Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Accessibility at Oakdown
Everything you need to plan your visit — and a team here to help with anything that is not covered.
We want everyone to feel welcome at Oakdown, whatever your needs. We are a family run park and that means if something is not 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 are not covered here, please ring us before you travel — we would much rather have that conversation in advance than leave anything to chance.
Oakdown sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, three miles from 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, by phone or by email.
Looking for the warmer introduction rather than the full detail? Read accessibility on our holiday park.
Talk to us before you travel
- Telephone 01297 680 387
- Email enquiries@oakdown.co.uk
- Staff on site daily, 8.30am to 9.00pm
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 at Beech Grove. 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 cafe 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, or 5mph when wet.
Mobility scooter. A mobility scooter is available for use on the park, free of charge. Pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment — please ask at reception to arrange this.
Arrival and 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.
Touring pitches
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:
- Copper Beech pitches 1 and 2. The closest, around 10 metres from the amenities building — about twenty steps.
- Beech Grove. Three pitches opposite or immediately adjacent to the amenities building, also around 10 metres away.
Washrooms and 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 an anti slip bath mat, an air operated emergency alarm and a bath seat.
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.
Leisure lodges
Oakdown has sixteen 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 dedicated wide parking space directly outside, with a level paved path to the entrance
- Lever taps at the sinks
- A vibrating alarm clock available for guests who are hard of hearing
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.
Shop and cafe
Our Oak Mead Cafe 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.
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.
Mobile coverage and 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.
Dogs and 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.
Getting here and getting around locally
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.
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. There is more on our local transport options page.
Local services
Contact numbers for local doctors, dentists and hospitals are available in the amenity block and from reception.
Our team and emergency support
Oakdown staff have completed the Welcome All accessibility awareness course and received specific additional training. 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.
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 will do our best to make sure your stay works well for you from the moment you arrive.