxi Services: 

Adams Travel – 6 Seater VW Shuttle – Stowmarket based

Landline: 01449 614144      Mobile: 02889110  Email:  adam1.burton@virgin.net

E.C.Cars – Monks Eleigh based.  Landline: 01449 740592 Mobile: 07787571490

Gold Star – Stowmarket based. Landline: 01449 676767

 

The two nearest small rural shopping towns easily reached on the B1115 (on bus routes) with a petrol station, various banks, assortment of shops, places to eat and drink are Hadleigh approximately 8 miles away which main supermarket is the CO-OP.   Stowmarket, with a railway station 5.7 miles away supermarkets include Asda, Morrisons, Lidel, Tescos.    An assortment of farm shops are local the nearest is 6 miles.

Hitcham is very centrally located in the county and often referred to as ‘the heart of Suffolk’.  The market towns that also surround Hitcham are Bury St. Edmunds and Sudbury 16 miles and Ipswich 18 miles away. 

 

Stowmarket Health Care and Stow Mobility, is in the centre of the shopping area in Stowmarket 5.7 miles away.  They aim to be “helping the less able”, providing assessment, advice, sales, service, maintenance and hire of all equipment (e.g. small equipment, continence supplies, wheelchairs, scooters) to aid and encourage independence.  Shopmobility service is available – scooters and wheelchairs free for use in town – day, weekend or longer hire of some other equipment.  It is always advisable to request a demonstration and trial of equipment before purchasing.   Disabled Parking.  

Opening Times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 4pm, Saturday: 9am – 1pm, Sunday: closed

Venue Details:  Stowmarket Health Care and Stow Mobility. Crowe Street, Stowmarket, Suffolk. IP14 1DL.  Tel 01449 616234  Fax 01449 616237. 

Email: stowmobility@yahoo.co.uk            Website   http://stowmarkethealthcare.co.uk

 

The ordinate survey map states that our location is one of the highest points of Suffolk, but the area is relatively flat with gradual undulating countryside, which makes it very scenic.  Mill House Holiday Cottages is situated in four acres of land with two open natural ponds with wildlife including wild ducks and moorhens.     It is not unusual to see from your window a munt jack deer grazing at the shrubs, squirrels, rabbits, etc and an array of bird life.  Please be aware especially if the weather is icy or wet the risk of slipping on uneven surfaces taking great care by the open ponds.  It is the responsibility of the adult in charge to supervise the children in their party at all times in every area of the property. 

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Pre-Arrival, Key Collection, Welcome and Car Parking

The key is normally in the door of your booked cottage for your arrival.  Please pay Melanie & Doug a call at their home, Mill House which is the larger house nearest the road, approximately 10 metres away from the holiday cottages.  Their conservatory door is used as the main door and there is a bell to the left of the door mounted on the wall, please ring it as hard as you can so that they can hear you (where ever they are on the property) and they should appear!  If they are not on the property at a time you wish to arrive, they will make arrangements to suit you, just let them know prior to your arrival.

Arrival is normally from 3pm and departure 10am.  If you wish to arrive prior to 3pm or very late, they are most willing to help to accommodate your needs.  If you wish to depart later, please let them know as soon as possible and prior to the departure day and they will endeavour to assist you.

We will be pleased to help you with your luggage.

Parking is available for six vehicles on a gravel surface courtyard area immediately outside the front door of each cottage.  There is plenty more parking on the property.

This area is well lit at night by motion sensor lights.

Bikes, electric wheelchairs, roof racks/storage etc can be stored in a dry out building locked away.  Mobility scooters can be charged next to the cottages.

There is a information pack in each cottage about the property, manuals, information and brochures about places to visit and maps of walks.  If you wish to borrow Ordinate Survey Maps or Bicycle Route maps, please ask. 

 

LILY COTTAGE

Ground Floor Accommodation

Entrance

• The front door is 780mm wide.

• There is one step to the front door with a handrail on the left hand side.  

• The entrance is well lit by an overhead light with paving outside the front door and an exterior door mat.

Entrance Hall

• The hall is lit by a single ceiling light.

• The hall is 900mm wide and there is a night storage heater mounted on the wall, which is 130mm in depth.

• The floor covering is short pile carpet with a doormat.

• There are three doors opening outwards leading off the hall to the sitting room 720mm wide, bedroom 640mm wide and bathroom door is 720mm wide.

Sitting Room

• The sitting room is level entry from the hallway.

• The door opening into the lounge is 720mm wide.

