The Baraset Barn

Called in for a lunch break yesterday (13 November). I was in my wheelchair and was with my wife. We entered through the front conservatory and were told to stay in the conservatory by the barman - there were 4 or 5 steps up to the main dining area. We later found out that there was a long ramp outside the conservatory to the raised level. The toilets were on the conservatory level. They were sited behind the freestanding reception desk. A surly gentleman at the desk just waved us past, saying “they’re over there”. A short narrow corridor led to the ladies, gents and disabled toilets. The ladies and gents doors opened inwards, and the disabled door opened outwards. The door opening was so narrow - less than 700mm - I had to square up my wheelchair to the opening to get in - with less than 5mm on each side. It was all a waste of time as the room was so small I hit the toilet pan before I was 1/2 way in - the toilet was 1m wide and 1.4m deep. The toilet extended beyond the middle of the room with less than 600mm to the side wall, and there was an array of grab rails and 2 large plastic bins. I stood up and my wife pulled the wheelchair out so I could shut the door. The wheelchair just blocked the whole access to the other toilets until I had finished. The receptionist ignored our efforts and difficulty to use the toilet. It was an absolute farce for a hotel that prides itself on high standards and quality - a joke!

We paid our second visit to A newly renovated top class restaurant just two miles out of Stratford apon Avon, with a 200 year history as a barn, beautifully designed, with original flagstones, pewter and oak attractive designs, which can seat 100 people, and we recommend you booking well in advance, it is a very popular restaurant nowadays, serving a top class menu in a lovely setting. It offers 16 modern bedrooms in a delightfully built Double block glass fronted modern designed building, but sadly, although it is a disabled access hotel, it is not really a disabled hotel. There is a lovely open courtyard with delightful pale cane furniture and a fire pit just in case. As you drive to Baraset Barn which is just two miles from Stratford, passing rather nice and well designed modern homes, you will find the approach so appealing and inviting. (photo 1). A large car park, well laid out, but with no disabled bays, leads you to the outdoor seating and dining area, with comfortable lightly coloured cane furniture (photo 2). A long paved ramp takes you up to the restaurant, (photo 3) and I was able to leave my wheelchair in the porch, as it’s a small, rather packed delightful restaurant. Now a short walk on the arm of my wife, over polished original flagstones takes you to your table. (photo 4). The converted updated barn restaurant has kept many of its features, which makes it such an attractive place to dine (photo 5). Unfortunately there are four steps down to the disabled toilet (photo 6) which has grab rails (photo 7) but no pull cord seen. There is then a separate bar lounge for pre dinner drinks if you are early, (photo 8) with quite a few tables if you wish to have a coffee or alcoholic beverages, a wooden floor with room to move around with a wheelchair, more difficult with scooter or powerchair. The hotels reception may be entered from the restaurant, or from the car park, (photo 9) which would be on the level. A small intimate reception area (photo 10) very pleasing to the eye. All the accommodation is in a very modern building, (photo 11) but you have to go outside over paved areas to get to these. There are two separate accommodation blocks, one has its own very small outdoor seating area, and one electric charging car point (photo 12). A beautiful courtyard, with a fire pit, and cane furniture (photo 13) to sit and enjoy the sunshine. Our final thoughts If you want somewhere for lunch or dinner, we would highly recommend this 5* small intimate restaurant. However, but sadly, this is not a disabled friendly hotel, but if you can manage a few steps on your own, it is well worth the experience of high dinning, excellent menu, beautifully prepared and presented.