I’m a wheelchair user – these are the best accessible self-catering stays in the UK
From a stylish Newquay retreat to a clutch of accessible cottages in Fife, our expert recommends her favourite places to stay
Lynk
As a wheelchair user, whenever I plan a trip in the UK, my heart sinks at the thought of having to find somewhere new to stay that is both fully accessible and meets my specific needs. Typically, this will involve a search lasting numerous hours, with much frustration along the way. I know that I am far from alone in this.
Self-catering accommodation that has some of the necessary equipment already on-site tends to be the ideal choice. These types of stay save you from having to hire specialist kit. And unlike in a hotel, there are no set meal times, nor is there pressure to leave your accommodation each day while it is cleaned.
In recent years, an increasing number of properties have been specifically designed for those with the most complex physical needs, although undoubtedly more still needs to be done. Many of these are listed on specialist websites such as Accessible Holiday Escapes.
Unlike standard holiday home listings, the site provides clear, detailed accessibility information for each property, alongside helpful photographs showing accessible facilities that are often forgotten, such as a roll-in shower or toilet with grab rails. The bathroom might not always be the most attractive part of a property, but for wheelchair users it’s essential to see this before booking.
What’s more, the in-depth search function allows you to filter your search by a range of accessible features, meaning you don’t have to wade through multiple unsuitable options before finding the accommodation that’s right for you.
As accommodation with a profiling bed and ceiling track hoist is particularly challenging to find, I wanted to highlight some of the properties that offer both of these and more.
Here I’ve chosen 10 of the best accessible self-catering stays across the UK, from London’s first fully wheelchair accessible holiday home to a luxury retreat in the stunning county of Cumbria.
For the best accessible hotels in the UK and the best accessible hotels in London, see our other guides.
The best wheelchair accessible self-catering stays in the UK
At a glance
1. Chestnut Cottage at The Olde House
Wadebridge, Cornwall
You can’t beat Cornwall for a summer staycation. The county offers beautiful coastal trails, wonderful beaches and accessible attractions such as the Eden Project. That’s why I’m so pleased to have found Chestnut Cottage.
This accessible holiday home is the epitome of modern living, while at the same time retaining a cosy, countryside feel. Chestnut Cottage can accommodate up to six guests, with additional cottages available if you’re travelling in a larger groups. An array of on-site facilities, such as an indoor swimming pool, farm shop and adventure playground, mean there’s something to entertain the whole family at The Olde House.
There is a ceiling track hoist system from one of the bedrooms (which has two profiling beds) into the en-suite bathroom. This contemporary, accessible bathroom really is the stuff of dreams. Not only does it feature a wet-floor shower, bath and fold-down changing table, but it wouldn’t look out of place in a luxury hotel. Bi-fold doors in the accessible bedroom allow guests to wheel straight out onto the private patio.
Address: Chapel Amble, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6EN
2. Schoolhouse Fenwick
Fenwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed
The Schoolhouse sits in the small hamlet of Fenwick, just south of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and is surrounded by picturesque countryside. This property is perfectly situated for those wanting to explore Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.
As a family with personal experience of accessibility needs, the owners wanted to create an “access specific cottage.”
The property sleeps six, and the entire ground floor, including the pretty garden and summer house, is wheelchair accessible. The accessible bedroom features a profiling bed and a ceiling track hoist that goes through into a spacious wet room, while the other two bedrooms are upstairs. As well as shower chairs and stools being available, the wet room has an adjustable-height changing table.
The holiday home may look like a traditional rural cottage from the outside, but the inside seamlessly combines country charm with bright, accessible living areas.
Support from the UK government and Destination North East England has enabled the owners to provide an “Everybody Welcome 3D Virtual Tour” on the property’s website, allowing potential guests to “wander” through the property at their leisure. It’s details like this that make all the difference.
Address: Fenwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 2PJ
3. AbleStay House
Worcester Park, London
AbleStay is a gamechanger in the world of wheelchair accessible self-catering accommodation. Owners Charles and Jo were inspired by their son when they set about designing and building London's first fully wheelchair accessible holiday home.
This luxury single-storey home is light, modern and airy, offering level access throughout, and sleeps up to six guests. In the open-plan living area, there is a Lento Care Chair and the accessible kitchen includes a height-adjustable worktop.
