Double oak front doors opening to a magnificent HALLWAY with original wooden sweeping STAIRCASE

Large sunny DRAWING ROOM with dual aspect and fireplace

Grand DINING ROOM with fireplace

Beamed KITCHEN with vaulted ceiling opening onto

Beamed BREAKFAST ROOM with large stone fireplace and original flagstone floor

Stone LAUNDRY ROOM with WC, original stone table, sink and flagstones

STUDY with stone fireplace

Lovely LANDING with wooden sweeping staircase to attic

4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS, 2 with ENSUITE

Family BATHROOM with bath, shower cubicle, wash hand basin and WC

Full sized floored ATTIC with windows and full height beamed ceiling, suitable for conversion

Full sized CELLAR part converted for storage, with workshop and boiler room for central heating

PRIVATE GARDEN

POLISHED FLOORBOARDS AND OLD FLAGSTONE FLOORS THROUGHOUT

CENTRAL HEATING

NEW ROOF

MAINS DRAINAGE

MAGNIFICENT SWEEPING STAIRCASE

MANY ORIGINAL DOORS

STONE FIREPLACES

HIGH CEILINGS THROUGHOUT

ORNATE CEILING ROSES AND CORNICES

TRADITIONAL OLD RADIATORS WITH MODERN BOILER SYSTEM

15 INCH STONE WALLS – COOL IN SUMMER, WARM IN WINTER

Large double oak doors lead into the magnificent hallway with polished wooden floorboards, sweeping wooden staircase, wooden panelling and door to cellar. Main modern electricity board with power surge protection. Double doors to rear private garden, 2 large storage cupboards, stone shelf with the traditional bullseye window, ornamental ceiling roses and cornices, double doors to Drawing Room, door to Dining Room and Study.

Polished wooden staircase from the landing leads to a wooden door and wood panelling.  The attic is the whole area of the house and has 8 windows. Vaulted full height ceiling and beams. Wooden floorboards. 2 Hot water tanks. Electricity and lights. This could be easily converted into further bedrooms for chambres d’hote perhaps, or a conference room.

FOUR COTTAGES sleeping 8, 6, 4 and 4 persons

All the cottages are built in stone and have tiled roofs, double-glazed stained windows, some with shutters and heating.

They are fully furnished and very well equipped.

 

PRIVATE FRONT & REAR COURTYARD GARDENS WITH VINES, PATIO FURNITURE & STONE BARBECUES

HEATING - ELECTRIC RADIATORS

DOUBLE GLAZING

FULLY EQUIPPED MODERN KITCHENS

DISHWASHERS

FULLY FURNISHED

SOME ORIGINAL FEATURES RETAINED IN EVERY COTTAGE

COMFORTABLE FRENCH STYLE BEDSTEADS AND WARDROBES

MODERN BATH AND SHOWER ROOMS

EASY TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN

TELEPHONE POINTS

SATELLITE TV + DVD PLAYERS

SHARED BROADBAND WIFI INTERNET

TRAVEL COTS, BABY BATHS AND HIGH CHAIRS IN ALL COTTAGES

 

Entering the property through the gates, immediately on the left is the original gatekeeper’s cottage, which has been converted into a three bedroom, two bathroom cottage.  To the left of the gates there is a 2 bedroom cottage with one shower room, which was converted from the original stable block.  Adjoining this cottage is a 3 bedroom cottage with two bathrooms, which was originally used to store the carriages.  The fourth cottage is a barn conversion which has been converted to a 3 bedroom cottage with two bathrooms.  All of the cottages have their own front and rear gardens.

 

GITE 1 Sleeps 4 people

 

Originally the stables, this has been converted to provide a very comfortable two-bedroom character cottage. The wooden archway leads to its own front courtyard with patio table and chairs, stone barbecue and to the French doors with vines growing above. The open plan living room is bright and spacious with some exposed stonework, sofa and chairs and opens onto the large country kitchen with dining table and chairs, gas cooker, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave and washing machine. The wooden stairs lead off the living room to a bright and airy landing with a large storage cupboard housing the hot water tank and there is a generous sized shower room with wash hand basin and WC. There is one double bedroom with wardrobe and bedside cabinets and one bedroom with twin beds, wardrobe and bedside cabinet.  From the living room there is another set of French doors leading onto the completely secluded back courtyard garden with its own side gate leading to the front driveway. There are stone walls on two sides, a patio area with patio table, chairs & umbrella, and the rest is laid to gravel with mature plants and shrubs.

