Abelia
Charente
Nearest airport: Poitiers/Angouleme |
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Ideal for one or two families plus babies
Sleeps up to 6 adults in 2 double bedrooms and one twin bedroom with plenty of space for 2 cots At a glance
Perfect for twins and multiples
Newly converted refurbished gite with immaculate decor
Enclosed pool with baby splash-pool
Pretty rural location with walks/cycling direct from property
Large enclosed garden with children’s play equipment
Selection of light meals available on request
Wifi Hotspot
Log burner for those cosy out of season holidays
Baby pack available on requestSarah, mum of 3 (including 1 year old twins) from Wiltshire enjoyed her stay at Abelia, click here to read her account... What we think…
This gite is a newly finished purpose converted section of a barn; great care has been taken over the finishing details. Whilst retaining many of the old features, it is equipped with all the necessities of modern living. The gite is set within the 1.5 hectare grounds of a 200 year old Charentaise farm, with beautiful walks direct from the property. The enclosed pool and baby splash-pool are surrounded by lovely countryside views and make a perfect area for the whole family to relax and to enjoy themselves. There is just a short car journey to all the local amenities and there are pony treks for any riding enthusiasts just down the road - all in all an excellent package for a great family holiday. Safe and child friendly!
"Martyn, Kirsty and the family have created an absolute gem of a holiday home. If there is such a genre as rustic luxury then they have encapsulated it at Abelia.
As safe and child friendly as they have made the gite and the pool - the area also holds the opportunity for exploration and adventure and their knowledge of the local area led us to some great places to visit." – Jennings family June 2009
Inside
The style throughout is a well balanced mixture of old and new, with exposed stonework and beams alongside new limed wooden flooring. Plenty of natural light pours into the gite, making it feel light and cool. You enter the house from a private patio area through large French doors which open directly into the open plan L shaped living, dining and kitchen areas.
The living room houses two new modern leather three seater sofas, inset log burner, and flatscreen TV with English and French Satellite TV and DVD. The woodburner keeps the property lovely and warm for those out of season holidays and electric radiators for the bedrooms can be provided if it is particularly cold. The dining area has a farmhouse style table and will seat six comfortably.
The kitchen is fitted with fantastic oak units and a range style cooker, dishwasher, washing machine, large fridge freezer and Microwave; everything you could need!
On the first floor there are two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, all finished to a very high standard with simple yet stylish decoration. They are served by a modern shower room with separate shower cubicle.
A phone is provided should you need to contact the English houseowners without searching around the farm. They are a charming family who will do everything possible to make your stay as pleasurable as possible. Can't recommend highly enough!
"Nothing was too much trouble, the family were very friendly without being intrusive. The gite is immaculate. We wanted accommodation which felt grown up but that we could relax with our 21 month old running around and this was exactly what we got. The food they provided was a real bonus, very relaxing for me! Can't recommend highly enough." - Pell Family August 2009Outside
The farm buildings are set within a 1.5 hectare plot of farmland, overlooking fields and woodland. Through the large French doors you are led outside the property to the private patio area, complete with BBQ, looking out onto fields. There is plenty garden furniture not only on the patio but throughout the grounds should you need it, newly planted flowerbeds and even a herb garden.
At the side of the property is the fantastic enclosed pool which is securely gated. The pool also features a small baby splash-pool which is perfect for little ones to sit and play in under the shade of an umbrella. The pool area also has a gazebo providing pool-side shade, and a poolside loo and wet room, invaluable for toddlers who often get caught short.
Opposite the property is the enclosed and gated car park, keeping any traffic away from small children.
Parent Point: There is a low wall (70 cm) to the side of the patio area surrounding a raised level flower bed.
