Making Everyone Feel Welcome at Gardenside Lodge
We want everyone to feel at home here. This place means the world to us, and we reckon that sharing it properly means being honest and open about what we’ve got to offer. Whether you’re planning a peaceful break, have specific access needs, or just want to know exactly what to expect, we’re here to help you work out if Gardenside Lodge is right for you. Getting In Touch
Before we get into the details, here’s the most important bit: if you’ve got questions, just ask. Seriously. We’d much rather you get in touch than worry about whether something will work for you.
• Email: info@gardensidelodge.co.uk
• Phone: 07858937119
We’re happy to send extra photos, take specific measurements, have a chat on the phone, whatever helps. There’s no such thing as a daft question when it comes to making sure your holiday works for you.

Getting Here & Parking
The Journey to Your Door
• Private off-road parking close to the lodge, you won’t be carrying bags far
• Firm, level surface on the parking area
• It’s about 18 metres from where you park to the front door
• The path is paved and level
• We’ve got outdoor lighting for when you arrive after dark
• If you need a hand with bags, just give us a shout beforehand

The Entrance
What to Expect at the Front Door
• The patio door is inward opening and is 180 cm wide
• There are 3 steps up to get in, each one is roughly 13cm high
• The threshold (that little lip at the bottom of the door) is 8cm
• Door handles throughout are lever style at about 1m high
A Quick Note: If steps are tricky for you, there is a gently sloped access to the rear which is approximately 4 metres long with a gradient of 5%. The entry is through outward opening patio doors which are 130cm wide

Inside the Lodge
Doorways & Getting Around
• Internal doors are roughly 65 cm wide
• All the main living spaces are on one level, no surprise steps between rooms.
• Flooring is non- slip laminate, firm and even throughout.
• There’s space to move around comfortably but is not wheelchair accessible due to limited area around beds and a narrow hallway which is approximately 70cm wide

The Kitchen
Where You’ll Be Cooking Open-plan, compact, galley style
• Worktop height is 90 cm
• Floor and wall cupboards have integrated handles
• The cooker controls are front mounted
• Fridge is built in with small freezer compartment

The Bedrooms
Where You’ll Sleep
Bedroom 1
• Level access
• Double bed, 145 cm wide x 2m long]
• Bed height (floor to top of mattress): 55 cm
• You can get to both sides of the bed there’s limited space on both sides, not suitable for wheelchair access.
• Recess with hanging space
• Good natural light from the window
Bedroom 2 • Level access • Bunk bed, 90cm wide x 2m long
• Bed heights (floor to op of mattress): bottom bed, 48cm to top of mattress and top bed height to top of mattress: 125 cm
• You can get to one side of the bed, space is limited and not suitable for wheelchair access • Small cupboard with shelves
• Good natural light from the window

The Bathroom
The Practical Stuff
• Shower
• Shower tray is 4.5cm from the floor, and 2 cm deep
• Shower controls are fixed to wall, the shower head is removable
• Toilet seat height: 40 cm
• Basin height: 88 cm
• [Space for turning/manoeuvring is approximately 65 cm x 72 cm]
• We provide a non-slip bath mat
• There are no grab rails or shower seat.

Keeping Warm (or Cool)
• Central heating throughout, set on timers but can be adjusted by you • Electric wall heaters in bedrooms and living/dining areas
• Timed towel warmer in shower room • Windows open for fresh air when you need it Safety & Communication
Peace of Mind
• Smoke alarms throughout with sound alerts
• Carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen
• Emergency contact numbers in your welcome pack
• First aid kit in bathroom cabinet
• Torches provided, hanging on doors in bedrooms (just in case)
Staying Connected
• Free WiFi all through the lodge
• Good mobile signal (all the major networks work fine here)

Our Garden — Your Private Outdoor Space One of our favourite things about this place. The garden has taken years to get right, and we’re really proud of it. What You’ll Find
• Large, enclosed lawn. Perfect for having a wander or just sitting with a cuppa
• Level grass, roughly 500 square metres
• Access through front patio doors/rear patio doors
• There are 3 steps down to the garden at the front, about 13cm each in height and a gently sloping ramp at the rear which is approximately 4 metres long with an incline of approximately 5%
• Garden furniture including patio tables, chairs, benches, garden swing
• Fully enclosed, so it’s safe for children and dogs to explore

Our Four-Legged Friends
Assistance Dogs Are Always Welcome
No extra charge, no fuss. We know how important they are, and we’re set up to welcome them properly. Just let us know when you book so we can make sure everything’s ready. We’re also a dog-friendly lodge generally, see our Pets page for details.

What We Provide The Essentials
• All bed linen and towels
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Iron and travel ironing board
• Hairdryer

Accessibility Bits We Currently Have
• level access to certain areas

What We’re Working On
We’re not perfect, and we know there’s always more we can do.
• Getting feedback from guests about what would help most is important to us If you’ve got ideas or suggestions, we genuinely want to hear them.

Local Area & Getting About
What’s Nearby
• Nearest shop: The Little Village Shop. 0.75 miles away
• Supermarkets: 2 miles away
• Public transport: See our Public Transport page for the full details
• Beautiful walks and cycling routes right on the doorstep

 Medical Stuff (Just in Case)
• GP surgery: Auckland Medical Group, 2 miles away
• Hospital: Bishop Auckland Hospital, 2 miles away
• Pharmacy: Tesco Pharmacy. 2 miles away If you need to hire any accessibility equipment for your stay, mobility aids, that sort of thing, we can point you toward local suppliers. Just ask.

The Legal Bit (But in Plain English)
Under the Equality Act 2010, we make reasonable adjustments for guests with disabilities and welcome assistance dogs. Basically, if there’s something we can do to make your stay work better, we’ll do our best to sort it. Just let us know as early as you can so we’ve got time to help.

Your Thoughts Matter
Honestly, we want to know what you think. If something isn’t clear, if there’s information missing, or if you reckon we could do something better, tell us. Every bit of feedback helps us look after our guests properly.
• Ask before you book
• Tell us after you stay
• Suggest improvements anytime We’re learning as we go, and your input makes a real difference.

Being Straight With You
We’ve done our best to give you the full picture here. But if something’s not covered, or you need to know something specific, just get in touch. We’d rather have a proper conversation than have you wondering or worrying.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you.

Glad & Kenny Gardenside Lodge