POOL BARN

About this property

otter pool barn overview

Otter Pool Barn is a new conversion of an old threshing barn. The owners of High View Farmhouse, Simon and Kate Brookes are converting the barn themselves, aiming for the same high standards and comfortable individuality they have achieved in the 5* rated farmhouse.

The conversion will be completed in time for Easter 2017, but is still a work in progress at this point. Please keep checking back to follow the progression.

You can gain an idea of its finished standard by viewing High View Farmhouse.

The description given here is based on the planned renovation, but could be subject to change as work progresses. You can rest assured, if you decide to book, that you will be one of the first visitors to a brand new highly desirable, unique property.

The conversion has included many accessibility friendly adaptations, and so is suitable for both able bodied and disabled guests. Bookings are encouraged from groups where a member of the party has a disability and a discount is available to these groups.

The barn sits in a small hamlet of half a dozen houses, surrounded by rolling North Devon hills, off a quiet lane leading from Ilfracombe to Barnstaple. The tasteful renovation of the barn has included the addition of bespoke oak windows and restoration of the barn's exterior, whilst high quality heat insulation has made it an environmentally friendly holiday home.

great hall

This spectacular double height room has dramatic exposed wood roof beams, a grand antique wooden staircase, leading up to the Minstrel's Gallery and on to the upstairs hall. An immense exposed slate chimney houses a large inglenook fireplace, with a log burning stove. The old threshing doors of the barn are now fully glazed, adding to the dramatic, yet comfortable feel of this room. The reclaimed stained glass door under the stairs leads to a handy toilet and cleaning store. Behind carved wood doors under the stairs you will find a well stocked games cupboard. This room will be furnished with a selection of chairs and sofas, some with manual or electric recliners and/or rise features.

kitchen/diner

A traditional wood and stained glass partition separates the Great Hall from the immense kitchen/dining room. At one end of this large room the solid wood dining table will sit 14+. The other end houses the kitchen, which will be equipped with everything you could need in a luxury holiday home including a range style cooker, American style fridge freezer, dishwasher and a washing machine/tumble drier. There is plenty of work surface with a large granite topped island unit for friends and family to enjoy preparing meals together, while other can be in the same room, using the dining table for their own activities. A 'pull down' power socket will be available over the dining table to allow electrical items and laptops to be used without the need of trailing cables. The stable door, from the kitchen to the rear courtyard is the main access door to the house.

The Great Hall and kitchen/diner have access to the south facing rear courtyard, the walled area at one end, having a gate to the rest of the courtyard, perfect for younger children to play safely. A large charcoal barbecue will be provided, together with outdoor seating. The rainbow sandstone paving gives a luxury feel and extends round to the large heated swimming pool and hot tub.

snug lounge

Snug lounge is perhaps a mis-description of this large room, with exposed heavy beams, as it sounds small! It will be comfortably equipped with a range of seats and sofas. The dramatic carved fireplace houses an electric 'traditional looking' stove (much easier and quicker than a log burner!) A heavy curtain and glazed door will separate it from the kitchen dining room, allowing a quiet space if you want to get some peace! The room will have a large flat screen TV and it is intended that Sky channels will be available.

bedrooms

The barn has a wheelchair-suitable lift to the upper floor making all six bedrooms accessible.

Bedroom one: This large ground floor has its own door to the rear courtyard. It is fully equipped for those with limited mobility, being fitted with a ceiling mounted x-y electric hoist, leading through into the large wet room, with shower and toilet. The electric bed will have a height change feature and options to raise back and feet. A second bed in this room can make this a twin or king size double. This room has a flat screen TV.

Bedroom two: Adjacent to bedroom one on the ground floor, has twin beds.

Bedroom three: A large upstairs room, sharing a Jack and Jill en suite bathroom with bedroom four. A clever electronic lock ensures privacy when the spacious wet room/toilet is in use. The king size bed can be used a twin beds if preferred. This room is equipped with flat screen TV.

