Access Statement

Access Statement 

Introduction, 

Harbour Lights is a self-catering cottage is an old Whitby Cottage built in the early 19^th Century. We have upgraded it to make it a cosy and comfortable base for up to 5 guests to enjoy all that Whitby and North Yorkshire have to offer. It is located on Cliff Street, very conveniently situated for all the town centre amenities, shops, the harbour and beach and it enjoys good views across the harbour to the 199 steps, St Mary's Church and the Abbey.

Pre Arrival 

The bus station, train station and taxi rank are all located within a quarter of a mile of the cottage. 

Arrival 

Luggage can be transferred at the front of the cottage. The cottage has no car parking facilities but there is both on street and public car parking within a short distance on the West Cliff or in the town.

Access to the cottage from the street is either: - a) up a set of 5 stone spiral steps 70cm (27inches) wide, each 20cm (8inches high) with a handrail to the right hand side, along a concrete pathway 102cm wide (40 inches) then up a single step 12 cm (5inches) into a passage way or b) up a set of 4 stone steps 102 cm (40 inches) wide with a handrail on the right hand and a low wall to the left, you then turn right onto the front terrace, which is stepped up a further 20cm (8 inches). Across the terrace there is a further step of 20cm (8 inches) to join the concrete walkway. There is then a covered passageway, 6 metres  (18 feet) long that is lit near the doorway by a lantern with a movement sensor. The kitchen door, hinged on the left, opens outwards and has a 5 cm (2 inch) threshold.

The Front Terrace 

This area is equipped with a garden bench seat, two chairs and a table. It is a morning suntrap and is ideal for breakfast or morning coffee outside on warm mornings. Additional folding seats and cushions are kept in the cottage. 

Entrance 

Is through the kitchen by a 65cm (26 inch) door, turning half left through a 65cm (26 inch) space between kitchen units into the kitchen. Access is then to the left through the kitchen between the table and units, (see below) to a door in the left adjacent corner. 

Kitchen 

The kitchen is furnished with fitted units and modern appliances. There is a table and 6 chairs (all with seat pads and no arms). The table can be easily moved to suit the needs of guests and a high chair is available on request. This normally gives a gap of approx 100 cm (39inches) between the table and the units or 85cm (33inches) when seated. Worktops are 90 cm (36inches) high with a gas hob, built in electric oven, washing machine / drier, dishwasher and wall mounted microwave. There is a conventional sink and drainer with lever operated pillar taps. The space between that and the table is 75 cm (30 inches). Dustbins are outside the kitchen door, immediately left through a further door up a 25cm (10 inch) step where there is a bin for non-recyclable waste, a bin for recyclables and a crate for recyclable bottles. 

The far left corner of the kitchen has a full height cupboard with four doors. It contains vacuum cleaner, ironing board, iron, coat hooks, boot rack and fire extinguisher. On shelves to the right hand there are place mats and shelves for storage. 

Stairs and landing 

Access to the rest of the rooms is through a door in the kitchen. This is a heavy self-closing fire door 70cm (28 inches) wide, which is hinged on the right side and opens into the kitchen. It is on a strong self closer and must be left to close freely at all times. There is a 20cm (8inches) step down to a lobby, 80 cm (31inches) square. Immediately to the left is the bathroom, ahead is the downstairs bedroom and to the right is the staircase. 

The 9 steps to a triangular half landing are 82cm (32 inches) wide and 20 cm (8inches) high. The stairs then turn left through a second triangular step and there are a further 3 steps up to the landing. The landing is L shaped, the first leg being 75 cm (30 inches) wide then turning left to an area 122cm (48inches) wide. It is bounded on the stairs side by a banister 90cm (36 inches) tall. The staircase is fully enclosed to the half landing with handrails at both sides; from the half landing there is a banister on the right hand wall and a vertical handrail on the newels post. At the half landing there is a door to the cloakroom with a further vertical handrail on the right hand side. 