Baby and Toddler Friendly:
• Enclosed saline swimming pools (adult and baby splashpool)
• Enclosed grounds
• Outdoor climbing frame/swing for summer 09
• Selection of toys for the under 5s
• Child safety window catches
• Stairgates
• Bed guard
• Cots and cot linen
• Baby monitor with `walk about` handset
• Microwave
• Steriliser
• High chairs
• Booster seat
• Hand blender
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
• Potty
• Step
• Changing mat
• Bath toys
For the children…
Abelia has a lovely enclosed garden with plenty of space to play and run around. Opposite the gite is field with several very friendly ponies and goats, all very keen on a bit of attention from the children! For summer 2009 the owners are planning a timber children’s play area with a climbing frame and swing.
The baby splash-pool beside the main pool is a great touch and gives small children the chance to splash in the water in the shade and the grass surround also makes it very safe getting in and out. There is also a selection of children’s and adult bikes with rides direct from the property without ever having to use a public road.
And Beyond… Free horse riding lessons! The owners at Abelia will be happy to arrange a free horse riding lesson for up to two children at the Pony Club just up the road from the house! The lesson will be for half a day. Please contact us to arrange! Set in beautiful Charentaise countryside, surrounded by farm and woodland, there are plenty of lovely walks and cycle rides direct from the property. Fishing is just a short walk from the gite and licences can be arranged for you by the house owners. Within a five minute drive there are some stables with child and adult pony trekking available - a perfect way to entertain the whole family.
A 10 minute drive away at Mansle, a very pretty riverside town, you will find all the local amenities such as supermarkets, banks and a pharmacy. With those who are in search of some great French food there are numerous restaurants in the area with the closest being only 5 minutes away, and for those who want to cook their own fare there are several markets on various days in the surrounding towns.
Apart from the many 'caves' offering tastings of the local Charentaise tipple, Pineau, a trip to Cognac is also well worth planning, with its numerous world famous cognac houses and a beautiful town to wander around. A great attraction for the whole family is Vallée des Singes (Monkey World), a fantastic park with over 300 monkeys living in the trees above you as you walk around- not a cage in sight! There is a petting zoo, an adventure play area and even a place to stop and have a meal or just a coffee whilst the children play. There is also Futuroscope, a French theme park which has extreme thrills, images in giant-screen format, breathtaking shows, interactive adventures that will delight your senses, and more.
Beaches at Royan and La Rochelle are under two hours away and in the more immediate area, lake beaches offer the important beach trip for any holiday, most with water sports available. For the more energetic there is canoeing at Mansle, Ruffec and Montbron.
Angouleme is just half an hour away and is a beautiful university city, set on the top of a hill surrounded by ancient ramparts. The city offers great shopping and has some of the best restaurants in the Charente, not to mention the numerous cafes which allow you time to just sit and watch the world go by. Angouleme is also host to an exciting Vintage Street Rally around the ramparts in September. Before booking, please read about Realistic Expectations. You should also read our Terms and Conditions.
| Arrive |
Depart |
Time |
Carrier |
| Angouleme |
Stansted |
20 minutes |
Ryanair |
| Limoges |
Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool |
110 minutes |
Ryanair |
| Limoges |
Southampton, Glasgow, Newcastle |
110 minutes |
Flybe |
| La Rochelle |
Stansted |
120 minutes |
Ryanair |
| La Rochelle |
Bristol & Gatwick |
120 minutes |
Easyjet |
| La Rochelle |
Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Southampton |
120 minutes |
Flybe |
| Bordeaux |
Southampton |
150 minutes |
Flybe |
| Bordeaux |
Bristol & Luton |
150 minutes |
Easyjet |
| Bordeaux |
Gatwick |
150 minutes |
British Airways |
| Poitiers |
Stansted, Birmingham |
60 minutes |
Ryanair |
Gallery 
Stunning.
The dining area and kitchen.
The kitchen and dining area.
The living room.
The living room and woodburner.
The living room and dining area.
The landing.
The double bedroom.
The twin room.
The shower.
Abelia and its pool and terrace.
Great for dining alfresco.
Perfect for sunny afternoons.
The pool and terrace.
The splash pool.
The terrace.
The wonderful pool.
Great touches.
Bikes available for your use.
Free horse riding lesson at the local Pony Club.
Abelia.
Fantastic facilities to keep the young ones amused.
Fun to be had at the play area.
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