Two of the bedrooms have profiling beds, one of which has a ceiling track hoist leading into the large accessible bathroom, which is truly stunning. It includes a height-adjustable bath, a wash/dry toilet, a shower trolley and a large wheel-in shower. There is also a separate family-sized bathroom for those without specific accessibility needs.
I particularly love that AbleStay embraces both genuine accessibility and contemporary design to ensure nothing is even slightly clinical-looking.
Address: 47 Donnington Road, Worcester Park, London, KT4 8EL
Read more: I’m a wheelchair user and these are the best accessible hotels in the UK
4. The Burrows Cei Bach
Llangefni, Anglesey
The owners of The Burrows Cei Bach know from personal experience how difficult holidays can be when you have a disability. Their love for North Wales led them to design a four-bedroom, accessible bungalow on the breathtaking island of Anglesey. Rather than being off-the-beaten track, it has a central location (being close to the A55), making it accessible in the widest sense.
The kitchen has a Breville HotCup water dispenser and a pull-out, wheelchair accessible work surface. In the accessible bedroom, there is a ceiling track hoist and profiling bed as well as 10 double sockets, allowing for a range of equipment to be used at once. There is direct access to the garden, and a ramp leads to the main outdoor seating area.
The sleek and stylish accessible wet room has a roll-in shower (with wall-mounted seat), a wheel-under basin and a toilet with grab rails. Guests can make use of a variety of other equipment, including a Tilt-in-Space shower chair/commode.
The property’s aesthetic is contemporary yet comfortable, with calming interiors and a real focus on flexibility when it comes to how each space can be used. The wet room has a second basin, which the owners use for preparing medication, and the accessible bedroom has a chair that can be converted into a single bed.
Address: Ty Newydd, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7YG
Read more: Is Madeira truly an accessible paradise? I tackled its famous Levada trails to find out
5. Flat Spaces
Ropley, Hampshire
Tom Yendell is a mouth and foot painting artist, and his experience of working with disabled people led him to design a state-of-the-art, single-storey holiday home for wheelchair users. This “access assured” bungalow offers open-plan living, neutral decor and light-filled rooms that are sure to provide a calming backdrop to any stay.
Set in the heart of rural Hampshire, Flat Spaces can accommodate up to eight guests. Aside from the wide array of specialist facilities and equipment provided (including a custom-built kitchen and a large height-adjustable dining table), one of my favourite things is the spacious nature of the accommodation, with wide doorways and a generous layout promoting ultimate manoeuvrability.
Two of the bedrooms (one of which features two profiling beds) are connected to the extremely versatile accessible bathroom via a ceiling track hoist. The bathroom has a wash/dry toilet and a height-adjustable basin, maximising both independence and dignity. From the private patio, you can enjoy the beautiful views that surround Flat Spaces.
The Watercress Line heritage steam railway is less than a mile away for a fun day out.
Address: Watercress Lodges and Campsite, Bighton Hill, Ropley, Nr Alresford, Hampshire, SO24 9SQ
Read more: I went to Colorado to discover if accessible skiing is truly possible
6. Rose Cottage, Lakes For All
Hackthorpe (near Penrith), Cumbria
Rose Cottage is a wheelchair accessible, purpose-built bungalow. It is a bright and airy retreat featuring a contemporary, inclusive design for up to seven guests. The accessible bedroom has a profiling bed and a ceiling track hoist leading into the wet room. Guests can make use of either a wall-mounted shower seat or a Tilt-in-Space shower chair/commode.
What I particularly love is that the owners have really gone the extra mile. For example, in the accessible bedroom there is a remote-control blind, an adjustable over-bed table and a small medication fridge. There is a motorised worktop in the kitchen, which has French doors that open onto the rear garden.
Lakes For All haven’t forgotten the importance of life’s little luxuries either, as they provide Egyptian cotton bedding and Pure Lakes handmade toiletries.
With such a fantastic base for your trip, the only difficulty might be persuading yourself to get out and explore all that the local area has to offer, such as Lowther Castle & Gardens (which is right on your doorstep) and the Lake District’s awe-inspiring scenery.
Address: 11 Hawthorn Rise, Hackthorpe, Penrith, CA10 2FW
Read more: I’m a wheelchair user and I’ve found the top five accessible hotels in London
7. Jordan Suite at the Haven Centre
Inverness
If you’re planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands, then the compact and attractive city of Inverness might be the ideal base. Run by the Elsie Normington Foundation, the Jordan Suite is a fully wheelchair accessible ground-floor apartment providing accommodation for up to four people. For other guests not requiring level access, there are two separate apartments which can be booked on the first floor.
