Forest House and Bluebell Restaurant Access Statement
Introduction
Forest House is situated in the historic market town of Coleford in the Royal Forest of Dean. The house is two minutes walk from the town centre with all its shops and amenities. From about 1800 to 1850, Forest House was home to Robert Mushet, ironmaster, and his family.
The oldest part of the house dates from about 1790 and is constructed from local Forest red sandstone and limestone, with slated roofs and rising sash windows. The house has been sympathetically extended and renovated to incorporate modern facilities with oiginal details and features.
Access into the house is via one of two entrances. Either from the front, from the road, along an old flagstone path to the front door with wheelchair access; or from our rear private car park (slightly sloping), down 6 steps to a mezzanine terrace and then a further 4 steps down to the rear reception door. Safety handrails are fitted to assist in using the steps.
Pre-arrival
Forest House is located on a bus route and some buses stop outside the door. The main bus stops are in the town centre, about 150 metres from the house. Buses from Gloucester, the nearest main-line railway station, run hourly. We can provide detailed information on bus routes and times on request.
The nearest railway station is in Lydney, about six miles from Coleford. Pre-bookable taxis serve this station. We are more than happy to book taxis on your behalf. There are several local taxi companies, two of which have taxis with wheelchair access.
Dogs (with responsible owners) are welcome by prior arrangement. We have some rooms available where no dogs are allowed for those who have allergic reactions to animal hair.
Menus are provided in large print and we have magnifying sheets available for anyone who needs them.
Our website has pictures of our accommodation and further information about the services we provide.
You can contact us by telephone, fax, text or e-mail. Please see the `Contact Information’ section of this document below for full details.
Arrival and Car Parking
Although there is usually someone here, it would be helpful to know your expected time of arrival so that we can be sure we are here to welcome you
All our rooms are ready by midday, so you can arrange to arrive any time after that.
There is a slightly sloping car park at the rear of the house, from which there is access via 10 steps down into the main reception. There is a handrail on both sides of this set of steps.
If you have difficulty with steps or use a wheelchair, you can park for access at the front of the building and approach the front door via-a slightly uneven (old flagstones) but level path. We can help with luggage and car parking.
Guest Accommodation-Public Areas
All ground floor areas are on the same level and accessible for wheelchairs
We have a licensed bar furnished with upholstered chairs and a chaise-longue. Doors lead from the bar to the restaurant and a disabled toilet
The restaurant is fully accessible with large tables and straight back chairs. One part is carpeted; the other has an old oak floor.
The Bluebell Restaurant is listed on the Good Access Guide for Gloucestershire:
http://www.goodaccessguide.co.uk/
In the rear ground-floor lobby a selection of brochures and local information is displayed.
From this lobby there is a carpeted flight of stairs going up to the first floor. There is a handrail on the right side of the stairs.
We gladly offer help with access and baggage.
Bedrooms
Six bedrooms are on the first floor, comprising three with king-size beds, one double room, one twin room and one family room, in which there is a double and a single bed. All are approached via a carpeted landing and corridor and are fully carpeted throughout.
One double bedroom and a family suite with a double and two single beds are on the second floor, approached by two short flights of stairs, one with four steps and the other with six steps. There is a handrail on the right hand side and the stairs, landings and bedrooms are fully carpeted.
There are en-suite facilities in all bedrooms consisting of a shower, WC and washbasin. Two king-size rooms, two doubles and a twin room have seats in the showers and all have grab rails. Non-slip mats are available on request. The family suite on the top floor has a small bath with shower attachment. All shower rooms have non-slip flooring.
All rooms have a built-in wardrobe, a dressing table and bedside tables. Some rooms have chests of drawers but some have drawers in the wardrobe. All rooms have upholstered and straight-backed chairs for additional seating.
All our rooms have televisions, hospitality trays and hairdryers. Ironing facilities are also available.
All beds are made with synthetic duvets and hypoallergenic pillows. There is a sheet beneath the duvet on all beds. Blankets are provided if preferred.
There is a Guest Information Pack in each room, which contains details of emergency procedures in case of fire and details of emergency contacts. All rooms have a telephone.
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 1 is on the main first floor corridor at the top of a flight of 14 stairs. It is at the front of the building and overlooks the front garden.