 

GITE 2 Sleeps 4 people

 

This is attached to Gite 1 and was originally used to house the carriages. This is a 2-bedroom cottage, sleeping 4 persons. Approached by a wooden archway to its own front courtyard garden, there is a patio table and chairs and stone barbecue. There are French doors, with vines above, which open onto to the open plan living room, with some exposed stonework, dining table and chairs and kitchen, with gas cooker, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave and washing machine. Off the kitchen there is a small inner hallway to the shower room with wash hand basin and separate WC. The staircase off the living room takes you up to the generous landing with a large storage cupboard that houses the hot water tank. There is one double bedroom with a wardrobe and bedside cabinets, a second bedroom with twin beds, wardrobe and bedside cabinet and a large second bathroom with bath, wc wash basin and shower.  The French doors from the living room open onto the large courtyard garden with patio table and chairs and umbrella. To one end there is an attractive tiled covered area which is surrounded by old Charentaise stone walls, with a patio, gravelled area, mature trees and shrubs.

 

GITE 3 Sleeps 6 people

 

This detached cottage was the old Gatekeepers cottage with a pigeonnier above. The gardens wrap around the cottage. To the front is an old stone table next to the kitchen door, beside the vines and passionflower. Further round there are table and chairs by the French doors, overlooking the courtyard. To the side, completely secluded by mock Orange, lilac and damson trees and other mature trees and shrubs, is a patio courtyard framed by an old Charentaise stone wall, with patio table and chairs, umbrella and a stone barbecue.  Through the French doors is the separate Living Room with stone fireplace with a new cast iron wood burner, 3 sofas and a window looking out to the fields beyond. Off the Living Room is the large Kitchen/Diner with electric oven, gas hob, large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and a cupboard housing the washing machine. There is a dining table and chairs for 6 people. From the living room a door leads to the downstairs dual aspect room with twin beds, wardrobe, bedside cabinet and armchair. To the other side of the living room is an inner hallway to the downstairs WC, a cupboard with the water tank, and a wooden staircase to the very light and spacious landing with beautiful views overlooking the countryside. There is a shower room with wash hand basin and WC, two double bedrooms, both with wardrobes and bedside cabinets and a large second bathroom with corner bath, shower cubicle and wash basin. This cottage has several beams throughout and is full of charm and character.

 

GITE 4 Sleeps 8 people

This cottage has been renovated in the last 4 years from the old stone barn. It is the premier cottage offering bright sunny accommodation for 8 persons and is also suitable for wheelchairs. There are two entrances, one wide original old doorway leading into the kitchen/diner with mezzanine floor and vaulted beamed ceiling above and some exposed stonework. The kitchen is equipped with electric cooker and gas hob, large fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and microwave. French doors lead onto the private rear courtyard garden with patio table and chairs and umbrella. From the kitchen there is a wide inner hallway to the shower room with an extra wide door, WC, with small wash hand basin immediately in front of it and another larger wash hand basin set in a tiled top, all suitable for wheelchair access. Opposite there is a double bedroom with wardrobe and bedside cabinets and French doors leading onto the back courtyard. At the end of the hallway there is a spacious double bedroom with wardrobe and bedside cabinets with its own access to the front with French doors and vines growing above. There are removable ramps for all the external doors.

 

From the kitchen there is the wooden staircase leading up to the beautiful mezzanine living room with magnificent views all round and heavily beamed vaulted ceiling. There is also a large bathroom and wash hand basin and a separate WC. At the end of the living room is the entrance to a very spacious bedroom with 2 twin beds, bunk beds, bedside table and chairs, large wardrobe and plenty of space for another bed or a cot.

 

To the side of the cottage there is an archway leading to a large courtyard area with old Charantaise stone walls with patio table and chairs and stone barbecue. Outside the cottage is an old stone seat.