• The room has a double sofa with arms with two non-feather cushions, this sofa can be used as a double bed, which is 1340mm wide and 1800mm      length. There is a swivel reclining chair with arms and footstool, dining table, which can be extended both sides and two dining chairs, which match the other two in the conservatory, together with a nest of three coffee tables and a television/DVD unit.  Furniture can be moved.

• There is a television with remote control and subtitles and a free-view box and a DVD player/recorder.   

• Lighting is natural daylight and by night levels are controlled by dimmer switches, with overhead lighting used as well as a table lamp and free standing reading lamp. 

• Heating is by two night storage heaters.

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet.

• The kitchen is accessed through a doorway opening into the sitting room, which is 720mm wide.

• The conservatory is accessed through a doorway opening into the sitting room which is 720mm wide.  There is one step leading down to it.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is level entry from the sitting room.

• The door to the kitchen opening to the lounge is 720mm wide. (as above).

• The door of the oven opens from right to left and the handle is 470mm above the floor.  The hob is 910mm above the floor.

• Worktop & sink 910mm above the floor.

• Lever taps on the sink.

• Fridge freezer with the highest shelf in the freezer is 280mm and lowest shelf in fridge 115mm.         

• Glasses and crockery can be moved from wall cupboards to lower cupboards, if required.

• The kitchen is lit with florscent lighting from the middle of the ceiling.

• The kitchen is 106mm wide and there is a night storage heater mounted on the wall, which is 130mm in depth.

• Flooring is vinyl floor covering. 

Bedroom

• The bedroom is level entry from the hall with a door opening inwards to the bedroom, which is 64mm wide.  There is a second entry, which has a sectioned glass door which acts as a window with roll up removable blind this is one step down to the conservatory and the 710mm door opens into the conservatory.

• The double bed can be accessed from both sides as it is on an angle from the wall, therefore space is limited on the wall side and.  On both sides of the bed is under-drawer storage (which two drawers are normally used for storing the bedding for the sofa bed, but can be removed as requested for more storage space if necessary).  The height of the bed is 540mm from the top of the mattress to the floor and the width of the beds is 137mm and length of the bed is 190mm.   An aid to assist mobility for getting out of bed can be attached.

• There is a five-drawer chest and a built in wardrobe with a two shelves below the hanging space and a cupboard above.  

• Lighting is natural daylight and an overhead light with two bedside lights above the headboard with easy access to switches when in bed.  The flooring is short pile fitted carpet and non-feather bedding.

Bathroom

• The bathroom is level entry from the hallway.

• The door opening to the bathroom is 720mm wide.

• The bath has an electric power shower over it with a shower curtain across the bath.  A portable suction grab rail, bathroom chair with arms, bathroom stool, bath seat as well as a seat raiser for the toilet is available.  A non-slip bath mat is available.

• Lever taps on the washbasin and bath.

• Wash basin 800mm high

• Bath 540m high

• Lit with overhead light and fluorescent light over mirror.

• Vinyl flooring covering.

Conservatory

• Two doorways to the conservatory lead one from the sitting room and the other from the bedroom, which is both one step up from the conservatory. The 710mm doors opens into the conservatory from the bedroom and into the sitting room from the conservatory.

• A double door leads from the conservatory into the garden, which is 900mm. A small step onto a concrete paving stone from the exterior door immediately leads onto the lawn.

• There is a dining table, which can be extended both sides and two dining chairs that match the other two in the sitting room. A cane suite and a side table with a rug that covers the tiled floor.

• Lighting is natural daylight and at night a single wall lamp.

 

FRANZ COTTAGE

Ground Floor Accommodation

Entrance

• The front door is 780mm wide.

• There is one step to the front door with a handrail on the right hand side.  

• The entrance is well lit by an overhead light with paving outside the front door and an exterior door mat.

Entrance Hall

• A single ceiling light lights the hall.

• The hall is 980mm and there is a night storage heater mounted on the wall, which is 130mm in depth. 

• The floor covering is short pile carpet with a doormat.

• There are three doors opening outwards leading off the hall to the sitting room is 720mm wide, bedroom is 720mm and shower room is 720mm wide.

Sitting Room

• The sitting room is level entry from the hallway.

• The door opening into the sitting room is 720mm.

• The room has a double sofa with arms with two non-feather cushions which can be used as a double bed 134mm wide and 180mm length.  There is a swivel reclining chair with arms and footstool, dining table, which can be extended both sides and four dining chairs, together with a nest of three coffee tables and a television/DVD unit.  Furniture can be moved.

• There is a digital television with remote control and subtitles and a DVD player/recorder.   

