Access

Introduction

Sonachan House currently has eight letting bedrooms with more coming in 2023, from a single to a family room for five persons. We are at the top of the hill in St.Andrews Road in the quiet Roundhams area of Paignton. There is a steep drive and steps into the accommodation.  Our bedrooms are on 3 floors.  The doorways to our ground floor bedrooms are narrow, 71cm, and are not suitable for wheelchair users.

We aim to provide a high standard of service to all our guests and look forward to welcoming you to Sonachan House.

 

Pre-arrival

You can contact us by telephone or email.  Please see the “contact information” section of this document for full details.

Our menus, tariffs and this access statement can be provided in large print if required.  We regret we do not have facilities to prepare documents in Braille.

Our website provides some pictures of our accommodation and further information about the services we provide.

Paignton railway station is approximately ½ mile away, a 15 minute walk (parts of which are steep).  A bus service, most of which are accessible, is available from the train station to “Big tree”.  There is a 10 minute walk from Big tree to our accommodation, parts of which are steep.

Taxis are usually available at the station.  There are several local taxi companies, some of which have accessible vehicles.  We can make bookings in advance for you.

Paignton town centre is approximately ½ mile away, a 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk, parts of which are steep.

There are a number of local companies that provide hire of mobility aids. Please see the “contact information” section of this document for full details.

Radar/disabled toilets can be found throughout Torbay.  Those locally are at Paignton Green, Palace Avenue, Parkside/Victoria Square and Preston North.  Radar keys are available from the Tourist Information Centre.

 

Arrival and car parking

To ensure your accommodation is ready we ask that guests do not normally arrive before 2.00p.m. Earlier arrival may, however, be possible by prior arrangement.

On arrival at the property there is a steep tarmac drive leading to the car park at the rear of the premises.  There are marked parking bays and there is room for seven cars.  Please park considerately.  There are no parking restrictions outside the property.

There is a slight slope from the car park at the rear of the premises to the main entrance at the front.  There is one 15cm step from the drive to the concrete path in front of the property.  There is a hand rail on the left of the drive up to the step in front of the property.

We offer assistance with luggage.

The drive and car park are lit at night.

 

The main entrance

There are 2 15cm steps up to the lobby door with a hand rail on the right.  Inside the lobby there is a doorbell on the right hand side of the front door at a height of 120cm.  There is 1 15cm step from the lobby into the entrance hall.  The hallway is approximately 600cm long by 125cm wide.  There is seating provided in the hallway.

Registration is completed in the bar area.  The bar top is 106cm high.  The tables have underspace of 64cm high by 49cm wide and a height of 76cm (legs on each corner).

After check in guests are shown to their rooms so they can familiarise themselves with the accommodation.

The floor surface throughout the hall and the bar is a short pile carpet.

 

Public areas

From the hall there is access to the guest lounge, WC, bar and through the bar up a step (20cm high) to the dining room.  There is a rear exit from the dining room to the car park that has a small step.

There is an archway from the hallway at the bottom of the stairs which leads to the 2 ground floor bedrooms.

There are 15 stairs (H17 x D25 x W86cm), a landing (200 x 100cm) and 3 further stairs to the first floor.  The first floor landing is L shaped (300 x 230 x 86 cm wide) which provides access to 4 bedrooms.  There are a further 11 stairs (H17 x D25 x W70cm) to the second floor.  The Second floor landing (220 x 88cm) gives access to 1 bedroom.  There are 5 more stairs (H17 x D25 x W70 cm) to the top floor landing (200 x 72 cm) from which there is access to 2 bedrooms.

The hall, stairs and landings are all carpeted.

The accommodation is centrally heated throughout but temperatures can be adjusted in each room to suit individual requirements.

 

W.C.

The unisex WC is located on the ground floor at the end of the hallway, next to the entrance to the bar.  The single leaf door is 63cm wide.  The WC has internal measurements of 170 x 120cm.  The WC is tiled with white sanitary ware.  There is free floor space of 110 x 80 cm.  The toilet seat height is 45cm.

 

Lounge

Guests are welcome to use the lounge at any time.

The single leaf glazed fire door is 76cm wide.

The lounge has 2 sofas, straight backed chairs (seat height 46cm) can be moved into there from the bar or dining room.

The room has a television with freeview and Teletext, and DVD player.  The lounge has a short pile carpet.  There is a large selection of books.

 

Bar

The single leaf glazed fire door is 76cm wide.  The bar is available (to residents and their guests) all day.

Tables have under space of 64cm high and 49cm width with a height of 76cm (legs on corners).

There is a combination of seating.  Upright chairs have a seat height of 46cm and benches of 50cm.  All our chairs are without arms.

Natural light is limited, light being provided by dimmable wall lights and bar lights.

The bar has a short pile carpet.

We play background music in the bar and dining room.

 

Dining room

Access to the dining room is through the bar.  There is a 20cm high step from the bar to the dining room.

There are a selection of tables which provide for an underspace height of between 63 and 65 cm and a height of between 73 and 75cm (legs on each corner).

Straight back chairs, armless, have a seat height of 46 cm.

Menus are available in large print; we will also take you through the menu and choices for the meal.  By prior arrangement we are able to cater for varying dietary needs.

Lighting is mainly natural day light whilst for the evening meal light is provided by dimmable wall lights.

The dining room has a short pile carpet.

We play background music in the dining room/bar.

 

Laundry

Not available

 

Shop

Not available

 

Leisure facilities

Not available

 

Outdoor facilities

Not available

 

Conference and meeting rooms, banqueting, clubs and entertainment

Not available

 

Bedrooms

There are 8 bedrooms, 2 on the ground floor, 4 on the first floor and 2 on the top floor.

