Accessibility Information
We aim to support you so that you can have a wonderful break in Cornwall. Hopefully you will find this information useful, but please do contact us if you have any accessibility needs, special requirements, or need further information. We have included here some information that previous guests have found useful, enabling them to have a comfortable stay and enjoy all that the area has to offer. Also visit Accessible Cornwall for their latest guide.
Additional Equipment Available
The following equipment is available free of charge, just ask when you book and we will make sure these are in the cottage for you.
- Elephant feet (for beds/chairs),
- Bed grab rail
- Shower seat
- Shower wheelchair
- Foot stools
- Hypoallergenic bedding
- Small(ish) 45L mini fridge for storing medication, which you can plug in in your bedroom.
Induction loop – Geemarc Hearloop LH600
A fully integrated room loop system for hearing aid users with the T switch transmitting the sound directly to your hearing aid. This can be used in any of the cottages. It can connect to anything with a 2.5mm, 3.5mm or SCART connection), and also has a microphone for use during conversations and for general use.
Food allergies
We provide our guests with a welcome pack, which may include food products such as local bacon, sausages, eggs, fruit juice and milk. If you are vegetarian or don’t eat pork, or may be unable to eat any of these because of food intolerances, please do let us know so that we may substitute with something more suitable.
Accommodation Accessibility Statements
Heather Barn
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- Sleeps 4
Heather Barn is a luxury 5* Gold accessible holiday cottage (NAS M3(a) and M1 rated), fully wheelchair accessible, single-storey designed with ease of access (as well as a luxurious finish) as a priority. Suitable for wheelchair users, less physically able guests, or those with young children wanting a stair-free environment.
Other Cottages
These three cottages all have stairs, and as such are unsuitable for wheelchairs. There is a full Access Statement for each cottage – please see the links below.
Mobility Equipment Hire
There are several mobility hire shops in the area – Please ask us if you need help arranging items:
- Mobility Hire Cornwall (01872 859598) have rented profiling beds, hoists, mobility scooters and more. We recommend this small family run business who will deliver to Kernock. In the past they have provided an excellent service.
- Access Plymouth equipment hire here.
- Mobility Shop Plymouth which do equipment hire.
- Cecily Baker Charity (Saltash) is brilliant for items such as wheelchairs, commodes, walking frames etc and ask for a small donation per item. We can arrange to hire these for you, and can usually collect these for you.
- If you find a mobility scooter useful, but are struggling with boot space, then it is worth contacting Tamar Mobility, which is close to Waitrose (about 4 miles from us). They have a variety of types of folding mobility scooters for hire. Telephone 01752 841879
Trampers
Many places in the South West are now hiring trampers (high quality class 3 cross country buggy) as seen on Top Gear. They can improve the “visitor experience” for both non-wheelchair-using less mobile guests and habitual chair users and those with broken legs or ankles after recent accidents, who wish to have more opportunity to join in the family fun. Trampers are available for hire at Mount Edgcumbe, Trebah Gardens, Tamar Trails, Siblyback, Dartington Hall and Saltram. If that sounds appealing then have a look at Country Side Mobility – temporary membership is £2.50 for 4 weeks, and tramper hire is £2.50 an hour (but is free at some venues such as NT venues where you have paid an entrance fee).
Oxygen
If you require oxygen whilst on holiday, seek NHS advice and talk to your oxygen supplier to see if they can deliver to Kernock. Guests have previously had Oxygen delivered successfully.
Public Transport
The closest railway station is Saltash (but the most practical is Plymouth, which is 10 miles away). There are no buses locally – the nearest bus stop is in Hatt, 4 miles away (there are no taxis available in Hatt or Saltash unless you pre-book). If you arrive by train at Plymouth, there is a black cab rank at the station, and the journey to Kernock will cost about £20. For the return journey, do make sure that you book a cab in advance, as it can be very difficult to get one at short notice. A.W. Cabs are Saltash-based and also have a people carrier for larger groups (01752 848400). Two other Saltash-based firms can be contacted on (01752) 848422 and (01752) 848484.
Accessible Places to Visit
Cornwall has some of the most diverse and interesting places to visit, many with facilities for visitors with disabilities or those pushing buggies. Discover Cornwall without barriers with Access Cornwall’s Accessible Guide to Cornwall 2025 – a fabulous resource.
We have added access notes on our website for all places, where possible, to help you plan. The information is provided by the attraction; most attractions will provide access and facilities for our less mobile visitors, but it is best to check specific requirements with the attraction before your visit. Full contact details for local attractions and places of interest are provided on the Information page, along with access notes for most of the attractions, pubs and restaurants.
