Accessibility at Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, Northumberland

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Please find outlined below information we hope will ensure you enjoy your visit to the Lord Crewe Arms, regardless of whether your life is affected in some way by a medical condition, disability, impairment or specific learning difficulty.

The Lord Crewe Arms presents some challenges providing access to those with disability. Converted from the remains of an abbey which dates back to the 12th century, the building has many original features which are protected by its Grade 2 listed status. The garden was the site of the abbey cloisters, and is listed as a scheduled ancient monument. During the recent renovations much thought has been given to improving the access arrangements within these conservation restrictions and improvements have been made wherever possible. This document sets out to describe the facilities, and limitations that remain.

Prior to your arrival

Enquiries and reservations may be made by phone, email or via our website.

Should you require a taxi to the hotel from Newcastle Airport or the train stations at Hexham or Newcastle, we use a reliable company on a regular basis and we would be delighted to book them on your behalf. They can provide vehicles suitable for wheelchairs on request.

On arrival at the hotel

The hotel is situated in a village square. There is some public parking opposite the hotel, but these spaces are not designated for disabled drivers. Drivers can however pull up outside the main hotel entrance so that we can help with luggage etc. It would help if you can phone ahead to tell us of your arrival. The hotel has a private car park 100m from the hotel. It is at the rear of the hotel and accessed by a level gravel path with some ramped steps. We are happy to provide valet parking to and from this car park and give assistance along the path to the hotel. The car park and path are lit in hours of darkness.

Immediately in front of the hotel is an area of cobbled pavement, but there are some flat flagstones laid within to provide easier access into the hotel. The front door leads straight into the reception area of the hotel and whilst we do not have a permanent porter service, our staff will be happy to deliver your luggage to your room either from the hotel entrance or the car park and give whatever assistance may be required.

Reception / lobby area

This area is divided by two substantial steps, and whilst a portable ramp is available for this step, arrangements are such that check-in and check-out procedures can be handled without crossing the step. The floor in the lobby is laid with flagstones and some rugs.

Public areas

The lobby leads into the Hilyard Room (a small dining area) which has a stone floor with rugs, and no steps. Access beyond the Hilyard Room to both the Derwent Room and the Crypt Bar involves two level changes, and whilst we have portable ramps, the ancient doorways and turning spaces are regrettably restrictive. Our staff are on hand however to help where possible, and drinks, wine and menu items can all be brought to you in the Hilyard Room. Breakfast can also be served in the Hilyard Room.

The Bishop’s Dining Room (hotel restaurant) and the Dorothy Foster Room (guest lounge) are on the first floor and only accessible via a flight of stairs from the Hilyard. There is a good handrail on both sides of this wide stairway.

The Gatehouse is located across a small road that runs through the village square and can be accessed via a flight of outdoor steps.

Toilets

On the ground floor we have a disabled toilet off the main reception area. The main toilet cubicle is 2.2m x 1.5m with handrails and an emergency call button. Doors and access corridor are 815mm wide. The main door to the cloakroom is restricted to 805mm. There is one step in the reception area which requires the use of a removable ramp which our staff can provide.

Fire alarm

The fire alarm is sounded by bells and does not have flashing lights. Assistance will be given if evacuation is necessary, and guests with hearing difficulties should alert our staff to this on check-in.

Accommodation

The bedrooms do present access difficulties. Four of the bedrooms are located in the main house, but these are all on the first and second floors of the building and we have no passenger lift. All staircases have good handrails.

10 of the bedrooms are located in a house across a small road that runs through the village square and whilst two of these are on the ground floor, access into the rooms and bathrooms is fairly restricted by size. Doorways are 900mm wide.

We have a further seven rooms located within the cottages in the village square. Access to all these involve leaving the hotel by the main door and crossing the square which has a mixed surface of paving, gravel and some cobbles. Our staff are very happy to accompany guests to their rooms however and provide whatever assistance may be necessary.

Four of the cottage rooms are on the first floor and accessed by a staircase without the benefit of a passenger lift. The other three are however on the ground floor and one of these has the benefit of a generous spacing in the bathroom around the wash hand basin and toilet, suitably placed handrails and a level-floor shower suitable for seated showering.

The garden is accessed directly from the hotel reception and main car park. It is predominantly level, and has well-lit gravel pathways.