The Farthings Guest House Access Statement 2008
The Farthings is a family run Victorian guest house located in a quiet cul de sac ten minutes walk from the city centre of York. The guest house has 9 rooms, of which 5 are en suite, and 4 are standard rooms with shared facilities. There are 2 en suite rooms located on the ground floor.
Prior to arrival
A full description of the guest house complete with images is available on The Farthings website at www.farthingsyork.co.uk
Accommodation can be booked by e mail, fax, on line or by telephone. All details can be found on the website or by calling the guest house direct on 01904 653545.
The Farthings is only a 10 minute walk from the train and coach station and town centre, where you will find local bars, restaurants and shops. Taxi’s that have wheelchair access can be booked either from the train station or visitor information centres.
The guest house does not have the facility for collection of guests from the station.
There is a double en suite and twin en suite room located on the ground floor that are suitable for guests with limited mobility, but please call the guest house to discuss individual requirements before booking.
Internet facility is available to guests through a Wi Fi connection.
Arrival and parking
On street parking is provided outside the guest house in the cul de sac and some of the adjacent streets. Permits are provided free of charge for the duration of the stay. They are valid until 10.00am on the day of check out, which corresponds with check out time.
The guest house is located in a cul de sac where there is usually sufficient parking for demand. In busy periods guests may have to park in adjoining streets which are covered by the same zone.
There are no facilities to reserve parking spaces, but every effort will be made to accommodate any guests that have mobility difficulties arriving by car. Please ensure that this is discussed with the guest house when booking.
Any guests that require assistance should contact the guest house on arrival, and they will be happy to help.
Access to the guest house is via the illuminated entrance porch. There is a door bell to the right of the front door, which should be rung to announce arrivals. Access to the reception is via 2 tiled steps. The front door is locked at all times.
Main entrance and reception
Access to the hotel is via the main front door, which is of UPVC construction with leaded motif, and meets current fire legislation requirements for access and evacuation.
Guests are welcomed at the front door, and registered in the reception area, where a desk and chair are provided. There is additional seating in the reception area for guests comfort.
A full check in will be carried out providing directions into the town centre, information on attractions, meal times and check out times, and fire safety procedures. Guests will be provided with keys to their rooms and any access doors, and escorted to their rooms. Assistance with luggage will be provided if required. Additional keys can be provided on request.
Checks in times are before 1.00pm and after 5.00pm. Check in times outside of this period should be discussed directly with the guest house, and every effort will be made to accommodate your request.
It is standard practice for us to enquire as to an estimated time of arrival when bookings are made directly with the guest house.
Late evening arrivals can usually be accommodated, but please confirm this directly with the guest house before booking.
General internal public areas
The general areas are accessed via one tiled step from the reception area, via a double fire door that can be opened fully if required for access.
The guest house has 2 main staircases which provide access to the first and second floors. There are 18 steps to the first floor with a half landing. The second floor is accessed via a further 16 steps, which are narrower and have a turned corner half way up. Wooden handrails run the entire length of the stairwells.
There are no lifts in the guest house providing access to the first and second floor.
All floors are carpeted throughout, with exception of the ground floor reception and entrance area which has the original Victorian tiled floor.
There is a public telephone in the reception area for guests use with a free phone direct line for local taxi’s. Restaurant and theatre bookings can be made via the guest house staff.
Lighting is provided in all common areas via main central lights and standard lamps. Emergency lighting is fitted throughout the general areas and main exit route.
Fire exits are clearly marked.
Fire extinguishers are located on each floor.
Public areas ~ WC’s
There are house bathrooms with WC’s located on the first and second floor landings. There is no facility for a disabled toilet.
Dining Room
The dining room is situated on the ground floor on the left at the bottom of the staircase to the first floor.
There are both shared and individual tables, and the chairs are standard height without arms.
High chairs are available.
Breakfast is buffet service first course followed by waitress service main course. The breakfast menu and procedure is clearly explained when seated.
The crockery used is in contrast to the table surfaces.
Specific dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances can be easily accommodated, and will have been discussed during check in.
Evening meals are not provided, but advice can be given on local restaurants, with a restaurant guide provided in the entrance area with a wide selection of sample menu’s and directions.
Additional guest house services
Iron and ironing board facilities are available on request.
Internet access via Wi Fi connection.
Public telephone with free phone taxi booking service.
Shops and cash point machines are only a five minute walk away.
Bedrooms
There are 2 bedrooms on the ground floor suitable for guests with mobility impairment. One is a twin room, and the other is a family room. Both rooms are en suite with showers. Door widths are standard width. Both rooms are carpeted, with the shower rooms having vinyl floors.
All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities. The kettles are cordless. Televisions, radio alarm clocks, towels, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers are also provided.
Emergency procedures will be advised at check in, and a copy is displayed in all rooms. Fire alarms will sound on all floors. There are smoke detectors in all bedrooms. Guests with hearing impairment will be identified to staff, and assisted with evacuation if the alarm sounds.
Room lighting is provided in the form of centre roof lights, standard lamps and bedside lamps.
Food is not served in the rooms, but guests can be assisted to the dining area if required.
The guest house does not accept pets.
Bathrooms
Ensuite bathrooms all contain a WC and shower cubicle of standard size. The vanity basin is situated outside of the bathroom in the main bedroom area.
The family en suite room on the first floor has a larger bathroom with a quadrant shower cubicle and vanity basin inside the bathroom. All bathrooms have vinyl flooring.
There are two bathrooms for use by the standard rooms. One is located on the first floor landing, and one on the second floor landing adjacent to the standard rooms. Both have shower cubicles, WC’s and wash basins. The floors are carpeted.
The en suite and general bathrooms do not have special fire alarms, emergency pulls or hoist rails etc to suit specific access requirements.
Additional information
Staff are available for assistance via a bell which is located beside the first set of stairs on the ground floor level. This will be highlighted to you during check in.
Medicines or special dietary foods can be refrigerated if required.
Smoking policy
The entire guest house including bedrooms is a totally non smoking establishment. There is an outside area at the front of the guest house, inside the railings and between the two bay windows provided as a smoking area. There is a seating area provided. This is not covered. In poor weather guests may use the porch area for smoking, but must consider other guests entering and leaving the building.
Contact Information
Address: The Farthings, 5 Nunthorpe Avenue, York, YO23 1PF.
Telephone: 01904 653545.
Fax: 01904 628355.
E mail: stay@farthingsyork.co.uk
Website: www.farthingsyork.co.uk
Hours of operation: 07.30am ~ 10.00pm.
Emergency number: 01904 653545
Local public transport numbers: Traveline 0871 200 22 33. Rail enquiries 08457 484950.
Local taxi numbers: 01904 641441 / 01904 645333 / 01904 623332.
We welcome any feedback in order to continuously improve. If you have any comments please phone 01904 653545 or e mail stay@farthingsyork.co.uk