The Old Stables, East Yorkshire | Accessible Holiday Cottage Review

Carrie-Ann Lightley
31 minutes ago
4 min read

There is a particular mental load that comes with travelling as a wheelchair user.

The quiet calculations. Will the parking work? Will the bathroom actually function? Will I spend the whole weekend adapting instead of relaxing?

A properly designed cottage removes that load. Our three night review stay at The Old Stables in North Cave, East Yorkshire did exactly that. A slow, restorative trip with my husband Darren and our dog Poppy.

Woman in a red coat in a wheelchair with a small dog sits in front of a garage labeled "The Old Stables." Stone path, hedges, cozy scene.

The Old Stables sits in North Cave, just off junction 38 of the M62. It’s rural without being remote, with big skies, and wetlands nearby. A genuinely peaceful setting.

Disclaimer: My stay at The Old Stables was complimentary in exchange for this review. As always, all views are my own and based on my lived experience as a wheelchair user.

Luxurious, Tranquil, and Accessible Yorkshire Holiday Accommodation

The Old Stables has its own secure, undercover garage directly adjoining the cottage. The surface is resin bonded gravel that looks rustic but wheels smoothly. It’s flat and step free from garage to front door.

The cottage is all on one level, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open plan kitchen and living area. There is generous turning space throughout and slate flooring that works well for wheeling. It feels like a beautiful home that happens to be accessible, rather than an adapted space trying to feel stylish. With two adults and one small dog who believes she owns the place, it still felt spacious.

If you’re looking for options for wheelchair accessible dog friendly holidays, check out this post.

The Old Stables Accessible Bedroom

I stayed in the accessible bedroom set up as a super king.

The bed was noticeably lower than average, which made transfers easier for me. Bed raisers are available if needed, which shows flexibility has been considered. There was space on both sides for transfers, lowered storage options, and accessible charging points beside the bed.

Bed in a cozy room with checkered headboard, neatly folded towels, and patterned cushions. Mirror reflects a dog, gray tiles.

The Old Stables Accessible Bathroom

The wet room is properly thought through. I used the static shower stool, which was stable and easy to position. The cottage offers a choice of equipment to borrow, including a static shower chair, a wheeled shower chair with lifting arms and a toilet riser seat, allowing guests to tailor the space to their own needs.

Accessible bathroom with dark tiles, a wall mirror, and a sink with support rails. A red pull cord hangs, and a stool with a towel is visible.

There was generous transfer space and fixed and fold down grab rails at both the shower and the toilet. The toilet is a higher model and worked well for me, with ample lateral transfer space. The sink allowed access underneath and the mirror height suited my seated position.

Accessible bathroom with grab bars, sink, and toilet next to a bedroom with a bed. Framed art and mirror visible. Neutral tones throughout.

Accessible Kitchen and Living Room

The kitchen is where The Old Stables stands out. Lowered sections for the sink and hob make independent cooking so much easier. Pull out lowered worktops beneath the oven and microwave are simple but clever additions.

Woman in a wheelchair smiles in a kitchen with modern appliances; a brown and white dog sits on the dark tiled floor nearby.

I could prepare drinks, cook meals and move around the space without defaulting to Darren for help.

A woman in a wheelchair holds a brown and white dog in a cozy kitchen with floral curtains. Oven shows 1:55. Relaxed atmosphere.

The dining table accommodated my wheelchair easily. In the living area, the sofa height worked for transfers and the two electric recliner chairs were perfect for slow, cosy evenings.

Cozy living room with two recliners, a sofa, and floral pillows. A round mirror and framed "Yorkshire" art on walls, soft lighting.

The Courtyard Garden

Both bedroom areas have direct access outside, and two sets of bifold doors open from the kitchen and living room onto a south facing courtyard.

It’s step free with the same easy rolling resin surface and fully enclosed, which meant Poppy could explore safely. Private, calming and beautifully designed.

A person in a wheelchair is on a patio with a wooden table and chairs. Overcast sky, trees, and greenery in the background, creating a serene mood.

Accessible Eating Nearby

We were spoilt for choice with food, with lots of delicious options close by.

Breakfast from The Little Butty Bus at North Cave Wetlands meant sausage sandwiches and coffee outdoors, watching wildlife, in surroundings that felt accessible and relaxed.

Food truck labeled "The Little Butty Bus" with a blue sign, parked on a gray day. A person inside serves, and a white van is nearby.

One evening we brought back fish and chips from The Catch in North Cave, simple and tasty for a low-effort meal in the cottage.

Fish and chips in a foam box on a black table, with cutlery, tartare sauce packet, and coffee cup. Cozy living room with a couch and lamp.

We visited Drewton’s Farm Shop for a gorgeous brunch on our last day, where level access, a large car park and an accessible toilet made things easy.

Exploring East Yorkshire as a Wheelchair User

We followed the owner Louise’s recommendations for exploring the local area and they did not disappoint.

One of my favourite moments was a simple dog walk from the cottage’s door. Flat stretches of driveway beneath copper beech trees, fresh air without overthinking the route. Being able to just go, without planning transport, is underrated.

Woman in a red jacket on a wheelchair walking a dog on a park path. Leafy trees and grass surround them under a cloudy sky.

We also spent a day at Flamborough Head and Bridlington for sea air, coffee with beach views, and a lovely flat, wide, promenade walk. Beach wheelchairs are available to hire, though sadly it wasn't warm enough in February!

Person in a wheelchair with a dog on a seaside promenade. Overcast skies, buildings and more people in the background.

Louise also shared information about Walking the Wolds, a guided dog walking business. There are already wheelchair accessible routes around Allerthorpe Woods, Field House Coffee Barn near Tibthorpe, and Little Wold Plantation near North Cave, with plans to develop more accessible dog walks in future.

Final Thoughts

The Old Stables works brilliantly for anyone wanting a rural break without access anxiety. For hoist users, Louise is exploring the purchase of a mobile hoist, following a chat with me to get my feedback on my stay. I really felt that my lived experience was valued, showing an ongoing commitment to improving future stays for disabled guests.

At The Old Stables, I didn’t spend three days scanning for obstacles or calculating transfers. I rested. I cooked. I sat in the garden. I slept well.

Thoughtful design removes stress. And when the stress disappears, what is left is what a holiday should be: peace, independence and the space to simply be.