"Tranquille" has stunning views over the Scye Valley from a charming, sunny garden with barbecue and pond (unfenced) and lies at the end of a country lane. It also has 2 adjoining fields and an orchard to wander in and a large wildlife pond. The pretty village of Le Vretot is 10 mins walk. Long safe sandy beaches 15 minutes away in Barneville-Carteret. The bustling historic market town of Bricquebec is 10 minutes drive. Short or long walks on country tracks direct from the cottage. The area offers golf, riding, fishing, marine sports, museums, historic buildings and brilliant restaurants.

Tranquille has 3 bedrooms with double, twin and bunk beds on the first floor, also a bathroom suite/shower. Towels and bed linen available on request, cot, highchair and stairgate provided. The ground floor has a lounge with log fire, kitchen/diner, utility room with shower, basin and washing machine. Separate wc. Central heating. UK tv/video. English-speaking caretaker. No smoking. Ample parking.

Facilities

Property Type:	Gites Cottages Houses
Nearest ferry port:	Cherbourg 29km an easy and well defined drive of half an hour (sail from Poole). Portsmouth to Caen 1.75 hours drive from Caen. 3 hours drive from Le Havre. Dover/Calais ferries 4.75 hours drive from Calais
Nearest restaurant:	Berlingot, 5 minutes by car on D902 west toward Barneville-Carteret, excellent menu and meat cooked traditionally on open fire. Closed Oct - Easter. Nearest restaurants in Bricquebec open all year 10 minutes drive, there are about 5 or 6 to choose from
Location and activities:	Cottage in its own meadows in the heart of beautiful countryside and wonderful beaches 15 minutes away. On edge of pretty village, 10 minutes walk to village shop. This bakes bread and croissants daily and also stocks fresh fruit and veg, milk, cheese, groceries, alchohol and household goods Outdoor activities as noted or lazing in the garden and meadows. (Or staying in by log fire on chilly days)! Visiting charming rural towns and restaurants. Large local market 10 minutes away every Monday morning in Bricquebec and all larger towns have a weekly market. Local fruit and veg, cheese, bread, flowers, plants, trees, toys, clothes - and much more is on sale! Many charming, unspoilt seaside towns nearby, castles, châteaux, galleries and museums to visit. In the summer months a small train runs from Carteret on the coast, (15 mins away) 10km south to Portbail another interesting seaside town. Also in the summer, ferries run from Carteret to the Channel Islands, for instance, you can go to Jersey for 40 euros and it takes 40 minutes
Bedrooms:	Two main bedrooms are sunny and have lovely views over the garden and valley. Traditional shutters are at all windows and keep the rooms cosy at night and also cool in summer. Bed linen available on request (cost included in overall price) and there is a hair dryer
Bathrooms:	Useful downstairs shower to wash off sand after the beach! Also separate downstairs loo. Bath, wc and shower upstairs. Towels available on request (cost included with overall price). Please bring your own beach towels
Kitchen:	A bright sunny room well equipped with the usual facilities, steps down onto garden terrace with views over the valley
Dining:	Large table in kitchen for meals. Outdoor table, benches, chairs and a bbq for eating on the terrace which receives the sun all day. You can look forward to relaxed meals al fresco, enjoying the warmth of the sun and delighting in the wonderful views over the valley, hearing the birds singing (in French) and the occasional contented croaking from the frogs in the pond!
Living area:	A large, homely room with windows either end and 2 comfy sofas and 2 armchairs. Plenty of logs in the shed to burn on the open fire. Book filled shelves should suit all tastes and ages
Entertainment on-site:	English radio/tv, cd and tape player, (bring videos and cds), chess, Scrabble, backgammon, varied book selection. Observing wildlife in 2 meadows, orchard and garden and the 2 ponds. Boules and football available
Outside:	A sunny terrace overlooking the sloping garden and the valley beyond, with steps into the 2 meadows. Garden mainly lawn with hedges and trees to create a private space. In the garden you are not overlooked by any other houses or roads. Wisteria climbs the house wall and there are flower beds next to the cottage. An orchard has been planted in third field to the side of the cottage. The 2 meadows are next to the garden and orchard and are left unmown in spring and summer to encourage wild flowers, but with a path mown through them for you to wander along. Parking for 3 cars
General:	Excellent centre for visiting this part of Normandy with its famous orchards producing a delightfully light cider and the famous Calvados. One can visit cider farms and taste for oneself! The D-day beaches are less than an hours drive away, also the museum where one can see the ancient Bayeux Tapestry. Mont St Michel is a must to visit. It is about 1.50 hours drive south on the Normandy/Brittany border. It is a monastery perched on top of a dramatic rocky outcrop in the estuary. There are several magnificent ancient buildings and churches, narrow streets, shops and cafes. Since AD708 there has been a religious centre here and in the 13thC was the most sacred place in all France and many pilgrims travelled there. There is a windmill museum 30 minutes away from the cottage and also many charming market towns and quaint seaside towns to explore. Roads are well maintained and traffic is light, even in summer. Normandy people are friendly and helpful, especially if you have a go at speaking French with them! But many people speak some English anyway
Suitability:	For anyone who enjoys both the countryside and beach. Lots of room for children and dogs to explore the garden, 2 meadows and orchard in safety. (But please take care with smaller children near the 2 ponds). Nature lovers will enjoy all the wildlife, especially the large pond, the birds and wild flowers in the meadows. Energetic visitors can go for long walks on tracks through the countryside, there are directions for various walks from the cottage available. The less energetic can stroll down the lane or maybe to the village shop for fresh bread and croissants. Tranquille lives up to its name and is just the place for those seeking a quiet, peaceful cottage in lovely rural surroundings as a base to explore Normandy - or just to stay put and enjoy the cottage, garden and wonderful views! For older visitors the lane from the cottage towards the village is flat for walking and the steps from the kitchen to the garden can be avoided by using the front door (no steps) and walking round the side of the house. The fields are accessible by sloping wooden steps, not steep ones. Children will enjoy exploring the orchard and 2 meadows and of course, the wonderful beaches with beautiful sand and interesting rocks and pools. At Carteret the tide leaves many warm, shallow pools which are perfect for small children. The waves on the coast vary, some days they are wonderfully strong and envigorating, other days there are none at all. There are paths to help explore the beautiful coast and magnificent sand dunes

Rental Rates

Tranquille - Sleeps: 6, Bedrooms: 3

Low £150 pw Mid £230 pw High £380 pw
Includes electricity, water, oil and logs

Contact Details

To book this property use the contact details below quoting Holiday France Direct ref: NM002172.

Contact:	Bruce or Prim
Postal Address:	Thanes Field Parsonage Hill Gussage St Michael Wimborne Dorset BH21 5HW BH21 5HW
Telephone:	01258 841364
Mobile:	07774 540061
Fax:	01202 717370
Email:	Email the Owner »
Shortlist:	Click here to add this property to your shortlist
Listing last updated:	20 Jun 2008