Making a difference, one family at a time
Our Bench is not just a place to stay. It is the result of our lived experience, our family history, and our understanding of what accessible holidays really mean.
I grew up in Lymington, here in Lodge Road, in the heart of the New Forest, in a family home where my parents ran a small bed and breakfast. This was the original Our Bench, inspired by Bolton’s Bench in Lyndhurst, where my dad proposed to my mum.
From an early age, welcoming guests was simply part of life. Over time, that welcome became more personal. As my mum’s mobility declined, and later as our own family faced complex caring needs, we became very aware of how difficult travel can be when accessibility is uncertain or misunderstood.
Accessible accommodation was not something we set out to create as a business opportunity. It was a necessity. My parents struggled to find places that truly worked for them, so they decided to build their own. Little Bench and Bench Cottage were designed and built in 2001, with level access, thoughtful layouts, and dignity at the heart of every decision. My mum, who was disabled herself, understood the daily realities behind the word accessible in a way no checklist ever could, and both my dad and my husband were hands on in the build.
As time went on, that understanding deepened. After my dad passed away in 2009, I became more involved in keeping the business going. In 2012, Matt and I expanded Our Bench with the addition of Garden Bench, which we completely renovated to ensure that all three cottages were suitable for wheelchair users and guests with more complex needs. Ceiling hoists, profiling beds, specialist equipment, and wet rooms were added not because they were fashionable, but because they were needed.
Alongside caring for my mum, we were also supporting our son, who lived for several years with a rare episodic neurological condition that required round the clock care. No two days were the same. That experience taught us how important flexibility, preparation, and reassurance are when planning any kind of breakaway. It also taught us how precious shared memories can be, especially when life is unpredictable.
Those experiences shape everything we do at Our Bench.
Online bookings launched in 2019, and our online presence grew to include honest, first hand information about the local area. We share places we know and trust, because through our own experience we understand how much these details matter, especially when accessibility information online is often inaccurate or incomplete.
Photography became part of the experience naturally. The memories that come from photos of shared experiences are priceless. Guests see themselves reflected in the images on the walls, and many leave with treasured photographs to look back on at home.
“This was the first holiday where we didn’t feel like we had to explain ourselves. Everything was just ready. We could finally relax.”
Mum, Mary, passed away in 2024. I believe she was proud that Our Bench continues to welcome families who need accessible holidays. I cannot imagine doing anything different. Today, we do not just offer accessible accommodation, we fulfil our family’s dream of making a difference, one family at a time.
We speak to every guest personally. We ask questions, sometimes lots of them, not to pry, but to understand. We never charge extra for essential equipment because we know how hard it is to travel with everything you might need. If we cannot provide something ourselves, we help guests connect with trusted local support, often arranging delivery to the cottage ahead of arrival.
We share honest information about the area, accessible places to visit, and the small details that can make a big difference.
“You thought of things we didn’t even realise would be an issue until they weren’t. That made all the difference.”
Over the years, families have shared their stories with us generously. Through their experiences, and through our own, Our Bench has continued to grow and evolve. Guests have helped us see new possibilities, suggested improvements, and shown us what really matters when it comes to feeling safe, relaxed, and valued.
In the Stories section, we share some of those moments. They are not polished case studies or marketing pieces. They are real experiences, shaped by care, connection, and understanding. Some are joyful, some are challenging, all are honest.
Our hope is that by sharing our experiences, and those of the families who stay with us, others will feel reassured, understood, and a little less alone when considering an accessible holiday.
Because at Our Bench, it has always been about making a difference, one family at a time.