Our bedrooms are not suitable for wheelchair users.

All bedrooms are carpeted.

There are en-suite facilities in all of the bedrooms consisting of a shower, WC and hand basin.

Tea and coffee facilities are provided.

We also provide a clock radio and hairdryer.

All bedrooms have digital televisions, with remote control and Teletext.

The majority of beds are divans with a height of approximately 57cm.

Our beds are normally made with duvets (synthetic).  We have a mixture of feather and synthetic pillows.  Synthetic pillows are available at all times if preferred.

There is a wardrobe, chest of drawers and /or dressing table in each room.

There is a folder in each bedroom which contains further information about the accommodation.

Please see Room Schedule for approximate individual measurements.

(All measurements in cm) Ground Floor First Floor
1 2 3 4 6 7
Door width 71 71 77 76 70 58
Beds 135 135 135 & 90 135 &

2 x 90

135 120
Route width 30-50 40-50 80 30-70 30-70 35-80
TV

Remote/Teletext

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stool/Chair

Arm/Upright

Seat height

Stool 46 Upright 45 Stool 46

Upright 45

Stool 46 Armchair 50 Stool 46
Carpet pile Short Short Short Short Short Short
Lighting

Central/Overhead

Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/Yes
Kettle Cordless No No No Yes No No
En-Suite
Door

Type/Width

Bi-fold 68 Sliding 54 Single leaf 58 Single leaf 68 Single leaf 58 Sliding 57
Size (L x W) 140 x 125 150 x 130 130 x 185 135 x 150 130 x 150 110 x 150
Floor Surface Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino
Free Floor Space 110 x 50 110 x 50 125 x 60 60 x 110 60 x 100 50 x 110
Shower Tray Height 17 16 24 13 11 15
Toilet Seat Height 40 41 42 39 40 40

 

 

(All measurements in cm) Second Floor Top Floor
8 9 10 11
Door width 70 70 74 65
Beds 90 135 & 2 x 90 135 & 90 135, 75

& 2 x 90

Route width 50 60 50-80 40-60
TV

Remote/Teletext

Yes Yes Yes Yes
Stool/Chair

Arm/Upright

Seat height

No Stool 46 Captains 45 Stool 46

Upright 46

Stool 46 Upright 46
Carpet pile Short Short Short Short
Lighting

Central/Overhead

Yes/Yes Yes/Yes Yes/bedside Yes/bedside
Kettle Cordless No No Yes No
En-Suite
Door

Type/Width

Single leaf 70 Single leaf 57 Single leaf 65
Size (L x W) 120 x 235 150 x 150 170 x 150
Floor Surface Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino Non-slip Lino
Free Floor Space 120 x 90 120 x 60 90 x 60
Shower Tray Height 17 20 20
Toilet Seat Height 42 42 42

 

Gardens

We have reasonably sized gardens.

The front garden is accessed by 3 steps (2 x 20cm and 1 x 10cm) made of natural stone.  It is laid mainly to lawn with flower beds and shrubs to the sides.  The concrete path to the front door extends beyond the same some 400cm and has a width of 120cm.  There is a bench on this path.

The rear garden joins the car park and is also mainly laid to lawn. There is a concrete path (90cm wide) to the left hand side which runs in a gentle slope between 2 flower beds up to the end of the garden where our guinea pigs live!  (Whilst these are friendly we would ask that they are not handled without one of us present – all animals can bite from time to time!!).  There are 2 concrete steps (1 x 7cm and 1 x 20cm and 76cm wide) back onto the lawn under the apple trees, which extend along the width of our garden in front of our shed.  At the end of the garden on the right hand side is our “fairy garden” which contains 2 ponds and flowing water between them.  There are 2 benches for guests to enjoy the peace and quiet.  We would ask guests to exercise caution when near the water.  Garden furniture is set out on the lawn for guests use.

 

Additional information

  • There are fire extinguishers in the hall and on each landing.
  • The accommodation has the benefit of a fire alarm.  In the event of a fire the alarm will sound.  Please advise us on arrival if you have a hearing impairment and might not hear the alarm.  We will then make arrangements with you so as to alert you to any alarms.
  • The building can be evacuated via the front door or through the dining room to the rear garden.  The escape route is signed.  The assembly point is in front of the building.
  • We do not permit smoking in the house but you may smoke in the gardens.  Please ask for an ashtray.
  • We do not accept pets. However we do have two resident Spaniels, Ozzie and Apollo.
  • We are happy to cater for special diets.  Please advise us of these before you arrive.
  • We are happy to refrigerate any medication. We can also keep any perishables in our fridge for a limited period.
  • Mobile phone reception is generally good, save for the bar area which appears to be a bit of a black spot.
  • Wi Fi is available, free of charge, throughout the hotel.

 

Address Sonachan House
35 St. Andrews Road
Paignton
Devon
TQ4 6HA
Telephone 01803 558021
Email [email protected]
Website www.sonachan.co.uk

 

Generally we are open all year, but do take occasional time off!
Please note when we are away from the accommodation our landline phone is diverted to our mobile phone.

 

Local hire companies

Torquay shop mobility Lymington Road.  01803 380982
Paignton shop mobility Victoria Car Park, Garfield Road.  01803 521771
St. John’s Ambulance 01803 328203
Paignton mobility 01803 558888

 

Local Public transport

Local Stagecoach information 01803 664500
National Rail enquiries 08457 484950
National Express 08717818181
Assisted Travel Helpline 08717818178 (option 4)
Nationwide bus times 08712002233.

 

Local Accessible taxi numbers

Torbay Cab Co. 01803 292292

 

We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve.  If you have any comments please contact us.

We are fully accredited:

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