About

UNDERSTANDING YOUR NEEDS

Catering for all abilities

Summerfield Farm caters for people with even the most challenging mobility issues, with practical features from ground floor wet rooms and kitchens to ceiling hoists, and beautiful sensory gardens to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable.  

Direct Experience

Summerfield Farm is now in the safe hands of Richard's son Ben and his wife Kara and their boys.  They continue to develop and grow the business to ensure your holidays are truly memorable.

Richard has had direct experience of the issues people face, following a life-changing brush with cancer many years ago. He was diagnosed with a tumour on his voice box and the operation to get rid of it resulted in the removal of most of his throat. As a result, he now breathes through a device in his neck. His experience of being seriously ill for a while has inspired his desire to help other people suffering from similar issues as much as he possibly can. He feels passionate about helping people, and the farm enables him to do that.

The Transformation

Motivated by his experience, Richard decided to transform the farm that has been in his family for generations, into an idyllic, adapted holiday retreat which offers an inspirational environment for people with mobility limitations and their families and carers alike.

He said: "There has been some form of accommodation at Summerfield Farm for more than half a century. My mum used to offer bed and breakfast at the farmhouse and then they opened a chalet on the grounds. The farm has been in Richard's family for four generations. 

Summerfield Holidays was born and continues to evolve and develop in line with our guest’s needs.

"In 2004, I decided to convert several of the farm buildings into cottages. During that process, I recognised that, as well as people with disabilities; there is a growing elderly population who aren't as mobile as they perhaps used to be, and decided to install ground floor bedrooms and bathrooms in all our holiday cottages.

"Some people are simply unable to go on holiday because of a lack of suitable accommodation, and I believe this just isn't fair."

With this in mind, the cottages are designed to both practical AND comfortable with log burners to snuggle up by and all the comforts of home.

Fit-for-purpose accommodation

Richard is so committed to providing a solution to this issue that he goes out of his way to check and double-check the accessibility of the cottages, even choosing to stay in them himself, to test them out.

"The problem is that many holiday accommodation providers advertise their rooms and apartments as accessible, and they genuinely believe they are. However, in reality, just having the odd ramp or grabrail isn't enough and there are often issues they don't foresee because they're not looking at it from the visitor's perspective," he said.

By contrast, all visitors to Summerfield Farm can rest assured their cottages will have ground floor, accessible kitchens and wet rooms, as well as ceiling hoists, as standard. We also offer TVs in every bedroom, understanding that this might be the only form of entertainment for less mobile people.

He added: "Many issues arise because companies don't put themselves in the position of the people they are catering for."

"By contrast, when I'm developing something new, I put myself in a wheelchair and use the facilities, including the hoists, watching the TVs and sleeping in the beds as visitors will to make sure everything is fit for purpose.

"This enables me to spot any potential glitches and iron them out upfront. I then know first-hand what it's like to 
live in it and can be confident that guests will have truly wonderful holidays here."

"It's a pretty 'can do' sort of place really," he added. "I understand that every disability is unique and, if people need something tweaking, I'll respond to their needs in the best way I possibly can."

This includes holding a stock of aids, from wheelchairs to walking frames, that are available for guests to use if they accidentally leave theirs at home.

An unforgettable holiday

However, it's not just about practicality when it comes to Summerfield Farm's holiday accommodation. Guests are offered a wonderful experience, too.

"I spend much of my time developing our gardens," continued Richard, "including a sensory walled garden featuring scented plants like lavender and honeysuckle, and lots of brightly coloured flowers, as well as wood sculptures, for our guests to enjoy. I'm growing my own willow at the moment and am planning to build a willow arbour for 2020, as a lovely quiet spot for people to relax in."

Summerfield Farm also offers plenty of interest for the able-bodied too, and guests, including the younger generations, will find plenty of opportunities to have fun in the grounds as well as in the wider local area. Fantastic walking, biking and canoeing on our doorstep, there is something for every age and ability. 

 Whether you visit in spring, summer, autumn or winter, you're guaranteed to make memories your family can treasure." 
  • Position
  • Peace 
  • Privacy 

These are the three key elements of what Summerfield Farm has to offer. The quiet seclusion so close to the delights of Whitby and the coast, with parking, spacious cottages and rural views makes this, we believe, a truly unique place.

Contact Us

I’d love to hear from you.
Please contact via email where possible
Summerfield Farm, Hawsker,
Whitby, North Yorkshire YO22 4LA
Call Us
Mobile: 07897 030 772
“Carol and the boys have just got back from a 5 night stay in Albany. It was beautiful and peaceful and the cottage was so lovely and warm. The log burner was put to good use. The new bedroom and wet room were spectacular for our disabled son. And it was great to catch up with Jayne, Richard and Bob.”
Andy Wright - Facebook 5 Star Review
“We stayed in Chomley Cottage, it was gorgeous. The cottage was wheelchair accessible with and electric bed, hoist, accessible toilet and shower chair. It was all easy to use and in good working order. The cottage was very clean, warming and cosy. There were lots of little touches like a milk bottle in the fridge for a cuppa, small cup cakes on the table and logs to make a fire. The owners were lovely and friendly, warm and welcoming. We would definitely return in the future..”
Kelly Taylor - Google 5 Star Review
Share by: