MOTABILITY WAVs
For many wheelchair users, the most daunting part of a staycation isn’t always the journey – it might be the destination. The fear that so-called “fully accessible” cottage might just be a standard room with a portable ramp is enough to keep many families at home.
To truly enable travel for people with disabilities, accommodation needs to go beyond the basics. We’ve selected five UK staycation gems that don’t just allow wheelchair access, but are specifically designed for you; featuring specialist equipment like ceiling track hoists, profiling beds, and height-adjustable kitchens. There’s even an accessible hot tub for those with a thirst for relaxation!
1. The Big Tin Barn (Somerset)
The Vibe:
High-end, contemporary luxury that feels more like a boutique hotel than a holiday rental. Located on a working farm near Ilminster, the barn offers stunning views across fields of grazing Highland cattle. It strikes a perfect balance between rugged farm life and sleek, modern design, ensuring you don’t have to sacrifice style for accessibility.
Local Exploration:
Just 200m from your door is a wheelchair-friendly path leading to the cattle shed to meet the farm’s famous Highland herd. Further afield, Haynes Motor Museum offers level access throughout its world-class collection, or you can explore the accessible gardens and Column Room Restaurant at Hestercombe House.
Specialist Equipment:
- Full Room Coverage: The master bedroom features an X-Y ceiling track hoist that transitions seamlessly from the bed into the en-suite wet room.
- Advanced Bathing: The wet room includes a rise-and-fall “Comfortline” bath with an air spa system and a Gerberit wash-and-dry toilet.
- Smart Tech: Automated blinds can be operated from the bed, and the kitchen features electric rise-and-fall worktops and a “Slide-and-Hide” oven.
Why Check It Out:
It proves that “accessible” can also be “luxurious.” For users who require a high level of care, the specialist equipment and dedicated carer accommodation means your care routine doesn’t have to be compromised while on holiday.
2. Ellwood Cottages (Dorset)
https://www.ellwoodcottages.co.uk
The Vibe:
Peaceful, rural, assistance-dog friendly barn conversions nestled in the heart of the Blackmore Vale. The atmosphere here is one of total tranquility, where the loudest noise is often the local birdsong. It’s an ideal base for exploring the Jurassic Coast or the rolling Dorset countryside, offering a slow-paced escape from the bustle of urban life.
Local Exploration:
At Ellswood you are perfectly positioned for a day trip to Abbotsbury Swannery, which features flat, easy-access paths, or a visit to the Tank Museum at Bovington, widely regarded as one of the most accessible large-scale museums in the UK. For a coastal fix, Weymouth Beach is just a short drive in your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle away and offers free hire of specialised beach wheelchairs.
Specialist Equipment:
- Profiling Beds: “Bello Sonno” electric height-adjustable profiling beds are available in each cottage.
- Hoisting: Oxford Advance mobile hoists are available for guest use at no extra charge.
- Make a Splash: One of the rarest features in accessible self-catering is their indoor heated splash pool, which is fitted with an Oxford Dipper hoist and wide steps with handrails.
- Wet Rooms: All cottages feature full wet-room style bathrooms with wheeled shower chairs and commodes available.
Why Check It Out:
It’s a “worry-free” zone. From the non-slip vinyl flooring to the accessible hobs and sinks with front controls, these cottages allow for total independence in a beautiful, non-clinical setting.
3. The Rings (Fife, Scotland)
The Vibe:
A flexible, award-winning farm-stay set within 90 acres of quiet Scottish countryside. The design is bright and airy, with huge windows that bring the outside in, and the unique layout can be adapted to suit small families or large groups. It’s a place that feels deeply inclusive, catering to physical, sensory, and neurodivergent needs with equal care.
Local Exploration:
Fife is a leader in accessible outdoors; Lochore Meadows was recently voted one of the UK’s most accessible walks with a 5km circular route. You are also close to the historic town of St Andrews, where the iconic West Sands beach offers all-terrain wheelchairs, and the Scottish Deer Centre, which features 55 acres of level pathways to see wolves, bears, and deer.
Specialist Equipment:
- Diverse Bedding: Choose between standard profiling beds or the “Sapphire” room’s electrically adjustable rise-and-fall twin beds.
- Multi-Room Hoisting: Several bedrooms and studio apartments are fitted with ceiling track hoists.
- Sensory Support: Beyond physical equipment, they offer sensory packs (ear defenders, fidget toys, dark tents) for neurodivergent guests, and an indoor secure play space.
