Bosinver Farm Cottages

Making holidays in Cornwall accessible for neurodiverse families

When it comes to accessibility, many holiday resorts might consider wheelchair access, possibly even support for those with hearing or vision impairment. But what makes a relaxing and enjoyable break for families where one or more members might be neurodiverse?

A luxury eco-friendly retreat nestled in a peaceful valley between Mevagissey and St Austell, Bosinver Farm Cottages is renowned for its child-friendly holidays, and in the light of new information around neurodiversity, team members have been working hard in collaboration with Access Cornwall to do all they can to support all families.

“It’s very clear to us that this is a team who want to go far beyond ‘box ticking’ when it comes to accessibility,” says Access Cornwall director Viki Carpenter. “We understand holidays can be really difficult for anyone who is neurodivergent, but this is a space where you can feel completely welcome, where the team will not judge but simply listen and help the whole family to enjoy time together.”

Here are a few of the things that Bosinver are doing to make the experience of staying enjoyable and relaxing for neurodiverse families.

1. Good online information

Knowing what to expect when you visit means that neurodiverse children (or parents) can prepare and feel more familiar in advance. It also helps those with any accessibility challenges to check whether the place is suitable for them. This can include photos, videos and visual stories.

2. Lots of peaceful space and outdoor play areas

Studies show that getting outside and connecting with nature is beneficial for those who have sensory processing sensitivity, and this often goes handin-hand with neurodiversity. Bosinver offers nature trails around a 30-acre site as well as beautifully crafted play equipment, from a simple tree swing to plank runs that help with vestibular sensory input. This is the kind of play which neurodiverse children love, but cleverly, all children will enjoy it, meaning they are not marked out as ‘different’ for using it.

3. Good staff training and excellent customer service

You’re more likely to have the best time on your holiday when the people who look after you from booking until you leave to go home take the time to ask you what you need, and follow your lead, non-judgementally. Bosinver staff are training with Access Cornwall to ensure a start-to-finish process of excellent customer service.

4. Adapting to individual needs

If children want to pre-book a time to have a pony ride rather than wait anxiously in a queue, or be taken around separately to feed the animals, this can be arranged with pre arrival notification.

5. Guests with accessibility needs are shown, not just told, they are welcome

Often venues will make all the right noises, but demonstrating that preparations have been made to welcome neurodiverse families can really encourage them to step out of their familiar comfort zone and confidently book a holiday they feel they will actually enjoy. At Bosinver, family members who experience sensory processing challenges themselves have put together sensory boxes that guests can use during their stay, and are creating visual stories to demonstrate to guests with neurodiverse or SEN children that they genuinely want them to enjoy their time at Bosinver.

Find out more about Bosinver’s support for those with accessibility needs at bosinver.co.uk/accessibility

If you would like information and support in how to make your business more accessible, email Access Cornwall hello@accesscornwall.org.uk