Willerby combines functionality and style with latest accessible holiday home

Leading holiday home manufacturer Willerby has launched its latest accessible holiday home, the Rio Access.

Expanding Willerby’s product range to make the holiday home lifestyle available to even more people, the Rio Access has been carefully designed to combine functionality with style, prioritising accessibility while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

The model builds on Willerby’s long history of creating accessible units. As well as collaborating with specialists in accessible design, and undertaking extensive research, Willerby’s product designers utilised the Wheelchair Housing Design Guide, written by accessible social housing specialist Habinteg Housing Association, to ensure the Rio Access offers the best solution on the market.

The Rio Access features two bedrooms, a welcoming living room, a separate kitchen and dining area, and a fully accessible shower room. Key features include a low-threshold entry, wide sliding doors, spacious turning circles, a pod shower room with accessibility in mind, and a low-level kitchen designed for ease of use.

In keeping with Willerby’s commitment to sustainability, the Rio Access is built to the Willerby GreEN Standard, which ensures energy efficiency and reduced running costs.

An important aspect of the Rio Access’ design is the focus on the look and feel. While the model is fully accessible, it has been designed to ensure that the practical elements are seamlessly incorporated, giving it a more homely feel.

Willerby Product Executive Emillie Ayre said: “Accessible facilities have a tendency to look quite clinical, something we were keen to avoid in the design of the Rio Access.

This model combines functionality with Willerby’s signature style to create a welcoming, comfortable environment for all. We believe it offers the best solution on the market.

The Rio Access underlines our commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that everyone is able to enjoy our holiday homes.

The Rio Access is now available to view, with fully accessible ramp, at Willerby’s Hull Showground, and has already received positive feedback from wheelchair users.

One recent visitor said: “The Rio Access is truly fully accessible. There are wheelchair-wide, level access entry doors, sliding internal doors, lowered kitchen surfaces, and a fully functioning wet room with space and grab rails. The central corridor was humongous, and I could move around easily in my electric wheelchair. I didn't feel as though I was being compromised in any way."

Willerby worked closely with specialists in accessible showering, bathrooms, kitchens and wet rooms, including using products from AKW, the UK’s leading manufacturer of accessible bathroom, kitchen and mobility support solutions, to ensure the Rio Access meets the highest standards of functionality and design.

Thomas Davies, Sales Director – Retirement and Care, at AKW, said: “The Rio Access embodies everything AKW is passionate about when it comes to designing for accessible bathing. The bathroom maximises modern aesthetics with zero compromise on functionality or safety.

“It was a privilege to collaborate with Willerby's design team on their project needs and work together to provide an inclusively designed solution, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility needs, can enjoy the Willerby holiday home experience.”

The model is part of Willerby’s Rio series, which combines ample storage and a contemporary interior to offer a spacious, stylish retreat.

The series includes three options tailored to different needs – the standard 12ft Rio, the 10ft Rio Compact, and the 12ft Rio Access, designed specifically for wheelchair users.

The Rio Access has a RRP from £48,750 excluding VAT.

For more information on the Rio Access, go to willerby.com/rio-access