Accessibility at Hay's Wood Retreat

Our existing lodges are all ground level, offering open-plan living spaces that allow for easy movement throughout. Each lodge is designed to accommodate a range of mobility needs, featuring wide doorways and spacious interiors. We strive to ensure that our current lodges provide a comfortable environment for all guests, allowing everyone to enjoy their stay at Hay’s Wood Retreat.

We are currently in the process of building three fully accessible lodges that will enhance our offerings. These new lodges will include essential features such as hoist support in bedrooms and bathrooms, convenient extra sockets, and accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers and grab bars. Each lodge has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate carers and necessary mobility aids, ensuring that every guest feels at home. The first of these lodges is expected to be available in early 2025, with two more to follow soon after. Our team is happy to assist in finding the best available accommodation for each guest’s unique needs and preferences.

In our main reception building, accessible toilets and wide, clearly marked entrances provide a comfortable experience for all guests. The reception staff are ready to assist with any requests, from providing additional information to helping with mobility needs. To make navigation easier around the retreat, all main pathways are maintained for accessibility and are equipped with lighting, ensuring safe and clear routes even in the evening. However please be aware that our trails are barked. Throughout the retreat, you’ll also find updated signage featuring large fonts and high-contrast colours, placed at accessible heights for comfortable viewing.

We’re continually working on new ways to make Hay's Wood Retreat more accessible. In the coming years, we plan to add even more fully accessible lodges and are expanding our woodland play areas to be inclusive for children of all abilities. Our pathways are something we are also looking to update to help with mobility around the park. We’re excited to offer these future upgrades as part of our ongoing commitment to making Hay’s Wood a place where everyone can enjoy nature.

Our booking system is designed with accessibility in mind and is compatible with screen readers, ensuring ease of use for all. However, if you would like assistance during the booking process, please feel free to contact us directly, and our team will be happy to help. For specific accessibility needs, we welcome you to reach out by phone or email, this allows us to understand and accommodate individual requirements before your stay.

Hay's Wood Retreat is not only dedicated to its current accessibility initiatives but also maintains an open and receptive stance toward new ideas and strategies to continually enhance its inclusivity. The retreat actively seeks input and suggestions from guests, staff, and accessibility experts to identify potential areas for improvement. 

This commitment to ongoing collaboration reflects a dynamic approach to accessibility, acknowledging that there is always room to evolve and better serve diverse needs. Hay's Wood Retreat values feedback as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of progress in its journey toward becoming fully accessible. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the retreat strives to create an environment where everyone feels not just accommodated, but truly welcomed and embraced.