Access Statement

Access Statement - Wookey Hole Hotel

1. Location: Wookey Hole Hotel is located in Wookey Hole, Wells, Somerset, BA5 1BB. Guests check in at the hotel reception, which is located at the top of the main car park.

2. Arrival and Parking

• Check-in Time: 4pm
• Check-out Time: 11am
• Prking: Guests are advised to park in designated areas only. Paths and access routes must be kept clear at all times. Parking is free.
• Disabled Parking: There are four clearly marked disabled parking bays immediately in front of the hotel. The disabled parking bays have additional space on all sides and are 20m from the entrance slope.
• Drop-off Point: Drivers can drop off guests or luggage just in front of the hotel reception.
• Car Park Surface: The car park is tarmac and suitable for wheelchairs.

3. Pathways and Access

• Surface Type: The approach to the hotel entrance is via a sloped path or steps, both paved. The surface is suitable for wheelchairs.
• Gradient: The sloped path has a gentle incline, at a maximum of 6% incline
• Lighting: There is outside lighting to provide clear visibility to steps and slope.

4. Hotel Accessibility

• Step-Free Access: Accessible path to the front entrance, with handrails on both sides.
• Entrance Door Widths: The manually operated entrance doors are 104cm wide and designed to be accessible to wheelchairs.
• Accessibility of Reception Desk: The Reception Desk is 113cm high, with a lowered section at 74cm high for wheelchair users. There are two seats for guest use at Reception, also an adjacent comfortable sofa.
• Lift Access: A lift is available to reach the top floor. The door to the lift opens to 90cm wide, the internal dimensions are 150cm x 112cm and can accommodate a wheelchair. The buttons are tactile with braille.
• Hotel Bedroom Door Widths: All hotel bedroom doors, including accessible bedrooms, have a clear opening width of 90cm.
• Accessible Bedrooms: The Hotel has 3 accessible bedrooms, which are setup with two single beds. The beds are standard singles and are 62cm high, hoists are not provided but can be accommodated.
  
  Two of these bedrooms feature a fully equipped accessible bathroom, with a low bath, grab rails, lower sink and accessible toilet. One of the accessible rooms features a bathroom with a walk-in wet area, grab rails, lower sink and accessible toilet. All of the accessible bathrooms include two emergency pull chords, one situated by the toilet and basin and another by the bath or shower.
   
• Furniture Layout: The accessible bedrooms are larger than standard rooms, providing plenty of space for a wheelchair to move freely around. The desk area, bedside tables and open wardrobe are all low and accessible.

5. Facilities

• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in the communal areas and hotel rooms.
• Assistance Dogs: Registered assistance dogs are welcome in all guest rooms and public areas.
• Leisure Access: Guests may use our bar and restaurant, and a games room which features arcade games. The reception also features a communal desk with freephone, and a sitting area with a sofa.
• Restaurant: The restaurant includes both booths, and tables and chairs, the latter tables are 74cm high and suitable for wheelchairs. The menus do not include braille but the staff will read out menu options if needed. The restaurant has detailed dietary information, with allergens and dietary requirements accommodated for.
• Hotel Accessible Toilet: The hotel toilets are adjacent to Reception and include an Accessible toilet with additional space and required grab handles and emergency pull chord. The door is 92cm wide and the toilet cubicle allows for turning space for a wheelchair.

6. Communication and Support

• Emergency Contact: Reception staff are available for assistance 24 hours a day, with a Night Porter working overnight.
• Complaints and Queries: Guests should direct any complaints to the Head of Accommodation, Wookey Hole Hotel, Wookey Hole, BA51BB, via the email [email protected].

7. Website Accessibility

• This website has been developed to be as accessible as possible.
• If you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, please contact us on [email protected]. We’ll back to you as soon as possible.
• This website is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

• Images on some pages do not always have suitable image descriptions. Users of assistive technologies may not have access to information conveyed in images.
• Many documents are in less accessible formats, for example PDF.
• Many documents are not accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure.

Our aim is to make all documents hosted on the Wookey Hole Hotel website accessible. If you require a document in an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected].

We tested this website in the following ways:

• WCAG 2.2 compliance using a third-party automated service (reviewed regularly)
• Regular testing using a suite of browser-based accessibility reporting tools
• Colour contrast checkers were used during the design phase and re-tested once launched

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren’t listed on this page or think we’re not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, please contact us at [email protected].

8. Additional Notes

• Fire Safety Information: The hotel works with a PEEP system, with a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan agreed on check-in with guests with additional considerations. The hotel website and confirmation literature to guests prior to arrival invite guests to advise the hotel on arrival whether they would like to discuss an evacuation plan, also whether the guests would like the emergency procedures explained to them.
• Visual Fire Alarm Alerts: All hotel rooms are fitted with fire alarm sensors that emit a bright flashing red light when the fire alarm is activated, to assist guests who are hard of hearing.
• Refuge Point: The hotel has a designated Refuge Point on the first floor for guests who are unable to use the stairs in an emergency, as the lift will not operate if the fire alarm is activated. This is located at the top of the rear staircase and is protected by fire doors at both the top and bottom of the stairwell.
• Noise Policy: Generally, guests are required to keep the noise at minimum level while using the corridors, at all times, as other guests may be resting in their rooms. Particular attention to noise is required during silent hours, which is generally defined from 11pm to 7am.
• Smoking: Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited inside all hotel rooms and public areas. A sheltered smoking area is provided just outside the Hotel main entrance.

9. Other considerations

We are constantly reviewing accessibility provisions and will update the Access Statement should new features or adaptions be added in the future.