Everyone is welcome
This page describes Balebarn Eco Lodge in detail, to give you access information.
All sorts of people have all sorts of access needs, and we want to you have a wonderful and accessible Devon holiday at Wheatland Farm. Whether you’ve got limited mobility, can’t drive, are holidaying in Devon with young children, have someone with you who has learning difficulties, dementia or some other difficulty, we’re keen to help. If you don’t find the information you need here please just ask via email or phone: info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk or 0183783499.
Available to borrow (no charge)
Perching stool, raised toilet seat in toilet surround, shower-friendly commode wheelchair, shower stool, walking frame, cot, high chair, baby carrier, waterproof mattress protectors.
Car free Devon holidays
It’s possible to have a car free Devon holiday at Wheatland Farm. In order to promote inclusion and accessibility, we can usually pick up entirely car free parties from either bus or the local train station, and return you at the end of your holiday. We don’t charge for this. But unfortunately we don’t have wheelchair adapted vehicles, so if you’ve come to Balebarn Eco Lodge because you need wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation, you will need your own transport – unless you’re OK to get in and out of a car or van and collapse the wheelchair. More on car free holidays in Devon here.
Arriving at Balebarn Eco Lodge
Pick up the keys for Balebarn Lodge from main farmhouse: turn right off the drive into the farmyard. Look left as you come down the hill and you’ll see a passage way and a conservatory. That’s the farmhouse back door and you can pick up the keys there (if we haven’t already heard you arrive and come out to meet you). There are no steps. Parking is right outside the door of the lodge and there is an automatic outside light. If you have a disability, we’ll be happy to help you carry things in.
Entering Balebarn Eco Lodge
Balebarn Lodge has a main door with a wide permanent ramp.
This main door has an internal width of 94cm. Light switches are on your left at 115cm from the floor.
The living / kitchen area is straight ahead.
There is an alternate entrance from the veranda: a sloping deck, 102cm wide, leads around the side of the building to a level veranda overlooking the meadow with a balustrade at 94cm. There are steps down to the meadow. These are not gated, are 107cm wide, and have balustrades at 94cm on either side. We can fit a low ‘deterrent’ barrier if you need this. The single door from the veranda to the inside is 80cm wide, but the glass also concertinas back, opening up the whole living area to the veranda. Door handle is 104cm from the floor.
Inside Balebarn Eco Lodge
Central living area with sofas and several sturdy chairs, two with ‘carver’ style arms.
Kitchen counter height is 91 cm. Fridge freezer with handles at 79cm from the floor. Main oven is under counter style. Microwave is set on a shelf at 140cm from floor. Kitchen table height is 82cm.
Door to master bedroom (double) is 80cm internal width. Room itself has ample room for wheelchairs. The double bed can be made up against the wall if you prefer lots of access on one side only. Light switch is at 115cm from the floor.
Door into second (twin) bedroom is 75cm wide. Light switch is at 115cm from the floor.
Door into third bedroom (bunk) is 80com wide. Light switch is at 115cm from the floor.
Door to fourth bedroom is 85cm wide. This room is usually made up as a double, but the bed can be collapsed to single size, leaving much more room. This room is directly opposite the two bathrooms.
Main bathroom is off the living area with internal door width 86cm. Standard toilet and basin, full length bath, over bath shower. Pullswitch light at 96cm.
Second wetroom bathroom has internal door width of 84cm and contains a shower, toilet and basin. Pull switch light at 115cm.
NB – we can lend toilet raiser seat, a shower stool, or a shower wheel chair if needed (and booked in advance).
A non-slip mat is available.
WiFi available (no charge) but it’s not super-fast due to our rural location.
Shared washing machine in outbuilding, £2 per load, line and pegs provided, or dryer in the farmhouse (£3 per load).
Maggie and Ian live on site at Wheatland Farm and are happy to help make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Balebarn Eco Lodge’s Hot Tub
There is a hot tub to one side of Balebarn Eco Lodge, bookable as an optional extra. It will be covered when not in use. The rim stands about 82cm from the surrounding decking. There is a moveable ‘dual step’ to help you get in, with the steps at 19cm and 38cm. Within the hot tub there’s a small seat 30cm below the water level, which can act as an intermediate step. The main seat is 46cm below the water level. We do not have a hoist for the hot tub.
Wheatland Farm Grounds
Guests are welcome to explore the farm, and some of the best views (and wildlife spotting opportunities) are to be had from your veranda. A mown path leads past Balebarn Lodge and down to the main wildlife pond. In the dryer months this will be suitable for buggies and mobility scooters (and sometimes some robust wheelchairs), but in the wetter months it gets muddy. There’s also a surfaced path that branches of the driveway, and leads behind Wheatland Farm’s three wooden chalet style lodges.
Our Popehouse Moor SSSI is untamed, with narrow uneven and often muddy paths. We offer free guided walks, and will happily adapt these to suit your physical abilities. We have one backpack we can lend to carry very small children. If you can’t manage Popehouse Moor we’d be happy to take you pond dipping or accompany you on another part of the farm walk. Please note that many sections, though less challenging, are still over uneven ground.
Assistance dogs welcome – plenty of room to exercise them.
Near Wheatland Farm
It is 2 miles to Winkleigh village with convenience store, post office, 2 pubs and doctor’s surgery. Nearest chemist North Tawton (8 miles). Nearest vet Winkleigh Village (2 miles).
Grocery deliveries accepted for your arrival (neighbouring farm shop, local grocer’s scheme, wine merchant, supermarkets) – details when you book.
Bus stop is one and a half miles away, with regular buses between Exeter and Barnstaple. Eggesford station is about 4 miles away. We recommend you check the latest timetables online.
Please ask if you need more information or want pictures of something specific – we’re happy to help. info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk or 01837 83499.
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