For us, there could not have been a more meaningful award.
At Our Bench, accessible holidays have never just been about accommodation. They are about comfort, confidence, continuity and the chance for families to simply enjoy being together. This award gave us the opportunity to share the story of one very special family who have become part of the Our Bench story too.
“Great British Holiday Legend - England” for 2026
“What you have created at Our Bench, and the space that you offer to your guests is truly remarkable, and we know that Jackie, Alf and Chris will be just one of many families that your hospitality will have left an incredible mark for.
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.”
Livvy Handyside
The Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK
Read the press release here: Great British Holiday Legend Award - for more details of the awards visit: Great British Holiday Awards.
Jackie, Alf and Chris
Jackie, Alf and Chris have stayed with us twice a year for many years, visiting the New Forest more than 20 times. Over the years they have become much more than returning guests. They are truly part of the Our Bench family.
For Chris, returning to the same place matters deeply. Familiarity brings comfort, confidence and reassurance. Knowing where everything is, recognising the space around him, and arriving somewhere that already understands his needs means he can settle in quickly and enjoy his holiday in a way that would be much harder somewhere unfamiliar.
Each time the family arrive, Chris’s room is prepared with the specialist equipment he needs, including a Sara Stedy, a profiling bed and a specialist shower chair. This allows his parents or carers to support him safely and comfortably, and means that the practical side of the holiday is already taken care of before they even unpack.
Places that can offer both the equipment Chris needs and the continuity he relies on are rare. That is one of the reasons this family returns to us time and time again.
Sometimes Chris comes with Jackie and Alf. Sometimes he stays with his carers, giving his parents some valuable respite while knowing he is somewhere safe, familiar and happy. That trust means a great deal to us.
Holidays built on familiarity, trust and tradition
Over the years, Chris has built his own traditions here.
He loves spending time by the sea. He knows the places he enjoys visiting, the spaces that feel comfortable, and the rhythm of a holiday that has become part of his life. And he knows that when he arrives at Our Bench, there will always be a warm welcome waiting for him, often with homemade cake too.
That may sound like a small thing, but it is often the small things that matter most. Being welcomed somewhere that already knows you, understands your routines, and has taken care of the details can make the difference between a stressful break and a genuinely restorative holiday.
For families living with disability, complex care needs or uncertainty around accessibility, that kind of trust is everything.
We all enjoy coming to your bungalow it is like home from home for Christopher and you understand what special needs families need . That makes a big difference to a holiday big companies do not understand the problems. Alf Jackie & Christopher
Alf Jackie & ChristopherWhy this award means so much to us
The Great British Holiday Legend Award celebrates guests who return year after year and the role those traditions play in family life. Chris and his family represent exactly that.
Their story reflects what we believe holidays should offer every family: not just somewhere to stay, but somewhere to return to. A place where memories are made, where confidence grows, and where the people who arrive feel known, welcomed and cared for.
Winning this award was incredibly special because it recognised not only Chris and his family’s loyalty, but the value of accessible holidays done thoughtfully and with heart.
Accessible holidays that feel welcoming, not clinical
At Our Bench, we know that accessible accommodation is about much more than ticking boxes.
It is about understanding how a space needs to work in real life. It is about listening carefully, planning well, and making sure guests have the equipment, layout and reassurance they need to relax. It is about offering holidays that feel calm, comfortable and dignified, while still feeling like a proper break away.
Families stay with us because they know they can ask questions, talk through their needs and trust that we will be honest about what we can provide. We know how much that matters, because accessible travel can be daunting when information is unclear or facilities are inconsistent.
For some guests, Our Bench offers a first holiday in years. For others, like Chris and his family, it becomes a place they can return to again and again.
Thank you
We are so grateful to Jackie, Alf and Chris for allowing us to share a little of their story as part of this award. Families like theirs are at the heart of why Our Bench exists.
This award may have our name on it, but it belongs just as much to the guests who trust us with their precious time away, and who remind us again and again why accessible holidays matter.
If you are looking for accessible self-catering accommodation in the New Forest and would like to talk through your needs, we are always happy to help.
Because at Our Bench, it has always been about making a difference, one family at a time.
Book to stay with us
If you would like to come and stay with us, or would like more details of our three holiday cottages - why not start here, you can find out which cottage is most suitable for your needs, and we begin to answer some of the questions you may have. Book with confidence at Our Bench.