The new-build split-level bungalow has as nearly as possible been constructed as an exact replica of the 300 year old Ewe Pen it replaces.  Sheep lambed here in the lee of the old orchard for at least two or three hundred years up until the mid 1950's.

The main accessible level is built around a central courtyard and features a large farmhouse style kitchen, lounge, ensuite-wetroom twin/double bedroom and a further twin/double room around the three sides.  At a slightly lower (1 metre) level ,the south facing courtyard garden and parking area leads to a hallway with a "single" bedroom and a family bathroom off it, and there are four steps up into the lounge. Externally, the driveway is graded from the central courtyard down to the enclosed patio/garden and 2-car parking area.

The cottage is fully wheelchair accessible with a ramp up to the hallway and furnishing/fittings are to the same high level as our Rick Cottage.  As with all of our cottages, smoking and pets (with the exception of caring dogs e.g guide dogs) are NOT allowed.

The picture shows the Ewe Pen as it neared completion - handrails have since been added to the wheelchair ramp, the pile of earth to the left of the entrance will become a raised border, kerbing has been added and the edges will be turfed shortly, the border to the right of the entrance will be planted with Mediteranian type shrubs.

The main entrance opens into a rectangular yard covered on three sides to house the cottage's main rooms. The farmhouse style kitchen's hob and sink units are recessed to provide reasonable wheelchair access.  Extractor hood, electric & microwave ovens, coffee machine, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer-drier meet most people's needs and the dining table with its chairs and pine settle will comfortably seat eight.

Off the kitchen, the double bedroom has a pair of electric single beds that can be zip & linked together (will lose lectric capability) to provide a super king sized bed, touch control bedside lamps provided.  An ensuite wetroom with a real non-slip floor provides a touch of luxury for both ambulant and non-ambulant guests.  At the other end of the room to the kitchen, an oak stable door provides an opportunity to get close to delightful sunsets, natural ventilation and level access to the driveway.

The other kitchen door leads into a spacious and wheelchair friendly lounge where an old carved doorway lintle forms a focal point for the fireplace, in front of which, you lounge and relax in a comfortable armchair or sofa in front of  the digital colour television /DVD player (including Freeview Channels), etc. or pick up your laptop and use the available WiFi access to the internet.

The second double bedroom leads off the lounge and it to is equipped with a pair of zip & link twin beds that can form a super large bed.  This room's windows offer evening sunsets and views over Campden Wood.

Four steps lead down from the lounge to the south facing lean-to which, accomodates a hall, single bedroom and a large family bathroom.  The hall opens onto a courtyard garden/parking (2-cars) area in which we hope to shortly incorporate a sun-drenched patio.

All south and west facing windows are fitted with adjustable blinds so that you can reduce the glare to an acceptable level.  All heating, linen and towels are included in the charge and we hope to shortly include Broadband access for the computor buffs.

Energy saving features include: under floor heating with a control for each room, low energy bulbs throughout, light reflecting/absorbing glass, latest spec insulation in all walls and ceilings, heat retaining and low allergen Karndean flooring throughout, central vacuum cleaner unit and provision for a heat recovery unit.

There will be level access from the drive and across the main courtyard into the building and a graded path from there to the courtyard garden and its 2 parking spaces.  

We do not allow any smolking inside the cottages and for safety reasons prefer you not to do so on the farm at all.  Whilst we do not allow pets in general, "guide and similar caring dogs, etc." are welcome, but please note that we do make a small additonal cleaning charge for them.

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Historicaly, the old garden shed where earlier generations kept a few hens was to the left of the stable doors and now houses an ensuite wetroom, the stable type doors came from the Old Granary. A lean-to was attached attached to the south facing wall just to the right of the picture and this and its small yard were used for many years to house young rearing stock until someone, was a bit too robust with a tractor and knocked one of the uprights over, causing it to collapse in the early 1960's.

Our first intention was to retain as many of the original beams and features as possible when converting the original barn into a three bedroom bungalow with the major advantages of level access and delightful evening sunsets through the west facing entrance over the old orchard.

But we were forced to rebuild because of NHBC Warantee implications. Nevertheless, the original stone and basic footprint were used to retain the view of Blind Lane and we now have the advantage of a modern construction and fittings to enhance its efficent heat retention properties, etc. and make it more user friendly. 

The grass in front of the cottage has been returfed, work on the garden borders will start shortly and our aim is to replant the small orchard to the west of the Ewe Pen during the coming autumn.  This will be a mixed orchard of apples, pears, plums and cherries featuring a number of old/historic varieties.

Unfortunately, the second of the two 128 year-old cedar trees that used to be a major feature of Blind Lane and Westington had to be felled a couple of months ago because the roots had been severely affected by a fungs with the result that the tree had suddenyl developed a serious 15 - 20 degree list andwas in danger of falling in the next storm.  Both had been struck by lightning back in 1973, causing half of the other one slip away and later go rotten(it was felled 4 years ago).

Our aim is to replace these with a couple of feature trees for the future along with a horsechestnut for the evil day when the existing one eventually dies off/falls in a storm.  Years ago, before the Second World War, there used to be walnut trees in front of and to the right of the Ewe Pen  - again we aim to restore this feature - we may not see much of them in our lifetime, but they will hopefully be there as a reminder of what Blind Lane looked like at the turn of the 20th century.