Introduction
A Barn and The Observatory are situated in South Lane in the small rural village of Houghton. The B2139 runs through Houghton and South Lane is a turning in the centre of the village. It is a No Through Road. The entrance to A Barn has a tarmac and gravel driveway 500 yards down South Lane on the Right. The driveway leads to the Guest Parking at the side of the property.
A Barn is a recent barn conversion (completed January 2019). It has straw thatch and timber cladding and offers 3 guest en-suite bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms are on the ground floor and one is on the first floor.
The Observatory sits on the site of a summerhouse art painting studio renovated in 2016. The property is compact, but the views are magnificent.
Pre-Arrival
Booking can be made through the website or by telephone/post. The nearest railway station is Amberley 0.7mile away. We can arrange a pick up to and from the station – please ask for details.
Taxis can be pre-booked for service in the local areas – please ask for details.
Car Parking Facilities
Guest parking is at the west side of the property. The surface of the parking area is reinforced artificial grass. The entrance to the front of the property is level. There is an external entrance bell for attention of the owners who live in Barnyard Cottage next door.
A BARN ACCESS DETAILS
Arrival, Public Areas – Dining area, lounges, boot room, etc
Once inside the main barn the open plan kitchen and dining area is level.
The public areas are all in the main barn. The boot room and kitchen/dining area and the Rabbit & Hare room are on the ground floor. The mezzanine lounges on the first floor are accessed via a flight of 12 stairs with a handrail on one side.
Breakfast
Breakfast can be served in the main barn dining area on a table and chairs. Unless otherwise agreed, the Breakfast Basket option is delivered to the door of your room at an agreed time. There is a complimentary fruit bowl, chocolates and biscuits on arrival in each room. A Non-Smoking policy applies throughout the building and grounds.
We aim to cater for varying dietary requirements – please discuss when making your reservation. Please also advise us of any food allergies you may have.
Bedrooms
The Rabbit and Hare bedroom is off the main barn and is on the same level. This is a compact double bedroom with patio doors leading to an outside seating area with table and 2 chairs.
From the main barn there is 1 step and a landing and a further 3 steps down to the larger ground floor Swan and River bedroom. There is an alternative entrance to this room from the guest parking area but this has a small slope or 4 steps with a handrail. The surface is artificial grass. There is an outside seating area with table and 2 chairs adjoining the patio doors of the room. The sofa in this room opens into a small double bed. The en-suite in this room has a spacious wet room shower but no hand rails.
From the main barn and through a door there is a flight of 9 stair with handrails on both sides leading to a landing and the first floor Owl and Kite bedroom. This room is open plan with a free standing bath and separate walk in shower. There is also a separate toilet room with hand wash basin.
There are no special provisions for the disabled in the property. There is wood flooring in all ground floor rooms. All first floor rooms have carpet. All rooms have hospitality trays and also have drinks refrigerators. There are seating areas and a table in the Owl and Kite and Swan and River bedrooms. The Rabbit and Hare bedroom has an outside patio with table and 2 chairs and adjoins the Dining Hall where guests can also enjoy breakfast.
Bathroom, Shower & WC
All bedrooms have en-suite shower room facilities and the first floor room also has a free standing double ended bath.
Additional Information
Emergency evacuation information for each room is in the Information Books in the bedrooms. There is a strict non-smoking policy in the property and grounds. The 2 ground floor bedrooms have patio doors and internal doors. The first floor bedroom has an external access at the bottom of the stairs.
THE OBSERVATORY ACCESS DETAILS
Arrival, car parking facilities, accesses to The Observatory
There is one dedicated car parking space with sign for The Observatory in the Guest Parking area adjoining A Barn. From this parking area there is a set of 15 wooden steps landing on an artificial grass path with 1 step and 2 small steps to a level path leading up to a step onto the decking surrounding The Observatory. There is a level access from the decking into the property either via the patio doors or the front door. However, subject to ground conditions, vehicular access may be possible to the field side of the property adjoining The Observatory decking. If guests would prefer this alternative option, please contact and discuss with the owners prior to arrival.
Studio room and En-Suite Shower Room
There are no special provisions for the disabled in this single story property. There is wood flooring in all the rooms which is level and 2 rugs on the studio floor. There is a seating area with 2 lounge chairs and a table and 2 dining chairs. The bed is King Size with 4 storage draws underneath. The Kitchenette has storage cupboards and draws, a free standing under counter fridge with ice box, a microwave oven, a kettle, a toaster and a washing machine. The en-suite shower is electric, the hand wash basin has a small under counter electric hot water tank and the kitchen sink has an instant electric cold to hot water tap.
Outside Seating Area
There is a wicker 2 seater bistro set, garden bench and table on the level decking.
Additional Information
Emergency evacuation information is on the wall to the internal right of the kitchenette window adjoining the Fire Blanket and Fire Extinguisher.
Contact Telephone Numbers: 01798 839256 / 07947108825 / 07932001292
Email Address: info@southdownsstay.co.uk