La Fermette is a traditional Normandy "colombage" cottage, built over 200 years ago. It was renovated and restored by us in 1997 and we have been successfully letting for the last twelve years. The house is heavily beamed inside, comfortably accommodates 6 people, and benefits from double-glazing. It faces south, stands in approx 1 ˝ acres of enclosed garden with mature trees, and sits on the top of a slight hill, opposite the Forest D'Eawy. Lawns are laid to the front, rear and sides of the house and the sloping meadow land gives children ample room to play safely. The house has been decorated throughout in bright cheerful colours to enhance the holiday mood. All the soft furnishings, mattresses and paint work are renewed regularly to keep the cottage comfortable and fresh for all our guests. Garden chairs and tables, sun loungers, barbecue and outside lighting, give the opportunity to enjoy the warm evenings in early Spring and late Autumn.
Inside
Downstairs
Front door leads directly into the kitchen/breakfast room, which has been completely fitted out with Italian tiled work surfaces, with cupboards above and below, and finished in American Oak. Dishwasher fitted under worktop. Fitted self-cleaning electric oven/grill, with four-ring electric hob, and extractor fan above. Microwave oven. Electric kettle and toaster. Free standing larder fridge with portable radio/cd player on top.. Window above double sink, with views of front garden and forest. Large breakfast table (for 6). Free standing baguette box. The cupboards contain 12 place settings in classic white china, ample cutlery, and cooking pans and utensils. Tea towels and oven gloves are provided - even a plastic apron!
To the rear of the kitchen a door leads through to the shower room with fully tiled shower cubicle and wash basin; a separate WC, and a cloakroom/utility area. The cloakroom contains a large fridge freezer, and ample hooks for coats. From the cloakroom, another door leads to the sun lounge which is equipped with garden table and six chairs. Also a folding table tennis table. (Bats and balls are provided)
The kitchen leads into the lounge/dining room. The lounge has a large fireplace, with attractive wood burning stove for lovely log fires. There are two settees, two armchairs, coffee table and satellite TV with English programmes. A DVD/CD player is provided with a good selection of films and music CDs. A window over looks the front garden. Stairs to the side of the fireplace lead up to the double bedroom. A telephone is provided for incoming calls. A separate arrangement can be made to allow guests to make outgoing calls.
. A beamed division leads into the dining room. The large table will seat 8. A door opens into the front garden, and the windows here face the front and side. There is a large sideboard with glazed top cupboards, and drawers and cupboards beneath, and a small cane armchair. Plenty of wall lights in both the lounge and dining room, to create desired atmosphere.
To the rear of the lounge, is another beamed division. Our library nook! This has french windows leading to the patio and rear garden. There is a large book case with over 100 English books, cane chairs, desk, lamp and rug. At one end a staircase leads up to two bedrooms and a bathroom. At the very end is a door leading to the laundry/store room.
The laundry/store room contains a washing machine, drying lines, airer, ironing board,
Ardouval Area Information
Ardouval is situated in the Pays de Bray, a dairy farming area described in the Michelin guide as a "geological button hole". Small rivers meander through patch work, tree- lined fields reminiscent of by - gone England. Adjacent to Ardouval, and opposite the house is the Forest d'Eawy. This is one of the largest beech forests in France covering over 6,600 hectares. Hunting for deer and wild boar continues throughout the winter months. The hunt kennels the hounds in the village - you will hear the dogs twice a day at feeding times. They hunt on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is no shop in the village, but the boulangerie van calls Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. He also sells dried goods, as well as long life milk, jams and soft drinks, and the local newspaper. The van will stop at the gate at the bottom of the drive, and usually hoot. He always visits our neighbour, Madame Samson first.
Ardouval is a quiet farming village, with ancient Church, foyer, village football ground, and of course the mayor's office. The village football ground is open to all - start a game, and you will soon be joined by others from the village. Close by, in the forest is the site "Val Ygot" an original site of the World War 11 V1 rocket launching pads. Here you can walk around free of charge, read all about the rockets and the life of the German soldiers on large display boards written in English and French. This is well worth a visit.
Local Shops and Places of Interest
Drive three miles through the forest to the village of Bellencombre which offers village shops, bread, meat, groceries etc, and café/bars. Three miles in the opposite direction takes you to Les Grandes Ventes, where there is a small supermarket, village shops including a pharmacy, and bars/cafes/restaurant. Just under 10 miles away is the "capital" of the Pays de Bray - Neufchatel en Bray. This town is famous for i
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