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Bucks Cross, Bideford, Devon. EX39 5DW
Tel: (01237) 431836 | Email: steartenquiries@btconnect.com

 

Bucks Cross, Bideford, Devon.  EX39 5DW

Steart Farm Touring Park

Accessibility statement for Steart Farm Touring Park

Introduction

 

We are keen to provide a site where all visitors can enjoy our facilities and the surrounding countryside.   We aim to provide assistance during your stay or whilst you are planning a trip and are keen to meet the particular needs of our guests as far as we are able.  This accessibility statement is as accurate as possible and will be updated from time to time.  Should you have any questions about matters not covered here please contact us by phone on 01237 431836 or E-mail to steartenquiries@btconnect.com or by post to Steart Farm, Horns Cross, Bideford EX39 5DW.   We welcome feedback from our guests.

Booking and Pre-arrival

 

Site details are available on the web, by fax, e-mail or post.  A copy of the text of our brochure is available in large type on request.   This access statement is available by post on request as well as being included in the web site.

 

We welcome telephone calls to discuss your particular needs.  We can only accept booking payments by phone with credit or debit card details or else cheques and Postal Orders by post.

General Site Details

 

We cater for tents, touring caravans, trailer tents and motor homes (60 pitches in total).  Pitch sizes are shown on the attached Annex.  Some pitches have reinforcing matting.  There are several privately owned static caravans that are not available for hire.  Seasonal pitches (23) are provided away from the main part of the site and are available in due course after joining a waiting list.  We have storage facilities for caravans. For those people who will stay a minimum of 14 nights per season on the site.  Storage facilities are available nearby for those who do not fall into this category; please ask for details.

 

This is essentially a very rural site on 10 acres of former farmland and our emphasis is on a more traditional camping and caravanning experience.  There are several different levels on the site joined by both paths and steps.   In order to reduce our impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in which we are located we have low levels of lighting in the park except for the facilities, which are well lit.  Most of the tracks are hardcore, some with grass covering, with the exception of the driveway and main access to the seasonal pitches and the motor home pitches, which are tarmac/concrete.  The campsite is uneven in places and wildlife such as rabbits and moles may leave minor hazards from burrowing without warning.  People with ambulatory disability may need assistance.  Powered wheel chairs can negotiate the site easily although 4-wheeled versions would be safer than 3 wheelers in the more remote areas of the site.   People with severe sight impairment will need some assistance.

 

Dimensions  

 

An Annex with dimensions and other detailed information concerning the individual facilities where relevant is attached.

 

Arrival and Reception

 

The entrance is located on the North Side of the A39 half a mile East of Bucks Cross.  The drive way is 200 metres long and has traffic calming humps.  There is space for parking outside reception; occasionally in peak seasons when it is particularly busy it may be necessary to queue for a short while.  There are no defined parking bays for guests with a disability but there is ample space outside reception for this purpose.   Reception has a small two-inch step from the ground and assistance can be provided for entry.  Staff can be alerted if assistance is required on arrival either by tooting the vehicle horn or using the doorbell.   There is a hearing loop installed in reception.  The counter is accessible for those in wheelchairs and seating can be provided when necessary.   The main gate outside reception is closed between 11pm and 7am.  In an emergency Reception can be contacted (01237 431836) for emergency services to gain entry and for swift evacuation if necessary.  There is a small 3ft wide pedestrian gate for use at night time when the vehicle gates are closed.  There is adequate parking for 8 - 10 cars outside the gates at night along the 200 metre driveway.

Pitches

Car Parking

 

Cars may be parked on all pitches and, although we discourage unnecessary use of vehicles on site (to save on fuel and reduce noise and pollution), there is adequate parking for vehicles outside the main facilities if necessary.

 

 

Toilet Blocks

 

There are two toilet blocks.

 

The Older Block.  This has a men’s and ladies section as well as a washing up area and a Chemical Toilet Disposal Point.  Access to the block is level.

o Men’s:  Contains six washbasins with mirrors, two urinals, two toilet cubicles, two shower rooms, soap dispenser, hand drier, shaver point with mirror and various coat hooks and waste containers.

 

o Ladies:  Contains two shower rooms, six washbasins with mirrors, four toilet cubicles, soap dispenser, hand drier, coin operated hair drier and various coat hooks and waste containers.

 

o Washing Up Room:  Two sinks with free hot water, dish drainers, waste container and hooks.

 

o CDP: Twin opening door with a raised bowl and flush cistern with a separate hose and brushes.

