Holiday cottages advance to national tourism awards finals

A Poulton-le-Fylde holiday destination designed to cater for people with disabilities will fly the flag for Lancashire at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2023.

Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages was a winner in the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism award category at the Lancashire Tourism Awards and has now been selected for consideration at the national awards.

The idea for the business was borne from founders Ian and Sue Rainford's personal experience of living with a disabled family member. 

The location features 12 cottages set among acres of countryside. The cottages, which vary in size from two to five bedrooms, were purpose-built in 2013 to provide holiday accommodation for families, friends and carers of people with disabilities.

Each cottage is wheelchair-friendly with level access throughout the ground floor and patios, and many disability aids, such as ceiling track hoists, are made available free of charge.

Kirstie Logan, operations, marketing, cottages manager, said: "We are over the moon to have been shortlisted for the Visit England Awards for Excellence under the Accessible & Inclusive Award category.

"The fact that this shortlisting coincides with our ten-year anniversary we feel, it honours our hard work and dedication over the past decade. Creating a socially inclusive environment for both our guests and locals where everyone is accepted is at the heart of everything we do here at Brickhouse and to be recognised for this on a national level is truly a great birthday gift."

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: "We are very proud to see that the amazing Brickhouse Farm Cottages is a finalist in the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2023.

"Their success is so deserved. Ian and Sue Rainford set about creating a place that offered inclusive and carefree holidays for all, and what we see today is outstanding in its quality, facilities and welcome.

"We wish them luck as they go forward in the competition and will continue to support them and champion them at every opportunity."