There is a large open barn to the side of the main house and is presently used as a games room in the summer and for storing logs and garden furniture in the winter. This leads into the rear gardens. To the left there is a good-sized SOUTH FACING PRIVATE REAR GARDEN, the full width of the main house, with a stone built barbeque and a magnificent honeysuckle. There is also an Indian Bean tree, a Cherry tree, and many other plants and shrubs including Jasmine and Vines overhanging the rear of the house, providing numerous sweet grapes. The whole of the private garden is completely secluded and had its own irrigation system, gravelled terrace and grass area.  From the Barn there is a gravelled pathway leading to the first pool house.

THE POOL HOUSE is half stone and half pinewood, with tiled roof. There is a shower, two wash hand basins, a WC and a room with the pool pump and filter system, storage space and hot water tank for shower.  Next to the pool house there is the wooden POOLSIDE BAR with tiled roof, overlooking the first pool and gardens.  The bar is L shaped and stone built with blue mosaic top. There is lighting, and electrical sockets for fridge and freezer.

The FIRST HEATED POOL (installed 2007) is 8 x 4 meters, with a uniform depth of 1.5m, regulation fencing, secondary perimeter alarm and gate, terracing, lighting and gardens to one side. Electrics are nearby and there is a water supply from the well for pool and gardens.

The SECOND HEATED POOL (installed 2005) is at the lower end of the garden on the left. It is screened from the top half of the garden by several pampas grass. This pool is 10 x 5 meters with Roman steps to a shallow end of 1m sloping to a 2m deep end. It is fenced with the new regulation fencing and a self-closing gate. The pool house is along side with all the pool equipment and there is electricity, lighting and water.

Both pools have summer covers on rollers and winter covers.

TREE LINED DRIVEWAY PROVIDING SHADE FOR SEVERAL CARS

BEAUTIFUL CIRCULAR COURTYARD WITH FOUNTAIN AND FISHPOND

OPEN BARN LEADING TO SOUTH FACING BACK GARDENS

PRIVATE SOUTH FACING BACK GARDEN TO MAIN HOUSE WITH STONE BARBEQUE AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM

FIRST HEATED POOL WITH POOL HOUSE, SHOWER AND WC

POOLSIDE BAR

LAWNS WITH SWINGS AND SANDPIT

PERGOLA WITH WISTERIA

SECOND AREA OF LAWNS, SECOND HEATED POOL AND POOL HOUSE

TWO LOTS OF DOUBLE GATES LEADING TO A COUNTRY LANE TO THE NEARBY VILLAGE, RIVER BOUTONNE, BEAUTFUL WALKS AND CYCLE RIDES AND TO A RESTAURANT, A CHATEAU AND BOULANGERIES

SECLUDED GROUNDS WITH NUMEROUS MATURE TREES AND SHRUBS.

The grounds total approximately 2 acres.  The driveway to the gates is wide and has several horse chestnut trees on either side, providing plenty of shaded parking for several cars.  Through the magnificent red cast iron gates there is a large circular central courtyard with a grassed area in the middle with fountain and fishpond and the main house at the end.  The cottages are beyond the courtyard, and before walking through the open barn to the rear garden, there is an old stone shed and stone steps leading to the cellar.

To the left of the first pool area is large lawned area, presently used for croquet, badminton and some swings. There is a pear tree and an Indian Bean tree. Half way down the gardens is a pergola with wisteria growing up it, and a beautiful cherry tree, full of fruit in the summer.  On the left there is a sandpit. To the left of the second pool there is another large area of lawn, presently used for short tennis, and an area for the guests to play football or cricket. There is an ancient walnut tree, bearing numerous nuts, and hazelnut and pear trees, to name but a few.

The rear gardens are completely screened with many interesting varieties of mature trees and shrubs and are extremely well established, providing complete seclusion.

At the end of the gardens are two large gate openings either side, with wooden gates. These lead onto a country lane with fields beyond and the River Boutonne. To the right is a trout farm, which sells fresh and smoked trout, and the lane leads on to the quaint nearby village and beautiful walks along the River Boutonne.  To the left out of the gardens, there is a country lane leading to a restaurant (10 mins walk). Beyond the restaurant, the country walk continues alongside the river to a picturesque Chateau and two boulangeries (20 minute walk).  The town of Chef Boutonne is a further 20 minutes walk from the boulangeries.