 

The New Block.  This block has a separate area for men and ladies, a laundry, washing up room and dedicated facility for disabled guests. There is a Chemical Toilet Disposal Point beside it.  A family’s room is planned for the future. The surrounding approaches are constructed from decking boards with anti-slip strips.  Access to the ladies, disabled facilities and laundry is by a slight slope that is ramped.  The Men’s and washing up area are accessed from a concrete path by wide shallow wooden steps.  With the exception of the disabled facilities there is a small step across the threshold of each area (height 75cm/3”).  

 

o Men’s:  Three urinals, three toilet cubicles, three shower cubicles, four washbasins, shaver point with mirror, hand drier, coin operated hair drier baby changing fold down unit, chair and work surface.  Various coat hooks and a waste container.

 

o Ladies:  Five toilet cubicles, three wash basins, three shower cubicles, hand drier, coin operated hair drier, various coat hooks,  baby changing fold down unit, waste containers, chair and work surface.

 

o Laundry:  One washing machine, two tumble driers, spinner, sink with coin operated hot water facility, ironing board, coin operated socket for iron or other electrical items, washing baskets, coat hooks and waste bin.

 

o Washing up room:  Three kitchen sinks with drainers, waste bin, coat hooks and dish drainers.

 

o Disabled Facilty:  The disabled facility has keyed level access with a slight slope at the threshold.  There is ample room for a wheel chair to manoeuvre in the room as well as room for helpers if necessary.  There are plentiful grab handles and the taps are single handle thermostatically protected mixer types.  There is level entry to the gridded shower area and a seat.  Lighting and extractor fan operation is automatic.  There is an emergency alarm system.   When the room is occupied there is an illuminated sign outside that indicates it is in use.  Keys are available from reception to bona-fide disabled customers for a small refundable deposit. It contains a toilet, shower, hand basin, and coat hooks.

 

Utility Points

 

There are four main points on the site that house refuse and recycling facilities, fire extinguishers and instructions and a drinking water filling point.  There are other fire extinguisher points spread about the site. Waste water may only be disposed of at the points by the two toilet blocks and the Motor Home grey water disposal and water filling point.

Dogs

 

We welcome dogs with responsible owners.  All dogs must be kept on lead outside tents, caravans and awnings except when using the two-acre dog field, which is sloping and wooded with open spaces and many grass paths.  The Gate to the Dog Exercise Field opens outwards, is 179 cm high and 140 cm wide.  There is a separate gate from the seasonal pitches which opens outwards and is 112 cm high and 85 cm wide with a self closing spring. Grass is kept cut to different levels and a few areas are left to bramble and stinging nettles to encourage wildlife.  A small area of the sloped part nearest the boundary is slippery at times. There are two fixed seats both 1.2m long and 55cm high.  It is not necessary to collect Dog Poo in the field unless it is on the footpaths.  

 

Recreation Field

 

The recreation field has some wooden activity features as well as an under 10 facility with swings climbing frame and slide and a set of three fenced off swings for all ages.  There is an area for playing ball games and a basic goalmouth.  Dogs are not permitted in the Recreation Field. The entrance opening is not gated and 2.9 m wide.    There is a fixed seat 2 m long and 55 cm high.

 

Signs

 

Signs are provided to assist people in navigating their way around the site but are kept to a minimum to avoid too much visual pollution.  Generally they are written on a white background with blue or black lettering and symbols.

 

Smoking

 

No smoking is permitted in any of the facility buildings on the site.   Cigarette disposal containers are positioned at strategic points outside the facilities at Reception, Toilet blocks and Information Room.

 

Information Room

 

There is an information room behind the Farmhouse where information on local places, attractions, eating venues and seasonal events are posted.  It has a large collection of brochures on attractions and a map of the area.  There is a payphone in a separate cubicle in the information room and a seat (2ft/60 cm ht).  Useful numbers are posted by the phone.

 

Telephones

 

The payphone does not accept incoming calls.  There are full instructions on its use above the phone.  It is placed on a shelf that is high enough (4ft/120 cm)  to deter children from misusing it, which might make it difficult to use from a wheelchair or by a very short adult.  In this case please call at reception for assistance.  Mobile phone coverage of the site is generally quite good except for a couple of providers due to the remote nature of the area.

 

Public Transport

 

There is a bus stop half a mile away on the main A39 at Bucks Cross.  There are approximately 4 buses a day in either direction that stop at Bideford or Barnstaple in one direction and Hartland in the other direction.  From these destinations it is possible to link up with other services and rail from Barnstaple.

 

Public Footpath

 

There is a public footpath to Bucks Mills from the site, which runs downhill 500ft over ¾ mile.  The track can become very muddy and slippery in wet weather for the first half until it reaches a car park.  Thereafter it is a metalled road.  From Bucks Mills you can access the SW Coast Path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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