Accessibility at Higher Bowden

Higher Bowden holiday cottages was developed from two 17th century farms and is located on a hillside in the South Hams making accessibility to persons with limited levels of mobility (levels 1, 2 & 3)  quite restricted - see description at bottom of this page for UK definition of mobility levels. The paths around the site are a mix of pavement, gravel and steps which can restrict the movement of wheelchairs to the vicinity of the cottage and the car park. Access between the cottages and the swimming pool requires walking up or down a steep hill (1:2.5 incline) or a number of steps. See images below

The Indoor swimming pool is on multiple levels with 5 or 6 steps between levels thus restricting access to persons with "Mobility Level 1". On a case by case basis (subject to health and safety requirements) we can allow  disabled persons into the swimming area via the normally locked sliding glass doors.

The upper complex of cottages are located around a paved courtyard which makes wheelchair access practical. However all the cottages in this section of the complex are on at least 2 levels with steep staircases between the levels. The cottages are therefore just about suitable to persons who have "Mobility Level 1", i.e those who only need a wheelchair for some of the time and can negotiate a flight of stairs. Please note that in all the cottages  the staircases have hand rails but showers, baths and toilets do not have additional grab rails. The car parking areas are covered in  gravel which can make pushing wheelchairs difficult.

Buttercup, Wisteria, Rose & Oaktree cottages, within the lower complex,  are on two levels and are just about suitable for persons with "Mobility Level 1". However Hayloft cottage can be made suitable for persons with "Mobility Level 3" by the addition of ramps (supplied by Higher Bowden) for entering the cottage and between the kitchen and living room areas. The ramp between kitchen and living room is a very steep (40%) requiring an able bodied person to push the wheelchair up and down the ramp. This cottage has a downstairs twin bedroom with en-suite shower and toilet - see above 3 images. Please note that in all the cottages the staircases have hand rails but showers, baths and toilets do not have additional grab rails.