Accessible South West is a directory designed to assist visitors with disabilities travelling to the South West of England find suitable places to visit. The directory includes accessible information on attractions and other places of interest, places to eat, public toilets, and beaches. There is also information on disability groups and organisations that can assist the disabled traveller whilst staying away from home, and local suppliers of accessibility equipment to hire.
Easily Accessible Scenic Walks in Cornwall
There are many scenic routes in Cornwall suitable for disabled visitors or those with buggies and pushchairs where you can get out and enjoy the beautiful coast and countryside. You may also like to look at the accessible routes page of the South West Coast Path site, which has good information on easy going walks for people with mobility needs, pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The most accessible paths have been graded with 1 to 3 stars dependent on their gradient and surface.
- *** A smooth and level path, likely to be suitable for all types of wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- ** A reasonably smooth path with some gentle ups and downs.
- * A path with a firm but uneven surface and/or gradients steeper than 1:10, more suited to a powerful mobility scooter or an all-terrain pram.
The Walks with Wheelchairs site also gives 20 routes in Cornwall that are accessible to those in wheelchairs or pushing buggies.
You could also try their affiliated site http://www.walkswithbuggies.com/Cornwall which is designed for parents with pushchairs. It gives information on which walks are suitable for single buggies or double buggies etc.
China Fleet Country Club
During your stay, we provide you with membership to the China Fleet Country Club, which is fully wheelchair accessible and has a water wheelchair and ramp to the pool (apparently excellent – I have very good reports back from wheelchair-using guests who say that the staff are very helpful and it all works really well). It is probably worth giving them a call before you arrive if you want to use these (01752 848668). The restaurant and brasserie are accessible and they have accessible toilets.
Pubs and Restaurants Accessibility
The Pubs and Restaurants section of our website contains Access information for each venue. We try to keep this information updated, but recommend you check if you have particular requirements or if you use an electric or non-standard-width wheelchair.
National Trust
The majority of the National Trust properties have accessible facilities. These are listed for each property on the NT website. Those with “improved disabled access” in Devon and Cornwall are listed below:
- Trelissick Gardens
- A La Ronde
- Buckland Abbey
- Castle Drogo
- Finch Foundry
- Lydford Gorge
- Antony
- Cornish Mines and Engines
- Glendurgan
- Levant Mine
- St Michael’s Mount
- Old Post Office Tintagel
- Trelissick
- Trengwainton
Beaches
A number of Cornwall’s beaches have sand chairs available for hire for visitors with disabilities.
Bude
Summerleaze Beach
Summerleaze Beach Office
- 01288 352226
Falmouth
Gyllyngvase Beach
Gyllyngvase Beach Café
- 01326 312884
Kerrier
On rotation Kerrier
District Council
- 01209 614397
Looe Town
Beach Looe Town Trust
Seafront
- 01503 263709
Newquay
Fistral Beach
Fistral Surf Hire Shop
- 01637 850584
Towan
Beach Blue Reef
Beach Blue Reef Aquarium
- 01637 878134
Polzeath
Polzeath Beach
Anne’s Cottage Surf Shop
- 01208 262812
St Ives
Porthminster Beach
Porthminster Beach Lifeguard Office
- 01736 793940
St Michael’s
Marazion Beach
The Godolphin Arms
- 01736 710202
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kernock Cottages suitable for wheelchair users?
Yes. Heather Barn is a fully wheelchair accessible 5-star gold-rated cottage (NAS M3(a) and M1 rated), designed as single-storey accommodation with accessibility and comfort as priorities. The other cottages have stairs and are not suitable for wheelchair users, but full access statements are available for each property.
View Heather Barn Access Statement
View Tree Barn Access Statement
What accessibility equipment is available at Kernock Cottages?
We offer a range of equipment free of charge, including bed grab rails, shower seats, a shower wheelchair, hypoallergenic bedding, an induction loop system for hearing aid users, and a small medical fridge. Simply let us know your requirements when booking so we can prepare everything for your stay.
Can mobility equipment be hired during our stay?
Yes. Additional mobility equipment such as mobility scooters or specialist aids can be hired locally if needed. We are happy to help point guests toward local suppliers who can arrange delivery directly to the cottages before your arrival.
Are assistance dogs welcome at Kernock Cottages?
Yes. Assistance dogs are always welcome at Kernock Cottages. If you have specific requirements during your stay, please let us know when booking so we can help ensure the cottage is prepared appropriately.
Can guests requiring oxygen or additional medical support stay at Kernock?
Yes. Guests have previously arranged oxygen deliveries during their stay. We recommend speaking with your NHS provider or oxygen supplier in advance to organise delivery and ensure everything is in place before arrival.
Is public transport accessible to Kernock Cottages?
The nearest station is Saltash, although Plymouth (10 miles away) is often more practical. Taxis should be pre-booked, especially for return journeys. If you require specific transport assistance, please contact us in advance and we’ll help where possible.