Bedroom four: This upstairs room is separated from bedroom three by the shared en suite. It has twin beds.

Bedroom five: Adjacent to the upstairs family bathroom, with twin beds.

Bedroom six: Between the Minstrel's Gallery and the family bathroom, this room is equipped with a king sized bed and flat screen TV.

THE family bathroom

This large wet room has a shower, with separate bath.

THE pool

The 5.5 metre pool has adjustable temperature, allowing it to be set to meet the needs of your group. It can be used for swim training and fitness (just set the flow to match your speed), for gentle exercise or just to play or relax. The removable partition allows access to the hot tub without the need to leave the water. There is an adjacent changing room and shower/ toilet. The electrically operated pool cover ensures the water is always warm and access to the pool is quick and easy.

THE gardens AND five-acre field

The gardens are equipped with play equipment for younger children and a path leads in to the Five Acre Field. This field is for the private use of the residents of Otter Pool Barn. The grassy field has a path, suitable for push chair and wheelchair use, leading towards the private lake, culminating above the lake, with a picnic and barbecue area. Regular seats are provided along the path to allow you to sit and enjoy the extensive views to the Torridge Estuary and hills beyond.

THE lake

The private, secluded stream-fed lake is suitable for many activities, including canoeing and kayaking (Canadian canoe and two small canoes supplied), stand up paddle boarding and fishing. Water checks have been conducted at the start of the season, when the water was found to be safe, but any lake/water activities are undertaken at your own risk. Usual open water safety precautions should be followed.

parking

The parking area will accommodate 4+ cars. It is fully paved and a paved path leads to the main door into the kitchen. All slopes are gentle and suitable for people with any level of mobility/ wheel chair use.

disability information

It is intended that this property will be awarded National Accessibility Standards 'Accessibility Exceptional' grading before opening and also achieve a visual and hearing impaired accessibility grading. The disability facilities at this property have been installed with support from a leader grant.

If extra domiciliary care is required during the stay, it is possible to arrange this in advance with www.brauntoncare.co.uk

As well as the ceiling hoist, a mobile hoist (up to 200kg) is supplied and can be used in any room in the house, visitors will need to supply their own slings. The hoist fits in the lift so can be transferred from upstairs to downstairs. It is suitable to be used to access the bath. A separate seated hoist is provided to allow access to the pool/hot tub. All taps are lever operated. There will be a wheeled shower/commode chair, toilet seat risers and other equipment, such as removable bed rails, available on request. All doorways are wide and all bedrooms/bathrooms are fitted with solid oak sliding doors, maximising accessibility for those using mobility aids and wheel chairs. External door sills are disability approved. Light switches and plug sockets are at a suitable height for wheel chair users and are brushed steel finish to make them easily visible on the white walls. All sockets are switch controlled. The kitchen can be quickly adapted to allow wheelchair access to sink and hob.

Flooring through the property and externally is low slip, flat and minimum glare. It is very durable to allow easy use for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. Doors and skirting are clearly visible to help those with visibility impairment.

Seating through the property is varied. Some dining chairs will be provided with arms. There is plenty of space for chairs to be moved to allow wheelchair access. The comfortable seating will have a variety of styles, including electrically operated lift and tilt, recliners, high seat and other options, such as additional seat cushions will be available.

Access around the barn, pool and in the five acre field has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The parking area has plenty of space to allow easier access to vehicles or to be suitable for larger vehicles. It is Xx metres from the nearest vehicle drop off to the main entrance to the barn.

Where the path cannot be flat gradients of no more than 1:20 have been installed.

*Disability Discount: If you or a member of your group has limited mobility or any recognised disability, including a visual, hearing or learning impairment, please apply for the 'disability discount' by clicking the relevant button on booking.

This discount is to recognise the support given by the leader grant to enable a disability friendly property to be developed in North Devon.

E&OE