Lovely renovated barn & heated pool, Charente - PC006625_B

Type

Cottage/Gite

Kitchen and dining

The combined kitchen/diner retains many quality features and has been designed around the original bread oven which remains a feature at the rear, whilst the original thresher gearing is a feature on the dining area wall. It has been refurbished to a very high standard with all major kitchen appliances (washing machine/dishwasher/fridge-freezer/oven/hob) being Bosch and also provided is a Krups individual 'pod' coffee-machine which is capable of producing espresso, caffe lungo, cappuccino, cortado and mocha - so no need to miss out on your usual morning 'real coffee' fix, just because you're on holiday!.

The kitchen door opens out directly onto the south facing terrace with outside table, chairs & bbq.

Living rooms

The double aspect living room is equipped with large sumptuous Tetrad sofa and matching armchair and benefits from HDTV with UK FreeSat channels, Chromecast for streaming, dvd player (with large collection of dvds) and music speaker which can be connected to your phone. The wi-fii router gives excellent wi-fi coverage throughout the property.

A table, chairs and comfy seat can be added to the living room for young children along with colouring pencils, wooden puzzles and wooden Brio train set. The modern oak sideboard also contains a large selection of boardgames, cards and books.

All rooms have exposed oak beams and at least one exposed stone wall (with the exception of the master en suite shower room, which has no exposed stone) and this, combined with the modern refurbishment which the property has recently undergone, provides a sympathetic combination of period character and modern convenience, ideal for a comfortable and relaxing holiday.

Bedrooms

Well proportioned king size master bedroom with a modern oak bed, wardrobe, dressing table and bedside tables with access to a generously proportioned modern en suite shower room.

The twin bedroom which also has it's own en suite facilities, this time a modern bath with shower. Two full size twin beds ensure comfort and there is ample storage in the wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside tables. (Note - it is possible to add an infant/child bed if required).

Both bedrooms have spectacular southerly views over the garden and the rolling Charente countryside beyond and both have full length windows with are fitted with attractive ornamental safety rails.

Bathrooms

Each bedroom has its own en suite bathroom.
The master bedroom has a large shower room with w/c, twin wash hand basins & mirrors and a large 120 x 80 cm modern shower. The shower room's white on smoked grey colour scheme showcases the quality of the fittings and accentuates the overall sense of quality.

The twin bedroom has an en suite bathroom with bath and in-bath shower. Both bathrooms have sloping ceilings, exposed wooden beams, Velux windows and frosted panel doors to the bedrooms.

Heating

If required, centrally controlled electrical heating is available in all rooms, and the bathrooms have heated towel rails.

Entertainment

Large flatscreen HD tv with UK Freesat channels, Chromecast, dvd player with a comprehensive selection of dvds, iPod docking station and radio. A large selection of boardgames, card games, toys (including wooden Brio train set) books and puzzles are available in the gite. An indoor & outdoor play tippee can also be provided on request.

Outside, the main garden is laid to over 1000m2 of grass, giving plenty of space for energetic ball games, a more relaxing game of boules or croquet on the croquet 'lawn'. There is also a children's playpark for younger children with climbing frame, slide, see-saw, swings & rope ladder.

Older children will also be entertained by the 14' netted trampoline, Cornilleau outdoor table tennis table, football nets, badminton/volleyball, cricket, table football or darts.

Garden and outside

Le Cerisier has a south facing terrace which can be covered by an electrically operated sunshade. It has its own patio table, chairs and gas bbq (gas provided).

The large garden is mostly laid to grass with a volleyball/badminton net, football mini-goals and 14ft trampoline (with safety net) available to all guests. There is also a boules court and croquet 'lawn' for a relaxing game in the cooler evenings. The large (13 x 6m) heated pool (End May to September) has sunloungers and 2 large pergolas providing shade.

It is overlooked by the large summer terrace, which provides a welcome shaded area to dine al fresco or just to relax in the hammock with a book. It is also equipped with a sofa, American fridge-freezer with ice-maker, sink, dining tables and chairs, plates & cutlery.
It is the ideal place to relax.

Enclosed kiddies play area with climbing frame, slide, see-saw, swings and rope ladder.

Parking and garages

Ample parking is available adjacent to the gite and additional, indoor, parking may also be available, if required.

Information about any additional facilities

Baby/toddler equipment - a range of practical baby & toddler equipment can be provided free of charge including - cots (1 x travel cot and 2 x wooden cots), 2 x highchairs, tripp trapp hairs, baby bath/seat, baby buggies, potty, toilet steps, baby monitor, stairgates, socket covers, plastic crockery, plastic cutlery and sippy cups and black-out blinds.

We have on-site a guest information area with lots of tourist leaflets and information about the local area, activities and things to do, with recommendations from previous guests and a book of local restaurants and bars which range from nearby pizzerias to a michelin-star restaurant.

Well equipped gym is available to all guests.
Four person sauna is also available (small additional charge).
Baby sitting service available (additional charge).

20% discount on standard vehicle and passenger fares on Brittany Ferries crossings.

