How to Create Accessible Accommodation

Discover how to make your accommodation more accessible, inclusive and appealing to a wider range of visitors at this practical and inspiring session hosted at Havendale in Chesterfield.The Purple Pound and Grey Pound represent a significant tourism market, and improving accessibility can benefit both your guests and your business. Whether you’re just starting your accessibility journey or looking to build on what you already offer, this session will provide practical advice, ideas and inspiration to help you make a difference.

What will you learn?

Drawing on Havendale’s own lived experience, the session will explore:

• Understanding your guests: Discover the challenges visitors can face and how small changes can make a big difference.
• Progress over perfection: Understand why every place is accessible to someone and how to take achievable steps towards becoming more inclusive.
• Barriers and solutions: Explore practical ways to support visitors with a range of access requirements, including autism, dementia, sight and hearing loss, mobility needs and neurodivergence.
• A tour of accessible facilities: See Havendale’s accessible lounge, kitchen, bedroom, wetroom and gardens, alongside a shower room suitable for visitors with sight loss and inclusive equipment such as Deafguard, sensory boxes and mobile hoists.
• Practical tips and guidance: Learn how Havendale has approached accessibility, with top tips you can apply to your own accommodation, alongside VisitEngland’s technical guidance.
• Inspiration and best practice: Discover examples of outstanding luxury accessible accommodation from across the UK.

Turning accessibility into a business opportunityWe’ll also explore how to communicate your accessibility offer effectively and reach more potential guests, including:

• Marketing your accommodation: Making the most of 360-degree virtual tours, accessible photography and video, sensory stories, testimonials and influencers or bloggers.
• Providing reliable information: Using Access MiniGuides, AccessAble Guides and the Access Index to help visitors make informed choices.
• Communicating with guests: Understanding the importance of talking to visitors about their individual needs.
• Funding and resources: Discovering useful resources and potential funding opportunities to help you make improvements.
• The business benefits: Exploring statistics from UK Gold Award winners, including occupancy rates, repeat bookings, year-round stays and direct bookings.

Who should attend?This session is ideal for accommodation providers who want to improve, or learn more about improving their accessibility, better understand the needs of different visitors and develop a more inclusive guest experience. You’ll leave with practical ideas, useful resources and greater confidence to take the next steps, whatever stage you’re at.Accessibility is a journey, not a destination. Join us to share experiences, learn from best practice and discover how making your accommodation more welcoming can benefit both your guests and your business.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 10 February 2027
Time: 10:00 - 14:00
Lunch and refreshments: Provided
Location: Havendale, 20 Avondale Road, Chesterfield, S40 4TF

Parking and transport

• On-site parking is very limited with space for up to 4 cars.
• Additional roadside parking is available on Newbold Road, approximately a two-minute walk away.
• Avondale Road has permit-only parking.
• Chesterfield railway station is a five-minute taxi ride or approximately a 22-minute walk away.

If you have access requirements, please contact Gillian Scotford on 07876 592415 in advance. Priority will be given to parking arrangements for attendees who need them.