Gardeners Rest has been featured in The Guardian Bed & Breakfast directory 2008 and was the only B&B in Kent to be featured in The Independent's 50 best British B&Bs in 2007
Highly Commended in the Tourism South East Tourism ExSEllence
Awards 2007

Access Statement

THE GARDENERS REST GUEST ACCOMMIODATION.

NEMESIS. QUEENSDOWN ROAD. KINGSDOWN NR DEAL

KENT UK CT14 8EF.

AT THE GARDENERS REST, Sandra Upton has attended a “Welcome All” course and we are committed to providing accessibility for all our guests on an equal basis.

Because the accommodation is on the first floor of the building, and we do not have a stair lift, we regret that our accommodation is unsuitable for wheelchair users who are unable to climb the stairs. The fire escape is down the same stairs.

WE CURRENTLY OFFER.

1. CLEAR SIGNAGE.

The name of the house “ NEMESIS” is clearly marked in ceramic tiles and lit from above. The 5 star and Gold Award signage and plate for “Gardeners Rest.” is significantly placed on the same wall.

2. PRIVATE PARKING.

The car park is 6 metres wide and serves 2 cars with their doors wide open.

The car park is well lit with 4 sensor lights.

3. LEVEL, WELL LIT, ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCE.

The guest entrance door is 20 metres away from the car park. It is not possible to

take the car closer to the house.

The area is paved, uncluttered and level up to the Guest front door.

The area is well lit with 4 sensor lights plus 2 sensor flood lights and brick lights

at floor level.

There is seating in the courtyard and just prior to the front door.

At the front door, there is one step up into the house, which is well lit with 2 interior halogen spot lights.

There is an alternative ramp to the back door used by Sandra & Ken Upton and available for Guests with walking difficulties. A large ships bell is positioned here to attract our attention.

We assist all our Guests with carrying luggage between their car and their room.

4. FACILITIES.

There is a ground floor unisex toilet and portable seating when requested.

5. WELL LIT, EASY ACCESS STAIRWAY WITH HANDRAILS.

The stairs to the first floor are well lit from above by halogen spot lights controlled from both the foot and the top of the stairs.

The stairs have a banister on the left hand side going up and a half landing close to the top and the bottom. The stair carpet and throughout is light coloured.

6. WELL LIT LEVEL ACCESS TO BEDROOM AND 2 SHALLOW STEPS TO DINING AREA.

The landing area is well lit from above by halogen spot lights with controls beside each bedroom door, the height of the controls complies with the regulations for the disabled.

The landing is on the same level as each bedroom.

There are 2 shallow steps leading down to the dining area where breakfast is served. There is a hand rail beside the steps.

7. MATCHED SEATING WITH OR WITHOUT ARMS.

Chairs can be placed at any of the 4 sides of the table.

8. WELL LIT BREAKFAST AREA AND LARGE PRINT MENU.

The area is well lit with overhead halogen spot lights and large windows.

The menu is in large print ( font 18) for everyone.

Menus in English and French are available.

(And) menus for each day of stay are placed in each bedroom.

An English menu in Braille is available on request.

Fruit Juice is served in coloured glasses without stems for everyone.

Breakfast served in the bedroom is available on request.

9.PERMANENT AND EASILY DISCERNABLE SMOKE ALARMS.

The Emergency instructions are written in large font and placed in a portable photo frame on top of the dressing chest. The Emergency route is down the stairs and through the Guest front door. Battery push lights illuminate the stairs. The alternative route is via a ladder from the balcony.

10. WELL LIT BEDROOMS.

The bedrooms are well lit with overhead halogen spot lights and floor to ceiling windows in addition to table lamps.

The control light switch is beside the door and complies with the regulations for the disabled. Each bed has its own bedside table and lamp on the same level as the bed. Additional angle-poise lamps are available on request. All sockets are at a raised height to comply with the regulations for the disabled. The flooring is light coloured carpet and the walls are easy clean colour washed. The doors are veneered wood and stand out well. Eye shades are provided for those with light intolerance.

11. CHOICE OF ACCOMMODATION.

THE EAST BEDROOM, with balcony overlooking the sea and clifftop golf course, has purpose built en-suite bath and separate power shower. The beds are zipped & linked divan beds with mattress toppers which can be set up as twins. The bedroom is spacious with a 3 seater settee and foot -stool, firm, high back carver chair. There is plenty of room to manoeuvre to all parts of the room. There are large mirrors on the wardrobe and dressing table, numerous drawers in addition to hanging space and a dressing stool.

