“Lantern View (Ref.”
1122121) “It’s a pretty picture; but it’s for looking at not living in! This is the first time I’ve been disappointed with our choice of get-away accommodation”. This statement was uttered within 10 minutes of our entering the property. And all whilst standing in an attractive property that has obviously been subject to fairly lavish care and attention. So why? We are two couples, active but past the first flush of youth, who meet for a few days each year in some corner of this Sceptred Isle. One of us, whilst otherwise very mobile, has difficulty climbing stairs and getting into a bath without help. So, the critical advertised facility that lead to our choosing Lantern View was - “Ground-floor Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower and WC” – there is no walk-in shower. The listing also advertised ”1x ground-floor twin with TV” – there is no TV; we don’t want TV in the bedroom but the facilities should reflect the listed facilities. One other item expected, but neither listed nor present in either bathroom, is an electric shaver socket. The first-floor bedroom is listed as having an en-suite with walk-in shower, basin and WC; but the “room” is around 5-feet square, the shower base is smaller than the smallest available from B&Q and the maximum door opening is 14”; wide enough to allow an adult to sidle in, but not enough to allow them to reach down to wash the nether regions. Back to the facilities listing; “Open-plan living area with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove” – this is a very nice feature of the property and, works very well. However, there is a step up to the sitting area that is not as obvious as it could be; one of our group tripped over it twice in the first hour of our being there. Fortunately, no damage to person or property but one day? We suggest a length of eye-catching adhesive tape be applied to minimise the risk. Finally, a few words regarding the ground-floor bedrooms neither of which has easy access around the beds nor adequate stowage space for suitcases or for clothes hanging. The twin-room has been fitted with a 9-inch deep shelving unit behind the bed-heads; this has reduced a comfortable walking space between the foot of the beds and the wall of about 21-inches to about 1-foot. This means we have to shuffle sideways to get past the beds to reach the window or boiler room, and this isn’t good for aging knee joints. The shelves serve no useful purpose and obscure access to the wall-sockets mounted in the wall behind them. The double room is more difficult, but it could make a very comfortable room for a single bed or even good quality bunk-beds. IT’S A PITY. Given the richness of the Northumbrian culture and heritage, this could have been our best get-away yet, but the accessibility issues detracted from full enjoyment of the experience. We will return to this area but, sadly, not to Lantern View. Regards, Leslie Cumming.
