Disabled Traveler visiting a truly delightful 5* shopping village
5
5
Date of visit: September 2021
I am a disabled person and a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Our approach was along a nice driveway (photo 1) towards car park area, which is large with 9 disabled bays close to the main entrance (photo 2), which itself is through an archway (photo 3) wide enough for wheelchair or scooter to easily get through and all on the level. A truly delightful courtyard welcomes you to sit in among the flower beds, and there is a ramp (photo 4 ) is help you move around. The first little shop we visited was a gift shop, (photo 5) full of interesting knickknacks that we could browse through, (photo 6) and this is all on the level. (photo 7). We then went through another archway (photo 8) with quite a few little stalls to see, all on level polished brickwork paving for easy access (photo 9). There was a sweet shop with large glass jars, (photo 10) then we entered a little shop selling cards, framed pictures and other gifts (photo 11). Back in the beautiful courtyard, (photo 12) a picture postcard Tea room (photo 13) draws you towards it. Beside the lovely flower display the entrance awaits (photo 14). There is a small low step to get you into the Tea room, which is manageable, although we chose to leave our wheelchair outside. The entrance is all on the level and is very appealing (photo 15). There are a number of rooms for you to choice where to sit to enjoy your refreshment and the restaurant is very nicely laid with dark relaxing cane furniture (photo 16), and there is a terraced area outside, also tastefully inviting. We sat inside to enjoy our toasted tea cake and coffee, along with quite a few others also enjoying their selection. As you exit, there is a toilet by the entrance door, (photo 17) very basic with bare necessities, (photo 18) although this is not the actual disabled toilet. Linking the courtyard lies a compressed gravel pathway (photo 19) passing a couple of lovely small shops, which is very easy to move along with your wheelchair, leading to the disabled toilet (photo 20). Our final thoughts If you enjoy these converted shopping villages, then this one is for you and is a must when visiting Northampton area and the other places around here we have reviewed for you. You will spend quite a bit of time happily browsing through all the different shops and the must see Tea room. We feel you will cope with this visit, especially if like myself you are able to get up off your wheelchair or scooter, and take a few steps on your own. However, your carer will be able to help you enjoy your visit here.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The access is basically all on the level, just that small low step to get you into the Tea room, and that is very manageable, a little tight in there, but you can cope. When needed there are ramps to help you move about. We found we could see all we wanted, and highly commend the careful thoughts that have been given to supporting the disabled.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
After arriving along a lovely driveway, we reached the designated disabled parking area, with 9 bays available, all very close to the main entrance and from here on it’s all on the level.
Accessible Toilets
Good
Although outside along the courtyard by exit, it was Handel placed, but we did not actually use the toilet, but assume that with everything else carefully thought out, we feel it would be very useful.
Staff
Excellent
All the staff we met, and shopkeepers, are very friendly and helpful, and supported us through our visit.
