La Ballerie is a traditional Charentaise farmhouse and self-contained cottage in a spacious, enclosed walled garden with 10x5m heated pool and games barn. Perfect for a large family get together or for two to three families with toddlers to teenagers. The farmhouse and cottage both have thick stone walls and tiled floors making them delightfully cool on hot summer days. Both properties are centrally heated making for cosy winter evenings. The farmhouse boasts an open plan living room and big farmhouse dining kitchen which is perfect for making self-catering a sociable affair. The well-equipped kitchen includes an oven with gas hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, coffee maker and dishwasher. A washing machine and ironing facilities can be found in the utility room. As well as the main lounge equipped with TV, DVD player and music dock, youngsters have their own snug to watch TV or DVD’s, play Wii games, board games or set up the multi games table for table football, pool, hockey or table tennis. Toys and books for younger children are also provided. The master double bedroom in the farmhouse is on the ground floor and features a canopied, solid wooden bed and a decorative stove. The second double bedroom, with a wrought iron bedstead, is on the first floor, along with two twin rooms with antique wooden beds. The farmhouse has a bathroom, a shower room and two wcs. The cottage has its own dining kitchen, with an oven, electric hob, microwave, fridge, dining table for four and a wall-mounted TV. The master bedroom has a double wrought iron bed and the second bedroom has twin wrought iron single beds. The cottage has its own shower room and wc. The farmhouse and the cottage have the rustic charm and character of stone walls and beamed ceilings throughout. Both farmhouse and cottage are in an enclosed walled garden with plenty of space for off road parking on the gravelled drives. Alongside the farmhouse there is a covered dining area, perfect for al fresco dining. The sizeable games barn benefits from table tennis, a pool table, darts and swing ball. For younger children there is a play house, rocker and a variety of other toys. The 10x5m heated pool has infant friendly steps and is fenced and gated, with sun loungers and umbrellas. The pool is for your private use and is heated from early May to late September. For families with young children one wooden cot and two travel cots are available on request and all the bedrooms have space for a cot. Further equipment including stair gates, high chairs, bed guards, bottle sterilizers, potties and children’s cutlery are available if required. La Ballerie is in a peaceful rural location in the Poitou Charente region of Western France. The farmhouse and cottage are on the edge of the small village of Melleran which boasts a 12th century church and community run bar. More shops, supermarkets, cafe bars and a Saturday market are just 10 minutes’ drive in the small town of Chef-Boutonne, which also boasts the Château de Javarzay with a beautiful lakeside walk and play area. The capital of Poitou Charente, Poitiers (50 mins) is a pretty city to explore, encircled by the Clain and Boivre rivers and with a pedestrianised centre of quaint little streets and squares buzzing with pavement cafes. Just outside Poitiers, Futuroscope is one of the biggest theme parks in France, with an awesome array of interactive experiences and attractions for all ages and with few height restrictions, from thrilling rides to 4D shows. The wetlands and waterways of the Marais Poitivin (45 mins) are another highlight of the region, known as the ‘green Venice’ of France. Flat bottomed boat trips glide through the reedy canals or families can hire a canoe to explore, keeping eyes peeled for all the birdlife. Animal lovers might also enjoy a day out to Monkey Valley (40 mins), Zoodysee (45 mins) and Crocodile Planet (60 mins). For a change from splashing in the swimming pool at La Ballerie, families can pack a picnic and have an afternoon on the lake beaches of Lac du Lambon (35 mins) or enjoy a day on the Atlantic beaches near La Rochelle (90 mins). The historic sea port of La Rochelle has a buzzing walled town to explore within formidable ramparts and families can also cross a big bridge to the Ile de Re, renowned for its dune backed sandy beaches and chic harbour towns.