Guest Top Tips

Our guests have shared their experience

We share information at Our Bench that we hope will help you plan and enjoy your accessible holiday. When visiting somewhere new, most of us like to feel prepared and know what to expect.

For disabled people, that preparation can be essential. Good accessibility information helps families travel with more confidence, ask the right questions, and avoid unnecessary stress.

Research by AccessAble’s Accessibility and You Survey (2023–2024) shows that 95% of disabled people check accessibility information before visiting somewhere new, highlighting how important clear and honest access details are when planning a trip, and 90% said that it was important to know this before their first visit.

Source: AccessAble - 2024

The questions guests often want answered

• What made your holiday at Our Bench possible?
• What is one thing you wish you had known before travelling?
• Is there a charity, condition or cause you would like more people to understand?
• What did a proper holiday mean for you or your family?

What made your holiday at Our Bench possible?

• "Since my husband became disabled finding holidays that offer full accessibility including profile bed and hoist has been a challenge. When I found Our Bench it was wonderful to see that this family have considered the needs of people like him. A lovely welcome and perfect accommodation meant that we enjoyed a great holiday and we look forward to returning in the future." Julia
• "Knowing that pretty much everything we needed was there to make the stay comfortable, especially ceiling tracking, high low bed, wet room and seating and showering options, full kitchen and laundry facilities, capacity to have consumables delivered ahead of arrival, walking distance to a shop for small grocery purchases, amazing hosts, onsite parking."
• "The main thing for us is the spacious area in the bungalow and around the property. In addition to this the facility to order various aids rather than bringing them with us. Also, the area is a beautiful part of the country." Jan and Rod
• "All on one level , wide doors, adapted bathroom, easy access, great location with New Forest and shops nearby, not cluttered so lots of room for manoeuvring a wheelchair." Jo Mare
• "The friendliness, flexibility and environmentalism of the two owners were pivotal.  My partner used an electric  wheelchair fulltime and I am a totally blind person with other sensory and physical impairments.  The design and layout of the cottage was ideal for both of our access needs.

  I cannot walk very far now and Linda used an electric wheelchair.  We therefore enjoyed walking down to the shops which were near by and going to walk in the forest, which wasn’t far either.
  I guess the other main attraction for us was that, whilst accessible, the properties rented out by this couple are just ‘normal’ homes in the midst of a strong community." Mike.

What is one thing you wish you had known before travelling?

• "That the 17 hour straight through flight from Perth to LHR was going to be hard and definitely not a wise choice."
• "There is no easy way to dispose of clinical waste" - at Our Bench we are able to provide bins to dispose of "Offensive / Hygiene waste" - for non-infectious waste such as incontinence pads or non-infectious dressings, but we are not able to dispose of Sharps, or High risk waste, and unfortuately you would need to take this home with you.

Is there a charity, condition or cause you would like more people to understand?

• "Most people know about Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Cancer, Heart Disease (British Heart Foundation) and Moto Neurone Disease (MND) due to Professor Steven Hawking, Rob Burrow & Kevin Sinfield, but not many know about the Debilitating Disease Denise has got called NeuroSarcoidosis.) There is a Charity called Sarcoidosisuk.org, on their forums they haven't anyone who has had the same experience as Denise." Michael explained to us. "Neurosarcoidosis is very similar to MS and holiday requirements are the same, needing an electric profile bed, hoist and wheel in shower room"but when you are dealing with something rare, it is even harder to find suitable accommodation - you can read about their delight of finding Our Bench.
• Our own son had a rare neurological condition which normally affects teenagers and they grow out of by the time they are 30. Every episode presented differently, and at first we were dealing with the unknown. We were the first case for our consultant, and through awareness there are now more diagnosed cases. We recorded our experience online: A parents guide to Kleine Levin Syndrome .
• "I wish more people knew about Headway - this is a great resource for families and professionals and is all about improving life after a brain injury - something we were not aware of until it impacted our family."
• Medical Aid for Palestinians - Millions of Palestinians living under Israel’s military occupation and as refugees are being denied their rights to health and dignity, MAP’s mission is to work for the health and dignity of these communities.

What did a proper holiday mean for you or your family?

• "Being in a space that works for all of us, access to activities we enjoy, exploring the New Forest etc, this last trip was more about Em accessing Conductive Education sessions with Judit and Mandy but we also had lots of fun. The photo shoot was a wonderful bonus." Toni
• "A proper holiday for us is when everything is suitable for my disabled husband. He needs a profile bed, riser recliner chair and a wet room. There are very few of these properties around the country which is a constant source of frustration to us. Our Bench provides everything we need as well as a larger property so that we can include our family and a dog, which is wonderful. Thank you for all that you do!" Liz
• "A change of scene , seeing old friends, visiting favourite old haunts" Jo
• "Being able to manage our own time, in an accessible space, where we could relax and access almost everything."

What made your holiday at Our Bench possible?

• The personal assistants we employed/organised, with guidance from Helen

In Memory

• "I lost Alf a few years ago, but I have special memories of the holidays we spent with you." Pam
• "My partner Linda, died in 2023.  We really enjoyed our two stays with you" Mike - Linda used an electric wheelchair fulltime and Mike totally blind person with other sensory and physical impairments, Our Bench made holidays possible.

Last updated: March 2026