The Jordan Suite has two accessible bedrooms, each with a profiling bed and ceiling track hoist access into an adjoining wet room. Both wet rooms are spacious and have a wall-mounted shower seat as well as plenty of grab rails for the shower, toilet and wheel-under basin. A shower trolley on wheels is also provided.
The modern feel of the building’s exterior is carried through to the apartment’s interior, where functional design makes for a stress-free stay. For those quieter days when you don’t want to venture too far, you can make use of the Haven Centre’s on-site facilities, including a community cafe (open on weekdays) and, to keep the little ones entertained, an accessible outdoor playground and indoor play centre (pre-booking is required).
Address: 45 Murray Road, Inverness, IV2 7YU
Read more: Culture, music and Mersey views – how to discover Liverpool’s accessible side
8. Coastal Cottage and Mountain Lodge, Lower Laurel Farm
Banwell, Somerset
When it comes to the tourism industry, input from experienced occupational therapists is rare, which is why Lower Laurel Farm stands out. When owner Jenny Goddard’s patients were unable to find suitable holiday accommodation, she decided to do something about it, and so began an eight-year journey which resulted in two versatile holiday lets: Coastal Cottage and Mountain Lodge.
Each lodge has a profiling bed, ceiling track hoist, wet room (based on the Changing Places Toilet design) and dual height hob and sink. Although similar, there are some distinct differences between Mountain Lodge and Coastal Cottage, with the former being designed for guests with allergies and the latter being pet-friendly and tailored to those with visual impairments. Both have open-plan living areas and a contemporary style and each property is designed to be a truly inclusive home-from-home.
After a day exploring the area, there’s no better way to spend an evening than on the terrace, taking a dip in the hot tub (which has hoist access).
A further property to address the needs of neurodiverse guests is planned for 2027.
Address: Summer Lane, Banwell, Somerset, BS29 6LR
9. Homelands Lodges
Lundin Links, Fife
Following a generous bequest, the Homelands Trust was established in 1998, ensuring that the benefactor’s vision of accessibility, inclusion, and respite lives on. Located in the charming village of Lundin Links, the Homelands site offers stunning views over the Firth of Forth. There are nine purpose-built self-catering holiday lodges, all of which are wheelchair accessible.
Each lodge sleeps between six and eight, and features at least one profiling bed as well as ceiling track hoists in the ground-floor bedroom(s) and an accessible wet room. A wide range of portable specialist equipment is available to borrow at no additional cost. Four of the lodges have wash/dry toilets.
Whichever property you choose you can be sure of neutral tones, a seamless flow and thoughtful design touches throughout. The stays boast spacious, open-plan lounges, kitchens and dining spaces with patio doors leading to south-facing gardens.
With the picturesque East Neuk of Fife just a short drive away, you won’t be stuck for local gems to explore.
Address: 14a Links Road, Lundin Links, Fife, KY8 6AT
Read more: My child has additional learning needs — this is how we travelled on our first holiday abroad
10. Heddwch Retreat
Llwyndafydd, New Quay
To allow a number of disabled people to go away together, or to facilitate a holiday with family, friends and carers, many wheelchair accessible holiday homes are intended to accommodate larger groups. While this has obvious benefits, it can pose difficulties if you are travelling as part of a couple or small family. That’s why Heddwch Retreat – which is perfectly designed for four guests – is a refreshing change. Heddwch means “peace” in Welsh and the bungalow’s rural setting close to Cardigan Bay couldn’t be more appropriate.
Heddwch is stylish and luxurious with a beautiful open-plan living area that boasts bi-fold doors leading out onto a terrace with idyllic views. The accessible bedroom has a single profiling bed and ceiling track hoist access into a contemporary wet room.
Alongside a step-free shower, there is a wash/dry toilet, tilt-in-space shower chair/commode and wheel-under washbasin. The owners have even included a full-height body dryer, perfect for those who feel the cold. Their aim is “to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives,” a sentiment I wish the whole tourism industry shared.
Address: Llwyndafydd, New Quay, SA44 6BT
Read more: These Portuguese islands offer respite for my neurodiverse family
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