How to book an accessible holiday at Our Bench, in the New Forest
Everything you need to know to enjoy a relaxed, comfortable stay at Our Bench.
Our self-catering cottages are purpose-built to support wheelchair users, people with limited mobility, and families who need space, calm, and flexibility.
Booking your stay at Our Bench holiday cottages
Booking your self-catering holiday accommodation with us is simple and stress-free. We have included this guide because, for some of our guests, this may be their first holiday after a change in circumstances. Others may have experienced an “accessible” holiday that, in reality, did not work.
We understand how disappointing that can be. We have been there ourselves, travelling hours only to discover that an accessible toilet had no transfer space, or that once the wheelchair was inside, the door would not close. We want to reassure you that we understand these concerns and are always happy to help if you need reassurance before booking.
Start here:
-
Pick your perfect cottage
Browse our cottages and check availability online. Our website is always kept up to date. - Little Bench - Sleeps 2
- Bench Cottage - Sleeps 4
- Garden Bench - Sleeps 5 and accepts dogs
- Our "Which cottage should I choose?" page can help you decide.
-
Check suitability
Make sure the cottage meets your needs by reading the access statements: -
Review the terms and conditions
Please read and agree to our terms and conditions. Making a booking confirms your acceptance. -
Reserve your dates
Booking directly online is the quickest way to secure your stay. You are also welcome to phone, email, or message us first. Human contact matters. Confirmation requires a completed booking form and deposit within two days. -
Specialist equipment
View our specialist equipment. Equipment is allocated once your deposit is received and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You are welcome to check availability before booking. -
Travel insurance
We recommend arranging suitable travel insurance for peace of mind.
What happens next?
- Once you have booked online and paid your deposit, you have provisionally booked your cottage and should receive an email receipt.
- As soon as we can, we will check your booking and get in touch. We may need to request an additional deposit if the stay is longer than 7 nights. We will read through any requests you have made, confirm your booking, request additional information (the details of everyone staying, your preferred access code for security, and any additional equipment), and answer any questions.
- Eight weeks prior to your arrival, your balance is due. We will send you an email reminder. Unfortunately, if we do not hear from you, we will have to cancel the booking.
- A week before you arrive, we will send another email reminding you how to find us.
- On the day of arrival, we will send a text to the number provided for the lead guest with a reminder of the key safe code. This is only sent once the cottage is ready. We aim for 3 pm, but we rely on departing guests leaving on time.
- Close to departure, we send another email reminding you of check-out time and where to leave the key.
- Within two weeks of your departure, we ask you to review us. We really appreciate this and return any outstanding cleaning retainer.
- We may then be in touch again to invite you back or share news. If you would prefer not to be contacted, just let us know. If you book again, we reserve the same equipment for you at the time of booking and then ask you to confirm it is still correct, as needs can change.
We apologise if you feel we ask too much, but experience has taught us that similar equipment can have different names. Having access on the right side of the bed and a Parnell rail where you need it can make your stay easier. If you do not need to bring everything, perhaps getting the shopping delivered before your arrival on a Friday can help your stay go smoothly. If you do not need any extras, then we will maximise space. Our questions aim to help make your holiday right for you.
Short breaks and weekends
We offer three-night weekend stays (Friday to Sunday) and four-night short breaks (Monday to Thursday) during the low season (November to February, excluding Christmas and New Year). Short breaks in peak season may occasionally be available at short notice.
Our standard booking period is Friday 3 pm to Friday 10 am. If this does not work for you, we are always happy to have a conversation.
Waiting list
Cancellations are rare, but if your preferred week is already booked, you are welcome to join our waiting list. We will contact you if dates become available and share updates on our Facebook page. Simply send us a message with your preferred dates and cottage.
Useful information
- Terms and conditions
- Equipment request form
- Information pack – sent with direct bookings
- Welcome leaflet – sent before arrival
- Information sheets – WiFi, recycling, shops, and local services
- Access statements: Bench Cottage, Little Bench, Garden Bench
- Data protection: We never sell or misuse your data. You can unsubscribe from communications at any time. Full details can be found in our policies.
- Contact us if you have a bespoke request or cannot find the answer you need. You can use the contact form or the chat icon on the site.
More details
Feel free to browse the rest of our website. We have included information we have found genuinely useful when travelling, including guest stories, details of local doctors and hospitals, and accessible places to explore in the New Forest. While automated information is not always accurate, our content is based on real experience and local knowledge, offering reassurance that you will enjoy both the area and your stay with us.