Access Statement for Bear Hotel
The Bear Hotel is a grade 2 listed building dating back to the 12th Century. Whilst this does mean we have inherited some beautiful architectural details it also means that the structure of the building does present some physical barriers to accessibility. If you do have any access requirements please do contact us before making a reservation so that we can try to meet your requirements as best we can.
Contacting us
We welcome correspondence by phone, fax, letter or e-mail and we will endeavour to respond by whichever means is most suitable for you.
On arrival at the front of the hotel
The front of the hotel is reached via the town’s High Street. Dropping off points by car near the front door can sometimes be a problem to find on the busy High Street. To reach the main front door there are a set of 2 stone steps with white nosings to ascend. Risers are set at a height of 10cms and 13cms with a 65cm step. There is a doorbell on the front door 150cms high which is also covered by CCTV. The front door is 100cms wide and is not automated.
On arrival via the rear of the hotel
Access to the rear of the hotel and to our own private car park is via North Road. We provide enough car parking space for one medium sized car per guest room, with additional free on-street parking near by. We have two designated parking spaces which are clearly signposted.
The car park is level and has a tarmac surface and is covered by CCTV. At night, sensor lights are in operation which will cover the car park and the path to the back door. The back door is reached via a paved path approximately 100 metres long which passes through our courtyard area. (During the warmer months we provide garden furniture for guests who wish to sit outside). At the top of the path you reach the back door.
The door is 150cms wide and is not automated. There is a ramp access to the Cellars Restaurant to the left and Reception is accessed via 2 steps with white nosings ascending with a handrail on the right hand side. Risers are set at a height of 16cms and 15cms with a 54cm step.
Reception
Reception is located on the ground floor and is accessible on the level once the steps at the front and rear entrances have been negotiated. Reception is at a height of 1 metre 9cm. Chairs with arm & back supports are located near the reception desk. A clipboard is available for guests requiring assistance. The reception area is well lit. Help with luggage is available but please note that guests may have to wait for assistance with particularly heavy items as not all members of staff can safely manage heavy lifting. All public areas including stairways are carpeted throughout the hotel.
Ground floor
The lounge/bar area is located to the right from the front entrance. The furniture is a mix of fixed bench seating, freestanding tables and armed chairs. No smoking is permitted at any time in this room. The bar is at a height of 1 metre 18cm.
The Cock Pit bar area is located next to the lounge past the coffee point and accessed via 3 steps. The furniture is a mix of freestanding tables and armed chairs. No smoking is permitted at any time in this room.
Cellars Restaurant, where breakfast and evening meals are usually served, is located next to the Cock Pit – 3 steps connect the two. The furniture is freestanding and chairs with arms are available if required.
The lounge/grill bar area is located to the left from the front entrance. The furniture is a mix of fixed bench seating, freestanding tables and armed chairs. The television is remote controlled and has teletext. Smoking is not permitted at any time in this room. The bar is at a height of 1 metre 18cm.
Waiter service is always available. Staff will always be willing to read out the menu if guests would find this more suitable.
Most diets can be catered for by prior arrangement. Toilets to the rear of the Grill Bar have a ramp down to them with a handrail on the left. Toilets near Reception; Ladies are up a flight of 8 stairs with handrails to both sides; Gents are located near the rear door down 3 steps.
There are no adapted accessible toilets available.
The payphone is located by Reception. No induction facilities available.
Lower ground floor
Breakfast is usually served on this floor. There are 2 sets of stairs, one on either side of the hotel, to reach this room. The stairs by reception have a half turn in them with a handrail either side (4 steps). The stairs by the restaurant have 2 half turns with a hand rail on the left as you go down (4 steps). The furniture is freestanding and chairs with arms can be arranged. Waiter service is always available. Arrangements can be made for breakfast to be served in the lounge for those guests who find stairs unsuitable.
Bedrooms
There are 33 guest rooms located on the first and second floors and all are non smoking. There are 4 ground floor rooms. There are no lifts at the hotel. Each floor is accessed by stairs with handrails running all the way up to each floor. All rooms vary in size and style and we will always try to match rooms to guest requirements.
Please advise us before making a reservation if stairs would be unsuitable for you.
All bedrooms are en-suite with either a shower or a bath, but not both.
There is a small step to get into shower cubicles. Non slip mats are available for showers and baths. All rooms have remote control TV’s, cordless kettles, phones and modem points, but not induction facilities. Mobile phone coverage is generally good and improving but depends upon which company is used and where you are in the building. Chairs with arms are provided in each room. The fire alarm is audio only. Reception is manned from 7am until 11pm and can be contacted via bedroom phones. We have a night porter who can offer assistance in an emergency over night.
General
We welcome assistance dogs by prior arrangement. The hotel has no literature in braille. Comments and suggestions from guests that could be included in our statement are always welcome. We will continually update our statement as alterations and improvements occur at Bear Hotel.
Please do not hesitate in asking any further questions that will help you to decide if we can meet your requirements for an enjoyable stay.