• Lighting is natural daylight and by night levels are controlled by dimmer switches, with overhead lighting used as well as a table lamp and free standing lamp. 

• A large French sliding window, which opens to 1003mm overlooks with a step down to a pea-shingle patio with a garden table and four chairs and two outside rocking chairs.  The patio is designed of a ‘jetty’ style and has surrounding posts with a double rope separating it from the natural pond.  Access to the garden from the patio is unhooking the rope from the post.

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet.

• The kitchen is accessed through a concertina door opening into kitchen, which is 69mm wide.

• The conservatory is accessed through a doorway opening into the sitting room, which is 690mm wide.  There is one step leading into the conservatory.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is level entry from the sitting room.

• The concertina door to the kitchen opening to the kitchen is 690mm wide.

• The door of the oven opens up from right to left and the handle is 530mm

from the floor.  The hob is 900mm from the floor.

• Worktop 910mm & and sink are 900mm from the floor.

• Lever taps on the sink.

• Fridge freezer with the highest shelf in freezer is 1000mm and lowest shelf in fridge 290mm from the floor.

• Glasses and crockery can be moved from wall cupboards to lower shelves, if required

• The kitchen is lit with fluorescent lighting from the middle of the ceiling.

• The kitchen has space of 117mm by 104mm square with work surfaces and appliances.

• Flooring is vinyl covered. 

Bedroom

• The bedroom is level entry from the hall with a door opening inwards to the bedroom, which is 660mm wide.  There is a second entry, which has a sectioned glass door which acts as a window with roll up/removable blind this is one step up from the conservatory and the 740mm wide door opens into the conservatory.

• The twin single beds have one side against the wall.  On one side of the bed is under-drawer storage (which is normally used for storing the bedding for the sofa bed, but can be removed as requested for more storage space if necessary).  The height of the bed is 570mm from the top of the mattress to the floor and the width is 900mm and 1900mm in length.   The width between the two beds at the narrowest point is 350mm and the beds face each other.  An aid to assist mobility for getting out of bed can be attached to the open side of the bed.

• There is a three deep drawer chest with the built in wardrobe with a two-shelf storage above.  

• Lighting is natural daylight and at night an overhead light with a wall mounted light for one bed and a table lamp on the. 

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet and non-feather bedding.

Bathroom

• The bathroom is level entry from the hallway.

• The door opening to the bathroom is 710mm wide.

• There is an electric power shower, which is a step up into a glass shower unit, which has a step of 280mm. A portable suction grab rail, bathroom chair with arms, shower seat as well as a seat raiser for the toilet are available.  Horizontal grab rails on one side of the wall for the washbasin and one side of the toilet are permanent.  

• Wash basin 800mm high

• Lit with overhead lights and fluorescent light over mirror.

• Vinyl flooring covering.

Conservatory

• Two doorways to the conservatory lead one from the sitting room and bedroom with a step up into each room. 

• A double door leads from the conservatory into the garden, which is 900mm wide. A small step onto a concrete paving stone from the exterior door immediately leads onto the lawn.

• A three-piece conservatory suite and a side table with a rug that covers the tiled floor.

• Lighting is natural daylight and at night a single wall lamp.

 

The Bakery

Ground Floor Accommodation With Steps

Entrance

• The pathway from the gate of the courtyard (main parking area) to the enclosed garden with lawn of The Bakery has some small steps and a bigger step to the entrance of the front door.

• The front door is 720mm wide.

• The entrance is lit by a sensor light with concrete and paving outside the front door and am exterior door mat.

Entrance Hall

• A double wall light lights the hall.

• The hall is 850mm wide at its narrowest point and there is a central heating radiator mounted on the wall, which is 130mm in depth.

• The floor covering is short pile carpet with a doormat.

• There is a door opening inwards off the hall to the double bedroom, which is one step up.  At the end of the hall the stairs with 9 steps lead to a twin bedroom area.

• There is a small area for bags, shoes, and belongings under the stairs.

Single Bedroom

• The bedroom is level entry from the hall and the ‘stable door’ which is 650mm 

Wide, has a panel of privacy glass which acts as an inside window as there is no exterior window. 

• The height of the single bed is 570mm from the top of the mattress to the floor and the width is 900mm and 1900mm in length.   A second twin bed can be rolled from under the bed which can be made into a double bed, but the only access onto the double bed is from the end (as the twin beds take up the width of the room).

• There are two wall lights one above the bed (which has a pull switch that can be used from the bed) and a second light at the furthest side of the room and a bedside light.

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet and non-feather bedding.