Why Check It Out:
Flexibility. Whether you are a solo traveller or a large multi-generational family, the movable walls and variety of equipment mean the space adapts to you, rather than you having to adapt to the space.
4. AbleStay (London/Worcester Park)
The Vibe:
A stylish, purpose-built “Accessible Home from Home” located in a quiet leafy suburb of South-West London. It offers the rare opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the capital while having a calm, fully-equipped sanctuary to return to. The open-plan design and high-tech kitchen make it feel like a high-end city apartment, but with the peace of mind of a specialist care facility.
Local Exploration:
You are just 10 minutes from an accessible train station with a direct 22-minute link to London Waterloo. Locally, Hampton Court Palace is incredibly accommodating, with 80% of its gardens wheelchair-accessible and lifts to the historic state rooms. For nature lovers, Kew Gardens is a short WAV journey away, offering flat paths and a “land train” that can accommodate manual wheelchairs.
Specialist Equipment:
- Clinical Excellence: Features Innova Liberta profiling beds and a ceiling track hoist (Innova AirGlide) from the bedroom directly into the bathroom.
- Medical Readiness: The house is equipped with a medical fridge, storage and charging points for powerchairs, and dedicated plug sockets for suction or oxygen machines.
- The Bathroom: A Fine and Able designer bathroom featuring an Astor Bannerman height-adjustable bath and Rifton HTS shower chairs as well as a height adjustable Timo shower/changing trolley.
- The accessible kitchen provides a height adjustable work surface that includes an induction hob and sink, with the oven and microwave being at working height for wheelchair users.
Why Check It Out:
London is notoriously difficult for accessible accommodation. AbleStay provides a “basecamp” with high-dependency equipment that you simply cannot find in standard London hotels, making a trip to the capital a reality for complex care users.
5. Windmill Barns (Warwickshire)
The Vibe:
Sleek, modern, and unashamedly upscale, these barns are located in the quintessential Shakespeare Country. The vibe is one of effortless relaxation – think watching the sunset from your hoist-accessible hot tub. It’s designed for those who want a proper holiday experience without the clinical feel that often accompanies high-dependency equipment.
Local Exploration:
You are in the heart of the Midlands, with easy access to Stratford-upon-Avon, where the Royal Shakespeare Theatre offers excellent accessibility. For a dose of nature, the Morgrove Coppice in the Forest of Arden features a specially designed fully accessible forest route, while the National Trust’s Packwood House provides “Tramper” all-terrain scooters to explore its famous yew tree gardens.
Specialist Equipment:
- H-Track Ceiling Hoists: Each cottage features a full H-track (X-Y) ceiling hoist system in the master bedroom, ensuring total coverage for easy transfers.
- Integrated Lifts: As these are two-story cottages, each is equipped with a high-capacity internal wheelchair lift, allowing users to access all floors safely.
- Accessible Relaxation: In a rare move for self-catering, each cottage has its own private, log-heated hot tub which is fully accessible via a dedicated tracked hoist.
- The Kitchen: Includes lowered sinks and worktops with clearance for wheelchair users to roll under, promoting inclusion during meal prep.
Why Check It Out:
It bridges the gap between high-level care and high-level leisure. Often, properties with ceiling hoists feel “medical,” but Windmill Barns maintains a stylish, boutique aesthetic. Having the ability to use a hot tub safely – something many wheelchair users have to skip, makes this a standout destination for a real holiday feel.
Pro-Traveller Tip: Bring a Sling
While these properties provide the hoists (mobile or ceiling track), almost all of them require you to bring your own sling. This is for hygiene reasons and to ensure the sling is the correct size and fit for the individual. Always check the hoist’s “spreader bar” type (usually 2-point or 4-point) before you travel to ensure your sling is compatible.
Getting There
With such an amazing range of accessible staycation venues across the UK, there has never been a better time to have your own Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. Brotherwood are here to help you find your perfect new or used WAV, or help you hire an accessible vehicle to take a trip to one of these accessible gems.
If you’re planning a road trip to one of these amazing wheelchair-friendly holiday homes, you should also check out another of our wheely-handy Top 5 Guides – sharing our best website and apps for planning an accessible journey.
Have you visited any of these venues – or have another accessible staycation spot to share? Leave a comment below.
Volkswagen Caddy Life
Ford Tourneo Connect
Mercedes Benz V-Class
Vauxhall Vivaro e
How To Apply