Cateys 2024: Accessibility Award: Windmill Barns Holiday Lets

Windmill Barns Holiday Lets near Stratford-upon-Avon is a business with heart and passion instilled throughout, thanks to the hard work – and life savings – Tara and David Parker have ploughed into this project.

 

After travelling the globe with their 24-year-old daughter Abigail, who has profound disabilities, the Parker family were often completely disheartened at the lack of accessibility and support they received. They decided to build a rural holiday let business in south Warwickshire that is now the only fully accessible holiday accommodation with 24-hour on-site assistance in the region.

 

The self-catering site comprises of three converted barns complete as well as accessibility aids and on-call assistance, with wood-fired hot tubs fitted with track hoists. There is also a small farm so guests can engage with the animals. The Parkers have converted another barn into a Care Quality Commission-registered care facility for their daughter, who lives on the site.

 

The layout of each barn can be customised to suit individual needs, and profiling beds, track hoists, wet rooms and a wide range of equipment can all be provided. Guests can book all three barns if they have a large family gathering, and staff are on-call 24/7 for help or advice on everything from local pubs to healthcare solutions.

 

What is exemplary is that the Parkers went above and beyond to refurbish the barns stylishly, while making the necessary adaptations subtle. The central England location also makes the site accessible to people travelling from around the UK. Windmill Barns is a family business, with the Parkers managing the venue themselves alongside a team of 10 dedicated care staff and managers, who also look after Abigail.

 

With 100% five-star reviews in year one and 93% occupancy, it’s no wonder that Windmill Barns has been rewarded for going above and beyond the requirements of the Equality Act in accommodating and catering for people with disabilities and special needs.

 

What the judges said

 

“A great example of visitor accommodation that has the needs of mobility-impaired guests at its very heart.” Ross Calladine

 

“Windmill Barns has restored my faith in humanity, with the owners using their life savings to build an accessible holiday complex that could have encountered numerous problems during the build stage. The accommodation has been built with style and quality.” David Croft

 

“It’s an inspiring story from learned experience. With a small team dedicated to care, they really have looked at what they can offer.” Rosie Radwell

 

The shortlist

 

Aloft London Excel

 

Hilton London Metropole

 

Windmill Barns Holiday Lets

 

The judges

 

Ross Calladine VisitEngland

 

David Croft Haven for Others

 

Fiona Jarvis Blue Badge Style

 

Rosie Radwell Marsham Court Hotel

 

Charles Van Berckel Ablestay