The Quarters, Lancaster: Access Review

A wheelchair accessible apartment in a thriving Lancashire village - off the beaten track just waiting to be discovered, ideal for a weekend break.

I’m a regular traveller; for this blog, for work and even occasionally for holidays. I’m very fortunate to be able to regularly explore new places, eating local delicacies and experiencing new traditions and cultures. But I’m guilty of not always appreciating what’s on my doorstep.

I live in Kendal, the so called gateway to the Lake District, with stunning countryside all around. My Top Four Accessible Lake District Activities gives the lowdown on some of my favourite things to do, but an influx of tourists means that I’m not always able to enjoy what my immediate local area has to offer. So when I was given the opportunity to explore the gorgeous Lune Valley a mere 20 miles down the road, I couldn’t wait.

I connected with The Quarters, Lancaster on Twitter in 2017, and was delighted to be invited to review the accessible accommodation.

Disclaimer: The Quarters provided my accommodation on a complimentary basis for the purposes of this review. This is an honest review and my opinions, as always, are entirely my own. This review is entirely based on my personal experience of staying at The Quarters, as a manual wheelchair user who is able to transfer, and is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to accessibility at the accommodation.

Accessible Accommodation

Situated in the thriving North Lancashire village of Caton, The Quarters offers wheelchair accessible, pet-friendly accommodation in a ground floor, two bedroom apartment. There’s plenty of parking and, importantly, a pub with level access right next door.

The apartment is accessed via a ramped entrance, adjacent to a tranquil lawned garden which has its own stream running through.

Accessible Living/Dining Room

This space is seriously comfortable, featuring a sofa and chair with lots of cosy cushions and blankets, a dining table which was a great height for me to wheel up to, and a large window overlooking the garden.

Accessible Kitchen

At home, I have lowered kitchen worktops which enable me to cook. The kitchen at the Quarters is standard height, and honestly – what a great excuse not to cook on holiday! I left that job to my husband and our friends who joined us, happy to be treated like a Queen for the weekend :)

The kitchen is large enough for a standard sized wheelchair to turn comfortably, and equipped with all of the amenities you’d expect in a modern holiday accommodation.

For those wishing to dine out, The Ship Inn is next door to The Quarters. They serve delicious food including an excellent Sunday roast, and there’s level access from the rear car park entrance.

Accessible Bedrooms

As soon as we arrived I just knew I would get a really good night’s sleep at The Quarters, and I was happily proved right.

Both bedrooms have level access, hardwood floors and enough under-bed clearance for a mobile hoist (which can be hired locally).

The double bedroom at the front of the apartment is bright and cosy, with a large comfy bed. The curtains in this room have a pull cord making them really easy to open and close, even from a sitting position.

The twin bedroom at the back of the apartment is secluded and tranquil, with two single beds and plenty of storage.

Accessible Bathroom

I love a flexible accessible bathroom. It’s so important to provide options for different levels of ability, and the bathroom at The Quarters does just that. There’s a wet room style shower, with an adjustable shower chair provided on request, and a luxurious corner bath.

There are grab bars throughout and a lowered sink.

Accessible Activities

I love nothing more than a long walk/wheel with the dog, and finding new accessible routes is a joy. I was SO happy to find the flat cycle patch across the road from The Quarters! Each section of the path had another gorgeous view just waiting to be discovered. There was no traffic, no noise and beautiful June sunshine – it was perfect.

We walked from Caton, down the picturesque path to the village of Halton, a distance of around two miles. On the way, we passed through The Crook O'Lune picnic site, which has benches, refreshments and an accessible toilet.

I can recommend the Greyhound pub in Halton, for excellent chips! It has an enclosed beer garden which is ideal for dogs, level access from the front and an accessible toilet.

Final Thoughts

Our weekend at The Quarters really showed me the power of the staycation – you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to discover a new place, and being off the beaten track, away from major tourism areas can make a huge difference if you enjoy a slower-paced trip.

I loved the walking route that we took so much that we returned a few weeks later for a Sunday afternoon stroll; another benefit of being so close to home.

Like this post? Read my guide to Exploring the Countryside by Wheelchair.

If you’ve found an accessible hidden gem close to home, I’d love to know all about it – feel free to leave a comment below, or get in touch.