THE OLD WALNUT FARM
Chassaignes Dordogne France
Accommodation
The Old Walnut Farm, in an earlier century, had been two separate farms. Two of our gites, Valentin and Tulipe, are the original farm houses - taking their names from each of the families who farmed them. Our other gite, Lily, is a recently completed barn conversion.
Over the last four years the two original farm houses, Valentin and Tulip, have been carefully restored to retain their authentic rural Frenchness whilst giving them a light and airy feel. With Lily, our barn conversion, we have taken advantage of the extra space to provide a spacious gite suitable for those with larger families or parties.
Valentin, accomodating up to five plus babies, has three bedrooms on the first floor – one double, one twin single and a single. Downstairs is a living room, kitchen, family shower room and separate WC.
Tulipe, which can also accomodate up to five plus babies, is single storey, and has one double bedroom, one large triple bedroom, kitchen/living room, bathroom with bath/shower and separate WC.
Lily, accomodating up to seven plus babies, has three bedrooms – one double, one triple and one twin; a bathroom (with bath & WC) and a separate shower room all on the first floor. Adding to the feeling of space and freedom, downstairs is delightfully open plan with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and large hall. Another separate WC is reached via the boiler room.
Our washing machine facilities have been 'centralised' under one roof - these are available to our guests at no extra cost but please supply your own powder & softener.
You will find our prices extremely competitive and excellent value. They include for gas, electricity, bed-linen, cots with linen, high-chairs and stair-gates, bath and hand towels for in-side use but, sorry, not 'pool' towels.
Facilities
Added in 2005 we have a 12m x 6m (40' x 20') swimming pool with wide entrance steps and a generous shallow end for children. Surrounding the pool is a 200 sq m sun terrace with loungers and parasols.
Both the pool and sun terrace are totally enclosed by an attractive traditionally finished wall with the only access through a double locking safety gate - all meeting current (child) Safety Regulations.
Invaluable for shade in the summer (especially for children) is a 9m x 7m open abris. All meals can be taken ‘al fresco’ and, when candle lit (candles provided), makes for an atmospheric setting for evening relaxation with the kids in bed, ideal given its reasonably close proximity to the gites.
The grounds, comprising of lawns with an indiscriminate scattering of shrubs, fruit and ornamental trees, and with part given over to walnut trees, run to three acres. Beyond this, on all sides, the farm merges with open fields and walnut groves.
With many private corners ready to lend themselves for a few moments of quiet contemplation, this can be an ideal place to let the stresses and strains of modern life just drain away.
Traffic in Chassaignes is limited - the three farmers who live here and an occasional lost traveller! And with The Old Walnut Farm only accessed down a private lane from the village, we are free from those worries of 'children and traffic'.
