Overview

As with my other reviews On Euans’s Guide, the following is written from a wheelchair users’ point of view. With travel restrictions easing, I was so keen to get away from home. I found the Commissioner’s Quay Inn at Blyth after reading a review that Simply Emma had done on her stay there. With it only being around 90 minutes from home and having found out more about Blyth and surrounding area, it seemed to be a good choice. We weren’t to be disappointed.

Transport & Parking

There are a number of disabled parking bays near to the entry of the ‘Pub with rooms’. It was good to find level access from the parking area to the pavement.

Access

Check in was at the side of the bar. My wife had to do the check in as I was not high enough in my wheelchair to be able to fill in the form. Disappointingly the person who checked us in seemed to ignore the fact I was there, although she did tell us the lift would be out of order for a short while as it was being serviced. Once up at the room, I have to say this was one of the largest, non-family, rooms that I have ever stayed in. (see photographs below) There was room for my wheelchair in all areas, making getting around the room very easy. If there is anything negative I could say, it would be I felt the lighting within the room could be improved. The view from the room was over the carpark but there was no noise from it. On noise, we were aware off the lift going ‘ping’ and the announcing voice as well as a number of children running about the corridors at varying times. The room did have a safe, but even my wife found the location of it made it nigh impossible to use It was normal to encounter ‘Fire doors’ making me realise I can no longer use such places without assistance.

Toilets

I did not use the toilet out with our room but my wife pointed out that the was an accessible toilet on the level that the bar was on. The bathroom in the room was also very spacious, with lots of room for my wheelchair as well as a raised toilet and a very impressive shower. (The seat was also excellent) Re the toilet, I struggled a bit as there was no rail on the left hand side. Being unable to use my right arm/hand, I did find getting on and off the loo difficult and had to position my chair in a way I could use it for leverage. The type of sink also meant getting my wheelchair under the bowl nigh impossible and oh how in missed having a plug for the sink.

Staff

On checking in the person was efficient, despite having no interaction with myself. The staff in the bar area were very friendly and helpful re getting a suitable table (although I had reserved by email prior to getting there) We were a bit surprised that some staff wore facemasks and others not. As our stay was after July 19th, we presumed this was the reason. We met the person ‘looking after our room’ and she was very friendly.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Hand Sanitizer 'pumps' were available at the entrance to Commissioners Quay Inn and others located throughout. The location was super, allowing for nice walks along the front and onto Ridley Park, which we found very enjoyable to ‘walk’ through, discovering this from various locals who would stop and chat to us. Although we were there for three nights, time seemed to disappear and we never made it into the town. I forgot to add that how good the food was. Good choices, served by very pleasant staff We found Blyth to be a good location for visiting the Woodhorn Museum, Newbiggin and Whitley Bay during our visit.

Photos