Description
We created this pretty garden cottage from an ancient building in our garden and made sure to retain the original charm of the original when we created a hoiliday home with every modern convenience. It is separate from the main house, across the garden, and right next to the pool. Over a hundred families (typically a couple or a couple with young children) have enjoyed it in the fifteen or so years that we have been renting it out. It is surrounded by flowers and greenery, and holidaymakers have the use of their own separate, private part of the garden away from the main house, with their own
barbeque, table, chairs, sunshade and loungers. The garden can be very romantic in the evening with subtle lighting and the scent of the roses a perfect setting for a relaxing evening.
Downstairs is open-plan, and stays lovely and cool even on the hottest days, with a handmade terracotta tiled floor. There is a "lounge" area with comfortable seating, a kitchen, and dining table and chairs. The shower room and loo are also to be found on the ground floor.
Upstairs is bright airy . A mezzanine bedroom with a double bed, leading to a second twin-bedded bedroom. Very suitable for parents with young children.
The cottage contains pretty much everything you'll need for a perfect holiday...but since we're just across the garden you can always ask for our help!
We have found that it is inappropriate for children over the age of about 9 but ideal for younger ones and their parents. Around half of our holidaymakers have been a couple. We are happy to consider small dogs.
We open the pool first thing in the morning and close it when the evening starts to get cool, though with lighting it's lovely for a late dip on balmy evenings . The only other people who will use the pool are my husband and I and we only do that when the pool is not in use by our guests. The village tennis court is 2 minutes walk away and kayaking is available 1km from us . The property is in the middle of an area surrounded by excellent opportunities for bird watching. There are excellent golf courses at Royan and Saintes .
Surfing and many different water sports are to be found on nearby beaches.
There is no washing machine in the cottage but I will take your washing in and do it for you if you provide the detergent you prefer!
There is a google chrome that will connect your devices to the tv and a stereo system which can be used with blue tooth or cd.
There are numerous pretty villages around, surrounded by vineyards and sunflower fields or on the waterfront, and the first of the region's many renowned endless sandy beaches are less than 20 minutes away. You will find restaurants, bars and cafes aplenty - some fairly close and many more in the bigger towns half an hour or so distant at most. It is perfect walking and cycling (and birdwatching!) country. The region is famed for its sunshine (about the same number of hours a year as the Cote d'Azur) and the summer months tend to be pleasantly hot, tempered by breezes from the Atlantic which you can see from our village: the Gironde, Europe's biggest Estuary, is a mile down the road.
We charge a £250 deposit at time of booking, and keep £50 off this after the booking if a the property is not left as you found it and extra cleaning is required. If we find things are broken (in 15+ years this has only been an issue twice!) we will hold back the price of a replacement . We charge £15 extra if a dog is with you, however well-behaved! The garden is not suitable for big dogs - and we are "doggy people" (with a cat who is used to kind dogs !)
We consider shorter stays put prefer week-plus bookings. We will consider a small reduction for longer bookings and will happily discuss a pro rate discount for shorter stays.