The Barn

Access Statement

Access Statement for Hop Pickers Barn

This access statement is intended to provide accurate, detailed information about the facilities and services at Hop Pickers Barn to assist all visitors, including those with accessibility requirements. It does not include personal opinions on suitability.

Introduction

Hop Pickers Barn is a charming 17th-century barn conversion situated at the end of a peaceful no-through road in the Worcestershire countryside. Set within the grounds of the owners’ home, the Barn offers a tranquil rural retreat with modern amenities, while retaining the original character of the building.

The Barn accommodates up to five guests across two bedrooms. All main living areas are located on the first floor, accessible via an internal staircase. The property was sympathetically renovated in 2010 and was once used to house hop pickers who visited from the Black Country to work each summer.

Please note that The Barn has stairs to access the main first floor acommodation and may not be suitable for guests with mobility challenges.

To help guests feel confident before their stay, we’re happy to offer personalised video tours on request - ideal for anyone who would like to familiarise themselves with the space and layout in advance.

Pre-Arrival

·       Travel & Directions: Full directions are provided with your booking confirmation. The postcode is WR6 5JX and our website offers a location plan: www.hoppickers.co.uk

·       Nearest Railway Station: Malvern Link – 6 miles away. Accessible taxis can be pre-booked with Access Taxis on 07749 621594.

·       Access Road: The final 300 yards of your journey is along an unsurfaced farm track.

·       Supermarket Deliveries: Can be pre-arranged and unpacked for your arrival. The nearest shop is a community store in Alfrick, 2 miles away.

Arrival, Parking & Access

·       Please inform us of your approximate arrival time to ensure someone is available to welcome you.

·       Parking for up to three cars is available in a designated gravel area, with sensor lighting for evening arrivals.

·       The front door is accessed via a paved brick path, located behind an old stable door on the right-hand side of the Barn.

·       Entrance Door Width: 28”

·       There are 2 small steps (5cm) up into the entrance hallway (wood laminate flooring), which includes a WC, coat hanging area, and freezer under the stairs. Carpeted stairs lead to the main accommodation. Stair gates can be provided free of charge for children or dogs.

Interior Layout & Access

Stairs & Landing

·       Carpeted staircase (20cm height): 4 steps straight ahead, a small square landing 90x90cm, and then 8 steps up to the left to the first floor.

·       Lighting is a combination of wall, ceiling lights and lamps throughout.

Living Area (Open plan living and dining plus enclosed kitchen)

·       Spacious lounge and dining area under original oak trusses and vaulted ceiling.

·       Lounge:

o   Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows

o   L-shaped sofa (seating for 4), large armchair, coffee table

o   40” Smart TV, DVD player, and CD audio system (please bring your own media)

·       Dining:

o   Extendable wooden dining table (seats 6-8 - chair height 50cm – table height 78cm)

o   Antique sideboard with local maps, books, and games in baskets

·       Kitchen (door width 82cm)

o   Worktop height: 94cm

o   Automatic magnetic fire door which will release if alarm is activated

o   Fan-assisted oven, 4-ring hob, extractor hood

o   Integrated undercounter fridge and dishwasher,  plus counter microwave, kettle, toaster, cafetiere.

o   Small freezer is located under stairs (ground floor)

Bedrooms (door width 74cm)

·       Main Bedroom:

o   King-size bed (66cm high), plus additional full-size single bed (66cm)

o   Pine dressing table, bedside cabinets, wall-mounted 46” Smart TV

o   Door width: 29”

·       Second Bedroom:

o   Two 3’ singles (60cm high) or super-king configuration via zip & link

o   Bedside unit, table lamp, dressing table, mirror

·       Large antique wardrobe located on landing for additional clothes storage (99cm wide)

Bathrooms

·       Main Bathroom (First Floor):

o   P-shaped bath with overhead shower and grab rail (bath edge height 53cm)

o   Non-slip mat provided.

o   Washbasin (86cm) with above basin mirrored cabinet, low-level WC (43cm seat height)

o   Spotlight rail, additional mirror lighting, shaver socket

o   Heated towel rail on timer

o   Non-slip laminate flooring

Door width: 67cm

·       Additional WC (Ground Floor): Located off the entrance hallway - loo seat height 43cm - basin height 86cm

Laundry & Cleaning

·       Shared laundry room (behind the owners’ house) includes washing machine, dryer, and chest freezer – available on request.

·       Rotary dryer on back lawn

·       In-cottage amenities: Cleaning kit, airer, ironing board, iron, and Henry vacuum cleaner

Outdoor Areas

·       Private enclosed patio and lawn area in front of the barn (shared access with owners’ stable yard and games room) with charcoal BBQ (guests to supply own charcoal)

·       Guests may explore 8-acre grounds with woodland walk (avoid horse paddock; Shetland ponies present)

·       Orchard with apple, pear, damson, plum, cherry, and walnut trees – guests welcome to pick fruit

·       Large back lawn with planted apple trees, mown paths for improved wildlife and biodiversity. 

·       Hot Tub access at end of stable yard in enclosed decking area with views across paddocks. Small step (12cm) onto decking and through door (90cm wide). Hot tub has 2 grey steps (24cm height) to ease access and then a 30cm step over into tub. There are fairy lights and solar lights for night time use when dark outside.

Leisure Facilities

·       Heated Outdoor Pool: Open late May – early September (weather dependent). Time slot system in place. Guests must sign an indemnity form. Pool depth 1.5m; unfenced.

·       Tennis Court: Older surface but suitable for casual games; racquets and balls available.

·       Games Room ‘The Cowshed’:

o   Log burner, table tennis, darts, retro pinball, bar billiards, 50” Smart TV

o   Access via 5 stone steps with wooden handrail (stepping down – large step 25cm then 4 x 18cm steps) door width 70cm

o   Kitchenette and shower room (primarily used by bell tent guests)

Pets

·       Dogs are welcome; enclosed garden (not escape-proof for determined dogs)

·       Complimentary dog pack included (bowl, towel, blanket, lead, toy, treats, biodegradable poo bags)

·       Dog waste bin located at main gate

Additional Information

·       Non-smoking property

·       Fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, heat alarm, fire blanket, carbon monoxide alarm, keyless exits.

·       Free Superfast Wi-Fi

·       Some mobile networks may have limited signal

·       Printed materials available in large print upon request

·       Assistance/familiarisation tour available on arrival

Contact Details

Address:
Hop Pickers Rural Retreats, Dingle Road, Leigh, Worcestershire, WR6 5JX

Telephone: 01886 833668
Email: sales@hoppickers.co.uk
Website: www.hoppickers.co.uk
Open: All Year

Local Carers and Additional Equipment:

Contact us for local care services

We can provide the following free of charge - loo seat raiser, shower stool, waterproof bed protection mat, travel cot (large wooden cot for longer stays), baby bath, baby moniter, toilet step, nightlights, stair gates. 

AVE Services and Hearing Loop Hire

• Product: Audio Frequency Induction Loop systems, including portable handheld units.

• Features: Suitable for events and temporary setups; portable units provide a 2m signal cone.

• Contact: sales@aveservices.com | 01635 899551

Red Cross Equipment Loan 

• Website: redcross.org.uk

• What they offer: Manual wheelchairs and basic mobility aids.

• Delivery: Limited delivery options, more commonly collection from a local centre.

• Good for: Basic needs and more affordable hire.

Future Plans 

We are continuously improving our facilities based on guest feedback. Recent updates include full compliance with the new short-term let fire regulations including but not limited to interlinked heat and smoke alarms and keyless exits.

Last update: June 2025