Delightful Holiday Accommodation in the Charente-Maritime

Collection of useful items for the guests at the cottage front door.

Recently we took a short break in the Charente-Maritime, staying in the holiday accommodation at Susan and Roddy Hays' place. This small cottage has been stylishly kitted out with Susan's trademark antiques and pre-loved furniture. There is a large lounge dining room with a wood stove and a desk as well as storage, a large round table and a suitably comfy couch.

 Lounge room, with flowers from the garden placed on the mantlepiece to greet us on our arrival.

The kitchen is a good size too, with everything you would need to cook even quite ambitious meals. There is a big practical double sink with good bench space next to it, a small island bench. A family sized fridge is next to the stove, and there is a big cupboard storing a range of cutlery and crockery.

 Kitchen.

The bedroom is small but has a huge old cupboard taking up the whole of one side of the room. We tucked our suitcases inside and had plenty of space. We also brought our own sheets, towels and pillows just to reduce the workload for Susan and Roddy. In these Covid19 regulated days, changeovers need to be more thorough than before.

 Desk.

The bathroom has a shower, basin with lots of shelf space, and a separate toilet. There are plenty of hooks for hanging towels and toilet bags.

 Bathroom.

One of the nicest things about the little cottage was that all the doors and windows face into the garden, none onto the street, and they can be left open all day and night. Despite being right on the street the village is so quiet, we never noticed any traffic noise that got annoying. The front of the cottage faces a section of the main garden and there is a terrace with garden furniture for dining or lounging. It is quite hidden from the main house, although if the poultry is being attended to or someone departs in a car, you are visible. If that bothers you, then there is a completely private garden that is accessed off the far end of the cottage, where you can't be seen from the main garden, or overlooked by the neighbours or anyone on the street.

 Private street entrance and hidden garden.

It's a charming and relaxing space where you can be as private as you wish, or interact with the family if you prefer. The family dogs, three Jack Russells, come and go, treating the place as their own, and keen to check regularly just in case you've dropped a crumb.

Bentley and Pixel relaxing on the terrace.

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