James Coke

So, I wrote a piece in the Guardian on the lack of ceiling hoists in UK Hotels to assist disabled people. I was subsequently contacted by Rosie down Somerset way asking if I’d be interested in checking out her project converting a barn on their farm. It caters for the needs of physically disabled people, their families, friends and carers and being across the border in Devon I was keen to have a look.

Somerset is one of those counties in the UK that time seems to been have left behind and has its own mystique. Glastonbury tor towers over its levels but elsewhere its rolling hills are studded with quaint villages and beautiful scenery.

The ‘Barn’, located near to Ilminster, sits in idyllic countryside. The timepiece of a circular cattle shed with its thatched roof greeted us as we reached the property, before Rosie’s grand design was before us contrasting the old and new of the locality perfectly. The ‘Big Tin Barn’ lives up to its billing – its massive, but equally despite it being open-plan, it never quite feels out of proportion or to spacious.

Tastefully decorated throughout the living quarters are welcoming and cosy, with deep backed sofa’s to relax in and a large dining table complimenting the space. The rise and fall kitchen is state of the art, allowing for equality in both washing up and cooking if required and is equipped to a very high standard, but you wouldn’t expect anything less. Then comes the bedrooms. There’s a customary double, a smaller twin and the potential mezzanine space upstairs for larger parties, but it’s the other twin bedroom with its profiling beds and ceiling track hoist which goes the extra mile.

We use a manual hoist at home but the ceiling version was a revelation and pretty much effortless to use. I whipped around on the contraption and made use of the high-quality adaptations including an Aqua spa rise and fall bath and the toilet which will wash and dry you and is incredibly hygienic. The outside can be accessed from bi fold doors leading out to a lovely sun soaked patio and an impressive wooden pagoda, to laze away a sunny afternoon. Overall, the short stay over was very enjoyable. The property offers an excellent base to explore the surrounding area and its comforting to know that Rosie has spent so much attention to detail ensuring your stay will be a good one.