Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less) Hen or stag parties Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Sat
Access:
Car advised Nearest amenities: 4 km
Notes:
May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Next door to the main house at the former farm of Le Hamel Roger lies Kestrel Cottage, aptly named because of the family of Kestrels nesting in the barn during the spring and early summer. Kestrel Cottage is a converted cider mill which has been tastefully restored to create a wonderful cottage for groups between 2 and 12 people. It has spacious accommodation, 4 bedrooms and all modern amenities.
Outside the cottage is a large lawned area. There is a trampoline and play equipment. Our landscaped grass terrace is a great place to play! For quieter moments there is bench seating at the top of the terrace which affords great views across the valley and creates a quiet space for reflection and peace. A few steps from the cottage is a dining and barbeque area exclusively for the use of our guests.
Kestrel Cottage.
Le Hamel Roger.
Kestrel Cottage From The Terrace
Dining area/kitchen area
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/6694
The Normandy / Calvados region
We are in Calvados, the region of Normandy famed for its production of cider, cheese and of course, Calvados! The climate is mild and the landscape lush. The mix of attractions, sites of historical interest, coastline and countryside mean that this region of France has got something for everyone.
There are many famous places in Normandy which are easily accessible from Kestrel Cottage including the historic town of Bayeaux with its tapestry and Caen which is the regions principle city. The region is steeped in history from the D-Day landings with many memorials, museums and of course the beaches. There is an allied cemetery and a war museum close to the cottage. A visit to this area can be a moving and thought provoking experience.
We are only a 2 hour drive from Paris and Euro Disney and just over an hour to Le Mans. There are good train links from Vire for those who prefer to let the train take the strain.
Vire / St Pierre Tarentaine area
The area around Kestrel cottage is walking country. There are many route marked walks in the locality suitable for the experienced and novice walker. Maps and details are available upon request. Donkeys can be hired nearby to carry your belongings, delight your children or just to accompany you on these walks. The countryside abounds with all manner of flora, fauna, birds and butterflies.
Our nearest bar/restaurant is in Monchauvet, 4 kms away. It’s a very friendly place with a little shop. Le Beny Bocage is just a 10 minute drive and you’ll find a range of local shops, services and restaurants in this picturesque and welcoming village.
Vire is our nearest big town, a 20 minute drive. The outskirts of the town have large retail outlets and supermarkets. As you go into the town centre you find beautiful floral displays and fountains, there are buildings of historic and architectural interest and the winding streets let you gently discover this wonderful French town with its many boutiques and shops. On Friday mornings the centre becomes a wealth of scents, sights and sounds with one of the largest street markets in the area. There are many cafes and restaurants offering good fare at reasonable prices. They are welcoming to children.
There are a wide variety of activities and attractions available within 30 minutes of the cottage. A sample list would be golf, fishing, swimming, water sports, country parks, woodland, lakes, rivers, miniature railway, 4x4 off-roading, bungee jumping, a theme park and a great zoo. We have information on our website and literature in the gite to help you create the holiday you want from our friendly, comfortable cottage.
How to get there
By air from UK airports to Dinard or Rennes. (Luton to Dinard route covered by RyanAir offering inexpensive flights, which can be combined with cheap car hire through Eurocar). Ferry routes from the UK include Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistrham), Portsmouth to Cherbourg, or Portsmouth to St, Malo. LD LInes Le Havre/ Portsmouth Transmanche Ferries Newhaven Dieppe. Both good cheap ferries approx 2 to 2.5 hours from the cottage. In addition, cheaper ferry rates (usually less than £100 return for a car and passengers) can be obtained through Speed Ferries, who operate between Dover and Boulogne, which is about 250 miles from our property. The drive is longer with some toll roads being used, but the savings on the ferry price are considerable, and more than make up for the extra time and expense of the longer drive. Tolls are between 10 and 15 euros depending on route.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Dinard: 130 km
Railway:
Vire: 15 km
Ferry:
Caen (Ouistreham): 60 km
Activities near Vire
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats A winter sun break Cycling holidays
Sofabeds (2), Single beds (4), Double beds (2), Cots (1), Dining seating for 12, Lounge seating for 9, Sleeps maximum of 10
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Shared garden, BBQ, Childrens pool, Swing set, Trampoline
Access:
Secure parking
Further details indoors: The accommodation consists of a large lounge complete with log fire, a bed settee and further seating . Also provided is a television and DVD player. Basic satellite TV available on request.
