The Granary - Dunsby, Bourne, Lincolnshire, England

Our Eco-policy: The Granary was, as its name implies, a first floor barn for storing the farm's all-important grain.   When we decided to convert it  keeping the external appearance of the barn unchanged was easy but to retain the inside feature of the huge roof with its beams was more of a challenge. We also needed to make the flat warm and cosy and, above all, eco-friendly. By using generous amounts of insulation in the roof and on the walls, plus a false ceiling over the bedrooms at one end and the kitchen and shower room at the other, we find we have proudly created a very spacious but comfortable living area, and romantic beamed bedrooms. We re-used as much of the original building materials as we could and chose new materials with care to minimise the environmental impact while giving modern standards of convenience and comfort.  We have recently had 8 pv panels fitted onto our workshop roof and, since the Granary uses so little electricity, we probably generate more than enough for it, leaving a good proportion to be used by ourselves! Our whole ethos here at French's Farm is to re-use and re-cycle as much as we can, and we will no doubt invite you to save your vegetable peelings for our compost bins - which will ultimately be spread on the garden.  And if you REALLY want to get close to nature, there is always our rare two-seater Lincolnshire privy (or thunderbox!) for you to investigate!

History: French's farm was a working farm into the mid-1960s, and then the house was abandoned (the last occupants were called Mr & Mrs French - hence the name of the property!).  Animals were no longer kept here, although the yard was in use until we bought the property in 1988.  We slowly turned the derelict house and horse barn into a comfortable home, and made the yard full of nettles into a garden with mature trees, a pond and orchard.  The Granary is next to, but not overlooking, our house so that we are on hand if you need us, but not "in your face"! We hope you will enjoy just sitting and relaxing or playing games in the whole garden, as well as using the private area we have created for you.

 The apartment is on the first floor and so the windows on the lounge side (facing west) have spectacular views across the fen towards Dunsby and the hills beyond. From here we have often watched barn owls and kestrels hunting across the fields next to us.  These have not been cultivated for many years now, and so have become an interesting habitat, with ponds to encourage waterfowl such as Canade Geese and mallards.  We sometimes see badgers, deer and hares, and occasionally a fox.  Because the fen sky is so big our sunsets are amazing, and the pink light just floods into the flat (best enjoyed with a glass of wine!)

The windows on the other side look out onto the garden and pond, and then across the fen towards Spalding.  On a clear day you can just see the chimneys of our next-door neighbour's house, which is well over a mile away, where our road ends at the Forty-Foot River!  In the early 1900s, there were many more houses (abandoned and demolished long ago), and we are told that the children used to be taken across the river by boat to get to school!

 We love the fact that our house is so far from anywhere and that we rarely get disturbed. We really love walking  or cycling round the area, and know many routes (often including a pub or tea room!).   And we also love the fact that it only takes 10 minutes to drive into Bourne, less than an hour to get to Peterborough and only an hour longer on a train to be in the centre of London! We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the Peace and Quiet that we have found here at French's farm.

Please visit http://www.frenchsfarm.co.uk to find out more about the holiday cottage, amenities, surrounding area and places to visit in Lincolnshire.

Grimsthorpe Castle, 7 miles away, is a fortified manor house, with formal gardens, a tea room, an adventure playground plus thousands of acres of park and woodland with marked trails for walks and cycling. Also Burghley House,Stamford and Belton House,Grantham (NTrust). Isaac Newton's birthplace at Woolsthorpe Manor (NTrust) near Grantham is now a very interesting museum and activity centre. Easton Walled Gardens and Barnsdale Gardens make good days out for gardeners. Cathedrals at Lincoln and Peterborough, Castles at Lincoln, Newark and Rockingham. Water activities at Tallington Lakes and Rutland Water, birdwatching (inc Ospreys) at Rutland Water & Fineshade Wood (inc red kites RSPB). Working windmills at Boston and Heckington, water mill at Sleaford, micro brewery and coffee/farm shop at Swaton, micro brewery & pub at Ufford. Or just relax at luxurious Grange Spa, just 10 minutes away.

Nearest Train Station or Airport: Peterborough, Stansted

Recommended Places to Visit: Lincoln is about an hour away with its castle, cathedral and the famous "Steep Hill". Boston is a historic port with working windmill and famous church (the Stump) and you can take birdwatching cruises on the Wash. The Lincolnshire Wolds (like the Cotswolds, but smaller!) are worth a visit and the main Wolds towns of Horncastle (with many antique shops) and Louth are both very interesting. Cambridge is also within easy reach. Hunstanton and the North Norfolk coast can be reached in under 2 hours, while Skegness and the Lincolnshire coast is a little nearer.

Annual Events: Truckfest (Peterboro Showground) 5-7th May. East of England Show July 6-8th 2012. Lincoln show June 20-21st 2012. Lincolnshire Steam & Vintage rally 18-19th Aug 2012 Burghley Horse Trials 30th Aug - 2nd Sept 2012. Festival of Antiques (East of England showground) 5-6th Oct 2012. BRITISH BIRDFAIR Rutland Water - Egleton Nature Reserve, 17 -19th Aug 2012 Spalding Flower Parade - May 5th 2012.

Recommended Places to Eat Out: Many good local pubs, for example The Ship at Pointon (6 miles), and The Fortesque Arms at Billingborough (8 miles). Indian, Chinese and Italian Restaurants in Bourne, plus the Angel Hotel. Our local pub is The Hare and Hounds at Hacconby (4 miles) with very friendly people, large portions, and folk nights twice a month!

Local Sports: Swimming, cycling, horseriding, go-carting, golf, birdwatching.

Dunsby is a conservation village of just 43 houses. Bourne is a market town only 4 miles away, with supermarkets, restaurants etc.

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