Access Statement for The Courtyard Helsby

We would like to extend a warm welcome to everybody at The Courtyard. To ensure we can make your stay as comfortable and relaxing as possible we would be grateful if you can inform us of any special requirements upon booking.

Introduction
We aim to provide an excellent visitor experience and continually strive to improve our service. We are a small family run self catering accommodation business in the village of Helsby. The Courtyard is located in a 200 year old, cobbled courtyard and the accommodation is located in former barns that have been converted and fully refurbished. As a business we believe that we should, wherever possible, appreciate the abilities, whilst giving full consideration to any disabilities of our customers, visitors and staff. The Courtyard is located on a quiet lane just off the main A56 Chester Road, behind the Railway Inn in the village of Helsby, Cheshire.

Local Facilities
The Courtyard is located a few minutes’ walk from Helsby Railway station which is on the Manchester Piccadilly-Frodsham-Helsby-Chester-Llandudno line.
Local buses run along Chester Road and the stops are located outside The Railway Inn.

We are 25 minutes from Liverpool & Manchester Airports.

Helsby has a Post Office, licensed convenience store, Indian Restaurant and takeaway, 3 pubs (2 offering food), Chinese takeaway, Fish & Chip Shop and Motor Factors.

Tesco Supermarket is one mile away and on the bus route.
There is a telephone box about 400 yards away, outside The Helsby Spice House, near the shops on Chester Road.

Pre-Arrival
A comprehensive website with virtual tours of the exterior and room by room tours of all three properties.
Information can be provided in large print.
Fax and email facilities are available.

Arrival and Car Parking Facilities
Luggage assistance is available.

On arrival please call at Rake House, which is the first property on the left hand side on entering the courtyard, where you will be welcomed.

‘No.1’ is the first cottage on the left, immediately after Rake House. There is one car parking space directly outside the front door.

The Stables is next door to ‘No.1’ in the far left corner and has one parking space immediately outside the front door.

The Carriage Barn is next to The Stables in the far left corner and has two car parking spaces for guests of The Courtyard. The spaces are on the right hand side of The Courtyard with space under the left hand window of ‘No.5’, which is a private residence. The second space is immediately to the left of this. Please take care not to park in any other spaces within the courtyard.

The Loft is in the far right hand corner and has its own undercover parking space. Please note there is a maximum vehicle height of 74 inches (1.88m) on entering the parking area for The Loft, which is suitable for most vehicles, but larger 4x4’s and similar height vehicles may need to check before entering or if you have air suspension – please lower it! If you have such a vehicle, please advise us so that we can make alternative arrangements for parking.

Additional unrestricted parking is available for visitors of guests outside of The Courtyard in Lower Rake Lane. We ask guests and visitors to be respectful of other private residences within the vicinity and request that guests please ensure that any visitors park outside in the lane and not in The Courtyard.

The Courtyard is cobbled and guests are advised to wear sensible shoes and walk carefully, particularly in wet conditions.

Unrestricted parking is available outside the shops in the village and free of charge.

Accommodation
All the properties were previously converted from farm buildings to residential use around 1980. Consequently, due to the age of the buildings (1826) and the internal layout wheel chair access is limited. We advise potential guests or visitors to advise us of any special requirements prior to booking to ensure we advise on suitability for their needs. We will endeavor to assist, wherever possible, to ensure maximum accessibility for our guests and visitors.

'No.1’ has level access into the cottage and leads into a hall with the kitchen off it which leads to a private rear courtyard garden. From the hall is a dining/living area and also a staircase leading upstairs to the family bathroom, twin bedroom and Kingsize bedroom with ensuite. For more information on accessibility of ‘No.1’ please click here.

The Stables has a step down to the front door and both bedrooms and bathroom are accessed by stairs to the first floor. The living/dining room and kitchen are at ground floor with a step out of the kitchen to the rear, enclosed private courtyard garden. For more information on accessibility of The Stables please click here.

The Carriage Barn has two steps up to the front door. The third bedroom and ensuite is at this level. A further step down leads to the Master suite and bathroom and the utility/boot room. A door leads off the utility/boot room down two steps to the rear, enclosed, private courtyard garden. For more information on accessibility of The Carriage Barn please click here.

The Loft is all at first floor level, split level and accessed by a staircase. The kitchen and dining area are on the same level, the living area is three steps lower and the bathroom, main bedroom and dressing room are accessed by higher landing reached by a wooden staircase of five stairs. For more information on accessibility of The Loft please click here.

A large print version of The Welcome letter is available on request.
A large print version of the Property Guide is available on request.
All properties are fitted with fire blankets in the kitchen.
All properties are fitted with smoke alarms.
A non slip bath mat is available on request.
All TV, Freeview & DVD appliances are remote controlled.
All bedrooms have main lighting controlled with switches by the door and also have bed side lamps.
Heating is thermostatically controlled and adjustable.
Coloured drinking glasses are available on request.

Internet
Free wireless broadband is available to all properties.
Office Services are available on request.
Fax facilities are available on request.

Allergies
The duvets and pillows are Hungarian goose down or Hotel standard.
Synthetic bedding is available on request. If you require this please inform at the time of booking.

Waste & Recycling
The Courtyard supports the recycling policy of Vale Royal Borough Council which has one of the highest recycling rates of any council. At the rear of the undercover parking area is a small green plastic box for cans and bottles and a small red box for plastic bottles. Newspapers and magazines can be left inside one of the boxes for us to separate later. General waste can be placed in the large green bin.
We would be grateful for your support in helping to look after our environment.

Staff
The staff are trained to be very aware of guests needs.
The staff will gladly assist guests with any help they may need to ensure as comfortable and enjoyable stay as possible.

Additional Information
Guide dogs are welcome.
A small dog may be allowed in The Stables with our permission. Please check prior to booking.
We operate a no smoking policy.

Future Plans
We feel that in a short time we have achieved much but will continually review ways of improving our facilities to increase the convenience and enjoyment of all.
We are continuously re-accessing our access statement to ensure that it accurately reflects our access for all policy.
We are always pleased to hear feedback from our guests and welcome your views at all times to help us improve our service.