Guest Stories | Real Accessible Holiday Experiences

Making a difference, one family at a time, our stories

At Our Bench, Matt and I believe that accessible holidays are about far more than ramps and equipment. They are about people, reassurance, dignity, and being truly listened to. We try and welcome every guest personally, take time to hear their story, if they choose to share, and adapt our accommodation wherever we can to meet individual needs. This is why we ask lots of questions, before you even arrive. Many of our guests return again and again, becoming part of the wider Our Bench family.

We are very hands on, and our approach comes from lived experience. Like many of the families who stay with us, we have cared for loved ones with a wide range of disabilities and additional needs. We understand the emotional, practical, and often exhausting reality that sits behind planning a breakaway.

Over the years, our own experiences, the knowledge generously shared by families, the opportunities guests have enjoyed while staying here, and the local supportive businesses we have come to know have all helped shape how Our Bench has grown.

In this section of our website, we share some of those experiences and personal stories with you. They are real, honest, and rooted in everyday life, offering insight, reassurance, and a sense of connection for anyone navigating accessible travel or caring responsibilities.

Finding Accessible Holiday Accommodation Feels Like Gold Dust

How one couple described finding truly suitable accessible holiday accommodation as “like gold dust” — and why Bench Cottage felt like a real home from home.

Sam with complex needs inspired change in our cottages

Sam's Inspiration

One guest's holiday inspired us to add a changing stretcher to our holiday cottages and reminds of the importance of making memories with loved ones

New Forest Holiday inspired house move

A holiday in that was truly accessible highlighted "the hard" of everyday life and this resulted in a house move to an easier and new normal.

Lovely Memories

One Guest has shared their story of what finding an accessible holiday cottage meant to them in 2017.

Emergency Housing for Disabled Guests

When a wet room leak makes the home inaccessible for a loved one, if we have availability, it is lovely to offer an accessible home from home.

A journey worth making

How travelling from Norfolk to see family after Mike had a stroke, was hard but brought joy of seeing grandchildren who lived in the New Forest.

Guest Top Tips

Behind every holiday booking there is a story. Their experiences offer practical advice, reassurance and insight for anyone planning an accessible holiday in the New Forest.

Christmas in the New Forest with therapy

New Forest Conductive Education

Visiting from Australia, Mum and her two daughters stayed in Bench Cottage for Christmas and had intensive therapy from New Forest Conductive Education. Short intro text that explains what this section covers in one clear idea.

Ask one question

One email. One question. Ten days later, Forestry England had committed to improving accessibility information for visitors to the New Forest

Looking for more information?

This guide is part of the Our Bench Resource Site, a collection of practical guides to help you plan an accessible holiday in the New Forest.

We also have a great search function, you are welcome to try it: Search Our Bench, or get in touch with us directly.

Stories shared with us from families whom have stayed