Character farmhouse with large pool near Aubeterre

PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY WITH OWNER BEFORE BOOKING. Sunday to Sunday only in Peak season. Exclusive use of our generously proportioned French farmhouse with exceptional private pool in extensive gardens. Tastefully furnished, offers ample space indoors and out. Original beams. Charming bedrooms with luxury linens. Beautifully adapted 19th century house offers 21st century comfort. Relax in rural tranquility only a short distance from excellent amenities, bars and restaurants. The space A beautiful character farmhouse with 4 double en-suite bedrooms (1 double, 1 kingsize, 2 Queensize/twins), a large 12x6 metre swimming pool with Roman steps and a deep end, double height lounge and a modernised farmhouse kitchen with all mod cons. In stunning countryside surrounded by fields of sunflowers and wheat. Live the French rural idyll - in a rolling landscape of ancient fields amidst the vibrant golden hues of sunflowers and ripening corn. Le Tilleul – the Linden Tree, nestles in countryside dotted with rich green woodland, melon farms, grazing Charolais cattle and historic fortified farmsteads. Just 2.5 miles from the lively market town of Chalais, this peaceful country retreat offers luxury modern living in a calm, timeless setting. Awake to birdsong between crisp Egyptian cotton sheets in a calm, beautifully appointed bedroom. After a hot power shower indulge in poolside coffee and croissants before an early morning dip, or sit over breakfast on the terrace, as the sun illuminates the wide open views. Chalais market provides a colourful sensory overload. The abundance of fragrant, fresh, local produce piled high alongside handmade crafts, livestock, clothes and flowers makes each Monday a treat. Return loaded with salty oysters, mussels, spit-roasted chicken, freshly bunched herbs, organic vegetables, cheeses, melons, peaches and Mediterranean fish. Indulge in the traditional two hour French lunch shaded beneath the walnut trees, sampling the marvellous selection of local cheeses, meats, salads, olives and pastries. Snooze away the hottest hours on the large pool terrace, in a rocking chair or stretched out on a luxury lounger. Bathe in bright sunshine or retreat into the generous shade of a poolside canopy, sipping a cold drink from a poolside cooler. For an evening in take your pick of outdoor seating options in sun or shade, watch the setting sun glowing over the hills, with a bottle of excellent light Bergerac wine, a plummy Bordeaux, local Pineau des Charentes (bought from a farm in the next village) or a cognac. Alternatively, retreat to the cool of the farmhouse kitchen, or living room where the dining table seats 10, alongside a quiet reading corner with books and games and a Smart TV including the option to log in to your own Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+ and Prime Video accounts, DVDs and music. All bedrooms, designed for maximum comfort, have support mattresses, luxury linens, en-suite facilities, seating and storage. 1 upstairs bedroom is fully ensuite while the other two have bath and/or shower/wash basin facilities and share a first floor toilet. The ground floor bedroom opens on to the garden and has full ensuite facilities. The luxury kitchen is fully equipped for 10. Two wood burning stoves and fully programmable radiators keep you warm in the cooler months, while the thick stone walls and double glazing provide a cool retreat during the hotter months. A welcome pack awaits your arrival. A folder of local information, contacts and facilities is provided at the house. This includes details of local restaurants, events and important phone numbers. Before you go we are happy to offer additional information and recommendations, while our housekeeper, SallyAnne, is local, and contactable for help and advice . The house is in its own landscaped garden in a hamlet of 8 properties surrounded by fields but with fully made lanes for access. Good walking from the door. In a hamlet of 8 rural properties surrounded by beautiful countryside, Le Tilleul is a haven of peace and tranquility. For the energetic the countryside surrounding our French farmhouse invites exploration. Good for driving, cycling and country strolls: venture uphill through fields and copses to the Romanesque village church; downhill, following the stream through meadows to a shady viewpoint; over the lane, through farmland to vineyards and melon fields; or go into town or to a nearby village for a drink at a bar in a quiet square. Ball games and relaxation may also be enjoyed in the wild flower meadow adjoining the house. Nearby Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of France’s most beautiful villages, boasts two historic monuments, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, golf, a wide choice of restaurants with outdoor seating, bars, craft workshops, fishing and tennis. Dine on the ramparts of the bastide town of St Aulaye after viewing the 11th century bridge, chateau, Cognac museum and Renaissance church. Maybe, after a full day on the popular river beach (with activities provided for children), wander some of the local French villages to discover bistros, brocantes, crêperies, riverside walks, fetes, fairs, outdoor cinema, markets and a host of other treats. Visit Cognac, for a distillery tour, river cruise or museum tour. Saint-Emilion and Bordeaux, famous for their vineyards and fine wines, are both a short car journey away. Angoulême, the cartoon capital of France, offers a host of activities, great shopping and outside dining. Bordering the Dordogne opens the possibility of trips to Riberac, the Perigord Vert, Brantôme, Perigueux, the Double Forest, Bergerac, amazing Chateaux, Domaines and vineyards. The Garonne estuary, Blaye and Saintes are an easy drive and the train service from Chalais will whisk you into Bordeaux, Arcachon or Angoulême, linking with the TGV to Paris. Chalais and Aubeterre Tourist office keeps a comprehensive list of local events, activities and locations of interest. We recommend visitors have their own transport, but with Chalais station only 2.5 miles away it is possible to arrive by train and enjoy the countryside and facilities of Le Tilleul on foot or by bike. We provide private parking for multiple vehicles plus a long driveway wide enough for a camper van, caravan or boat. Fly into the nearest airports at Bergerac or Bordeaux. We have used both and found them efficient. Car rental is available at competitive rates from both, though it is slightly cheaper from Bergerac with the rental offices very close to the arrivals area. Operators include Air France, British Airways, Easy Jet and Ryan Air with reasonably priced flights year round from Stansted, Gatwick and most other UK airports. Driving from the UK is a good option via Le Shuttle or ferry services to Calais. Ferries to Dieppe are another popular choice and Brittany Ferries also offer journeys from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. Poitou-Charentes is the second sunniest Department in France with an average 2,400 hours of sunshine annually. Expect Summer temperatures in the 20s-30s and mild winters. Summer extends from May to October, with plentiful hot days most years. Guest access Exclusive use of the entire house, swimming pool and grounds Other things to note Raised standards of cleaning between guests, in line with Covid protection guidelines. All common surfaces thoroughly disinfected. All linens changed. Hand sanitizers, soap and cleaning products provided. Our garden attracts a variety of birds, including a flock of swallows who dip across the pool terrace. Larger birds such as herons, sparrowhawks and buzzards frequent the lower field. Deer may be spotted alongside the lane and occasionally venture into the garden.