Le Manoir St Sulpice
The Grounds
Le Manoir is set within an enclosed 2 acre garden, offering families a secure space to relax and play. The large south-facing terrace makes an ideal dining venue in warmer months, with views across the garden onto the village and 12th century church. Mostly laid to lawn, the grounds have plenty of areas for ball and racket games, while the ancient lime trees provide some cool shade in the from the summer sun. Around the corner, you will find the chickens, a well stocked vegetable garden and for entertainment, a games room with foosball and table tennis, and a splendid cinema room.
Pool
We knew that a large pool would be a focal point for families and groups of friends staying at Le Manoir. We wanted to create a private, safe and picturesque spot, near to the house and south facing to maximise the impact of the Dordogne sunshine. With wide steps for easy access and a constant depth of 1.4m, this salt water heated pool is a magnet for all in the high and peak seasons. Fenced with child proof gate and safety cover the pool soon becomes a hive of activity; play and laughter can be heard from dawn to dusk or even later as the pool light tempts those brave enough for a midnight swim. The sun lougers on the limestone paved surround are ideal for topping up the tan and shade is within easy reach either in the pool house or under the adjacent fruit trees.
Heated saltwater pool with wide steps for easy access.
12m x 6m constant depth (1.4m).
Solar heated pool shower.
Fenced Pool area and electric operated safety cover.
South facing.
Large stone terrace with sun-loungers.
Range of pool toys.
Pool House
The 75m2 Pool House has all that you need to experience a period of outdoor/indoor living. There is a large dining table with seating for 12, a comfortable sitting out area and even a hammock. The summer kitchen is equipped with a gas plancha and BBQ and to the side is a fixed charcoal BBQ. Plates, pool-safe glasses and cutlery along with a double butler's sink, dishwasher and fridge make it easy to serve, prepare and cook meals and snacks in the fresh air. The W/C with small changing area and a solar heated shower next to the pool allow for maximum time outside, relaxing and unwinding. For the cooler evenings in Spring and Autumn there is a large open fire available to provide that warm atmospheric glow. Simon and Nicholas also provide a daily cleaning service to ensure that the pool and pool house are spick and span ready for your next day's activities.
Open fireplace with comfortable seating area and covered dining table for 12.
Summer kitchen with sink, dishwasher, fridge and good sized gas plancha and gas and charcoal BBQs.
Pool safe plates and glasses.
WC/changing room.
Daily cleaning of pool and pool house.
Vegetable Garden & Chickens
We have always appreciated the benefit and improved flavours that fresh organic fruit and vegetables provide. We are keen to share this with our guests and so have built a formal vegetable and flower garden with raised beds and easy access. In the spring asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries are followed by lettuce, courgettes, raspberries and currents. Into July and August there is an abundance of tomatoes, aubergine, peppers and chillies. We are able to grow a wide range of herbs too including, basil, parsley, sage, thyme, tarragon, chives, rosemary, fennel and a spectacularly flavourful mint (ideal for tea!). Around the garden in May and June the cherry trees are laden with fruit; figs, apples, pears and plums each have their season. Fresh eggs are provided courtesy of our Babs and her girls. We find that our young visitors love to help collect the eggs and are happy to sneak some fresh greens to them when we're not watching.
Organic fruit and vegetables available from the garden.
Wide variety of fresh herbs.
Fresh eggs available courtesy Babs and her friends.
Cinema
The end of the large barn has been converted into a Cinema Room. Ideal for spring and autumn evenings and as a reprieve from the summer heat. The 8ft screen, high quality projector, surround sound and comfy seating make watching of a family film a very enjoyable experience. UK Sat TV, NETFLIX, Blu-ray DVDs, Apple TV and Bluetooth allow for a wide range of entertainment options. The most energetic so far was a very lively video workout routine that took no prisoners! The back of the cinema is raised and looks very like a stage - ideal for that improptu show?
8ft 16:9 screen.
UK Sat TV, NETFLIX, Apple TV, Blu-Ray, DVD, Bluetooth.
5:1 Surround Sound.
Comfortable leather seating.
Games
The wider enclosed grounds provide a safe environment for family games along with that touch of competitive spirit. Football and Badminton games have been keenly competed and the children’s slide and swings have proved a magnet for our younger guests. Croquet has consistently brought out the tactics and strongest emotions and even midnight tournaments by torchlight have been recorded. Table football or Foosball in the games room has proved popular as has table tennis. For the more sedate, the wide range of board and card games provide entertainment well into the early hours.
Badminton
Football
Table Tennis
Croquet
Boules
Table Football
Range of board games and cards