Reviewed, Recommended & Supported
Our cottages are independently reviewed, externally recognised, and supported by organisations and communities who understand accessible travel, complex needs and inclusive accommodation.
Independent reviews and lived-experience recommendations on external web sites
- The Professional Association of Self-Caterers Great British Holiday Legend Award
You truly sums up what the Great British Holiday is - ‘not just a place to stay, but a place to return to, time and time again, where memories, comfort and trust are built over the years’ and we felt that Our Bench fitted this brief perfectly. PASC - Professional Association of Self Caterers - Euan’s Guide
Independent reviews written by disabled people and their families, based on real stays and lived experience.
You can read their independent reviews here: Euan’s Guide - Google
You can find us on Google - we are still collecting reviews here as the majority have been left throughout web site. Find us -
The Mail on Sunday
“The recommended destination for guests with mobility difficulties.”
Independent media recommendation highlighting accessible destinations. - Disabled Motoring UK
National disability organisation recognising excellence in accessible accommodation. - The International Travel Writers Alliance.
Their goal is making a difference in today's world - and we were featured as "Our Bench is an opportunity to travel with confidence, reconnect as a family and enjoy experiences that are often too difficult elsewhere."
- Possibility Magazine
Highly Rated in Euan's Guide as the best Summer Accessible Accommodation
Awards and recognition
“Best Accessible Accommodation Award”
Disabled Motoring UK
Top 7 nominees for the Blue Badge Access Awards for 2025 /26
Blue Badge Awards
Memberships and professional partnerships
We are actively involved with local, regional and national organisations that promote responsible tourism, accessibility, and good practice in self-catering accommodation.
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Oakhaven Business Club
Supporting local hospice care and community wellbeing in the New Forest through regular business-to-business networking and increased disability awareness.
Find out more about Oakhaven Business Club -
Lymington District Chamber of Commerce
Supporting local businesses and community organisations. We attend regular networking meetings, promoting accessibility in Lymington and increasing awareness.
View our listing in the Chamber directory -
New Forest Business Partnership
We regularly attend networking events and training, raising awareness of accessibility one conversation at a time.
New Forest Business Partnership -
Go New Forest
A not-for-profit Community Interest Company promoting the New Forest while safeguarding its natural environment. We work with them to improve accessibility across the Forest.
Discover more about Go New Forest - Professional Association of Self Catering (PASC)
Membership ensures good practice, compliance and professionalism within the self-catering sector.
PASC - New Forest Guardian
We are delighted to be a New Forest Guardian - Together we can Look Out For Our Forest inspires residents, businesses, and visitors to care for the New Forest by reducing litter, encouraging responsible behaviour, protecting its unique landscapes and wildlife, and promoting a shared commitment to sustainability, climate action, and respect for our home, now and for future generations. Find out more.
Accessibility and inclusion links
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Accessible Escapes
Accessible Holiday Escapes is a unique website established in 2019 by a family living with disability, showcasing accessible holiday properties in the UK and beyond. It is a free-to-use website connecting website users directly with property owners or managers, and has has a search engine with 50+ accessibility options to help guests with disabilities find properties which can meet their specific needs.
Becky one of the owners explains that accessible purpose-built properties such as Bench Cottage, Garden Bench and Little Bench are invaluable to many of our website users providing an extensive range of mobility equipment within a home-from-home environment. Our website has become a trusted resource within the disability community, achieved by featuring well-established and popular properties such as Our Bench." Find more Accessible Escapes
We had a detailed "Get to know the owners" interview with them, if you wish to read what was said.
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Ceiling Hoist Users Community
The Ceiling Hoist Users Club (CHuC) was set up by the late Sue Maynard Campbell MBE, M.D. of Equal Ability CIC, to promote the interests of those disabled people who need to use hoists and particularly those who need, or prefer, ceiling track hoists.
The lack of ceiling track hoists in away from home accommodation (hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation) severely limits many disabled people’s ability to go away for leisure, business, or important social events. Their website is designed to bring together accommodation providers, hoist suppliers and hoist users for the benefit of all!
All three Our Bench cottages are listed with CHuC, with ceiling-track hoists in each master bedroom. Bench Cottage also has a separate H-track ceiling hoist and adult changing stretcher in its wet room.
Ceiling Hoist Users Community - Disability Destinations
Disability Destinations shares something we feel strongly about at Our Bench: accessibility is not a tick box. Simply describing a holiday property as “accessible” does not tell a guest whether it will actually meet their individual needs. Every disabled person is different, and even two wheelchair users may have completely different accessibility requirements.
