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Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Accessibility at Oakdown
Everything you need to plan your visit with confidence — flat grounds, mobility scooter, induction loop and a team who would rather talk things through before you arrive.
We want everyone to feel welcome at Oakdown, whatever your needs. We are a family-run park and that means if something isn’t quite right, there is always someone here you can talk to.
This page describes the facilities and layout of the park to help you plan your visit with confidence. If you have specific requirements that aren’t covered here, please ring us before you travel — we would much rather have that conversation in advance than leave anything to chance.
On this page
Getting aroundArrival & receptionTouring pitchesWashroomsLeisure lodgesShop & caféMobile & WiFiDogs & assistance animalsGetting hereLocal servicesOur teamAutistic & neurodivergent guestsBefore you travel
Oakdown is situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within 3 miles of the Regency and Victorian seafront town of Sidmouth. The promenade is flat and car parks in Sidmouth have designated disabled parking spaces. Our tariff, brochure and any documents can be provided in a larger font on request. Bookings can be made online via our website or by phone or email.
Flat, open and easy to navigate
Getting around the park
Oakdown is flat throughout — roads, grass areas and pitches — with no ramps or steps anywhere within the main park. A gentle slope leads to the amenity buildings on the main park and Beech Grove and there are steps at one end of the Beech Grove amenities block.
The roads act as paths and are clearly visible, making them easy to navigate for partially sighted guests and wheelchair users alike. The Golf and Café car park and the Beech Grove roadway are gravel surfaced.
Speed bumps are present on park roads but a level space is provided at the end of each bump to allow wheelchairs and mobility aids to pass through freely. The speed limit on site is 10mph (5mph when wet).
Mobility scooter: a mobility scooter is available for use on the park, free of charge. Pre-booking is advised. Please ask at reception to arrange this.
We’re ready for you
Arrival & reception
A reserved disabled parking space is directly outside the reception building, with flat access to reception. The entrance has automatic doors which open with a large, clearly marked push button. The door is 850mm wide — adequate for a wheelchair — with a threshold that is slightly raised but not enough to present difficulty for wheelchair access.
Inside reception, a dropped counter is available at the far end of the desk. An induction loop is fitted — please ask a member of staff to switch it on if you need it.
A defibrillator is located at the front of reception. The closest accessible toilets are in the main amenity block, up the main drive. Our team is available daily from 8.30am to 9.00pm and happy to help with any arrival queries.
Level ground throughout
Touring pitches
Our touring pitches are shared by touring caravans, motorhomes and tents. All pitches are on level ground with parking for one car alongside. The pitches vary in size but are generally large, many set in groves with hedges between each pitch for privacy.
Five pitches are particularly convenient for the facilities:
Thoughtfully equipped
Washrooms & amenity facilities
Both amenity blocks have automatic doors with virtually level entrances. A large family bathroom containing most disabled facilities is available within each block. This bathroom is not reserved exclusively for disabled guests but is available to all who need it.
The bathroom doors are wide enough for wheelchair access with sufficient internal space. Fittings include:
Hot water for the bath is coin operated and accepts £1 coins. A low-level dishwashing sink with lever taps and space underneath for wheelchair access is also provided, along with a perching stool for guests who prefer to sit while using the sink.
Ground-level access available
Leisure lodges
Oakdown has 16 leisure lodges for rent. For guests requiring easier access, Oak Grove 42 features a level approach via an access ramp, lever-operated taps and a ground-floor entrance. While it offers improved accessibility features, it is not specifically designed or equipped as a fully accessible or adapted lodge — it has standard door widths and fittings throughout, so some mobility is required.
Oak Grove 42 also includes:
A key deposit is required on check-in. Some lodges have closer parking to the entrance than others — if proximity of parking is important to you, please mention this when booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.
We can help with the shopping
Shop & café
Our Oak Mead Café and shop is accessible via a ramp entrance. The shop stocks essentials and more, open early mornings through to later evenings in peak season — check current opening times with reception or on our Oak Mead Café Facebook page.
Gluten-free options are available on the menu and allergen information is clearly displayed to help guests with allergies and dietary requirements make informed choices.
If a less mobile guest would find it helpful, our staff are happy to pick and deliver an initial shop on their behalf — just ring reception to request this service.
Connected when you need it
Mobile coverage & WiFi
Oakdown is within an area of good mobile phone coverage. WiFi is available across the park via an online portal and is chargeable, but reception phones and staff assistance are always there free of charge in an emergency.
If you or anyone in your party needs special assistance or requires use of a phone in the event of a medical issue, please ask at reception.
Four-legged companions welcome
Dogs & assistance animals
Oakdown is extremely dog friendly and assistance animals are welcome throughout the park.
The field trail alongside Beech Grove leads to the local Donkey Sanctuary on level grass. A slight ramp connects the external road to the main walkway — wheelchair users may need a little assistance to return back up to road level. Benches are placed at intervals along the route for resting. Dog waste bags and bins are provided throughout.
If you are travelling with an assistance animal and would like to discuss any arrangements in advance, please ring us on 01297 680 387 — we are happy to help.
Easy to reach from all directions
Getting here & getting around locally
Bus: the Route 899 bus stops directly at our entrance gates, running between Branscombe and Sidmouth several times a day and passing the Donkey Sanctuary en route. Current timetables are available at reception and drivers are friendly and happy to help.
Taxis: many local taxi companies serve the Oakdown area, some with wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Please ask at reception for current contact numbers for accessible taxi services.
Sidmouth seafront promenade is flat and Sidmouth car parks have designated disabled parking spaces.
Help is close by
Local services
Contact numbers for local doctors, dentists and hospitals are available in the amenity block and from reception.
Trained and ready to help
Our team & emergency support
Oakdown staff have completed the Welcome All accessibility awareness course and received specific additional training. Our reception team are Dementia Friends. Our team is available daily from 8.30am to 9.00pm. For emergencies outside these hours, a push bell outside reception will summon the duty member of staff on site.
To help us support you in an emergency, please let us know on arrival if anyone in your party has a disability or medical condition. We can note any specific arrangements and keep emergency contact details on file, treated in confidence.
Our staff will do whatever they can to make everyone’s holiday an enjoyable one — including delivering any mail received during your stay.
Every guest is different — and that’s something we understand
Autistic & neurodivergent guests
We recognise that some autistic and neurodivergent guests may experience holidays differently and may have specific sensory, communication or routine-based needs. We encourage guests to contact us before their stay if they would like to discuss any specific requirements. We will always do our best to help make their holiday as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Some of the things that may help neurodivergent guests at Oakdown:
Every individual is different. If there is anything specific we can do to make your stay work better for you, please do get in touch before you travel — we would much rather talk things through in advance than leave anything to chance.
No question is too small
Before you travel — talk to us
No two guests have exactly the same requirements and we would always rather talk things through before you arrive than leave anything to chance.
Ring us on 01297 680 387 or email enquiries@oakdown.co.uk and ask for reception. We’ll do our best to make sure your stay works well for you from the moment you arrive.
We’re here to help
Have a question about access for your visit? Talk to us first — we’d love to help you plan.