Next door to this room is an equally large dining area with seating for 12, high chairs are available on request. The room also contains a good-sized fridge and freezer, an iron and ironing board. Behind the dining area stands a fully fitted kitchen. A door from the kitchen leads to the downstairs shower room and toilet which are fitted out to a high standard.
The first floor has been newly converted and retains many of the original features. There is one double bedroom and one twin room with additional cot. Also on this floor is a bathroom comprising of a bath with shower over, a toilet and a washbasin. There is a baby bath, changing mat and potty provided for our youngest guests. The large gallery landing creates a flexible space with plenty of room for our luxury double air mattress if you need it to take the accommodation up to twelve .
On the second floor we have one large double bedroom and one large twin bedroom with room for extra beds if required.
We are open all year round and rooms are equipped with heaters. Logs for the fire are available upon request. All hot water in the gite is constant.
Further details outdoors: Kestrel Cottage would be particularly attractive to walkers and nature lovers as it is situated in the middle of Bocage country. From the front door you can stroll through land which has not changed for centuries with it's apple orchards and small farms.The birdlife is amazing as are the varieties of wild flowers which line the walks.
Further details
We have a young family ourselves and want to make holidaying with children as fun and hassle free as possible at no extra cost. We have a range of good quality equipment and toys to lend which will make packing lighter for you. We can run activity sessions on site to give parents a rest or fill an odd wet afternoon and we can baby-sit for an evening. Both owners are experienced with children and between us we are qualified in first aid, therapeutic play and residential activities.
Further pictures of the cottage and its surroundings with more detailed information are available on our website.
We welcome approaches from registered charities to organise short breaks at special rates in the off season.
Conditions
We require a 10% deposit to confirm your booking. The balance payment for your holiday should be paid in full no less than 5 weeks prior to your arrival. Money paid will be refunded if any cancellation is made more than five weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday. After this refunds are dependant on reletting the booking. You can pay securely by credit and debit card through PAYPAL, please contact us for details. We also accept cheques/money orders or postal orders in Euros, Pounds Sterling or Dollars.
Changeover day is on Saturday unless other arrangements have been made with us. You are welcome to arrive any time after 3pm local time and on the day of departure we ask you to vacate the cottage by 10.30am
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Prices for group size 10
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
New Year Offers
5 Jan 08
16 Feb 08
250£ 250
0-
0-
Flexible
Early Spring
16 Feb 08
29 Mar 08
350£ 350
0-
0-
Flexible
Spring
29 Mar 08
31 May 08
400£ 400
0-
0-
Flexible
Early Summer
31 May 08
28 Jun 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
Summer
28 Jun 08
6 Sep 08
550£ 550
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Summer
6 Sep 08
4 Oct 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
Autumn
4 Oct 08
1 Nov 08
400£ 400
0-
0-
Flexible
Winter
1 Nov 08
20 Dec 08
350£ 350
0-
0-
Flexible
Christmas Week
20 Dec 08
30 Dec 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
New Year Week
30 Dec 08
6 Jan 09
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
92
Prices for group size 4
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Late summer
6 Sep 08
4 Oct 08
350£ 350
0-
0-
1 Week
Autumn
4 Oct 08
1 Nov 08
350£ 350
0-
0-
1 Week
Winter
1 Nov 08
20 Dec 08
300£ 300
0-
0-
Flexible
22
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. For short breaks please contact us with your requirements.
Guestbook
"Excellent holiday, owners friendly and very helpful. Highly recommended." Cynthia and Edward Wells
"Will definitely see you next year. Fab holiday, fab cottage fab family" Michelle and co Lancashire
"BEAUTIFUL! Never walked so much, Weather fantastic" Graham and Shirley Coventry
"great gite, great location,great holiday!" The Thomas Family, Morden, Surrey
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/6694
Click to view availability for this property.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/6694