Property Facilities
Tastefully renovated barn, environmentally friendly holiday accommodation sleeping up to 12 guests.
The conversion of this centuries old, former threshing barn is dramatic, with a triple height majestic fireplace, hand crafted exposed ceiling beams, gargoyles and a Minstrel’s Gallery. The grand staircase has been relocated from an 18th century grand house and the wood panelling and stained glass are also reclamation treasures. It is extremely well equipped, featuring everything you might expect in a luxury holiday home.
Indoors there is the Great Hall, a snug lounge, a huge kitchen/diner, six bedrooms and three bathrooms. Outdoors there is a sheltered, south facing, courtyard with barbecue and seating. The garden has children’s play equipment and a swim spa/hot tub, as well as the large field and lake.
Fully accessible throughout
Otter Pool Barn is fully accessible throughout, with the installation of a wheelchair lift to the upstairs. Outside areas, the pool and into the adjacent land towards the lake are also accessible. Full details are available at in a separate section at the end of this review. The discrete inclusion of accessibility features into the barn has enabled it to retain the atmosphere of a luxury family home, whilst being suitable for a holiday with anyone you want to include in your party.
Living Areas
The Great Hall, with its vaulted roof, huge inglenook fireplace and log burning stove is a wonderful place for the family to be together. There are a selection of comfortable chairs and sofas. The cupboard under the stairs is full of toys. There is a toilet in the room under the stairs. (The ‘Ladies’ stained glass door another reclamation treasure!) Double glass doors give access to the rear courtyard, outdoor seating and the barbecue.
The snug lounge, ( a bit of a mis-description, as it is another large room) is accessed through a pair of double glass doors, with an additional thick curtain, allowing a bit of peace and quiet if you have a noisy group! There is a large TV and a fireplace with an electric stove and yet more comfortable chairs and sofas.
The well-equipped 30ft kitchen/dining room has an oak stable door to the courtyard, pool and nearby car parking areas. At one end of the room there is a wood dining table, that can sit 14 people comfortably, perfect for communal dining. Otter Pool Barn is equipped with crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils for at least 18 guests. The granite topped island and work surfaces and electric range cooker give plenty of space for those who love to cook, to prepare banquets for other guests. With every kitchen gadget that may be required, a large, American style, fridge/freezer with ice maker, microwave, coffee machine and plenty of storage for your own food this kitchen will be a pleasure to prepare food and cook in.
Bedrooms
All bedrooms and bathrooms are equipped with in-wall, sliding, solid oak doors and luxury oak flooring. For those not familiar with profiling beds, they are suitable for use by anyone and are a long 3ft x 6’6” single bed size. All bedrooms are equipped with Freeview TVs. All three kingsize double beds can be configured as twin beds – select this option at checkout.
The barn has a wheelchair-suitable lift to the upper floor making all six bedrooms accessible.
Bedroom 1 (downstairs): has two electric profiling single beds and an integrated, tracked ceiling hoist, through to the spacious ensuite wet room. This room has been designed with persons with disabilities in mind, but is equally suitable for anyone to use. It has a private access door to the courtyard.
Bedroom 2 (downstairs): has a 6’ kingsize double bed.
Bedroom 3 (upstairs): is a large room with a 6’ kingsize double bed and access to a Janet/John ensuite wet room.
Bedroom 4 (upstairs): has one profiling single bed and one standard single bed and access to a Janet/John ensuite wet room.
Bedroom 5 (upstairs): adjacent to the family bathroom has one profiling single bed and one standard single bed.
Bedroom six (upstairs): also adjacent to the family bathroom has a 6’ kingsize double bed.
Bathrooms
All bathrooms are designed as wet rooms, with flat access showers. The family bathroom also has a free-standing bath.
Bedroom 1 has a large ensuite wet room.
Bedrooms 3 & 4 share an ensuite wet room.
A further toilet/basin is provided in the ‘Ladies’ room under the stairs in the Great Hall.
Outdoors
The sheltered south facing courtyard has facilities for al fresco dining, barbecues and relaxation. It is paved throughout with attractive rainbow sandstone, the pathway being highlighted in brick paving. The sandstone paving continues round the pool, where views across the green fields open up.
The Pool
The heated, private 5.5 metre pool is suitable for use as a hydrotherapy pool, lap pool or fun swimming pool. Its temperature can be independently set to suit needs. At one end is a hot tub. The electrically operated pool cover allows single person use, as well as ensuring the pool is safely covered when not in use. A warning light, in the kitchen will show when the pool cover is open. Adjacent to the pool is a changing room, shower and toilet.
Parking
The car parking area is fully paved, with plenty of space to allow access to vehicles. There is room for at least 5 cars. Movement activated lights allows safe access at night. A gentle paved slope gives access to the courtyard and property. There is a Type 2 EV charger in the car park.
The Gardens and Lake
A path from the courtyard leads into the five acre field, meandering gently towards the private lake. A seating area for barbecues and picnics is provided at the end of the path, overlooking the lake, with extensive views towards the Torridge Estuary and Bideford. Sadly, it has not been possible to make the lakeside fully accessible.
The lake, easily big enough for canoeing, kayaking and many other water sports should keep the family entertained for many hours. It is stream fed and so the fresh water is renewed constantly throughout the year. A fishing jetty should provide hours of pleasure for those who wish to fish. There is a safe shallow entry point (most of the lake is over 10 feet deep) but any water activities are undertaken at your own risk. The lake has been stocked with fish, but wild otters have also been observed in the water, so their dinner may have been good, providing more challenging sport for those fishing! The owners have conducted cleanliness checks on the water, but all use of the lake is undertaken at your own risk.
The property is fitted with an automatic generator to ensure that power is always available, even when there is an extended power cut, ensuring that equipment, lighting and heating is always available.
