Luxury Eco Accommodation, Set in Six Acres of Woodland and Gardens
Contact us for February Half Term Week and Valentines Shortstay lastminute offers !
master bedroom and up to 2 further bedrooms
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A unique and high quality eco property. The Groundhouse was completed in 2009 and offers ecological living with extraordinary space, light and style. As it is south facing, this passive solar earth sheltered house benefits from all rooms being light and warm. Comfort and style go hand in hand. Combining modern innovation such as trifold glass doors and traditional Breton stonework sits the house comfortably in its environment. Ecotechnologies and good design deliver power, hot water, rainwater, and of course a steady comfortable temperature all year round. But the Groundhouse mainly functions like any normal house, just without the bills and the impact! The house is located in a beautiful oak lined field, part of a six acre private woodland estate, rich in wildlife and bordering a stream. The house is situated down a quiet country lane. It is very popular with couples seeking a romantic break, and with smaller families. Discounts are available for people interested in longer stays.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 January 2011 - 29 January 2011 | £600 | 7 | ||
| 30 January 2011 - 1 May 2011 | £740 | 7 | ||
| 1 May 2011 - 3 July 2011 | £800 | 7 | ||
| 3 July 2011 - 4 September 2011 | £880 | - | ||
| 4 September 2011 - 2 October 2011 | £800 | - | ||
| 2 October 2011 - 6 November 2011 | £700 | - | ||
| 18 December 2011 - 1 January 2012 | £900 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Special offer: 20% off any bookings for Winter
Changeover day
Changeover days are Saturdays, with arrival time from 4pm and departure by 10am. However we will accommodate other days where possible.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | The Long Room is the master bedroom, a large double room with a contemporary lime washed four poster bed and lime plastered walls. The Blue Room and the Green Room are smaller rooms with lime cob walls and coloured solid warm floors. |
| Bathrooms: | The bathroom has rounded walls and fossilised limestone floors. The bath is a large luxury stone resin bath complemented by a dual shower mounted over the bath. Inlaid in one wall of the bathroom is a stunning blue bottle wall. |
| Kitchen: | Designer salvage kitchen by Dan Clark. A large oak table which seats up to 8, with walnut drop lighting from Luminair. Stainless steel gas cooker with electric oven. Double white enamel sink and well equipped with utensils. |
| Utility Room: | Washing machine and whirly gig clothes dryer (outside) two wood burners. Wifi broadband connection permanently on. |
| Living Rooms: | The open plan kitchen/living space has a stereo with cd and iPod input, Moroccan rugs and a sofa. A beautiful space for relaxing. It has a state of the art hwam glass fronted woodburner and views over the gardens. |
| Other: | The Round Room is a stunning space, 6.5 m wide, with a vaulted ceiling rising to a large opening skylight. It is used as either a large living room or as a separate work space with small wood burner and 2 sofas one of which is a double sofa bed. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
Towels and linen are included for the duration of your stay, although the towels are for indoor use only. So you will need to bring beach towels. We ask the property to be left cleaned, although we also further deep clean between rentals. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge washing machine internet access cot high chair barbecue |
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Notes on accommodation
With its unique design the groundhouse maximises solar energy so that it is always filled with light in the living spaces. In Summer, through a system of skyvents, air is circulated to provide natural ventilation. In Winter, warmth is stored in the massive earth walls and radiates back into the house providing a stable temperature. This is further supported by a couple of super economic wood-burners , which makes the Groundhouse comfortable in every season. The completely glass fronted south face of the house means that you have a private window into Nature and the marvels of every changing season. There is plenty of space inside the house where children and adults can play! As the house is all on one level its good for toddlers, and the grass terraces outside are great stretching out a blanket. But most of all, it makes a lush romantic getaway ideal for couples and honeymooners wanting pampering and indulgence, never having to leave the house.
Outside
Outside we have organic gardens and grass terraces landscaped within the private acre of wild field which is lined with tall oak trees. Just outside the house we have built a limestone terrace with seating which captures all the afternoon sun and is a perfect place to BBQ. There is also a round wooden table and chairs with a sun cover. We have some outdoor rugs which are great for lying on the grass. There is also access to the whole estate of 6 acres of woodland, with large boulders and rope swings, which is shared with our other greengite, Plumstone Cottage. This contains massive granite boulders, old chestnut coppice, a badger set, and with woodland walks that drop down to a stream.
