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South Norfolk's Tourism for All winner

It is great to see all Brad and Cathy’s hard work recognised. Their tremendous effort and attention to detail are reflected in the feedback from their customers, and the number of repeat visitors – a great asset for South Norfolk
Colette Davies, Tourism Manager at South Norfolk Council

Tourism in South Norfolk has received a boost. Norfolk Cottages in Gissing (pictured) has won the Regional Excellence in England Awards for Tourism in the category “Tourism for All” which highlights access for disabled people to high quality holidays. The award winners beat tough competition from Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and other parts of Norfolk.

Owners, Brad and Cathy Smith say: “It was our general ethos towards the disabled as well as the additional equipment and facilities we provide that clinched the award.”

There are three fully accessible cottages. They offer wheel-in showers and transfer space to the side of the toilets. All the kitchens have base units only, some with leg space underneath, and the cooking facilities are at a low level. There are wheeled shower chairs, raised toilet seats, chair and bed raisers, and additional handrails are positioned in the bathrooms, longer pull cords on the over-mirror lights and lower windows. The owners have an arrangement with a local disabled equipment hire company, allowing clients to orders larger equipment e.g.mobile hoists, which are received in time for their visit.

There are also leisure facilities including a heated indoor pool and a Hot Spa, both with overhead hoist facilities.

Their target market is families with a disabled member. They also cater for able guests and guests from the residential care home sector - often with learning and physical disabilities. Cathy says: “We particularly want to encourage people from care homes or residential homes within our own county, to come for a break with their carers.”

She explains how the idea was created after she had purchased a medieval farmhouse situated in the heart of the Norfolk countryside, with a range of redundant farm buildings. “By chance, during the early planning stage, we heard on the radio a piece about the lack nationwide of suitable holiday facilities for people with disabilities, and the seed was sown.”

Many of their guests stay with them regularly and one such family is Jenny and Dave Atkins from Tamworth, Staffs, who have stayed at Norfolk Cottages six times:

Jenny explains why: “In the six years since my accident I’ve never found anywhere to stay that could let me feel like the “old Jenny” – Norfolk Cottages makes this possible … the biggest thrill for me is the pool. Your hoist is second – to – none and the water being so warm meant I could swim for an hour plus; a real bonus to my health and an opportunity to escape the pain of the chair.”

Norfolk Cottages will now go on to the National Finals early next year.

Colette Davies, Tourism Manager at South Norfolk Council says the company deserves to be a winner:

"It is great to see all Brad and Cathy’s hard work recognised. Their tremendous effort and attention to detail are reflected in the feedback from their customers, and the number of repeat visitors – a great asset for South Norfolk. “

To make a booking or to find out more contact Cathy Smith on: 01379 677512.

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