Disabled Accommodation for Groups or Large Families
At Our Bench Accessible Self Catering in the New Forest, we’re often asked if we can accommodate larger families and groups with carers. Over the years, we’ve developed a range of tried and tested ways to make group holidays work well.
Holidays with carers
If you bring your own carers and need them with you on holiday, we usually recommend booking two cottages: one as the family base and one for carers. This has several advantages:
- Families can enjoy quality time together, with familiar carers on call when needed.
- Carers have their own sleeping, cooking and living space for rest and downtime. For 24-hour care, this can be especially helpful for daytime sleep.
- We can share a list of local carers and care agencies you can contact directly. Many are already familiar with Our Bench and have supported past guests.
Holidays with larger families
For larger or extended families, booking early and reserving two cottages together is recommended. Benefits include:
- The disabled guest has a quiet space to rest, take extra time getting ready, or manage care needs without pressure.
- Families can make holiday memories together while still having room for privacy and calm.
- Across the cottages we can offer multiple profiling beds, helping families who need more than one adjustable bed during their stay.
Holidays for residential users
Residents of care homes or assisted living accommodation deserve holidays too. The New Forest offers wonderful places to explore, and Our Bench cottages can work well for supported breaks. Guests can enjoy independence and their own space, while carers can stay in a neighbouring cottage or in the second bedroom, depending on the setup you choose.
Our Bench holiday solutions
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Family of up to 5 with 2 carers:
Book Garden Bench for the family. The main bedroom includes a profiling bed and ceiling hoist, and the second bedroom can be made as a double (ideal for parents). Book Little Bench for carers next door, with twin beds and around a 1-minute walk away. This gives carers independence while keeping them close by.
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Family of up to 4 plus grandparents:
Book Bench Cottage and Little Bench together. These cottages sit next to each other and share a garden. Bench Cottage offers two ceiling hoists, a profiling bed and an optional changing table, while Little Bench provides a double or twin setup with a hoist. This option keeps grandparents close, offering support while parents get a break.
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Group of up to 9 guests:
Book Bench Cottage and Garden Bench. This provides two profiling beds, three ceiling hoists and a changing table. Garden Bench’s patio area is ideal for BBQs with outdoor seating for six (extra chairs can be added). Each cottage has its own kitchen and lounge, so you can share meals and still have quiet downtime.
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Groups of up to 11 guests:
Book all three cottages. This can work well for residential units or large families with multiple care needs. Carers can have their own space, while guests have more independence and comfort. Please note that departure time is 10am so we can prepare the cottages for arriving guests.
View our availability
Our availability calendar below shows availability across all our cottages. You can scroll through the next 18 months and see when the cottages that suit your needs are available at the same time. Please note that while there is plenty of outdoor space for everyone, including outdoor tables and chairs, we do not have one large indoor room that accommodates a full group together.
Last updated: March 2026