Fridge for medication, fresh milk and bottled water. Kettle & hospitality tray

The bathroom door opens inwards but there is ample room to manoeuvre through and around each facility with a walking frame.

A non slip rubber mat is in the bath. The bath has grab rails. The heated towel rail is positioned behind the bathroom door for safety.

Alternatively the WEST BEDROOM has sea views and balcony overlooking the garden and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A King sized double divan bed with mattress topper, a 2 seater settee & footstool plus a firm, upright carver chair. A purpose built en-suite large walk in power- shower /toilet/washbasin; where the bathroom door opens outwards, again with ample room to manoeuvre . There are 2 additional chairs on each balcony. There is ample storage space in drawers and a walk in wardrobe. Fridge for medication, fresh milk and bottled water. Kettle & hospitality tray.

This room also enjoys all the above safety features.

12. WARM, WELL LIT BATHROOMS WITH THERMOSTATE CONTROLS

The en-suite bathrooms are well lit with velux roof lights and overhead halogen spot lights controlled by a switch in the bedroom, the height of which complies with the regulations for the disabled. Plus an over the washbasin light with pull control. The power showers are thermostatically controlled, have non slip bases and clear shower safety glass screens and sliding doors.

The bathrooms are heated by towel rails. Coloured towels are available.

13. SAFE HOSPITALITY TRAY AND CONTROLABLE HEATING.

The cordless kettle and hot drinks tray is set on (a low table).top of the fridge well out of the way. Central heating radiators in the bedrooms and towel rails in the bathrooms are individually controlled by thermostatic valves. Each bathroom has an extractor fan and easily opened velux roof light. Each bedroom has 2 outward opening windows and a pair of French doors on to the balcony.

14. SUBTITLES AND AUDIOBOOKS.

The 21inch TV with teletext or freeview/ radio and DVD/CD player all have remote controls. Classic and popular films on DVD (most with subtitles) and audio books on CD or audiotape and cassette player are available free of charge.

15. TELEPHONE & INTERNET ACCESSABILITY.

We do not have a public telephone but a cordless BT telephone receiver is available for guests to receive calls. A good signal for most mobile phone networks is received from each balcony. We (do not offer internet access but) have a lap top computer with wireless internet access available for guests on request and are happy to make internet bookings or (send/receive e.mails) print downloaded information for guests.

16. ALLERGIES.

The accommodation is entirely non smoking for everyone but we do have pets of our own and the house is surrounded by thousands of scented flowering plants and shrubs. We only have down and feather mattress toppers for the kingsize bed but either down or man made duvets are available. Man made mattress toppers are available for the twin beds. The bed linen is 100% cotton. 4 Dunlopillo or feather & down pillows are provided. The water in the bathrooms is softened. (We provide a designated guest ) Each room has a fridge in which is kept a supply of mineral water for drinking and water from the mains for boiling in the kettle. Fresh milk is also kept here. The same fridge would be available for Guest medicines and/or insulin.

17. FOOD.

Our bacon and sausages are made by the local butchers from meat bred on local farms. Our eggs are free range from a local farm. In season the tomatoes are organic and home grown. We make our own bread, hash browns and some fruit compotes. The orange juice is freshly squeezed . We also offer Cranberry Juice. We offer at least 4 different teas and 3 coffees. We do our best to cater for reasonable special dietary needs including vegetarians where animal fat is not used for cooking. The jam is home made but not by us. Our fruit compotes are cooked with honey not sugar.

18. COMPANION DOGS.

Companion dogs, with their own bedding are welcome. The dogs must be fed on the balcony. We do not have any grass within the garden. Beyond the back gate is a good walking area for companion dogs.

19. NOISE & PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

The house is on the edge of the village and on a private road away from the main thoroughfare. We are not close to a school or public park. There is no public bus stop this side of the village and the nearest train station is Walmer which is 2.5 miles away. There is a Taxi office within Walmer station. The nearest shop or Pub serving food is ½ a mile away. The Saxon Shore Way and National Cycle Network runs past the bottom of Queensdown road. There are often more horses than cars passing by.

Birdsong or the call of foxes or the sound of the sea is frequently the loudest discernable noise.

(For Wedding Guests we offer transport to the local wedding ceremony free of charge.)

Our guests enjoy privacy and peace and quiet together with the opportunity to stop and smell the roses before they go on their way with their batteries recharged.

Should you decide to stay with us at “The Gardeners Rest” we ask that you help us by advising us of any special needs in advance of your stay.

Thank you for taking the time to read our access statement.

Sandra & Ken Upton.