Description
CHANGEOVER DAY IS THURSDAY
Situated in its own mown 3 acre meadowland and facing sunny south-west, Castanet Farmhouse is an idyllic rural retreat set in a peaceful valley deep in the heart of South-West France. Relax and enjoy a break at Castanet complete with its solar-heated pool exclusively for your use. No neighbours close by and no owners on site. Located in a quiet single-track country lane at the end of its own private drive, the house is tucked away in the Lot-et-Garonne countryside just south of the Dordogne border and surrounded by rolling hills and fields of maize, sunflowers and wheat. You might just spot the occasional car on the winding country lanes....
With lofty ceilings, chunky oak beams, white painted walls and tiled floors throughout, the accommodation has a clean, bright, airy and spacious feel. Access is easy: just two shallow steps from the large parking area to the front terrace and then all on one level throughout the garden and the house making it ideal for those with restricted mobility. There is unlimited private parking.
Castanet is an extremely comfortable and attractive property, well-equipped for a great holiday break for adults and children alike and cared for by a local English management team.
The property is very conveniently situated, being only 8 km (a 10 minute drive) from the market town of Marmande with its quality shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, supermarkets and mainline railway station with links to Bordeaux, Paris, Toulouse and the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. In short, everything you could possibly need.
The wide paved terraces to the front and side of the property decorated with geraniums lead to the shady "abri de jardin" built to match in with the surroundings and housing a comfortable spacious wicker corner sofa and matching coffee table. From there, glazed French doors open into a spacious open-plan barn incorporating the living/dining room and well-equipped kitchen with all up-to-date appliances. The barn has an impressive vaulted ceiling with oak beams and roof windows which flood the room with afternoon and evening sunlight. There is a dining table to seat six, a splendid chunky antique pine pew, a sofa, two comfortable armchairs and a wood-burning stove. Satellite TV, radio/CD player and DVD player are provided for your entertainment, plus plenty of books and a compendium of board games. There is internet access (Broadband WiFi).
Through the hallway from the barn are the two bedrooms and family bathroom all of which overlook the garden. The master en-suite features an original stone sink and has a king-size bed, and the second bedroom has twin beds. Two folding guest beds are available on request. Both bathrooms are equipped with a bath, washbasin and WC, separate shower cubicles and ample storage.
The garden provides plenty of space for ball games and the large area of lawn by the pool is screened by high laurel hedges. Choose from among the many paved sitting/dining areas either in the shade to avoid the midday heat or in full sun. There are a number of mature shrubs and trees, containers of flowers on the terraces and our original restored well. The garden to the rear is another area of lawn from which to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic views over the fields and across the valley.
Garden and dining furniture, pool recliners and parasols are provided. Also for your entertainment we have Kettler 9ft x 5ft outdoor table tennis, badminton, a full-size antique croquet set, boules and various other outdoor and in-pool games.
The 10 x 5 metre solar-heated pool has moulded side entry steps and underwater lighting and is surrounded by a wide paved terrace. A poolside shower is there for your use. The pool has an automatic security/solar cover and is situated in a fenced and gated area – ideal for the supervision of young children. Swimming towels are provided.
The spacious pool house/summer kitchen is equipped with a large fridge/freezer and incorporates a covered dining area with table and chairs making it ideal for eating al fresco.
Visit our website www.castanetfarmhouse.co.uk for more information, visitor reviews, booking form and a virtual tour of the house and grounds.
This unspoiled area of south-west France offers the perfect combination of things to do and see; a wonderful place in which to chill out. It is rich in history and bursting with chateaux, rolling countryside dotted with charming small villages, down-to-earth restaurants serving good food at reasonable prices, local markets, vineyards and historic Bastide towns. The largest concentration of Bastides is in the Lot-et-Garonne along what was once the shifting borderline between the English and the French-held lands.
Many of the local chateaux offer wine-tastings (degustations) and all the Bordeaux famous names are within easy reach.
There are excellent recreational facilities within easy driving distance ranging from various water sports, fishing, horse-riding, tennis and golf to flying/hot-air ballooning/paragliding and quad biking. There are numerous walks/bike and vineyard trails virtually on our doorstep. Why not take it easy by choosing a more relaxed way to enjoy the beautiful countryside either by floating down the river Garonne on a barge or by catching a hot air balloon from just outside Duras. Or maybe just relax in our garden by the pool with a glass or two of the region’s fine wines......