Coast/Beach
Being located in the heart of Brittany means that all beaches are about an hours drive from the Groundhouse. The rugged Breton coastline is strewn with dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches and remains a well kept secret. We also have the beautiful Lac de Guerledan just 20 minutes from here which has a sandy beach bordering on the lake, surrounded by verdant green forests and walking trails .
Travel
Both Roscoff and St Malo are roughly an hour and a halfs drive from here with regular ferries operating. Caen port takes about 6 hours. Cheap ferries to Dieppe, but the drive takes better part of a day. Brest and Dinard are the closest airports and both are about an 1½ hour drive from the Groundhouse.
Distances
10 min walk to nearest village. 10 minute drive to nearest town, with all amenities. 15 drive to buddhist centre
Megalithic standing stones, ancient forests, medieval villages and chateauxs all within easy reach.
Further details
The local village is a 10 minute walk, and has an organic bakery selling fresh breads organic croissants and cream cakes as well as local vegetable and dairy produce. The bar also sells espresso coffee. The nearest town Rostrenen, with supermarkets, banks, chemists and other shops is a 10 minute drive away. Canoeing, tree activities and water leisure centres with indoor swimming pools and saunas are a 20 minute drive away. The Nante a Brest canal is 5 minutes from the house and is ideal for walking, cycling and fishing.
Booking notes
A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required to secure a booking. This is payable by bank transfer. With the balance due 6 weeks before the arrival date. We also require a £250 cleaning deposit payable in advance. This is returned in full after the rental period, providing the cottage is clean and free from damage.
Guest comments
‘The atmosphere of the Groundhouse is magical and peaceful and we came back feeling refreshed and indulged’ Adrian, London
‘We stayed at the Groundhouse for a week in July, and had a wonderful time. It was the week Europe was deluged by rain so under normal circumstances that might have made for a claustrophobic annoying way to spend a holiday. But the atmosphere of the Groundhouse is magical and peaceful and in fact we came back feeling refreshed... the house itself is very calming, with the fabulous rotunda room and a kitchen that serves the needs of the most devoted of cooks. Great for a break whatever the weather!’ Zoe, London
"We have had a wonderful week in the beautiful Groundhouse. It is such a peaceful, restorative environment in a very tranquil setting - perfect for those of us who live in urban areas for the rest of the year ! We particularly enjoyed the enormous bathtub, the stunning kitchen and the complete privacy here. Many thanks" Rebecca, London
Owner profile
Adi and Daren with some home grown chillis
About the owner
Daren and I love spending time in the Groundhouse, next door to Plum Cottage, with our two chickens in the heart of Brittany! We spent a year building the Groundhouse while we lived in Plum Cottage. We were filmed as part of the Grand Designs series 2009. It was a hectic year and if it hadn't been for the forest, the birds and all the animals and flowers we would have certainly gone mad!
We love the peace of country living. My favourite way to start the day is in the vegetable garden. I also love washing my hair with rainwater we have harvested, turning our vegetable waste into compost, picking plums and berries in summer and mushrooms and chestnuts in autumn from just around the house. The land is so abundant and it’s amazing what you can reap with just a little work.
Why the owner chose a home in this location
We love the quiet and stillness that you find here, with the chirping of birds and the buzzing of flies, or the hum of a tractor grinding away being the loudest noises reminding you that it’s a farming area. And although it feels remote it's only a 10 minute drive from all amenities.
But just being at the Groundhouse is enough in itself, and provides a haven from the busyness of city life. It’s the kind of place where you can truly relax without feeling like you need to do anything at all. A walk in the woods, relaxing in the interior or nestling in the warmth of the stone alcove, BBQ going are some of our favourite ways to pass the time.
Unique benefits of the property
What makes the Groundhouse different is that by nature of its design it is a comfortable space to holiday in all year round. Whatever the weather you will always be able to enjoy sunlight, warmth, a calm atmosphere and a luxurious space. In winter it can provide a cosy romantic retreat from the outside world.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR5522
Adi Nortje and Daren Howarth
Owners Website: Click here
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and has advertised this property with us since September 2009.
Property Ref FR5522
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