The Owner Recommends

Lakes of the Haute Charente / Grand Etang de St Esteph

The Gites at Le Tilleul is only 10 minutes drive to the nearby Lacs de Haute Charente, and just a little further to both St Mathieu Lake and Grand Etang de St Esteph. At these freshwater lakes can be found sandy beaches and shallow, warm water for paddling or swimming. Free half hour kayaking sessions are available at Grand Etang during certain summer months, with lifeguard services available at the larger lakes.

​The lakes are great places for families to visit, with children's play areas, paths suitable for buggies, walks and cycle tracks along with cafe / restaurants if you don't want to take your own picnic with you.

Adventure Parc

The Tree-Top Aventure Parc at Massignac, just 10 minutes drive away, offers something for all of the family and for all abilities - from the thrill of tree top high rope courses, fun bungee and air-bag jumping to the zip-wire that crosses over the lake. There is also a tiny-tots adventure area for 3 years plus, along with an on-site cafe or the option to bring along your own picnic (tables & benches are available).

The Town of Brantome

The picturesque town of Brantome, known as the Venice of the Perigord, is about a one hour drive away just across the border in the northern Dordogne. It is surrounded on all sides by the River Dronne, with beautiful scenery, a medieval Benedictine abbey built by Charlemagne, and 11th century belfry with pavement cafes and restaurants, and a large Friday Market. In the village you can enjoy Périgord specialties, such as porcini mushrooms. It has a large park and kayaking is available from Brantome on the river Dronne.

Nautilis Aqua Centre, Angouleme

Nautilis Aqua Centre in Angouleme, has a large Indoor/outdoor pool complex with water slides, a river, an indoor whirlpool and wave-maker, ice rink and a large recreational lake with footpath around the perimeter and a large artificial sandy beach.

Go Karting

We are spoilt for choice here at Le Tilleul with 3 Karting circuits within a 45 minute radius of the gites, with the nearest one only 10 minutes drive away and previously raced by Alain Prost as a junior.​

Karts begin from ages 4 upwards (dual bi-place karts are available at one circuit which allow for an adult and child to sit alongside each other) and range in size and power.So whether the kids are looking for a fun filled afternoon on the track, the adults want a competitive racing experience or you just want a bit of family fun close-by, there is plenty to choose from.

Oradour-sur-Glane - Martyrs village

The martyr village from the second world war of Oradour sur Glane will leave a lasting impression on you. The village ruins which on the orders of the French President, Charles de Gaulle, has been maintained as a permanent memorial are frozen in time and its excellent informative museum & exhibition tells of the horrors that occurred here in 1944.

Vallée des Singes

A 15-hectare monkey and ape park offering its visitors the discovery of the fascinating world of primates in unique and privileged conditions

Angouleme, Capital of the Charente

Angouleme is the capital of the Charente department with a good variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. It is home to the Comic Strip festival in January and Le Circuit des Ramparts in September when Angouleme turns into a vintage race circuit.The old town has lots of interest: Saint-Pierre cathedral, which dates from the 12th century with its high tower and remarkable facade carved in the Romanesque style, a town hall with flower gardens and the ramparts offering a magnificent view across the Charente valley.

The International Circuit des Remparts d'Angoulême finds its route in the city, unchanged since the first in 1939 for 3 days - 13th, 14th & 15th September 2019. This annual event is a must for fans of vintage cars. The International Circuit des Remparts turns Angoulême into a giant museum on wheels when classic cars race around the Ramparts.

Angouleme is also home to the Nautilis Aqua Centre with its large Indoor/Outdoor pool complex with water slides, whirlpool and wave machine.

Cognac Town

Famous worldwide for its drink of the same name. Most of the major Cognac houses offer guided tours of their facilities with an opportunity to buy samples of their products at the end.

Gallo-Roman Baths at Cassinomagus

The nearby first century Roman settlement of Cassinomagus at Chassenon is a unique place to visit with its thermal baths and vast archeological park and gardens with the opportunity for children to dress up in costumes.

Golf International de La Prèze

We are only 7 kilometres away from the 18 hole golf course, Golf International de La Prèze which is a spectacular 65 hectare course, set in a beautiful area surrounded by hills, woods and lakes. ​It offers an 18-hole championship course, as well as an 18-hole pitch and putt course, a 20 tee driving range and two pitch and putting greens.There are a further 3 or 4 other courses within an hours drive.

The Coast - Royan

A couple of hours drive away are some fantastic sandy beaches in and around Royan.

Perigord-Limousin Natural Parc

The “Bocage Limousin” is a stunning landscape where green and water reign supreme. An array of fields and pastures are home to the famous Limousin cattle that grace the Bocage with their warm, golden coats. Two great massifs make up the Bocage: the Cognac-la-Forêt Massif and the Rochechouart Forest. An exceptional geological event took place in the Rochechouart region over 200 million years ago when it was hit by a meteorite measuring 1.5 km in diameter. The Rochechouart-Chassenon Astrobleme National Nature Reserve was created there in 2008.