That is why Disability Destinations is working to provide travellers with meaningful, detailed information, helping them make informed decisions rather than relying on a generic accessibility symbol. Their approach recognises that people need to understand why a property may be suitable for them.
This philosophy is very much aligned with our own. We know that choosing accessible accommodation can involve far more than simply finding somewhere with step-free access. From specialist equipment and ceiling hoists to bathroom layouts, bed heights and the space available around the property, the details really do matter.
We are delighted to be listed with Disability Destinations and to support a platform that is helping to make accessible travel more transparent, informative and personal. Because accessibility should never just be a tick box. Find us here: Disability Destinations. -
Spectrum Holidays
Supporting families seeking calm, predictable and sensory-aware holidays. We have worked with them to improve accessibility for autistic people, their families and carers.
Find us on Spectrum Holidays -
Snowball
Improving the quality and reliability of accessibility information through its mobile app.
Snowball
- Time Away
Time Away provides whole-family respite breaks for families caring for sick or disabled children, including funded Adapted Breaks where specialist accommodation is essential. We are proud to work with Time Away to welcome families such as Petra and Finlay to Our Bench. Read Petra and Finlay's story and find out how Time Away work
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The World is Accessible
From wheelchair-friendly destinations to inclusive travel tips and disability rights updates, they are here to help you explore with confidence, clarity, and community, and we are delighted to be featured in their community, you can read about us here: Our Bench - theWorld is Accessible
The World is Accessible - Altogether Travel
Altogether Travel has been pioneering supported travel and accessible tourism since 2011. Our unique combination of a care company and travel agency makes it easy for our customers to consider and book their holiday. We have supported thousands of people to enjoy holidays again. We have a database of suppliers that we work with to ensure our customers can relax knowing their accommodation needs are met. This is why we enjoy working with Our Bench as they not only offer a fantastic property but have all the equipment available someone needs to ensure a wonderful holiday.
Altogether Travel -
Artists with Heart
We are a holiday partner supporting fundraising for families and disabled children, helping to provide respite and lasting memories.
withheart.org.uk - The Accessible Family
we are part of "The Accessible Family" whose goal started a very ordinary wish: "to take my son somewhere new. He’s a young man with cerebral palsy, a wheelchair user who needs a hoist and a Changing Places toilet — and every trip begins with the same exhausting research.
The official Changing Places register is brilliant and accurate, and we rely on it. But it tells you where a toilet is — not whether the station is step-free, whether the lifts are working, how to get from the platform to the door, or where to park. That last mile is where days out fall apart. So this site starts there. The Accessible Family
"We enjoy working with Our Bench as they not only offer a fantastic property but have all the equipment available someone needs to ensure a wonderful holiday."
"We've been having a good, if somewhat damp time here in Lymington and Garden Bench Cottage is perfect."
How likely are you to recommend the accommodation to someone else? 5/5 stars
Did you experience any issues with the accommodation? No issues
Did the accommodation meet your accessibility requirements? Yes
Comments: Excellent facilities, very clean and convenient for both the New Forest and the coast. Helen and Matt are lovely. " - Sue Peck, via Altogether Travel, September 2026
Reviews by our Guests
A small sample of our guests reviews - more can be read here: Guest Reviews
- Bookalet Reviews
we have collected reviews through our online booking software since 2019. You can read more reviews here: Reviews Continued:
Professional Business to Business Links
We are often asked where our specialist equipment comes from, and where our beds come from as they are so comfortable, so we thought we would add some helpful links below, we aim to shop local when we can.
- Our Hoists are from Dorset Nursing Supplies and they provide our regular LOLER checks.
- Our Beds are from the Bed Shop - another local business, they are based in New Milton - our beds are made to order and they are happy to deliver nationwide.
- Our Kitchens and Bathrooms were purchased locally and fitted by Matt Renouf - who is happy to offer advice if you are looking to create similar in your own home.
- Our web site, photography and design work is all done by RenoufDesign - she is happy to arrange a photoshoot with you during your stay - details here: Free Photos to treasure
- Our Equipment - some of our disabled aids have come from the Complete Care Shop - you can purchase from them direct and they deliver within a couple of days.
- Google maps are now starting to show wheelchair accessible places on their maps - Read more here: Google Maps Accessible Places