Stylish lodge and pool in the Charente countryside

A relaxing and peaceful lodge set in the grounds of a 200-year-old farmhouse in over 11 acres of orchard and meadow. L'oume Lodge sits at the edge of a meadow and has a private gated entrance and parking. There is a private terrace with a built-in BBQ and garden, beyond which is the gated shared pool area The pool is 6 x 12 m with a constant depth of 1.25 m and a shallow side pool for young children. There's also a pool house/summer kitchen, BBQ and wisteria-covered eating area at the pool. The space L'oume Lodge is bright and spacious with an open-plan living room, dining room and kitchen, two bedrooms, both with access to a spacious bathroom, and a separate toilet in the hallway. The Lodge has a private gated entrance and a large parking area for guests to use, with a private terrace and garden. The kitchen is well equipped with a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, coffee-making facilities, and plenty of cookware and utensils. There is also an extendable dining table. The two bedrooms, one double bedroom and one with bunk beds and a large single, both have drawers and shelves with hanging space above. There is also a double sofa bed in the living area if guests need. The bathroom has a bath with a shower and two sinks. The gite can comfortably sleep a family of 5, but it can sleep up to 7 if needed, as there is a double sofa bed in the living area. In the winter months and on cooler evenings, the Lodge has a remote-controlled, thermostatic pellet burner in the living area for guests to use, along with a small portable heater and a radiator in the bathroom. The living area has large patio doors which lead out onto the terrace, where you will find a picnic bench seating area and a built-in BBQ. The garden area enjoys shade thanks to a cluster of giant fir trees, and beyond the garden of the Gite lies the gated pool area and the rest of the gardens. To the side of the gite, there is a large field which the house is named after, 'the fields of Oume', which guests are welcome to walk around. The lodge has family games and books, a TV, a set of binoculars for bird spotting and a book of local birds, as well as a welcome pack with information on the property and pool. You will also find a basket with lots of leaflets and magazines on things to see and do in the region. There is a first aid kit, a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher under the sink. By the pool, there's a ping pong table (bats kept in the pool house), a swing ball set and various other outdoor games. We also have 2 Schwinn cruiser bikes that you are welcome to use to explore the local area.. Please feel free to ask us if you would like to use these, as they are kept in the barn. We also have a cot, high chair, change mat, potty and baby bath if needed. Please let me know in advance, and I will arrange for them to be there when you arrive. Guest access The gite has a large private gated entrance with a large parking area and a path leading to the patio and front door. The Lodge is set over one level, so there are no stairs, but there is a small step into the double bedroom. The patio doors are wide, allowing wheelchair entry. There are no steps in the garden, but there may be uneven areas of ground as there is a mix of grass, pebbles and paving. The pool has steps at one end for entry and has no handrail. Other things to note The pool area is fenced off and has an alarm for your peace of mind. There is also a key to lock the pool gates inside the gite if you need. The pool is 1.25m deep throughout, so no diving is allowed. There is a shallow side pool for young children. The summer kitchen, next to the pool, has a fridge and a sink as well as a toilet and a changing room. There is also a large outside dining table under a wisteria pergola for you to use. There are sun beds, deckchairs and umbrellas and lots of space around the pool to relax and take in the view of the countryside. Please note: The pool is shared with another gite located in the barns attached to the main house. The town of Mansle, with all the amenities, including a Super U and Aldi, boulangerie, boucherie and pharmacy, is an 8-minute drive away. Angoulême, the capital of the Charente, is a 30-minute drive away. There is also a large hospital in Angoulême. The town of Angouleme is on a hill, with a great view of the valley and river below. There's an indoor market and lovely shops in the old part of the town with a wide choice of restaurants. It also hosts many festivals throughout the year, including the famous comic festival in January and Le Circuit des Remparts in September. The villages and chateau of La Rochefoucauld and Verteuil-sur-Charente are a 25-minute drive, and La Vallée Des Singes (Valley of the Monkeys) is around a 45-minute drive. Cognac, with its vineyards and distilleries, is a 55-minute drive. There are lots of local weekly markets in the surrounding villages and brocantes and bric-a-brac that are on throughout the year. You can drive to the coast in 1 hour and 45 minutes or visit the local rivers and lakes with sandy beaches, some of which offer lifeguards and cafes (in the peak summer months) There are many local centres for hiring kayaks and paddle boards, the closest is in Mansle, just an 8-minute drive. There are also restaurants in Mansle to try, including La Marmite, which is next to the kayak centre.