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Our Bench Accessible Self Catering Holidays
Our Bench - New Forest Accessible Accommodation

Our Bench Holiday Cottage Policies – Accessible Holidays in the New Forest

As a UK accommodation provider, our legal duty of care includes ensuring our property is safe, our equipment is compliant, and our guests are not put at risk.

Our Bench Accommodation Guest Policies / Statements


1. Booking & Cancellation Policy for Accessible Holidays

This is detailed in our terms and conditions, and is agreed on booking with us: You can read the full document in our terms and conditions documentation. Terms and Conditions for a stay at Our Bench Accessible Holiday Cottages

A deposit of £250 is required to secure a booking, with the balance due 8 weeks before arrival. Cancellations made 8 weeks or more before arrival will be refunded minus the deposit; cancellations within 8 weeks are non-refundable. Guests are advised to take out travel insurance. Date changes may be possible depending on availability and could incur additional costs.

2. Accessibility Statement – Wheelchair Accessible Cottages

At Our Bench, we aim to make every guest’s stay as comfortable and accessible as possible. Each Cottage has its own access statement, as the facilities in each vary - we are wheelchair accessible with step free access.

3. Marketing Consent / Anti-Spam Policy

  • You will only receive marketing emails if you opt-in.
  • You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in every email or write stop on a text message.
  • We do not share your information with third parties for marketing.

4. Health & Safety Statement

  • Guests are responsible for supervising children and mobility-limited family members.
  • Follow all instructions regarding equipment, doors, and outdoor areas.
  • In emergencies, contact us immediately.
  • We maintain high hygiene standards and follow current public health guidance.
  • We have a safe guarding policy and a duty of care for everyone using our premises.

Our Bench Accommodation Business Policies / Statements


1. Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

We must take reasonable steps to prevent risks to health and safety for guests, we do a visual risk assessment every changeover, and repair any potential hazards

2. Occupiers’ Liability Acts (1957 and 1984)

We’re responsible for ensuring your property is safe and free from foreseeable hazards. Guests should be able to move around safely, including inside, outside, and in communal or parking areas, but do so at their own risk.

3. Fire Safety – Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

We have carried out a fire risk assessment and implement precautions, we offer smoke alarms, extinguishers/fire blankets, emergency lighting and have clear instructions in the welcome guide.

4. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

An annual Gas Safety Certificate inspection is carried out every spring by a registered Gas Safe engineer.

5. Electrical Safety Standards (2020)

A qualified electrician has inspected our fixed electrical installations at least every 5 years.

6. LOLER CHECKS

All our personal lifting equipment - ie hoists are LOLER checked every 6 months by an independent company..

7. Legionella Control

We are responsible for controlling risks of Legionnaires’ disease through regular flushing, temperature checks, and cleaning. We follow the recommended guidance to manage this risk.

8. Equality Act 2010

We have made reasonable adjustments for disabled guests to avoid discriminatory practices, and continue to do so as our awareness increases.

9. Safeguarding – Care Act 2014 & Children Act 1989/2004

If we suspect a guest (adult or child) is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, we have a duty to raise a safeguarding concern with the appropriate authority, even if you are not a regulated care provider.

This includes: recognising signs of abuse or neglect, documenting concerns factually, reporting to the local authority’s Adult Safeguarding Team or Children’s Services, contacting 101 or 999 in urgent or emergency cases

Web Site Policies


1. Privacy Policy – Protecting Guest Information

  • Your privacy matters to us. We collect and use personal data to provide you with a smooth, safe, and enjoyable stay. This includes information such as your name, contact details, payment information, and any special requirements.
  • We use this data to: Process bookings and payments, Communicate with you about your stay or any changes, Send newsletters and marketing, Comply with legal obligations.
  • We do not share your personal information with anyone outside the necessary service providers (payment processors, booking platforms).
  • We only keep your personal information for as long as it is needed to run Our Bench and meet our legal obligations. Guest booking details are retained securely for the period we actively manage the business, or as long as required for tax and accounting purposes. After this time, your data will be securely deleted or anonymised. You have the right to request that we remove your personal details at any time, unless we are legally required to keep them.
  • Your rights are to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data and for us to withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time. To do this please contact us: helen@ourbench.co.uk / +44 77751064167 in writing confirming your email address / mobile numbers and names.
  • If you have concerns about how we use your data, you can also contact the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office)

2. Cookie Policy – Our Bench Accessible Holidays

  • Our website uses cookies to make your visit smoother and to help us improve our services. Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website.
  • We use the following types of cookies:
  • Essential cookies are required for basic website functions, such as keeping your booking session active.
  • Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve its performance.
  • Marketing cookies are only used if you consent, for example to show you relevant offers through services like Facebook or Google.
  • You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings at any time. Please note that essential cookies will always remain active, as they are necessary for the site to function properly. Some cookies are session-based and will be deleted when you close your browser, while others are persistent and remain until they expire or are deleted.
  • For more details about third-party cookies we may use, please see the cookie policies of providers such as Google and Facebook. You can withdraw your consent to non-essential cookies at any time by adjusting your browser settings or clearing cookies from your device.

3. Terms & Conditions of our web site

By using our website and booking with Our Bench, you agree to the following:

  • All bookings must be made by an adult.
  • Prices and availability are subject to change until payment is received.
  • Bookings are confirmed only after payment and confirmation email.
  • Guests are responsible for their own safety during their stay.
  • All content on our website (images, text, logos) is owned / copyrighted by Our Bench.
  • Our services and bookings are governed by UK law.

Our Bench offers fully wheelchair-accessible holiday cottages in the New Forest, Hampshire. Each property is step-free with wet rooms, profiling beds, ceiling hoists, and mobility equipment included. Discover our self-catering cottages near Lymington for accessible family holidays and short breaks.