The stairs are lit by a conventionally switched light and also have a second light controlled by a movement sensor so the stairs and landing are always lit when someone is using them. 

Bathroom 

The bathroom is accessed through a 61cm (24 inches) door from the downstairs lobby. It has a vinyl tiled floor and contains a standard pedestal washbasin 81cm (32inches) high with conventional taps and a heated mirror and strip light above, operated by a pull cord; a standard toilet with seat height 46 cm (18 inches), clearance of 30 cm (12inches) to the right and 56cm (22 inches) to the left; the bath is 56 cm (22 inches) high with conventional taps at one end. There is one wall-mounted handrail above the taps and a further wall mounted handrail at the right hand side. There is an independant shower over the bath. A folding shower-screen is fitted but also a shower curtain for those who prefer.  

Free space clear of all fittings is 120 by 85cm (47 by 33 inches). 

Bedroom (ground floor) 

Is accessed through a door 80 cm (31 inches) wide from the lobby, down a 20 cm (8 inch) step. There are 2 single beds, each 190 cm by 92cm (75 by 36 inches); height 61cm (24 inches) to top of mattress. Clear floor space between the beds is 400cm by 122cm (12 feet by 4 feet). The beds can be put together to form a double (By prior arrangement). The room is also equipped with a full-length freestanding mirror and a dressing table with stool and mirror over. 

Porch (not used as entrance, emergency exit only)

Accessed through a door 80 cm (31 inches) wide from the bedroom. The porch doors fitted with crash bars as they are only to be used as an emergency exit. The two half doors open outwards from the porch and cannot be opened from the outside.

Upstairs 

Cloakroom 

The cloakroom is accessed from the half landing through a 61cms(24 inches) wide door and up a 30 cm (12 inches) step. It contains a conventional w/c and a small washbasin with conventional taps. Space is restricted, maximum width is 62cms (24 inches) and length with door shut is 122cms (48inches). 

Bunk bedroom 

Accessed by a door 62 cms (24 inches) wide from the landing. It contains 2 bunk beds, a chest of drawers with mirror over and a wardrobe. Free space is 190 by 92 cms (75 by 36 inches). The bunks are 190 cm by 92cm (75 by 36 inches) and the top bunk, reached by ladder is 132cms (52inches) from the floor. The window is fitted with sliding double glazed units which in an emergency would allow an exit via the porch roof below. 

Sitting room (with super view of the abbey) 

Is entered from the landing through a door 70 cms (28 inches) wide. 

Seating is on two two-seater settees. It also contains a dresser with bookshelf and stereo, coffee table, a nest of occasional tables and a television on a stand with DVD and Video. The settees cannot be moved. A rotary dimmer switch controls lighting and there are two individually operated table lamps on individual corner tables.

Back Bedroom 

This is entered from the landing, through a door 67cm (26 inches) wide and up a 20cm (8inches) step. This contains a double bed, bedside cabinets, dressing table a vanity unit with stool, washbasin with conventional taps, mirror with strip-light over operated by a pull cord. The wardrobe is behind a door 63 cm (25 inches) wide. There is a corner shower cubicle 73 cm by 70cm (29 by 28 inches), with a 30 cm (12 inches) threshold. The shower is electric. The bed is 190 cm by 92cm (75 by 36 inches) and is 58 cm (23 inches) to the top of the mattress. 

General 

The owners have set out to provide everything in the cottage for a successful holiday. The kitchen is fully equipped to allow for catering for anything from cups of tea up to full family meals.

The kitchen floor is covered with vinyl flooring, the bathroom, cloakroom and shower area in the back bedroom are fitted with good quality vinyl floor tiles, all other areas are fully carpeted.

Part of the charm of Harbour Lights is that it is a cosy old cottage with a wonderful view but by its nature it cannot be adapted for people who are totally confined to a wheelchair. It has been used successfully by people of restricted mobility who may use a wheelchair to get around the town but who can cope with the steps, possibly with some assistance from relatives or friends. Its quiet location within a short distance of all the town's attractions is an added advantage.