To access the bedroom, you go through a fire door and turn left. The corridor is flat and carpeted.
The room contains a 4ft bin double bed with access from both sides and a single bed with access from one side.
Bedroom 2
Bedroom 2 is on the main first floor corridor to the right. It overlooks the covered terrace and the car park. It has secondary glazing.
The room contains a 5ft king-size bed with access from both sides
Bedroom 3
Bedroom 3 is on the main first floor corridor to the right.
The room contains a 5ft king-size bed with access from both sides.
Bedroom 4
Bedroom 4 is at the end of the first floor corridor to the right.
It contains a 4ft 6in double bed with access from both sides.
Bedroom 5
Bedroom 5 is at the top of the main flight of 14 stairs to the left through a fire door. It is in the Victorian part of the building and has a high ceiling. It is at the back of the building overlooking a pretty private garden.
The bedroom contains two single beds one with access from both sides and one with access from one side.
Bedroom 6
Bedroom 6 is at the end of a short corridor to the left of the main staircase. It is next to Bedroom 5 and both bedrooms are separated from the rest of the building a fire door. It also has a high ceiling and overlooks the private garden at the back of the building. Bedroom 6 contains a 5ft king-size bed with access from both sides.
Bedroom 7
Bedroom 7 is on the top floor at the top of two short flights of stairs, one with 5 steps and one with 9 steps. • The bedroom is to the right at the top of the stairs and overlooks the covered terrace and the car park. It has secondary glazing on one window.
The bedroom contains a 4ft bin double bed with access from both sides. It has a sloping ceiling at one end.
Bedroom 8 (Family Suite)
Bedroom 8 is accessed through a fire door off the main top floor landing. It is a family suite and contains a 5ft king-size bed and a single bed in one room and a single bed in a small adjoining room. The whole area has an en-suite bathroom.
The king-size bed has access from both sides and both single beds have access from one side.
The bedroom overlooks the front of the building and has dormer windows. It also has sloping ceilings on both sides of the main bedroom and on one side of the adjoining room. It has original exposed oak beams.
Gardens
We have a fairly big enclosed garden on two levels with three lawns, flowerbeds and rockery.
Access to the main front garden is through the front gate from the road. The garden is at the front of the house and there are no steps. An old stone-flagged path leads to the front door. This is slightly uneven but suitable for wheelchairs.
The top lawn is accessed from the front garden either via a flight of 5 stone steps or via a sloping stone-flagged path.
It can also be accessed from the car park via a short stone sloping path and 3 stone steps.
Guests are welcome to use the garden. Garden chairs are available. There is also a covered, heated garden terrace. This is accessed from the car park via a short flight down of 6 steps with a handrail on both sides, or from the reception/bar via a flight of 4 steps up with a handrail on the right side.
Additional Information
There are two fire extinguishers on the ground floor, one at the bottom of the stairs and one in the reception/bar outside the dining room.
There are three fire extinguishers on the first floor, one at the top of the stairs and one at each end of the main corridor.
There is one fire extinguisher on the top floor landing.
In the event of a fire, we have a very sensitive and loud fire alarm. Please advise us if you have a hearing impairment and may not hear this.
There is emergency lighting in all public areas, and torches are provided in case of a power cut.
The building is evacuated via the main staircase and out into the car park or at the front of the house into the front garden. The assembly point is in the car park.
Details of what to do in the event of fire are in the Guest Information Pack in each bedroom.
Smoking is allowed in the garden or on the terrace. Ashtrays are provided.
We can cater for special diets and any likes and dislikes. It would be helpful to know in advance so that we can make sure we have any specific provisions in stock.
We are happy to refrigerate any medication.
Mobile phone reception at Forest House is generally good, but in some of the surrounding area there is no signal.
We have wireless internet access for all our guests
Contact Information
Address: Forest House, Cinder Hill, Coleford, Glos. GLl 6 8HQ
Telephone: 01594 832424
Fax: 01594 838030
Mobile: 07791802582
E-mail: suesparkes@tumphouse.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.forest-house.co.uk
We are open all year but the restaurant is closed from 23rd December until 30th December.
If you need further information or have any comments about the services we provide, please do not hesitate to contact us.