• There is a wardrobe with two low drawers and a bedside table.

Double Bedroom

• The bedroom is one step up from the hall with a door opening inwards to the bedroom, which is 720mm wide.

• There are two further doors from the bedroom, one that leads into the shower room and the other that leads into the sitting/dining room and kitchen, which is open plan.

• The double bed is in an alcove type room with a sloping ceiling and has limited space.  One side of the bed is against the wall and the width between the bed and the opposite side is only 210mm. The bed is on a raised platform which step is 310mm.  The length of the bed runs to the full length of the platform.  The height of the bed is 510mm from the top of the mattress to the floor of the platform and the width is 135mm.  It is suggested that this bedroom is not suitable for a person who lacks mobility, which can be discussed at the prior to booking with Melanie if there are doubts.

• There is a three-drawer dressing table and a wardrobe with shelf.  

• Lighting is natural daylight and at night two wall lights one in the centre of the room and the other to the side of bed which can be turned on and off by a pull cord over the bed and a wall switch.  

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet and non-feather bedding.

Twin Bedroom

• This room is recommended more suitable for children as it as a low sloping ceiling, which is not standing room for an adult and the twin full size beds are close to the floor, although we frequently have adults sleeping in it.

• The flooring is short pile fitted carpet and non-feather bedding.

Sitting, Dining Room and Kitchen is open plan 

• The sitting room is level entry from the double bedroom.

• The door opening into the lounge is 640mm wide.

• There are two low exposed beams in the sitting room, which the lowest is 1800mm from the floor.

• The sitting room has a three-piece suite with arms with two non-feather cushions, the double sofa can be used as a sofa bed 115mm wide.  It has a period type cupboard that stores the crockery, coffee table, two side tables, and chest for the bedding for the sofa bed, a television/DVD unit on wheels.  Furniture can be moved.

• The dining area is in an alcove recess, which has a low sloping ceiling and is on a raised platform, which has a step of 310mm into the sitting room.  An extending dining  table and six dining chairs sits on the wooden flooring.

• There is a digital television with remote control and subtitles and a DVD player/recorder.

• Lighting is natural daylight and by night levels are seven sets of wall lighting (which are sectioned into separate on and off controls) as well as a table lamp and free standing lamp. 

• The flooring for the sitting room is short pile fitted carpet.

• The kitchen is to one side of the open plan sitting room.

• The flooring of the kitchen is vinyl floor covering and is level entry from the sitting room.

• The door of the oven drops down and the handle is 750mm above the floor.  The hob is 910mm above the floor.

• Worktop is 810mm and sink is 176mm above the floor.

• Lever taps on the sink.

• Fridge freezer with the highest shelf in freezer 1008mm and lowest drawer in fridge 260mm from the floor.

• The kitchen is lit with halogen lights.

Shower Room

• The bathroom is level entry from the double bedroom.

• The door opening to the bedroom from the bathroom is 650mm wide.

• There is an electric power shower, which is a step up into a glass shower unit, which is 180mm.  A portable suction grab rail, bathroom chair with arms, shower seat as well as a seat raiser for the toilet is available..  

• Washbasin 800mm high.

• Lit with a bathroom wall light.

• Vinyl flooring covering.

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Laundry/Utility Room

• Separate from the three cottages access is by Mill House.

• The door opening is 900mm wide.

• There are two washing machines, one standard drum size front loading and one large single twin tub top loading.

• There are two tumble dryers, one standard drum size front loading and one large front loading

• Vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket and additional cleaning equipment are available at any time for the three cottages.  Customers can request to keep a vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket in their cottage for the duration of their stay.

• A single ceiling light lights the room.

• The flooring is currently short pile carpeting.

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Games Room and Gym

• The door opening is stable door and is open and available to customers staying at all times.

• The flooring is short pile carpeting.

• The wall lighting is flushed ceiling lights.

• There is a selection of books, in door and outdoor games, shuttlecocks, badminton and tennis racquets and balls and a dart board (Melanie will offer adults a set of darts on arrival to keep for the duration of their stay or please ask Melanie for darts as they are not left in the games room accessible to children).  An adult when playing darts must attend children less than 16 years of age.

• For strength training and muscle toning, there is a multi-gym, free weights – dumbbells and barbell.  Free weights and the key for the multi-gym are locked in the chest and should only be used for people over 16 years of age.  Melanie will inform you of the number for the lock on arrival if you wish to use them.  For your cardio-vascular fitness there is a cross trainer and recumbent bike.  You are welcome to use this facility but are advised to take advice from your G.P. before exercising.