An especially mellow place; unpretentious and relaxing. This old stone farmhouse in fabulous grounds, has been a treasured family escape for over 30 years. You come to it up a steep gravel track, on its summit with views over the next valley and wooded hillside; even longer ones to the south west. Lawns around the house and pool, dotted with ancient fruit trees, meld into mown woodland paths aromatic with oregano. Indoors, the ground floor of each part of the house (once two cottages) is open-plan, not huge, with quarry-tiled floors and old beams; the décor’s comfortably un-smart and un-matched. The ‘main’ house has a small, well-equipped kitchen; the second one a handy kitchenette. Up winding stairs, beamed bedrooms, rugs on bare boards, are cosy, old fashioned un-fussy – a joy to fling back the shutters on those views. Bathrooms are basic – the biggest bedroom has its own and access to the wisteria-covered terrace. Much of living here is done outdoors; among the old farm buildings the bake house is now a great seating area with barbecue; the newish tennis court set away from the house is a boon too.
This has been the fourth or fifth stay at Bel Arbre (can't quite remember}. Usually at the end of September but once in May. We absolutely love everything about the house and location. The view from the terrace would be hard to match as you look out over 40 acres or so of woodland into a valley with hills ranging beyond, it is really magical to sit there in the evening as the sun goes down. You can hear and sometimes see a range of wildlife. We heard but didn't see wild boar this time, in the woods there are orchids and an abundance of fungi if you have the courage! The pool is wonderful too.