Alte Schmiede Bleckede

We used to cook in the barn at Old Forge with our men's cooking club. It's a beautiful, well-equipped place that works especially well for small groups. Since a new owner took over in January 2026, they want to make it a 5-star establishment. They'd keep us as tenants only if we paid more than double and booked on weekdays only. That's unacceptable. Such a shame.

The hostess is always willing to help and has provided excellent equipment for activities. The apartments themselves are lovely, furnished with real attention to detail, and there's a charming courtyard plus a separate bicycle shed. There's also a new, stylish event barn with a modern, fully equipped kitchen, suitable for celebrations with up to 25 people.

We were warmly welcomed, and our dog was welcome too. The guesthouse is central but still peaceful, and the furnishings are excellent, with everything we could need. I especially liked using an access code instead of having to carry a key. We had a wonderful week and will definitely come back.

The bathroom adaptation is the best I've come across: a roomy roll-in shower with a curtain all around, so I don't have to worry about bumping into a glass screen; a toilet with space on both sides and folding grab bars that don't get in the way during transfers; and enough open floor space in the middle to maneuver. The sink can be rolled under, which is rare, though it doesn't work for me because it's set into one of those modern vanity units and I can't lean forward that far. I know this issue, so I always bring a wash bowl. I'm almost unable to move because of an advanced muscle disease and rely on my wheelchair all the time. I write this as a wheelchair user traveling with an assistant, since some things may be different for wheelchair users traveling alone. Private accessible holiday homes are common in the United Kingdom, where I often stay, but are harder to find in Germany. Here, at Alte Schmiede in Bleckede, accessibility means much more than simply being on the ground floor. There's a small threshold into apartment #1, but it wasn't a problem for me, and then a very spacious, beautiful hallway. In the bedroom, I can only reach the front of the double bed, which is enough for me. We stacked the two mattresses to raise the height, making it easier on my assistant's back to put me into bed and reposition me during the night. We made up for the missing mattress with an air bed we brought ourselves. The bed shifted towards the window while I was being repositioned. Wedges might stop that, but they're not something I usually pack ;). I can't stay in my wheelchair all day, so I was delighted that both the living room and bedroom have Smart TVs. There are also plenty of cushions for support when I'm sitting outside my chair. The kitchen isn't adapted, but at least there's lots of room. Setting those very specific needs aside, Alte Schmiede, both the house and grounds, is gorgeous and restored with so much attention to detail: the hallway tiles, exposed beams, door locks and handles, and the old barn. I'm completely charmed. I've never experienced a place that combines all of that with accessibility. I'm more than delighted and will certainly return.