Everyone is welcome at Wheatland Farm Nature Reserve and Eco Lodges, and we do our best to offer accessible accommodation in Devon, especially for family groups. We’re not a specialist in travel for people with disabilities, but we’ll do our best to help, whether you need to borrow a baby carrier, hire a wheelchair or just be assured of an understanding welcome. This page is an overview of our accessible accommodation information, but you’ll find information spread across the Wheatland Farm website too.
Got a specific question? Email info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk or telephone us on 0183783499.
Accommodation Access Statements
All Wheatland Farm’s eco lodges and the cottage have individual access statements – just follow the links below – but feel free to ask us if you have an unanswered question.
In summary:
Balebarn Eco Lodge: is our best offering if you’re looking for accessible accommodation in Devon. Parking is at the door, there are ramps to front and rear, no internal steps, and a wet room style shower. It’s the obvious choice for wheelchair users. Balebarn Lodge sleeps up to 8 and the bed configuration can sometimes be altered – please talk to us about what you need.
Honeysuckle Eco Lodge is the next most accessible of our Devon accommodation, being near the lodge car park, and having a shower rather than a bath. There are no internal steps but there are 3 steps up to the door (with rail). The lodge sleeps 4. The bedrooms are small, with access to one side of the bed only. However, it is possible to make up the sofa bed as a proper double in the main living area, with plenty of space around.
Nuthatch Eco Lodge is very similar to Honeysuckle, but with a short bath and shower over.
Beech Eco Lodge is larger, sleeping up to 6. There are steps up to the veranda (with rail) and there’s one internal step between the living area and the lobby and bathrooms.
Otter Cottage is Wheatland Farm’s least accessible accommodation because its stairs have a turn in them, and the upstairs bathroom (with shower) is small. There are also steps down into the garden. However, parking is by the door.
Please note, Wheatland Farm Nature Reserve and Lodges is a farm with Devon fields that are frequently muddy. Although there are lovely views from all our accommodation (especially Balebarn Eco Lodge, which looks out over the wildlife pond), paths are uneven and can be challenging.
Access Equipment To Borrow
To save space when you come away on holiday, we can put the following access equipment in your accommodation. Available on a first come first served basis, so please talk to us when you book:
- Perching stool
- Walking frame (with wheels)
- Raised toilet seat in stand with arm rests
- Shower stool (suitable for Balebarn Lodge and Honeysuckle Lodges, which have showers).
- Waterproof mattress protectors. NB these are not used as standard, so just tell us if you need them and we’ll make the beds up as you direct.
- For young children we can supply high chairs, cots, baby bath (useful in Honeysuckle Lodge, which only has a shower), and a baby carrier. Also, lots of books!
- Extra bins – for nappies or pads. Wheatland Farm’s efforts to drive down waste mean you won’t normally find big refuse bins at your accommodation. So please just ask if you need an extra bin for medical or hygiene dressings. However, please note we are unable to offer bins for sharps. If you are diabetic, please bring your own sharps disposal bin with you.
Help Hiring Wheelchairs or Scooters
At Wheatland Farm we can help you hire a wheelchair through the Red Cross scheme, and can usually collect the chair from their Torrington shop for your arrival, and return it afterwards. If it’s a mobility scooter you need, the nearest hire centre is Exeter Community Transport Association (about 25 miles) and you’d need to pick it up to get the briefing. Cost was £10 per day in 2017. If you hire for the week we can return the scooter for you.
Trampers Near Wheatland Farm’s Accommodation
Countryside Mobility can hire you trampers capable of more rural terrain. They are currently available at:
- Castle Drogo (17 miles from the eco lodges)
- Killerton House (about 20 miles from Wheatland Farm)
- Lydford Gorge (about 21 miles from the eco lodges). This National Trust Property also has an alternative access near the famous waterfall for less mobile visitors.
- Arlington Court (about 25 miles from the farm) – extensive grounds and of course the carriage collection.
- The Granite Way (hire in Sourton, about 20 miles away, on the edge of Dartmoor).
- Haldon Forest Park nr Exeter (about 25 miles from the eco lodges, with lots to do for other people in your group – wildlife trails, mountain biking, segway tours etc.)
- RHS Rosemoor (about 11 miles from the farm, near Torrington) – with a popular children’s play area, useful if you are a multi generational group.
- Heddon Valley, Exmoor
Click here for the full Devon list.
Impaired Sight
Within the accommodation we’ve used contrast strips to make steps and doorways stand out more.
Exeter Community Transport Association has a City Sights scheme designed to help blind and sight impaired people access the city, with the assistance of a trained volunteer guide. It is available to visitors and to people of all ages.
If your party is exploring North Devon’s Tarka Trail, you might like to know about the audio guide.
Dementia
Holidays can be confusing for people living with dementia. Rest assured, you’ll find an understanding welcome at Wheatland Farm.
More Accessible Pubs and Restaurants
Some pubs and restaurants are more helpful than others…
The Countryman Pub, about 12 miles away from Wheatland Farm Nature Reserve and Lodges, on the road from Okehampton to Bow. It has full ramp access and loos for disabled customers. EX20 2SA. It’s not the most picturesque pub but it’s welcoming and does a generous carvery. Several guests have given us good reports (we’re slightly put off by the ‘huntin shootin fishin’ vibe in the marketing, but that’s our own prejudice!).
The New Inn, Sampford Courtney, (about 10 miles from the eco lodges) has ramped access from the car park and beer garden, and loos for disabled customers. Good food.
The Bell Inn, Chittlehampton, has a permanent ramp to the door and good food. This pub comes recommended by at least one of our (more intrepid) wheelchair user guests. EX37 9QL
The George Inn in Hatherleigh (about 8 miles from Wheatland Farm) has level access from the street, a largely open plan feel to the bar and restaurant, and good sized disabled loos.