Ivy Cottage is readily accessible by car.It is situated within the town of Helmsley, approximately 400 yards from the town square, through which bus routes run. The nearest railway stations are at Thirsk and Malton, 14 and 15 miles away respectively (see "How to find us" page for public transport details).
Parking is on the public road about 20 metres from the property. This road fronts a public green situated between the property and the road. The property can also be reached on foot, being situated about 400 yards from Helmsley town centre, up a gently inclining road
The accommodation at Ivy Cottage is arranged traditionally on two floors with living/dining areas on the ground floor and bedrooms/main bathroom on first floor. It is suitable for all ages insofar as they can negotiate the straight internal flight of stairs from ground floor to first floor, assisted by a handrail if necessary.All internal and external doorways are of normal width. There is a small step up from the external footpath to the front path (10 cm), and a further small step (10 cm) to the front door.Apart from the staircase, there are no internal steps apart from one small step from the living room to the conservatory. Stairgates are available for the safety of young children.
From the public footpath the entrance is about 1 metre wide, being a gap in a low stone boundary wall. From there,a level pathway leads to the front door about 15 metres away, or another pathway leads to a side gate 14 yards away. This affords access to a side yard and thus to the rear of the property.
Both front and rear doors have entrances which are 75 centimetres wide, and both involve a small step up of about 10 cm. The conservatory, at the rear of the property, also has a door leading out to the rear garden and involves a step down to the garden of about 15 cm.
The property is on two floors. All internal doors are at least 73 cm wide, apart from the upstairs bathroom which is 66cm. In addition to that upstairs, there is also a downstairs toilet.The upper floor , where the 3 bedrooms and main bathroom are located, is reached via a straight flight of 13 steps from the small rectangular hallway accessed through the front door.This staircase also has a fixed handrail.The internal floor space on each floor is completely level, except only that on the ground floor the conservatory is reached via a 10cm step from the living room.
Ouside, the front garden is on one level and is given over to pathways,shingle,flower borders and shrubbery The rear garden is completely self-enclosed. It can be accessed from the rear door or from a side entrance which is completely fenced off from the front of the property, or from the conservatory. The rear garden comprises two lawned areas-the second being a 22 cm step up from the first area, which is adjascent to the house. Around the lawns are well stocked flower beds and shrubberies. There are also three outbuildings in the rear garden consisting of two wooden sheds and one glass greenhouse, as well as a patio area.