2014 at Ashcombe

Happy New Year to all of our friends and guests.

2013 was an excellent year for Ashcombe Country Cottages.  Despite a cold spring we enjoyed a wonderful summer that extended well into September.  

Not that you would realise it if you were here, but over 4,000 people came to stay in the cottages over 2013 and as I peer at the the 2014 bookings wall behind Sue's desk it is clear that many of you rebooked your cottage as soon as possible.  We know that there are many alternatives in Devon, which is why we appreciate our guests and try to maintain the highest standards, constantly checking and replacing items as well as improving facilities.  Here a brief run-down of what we've been up to and what we are planning for the future:

In 2011 we replaced every mattress, every old sofa, all the TV's, 18 bathrooms, several kitchens, created the 12 bed Badger Cottage, insulated every roof, put in new double glazing, replace all the outdoor furniture and BBQs, replace all the cutlery & crockery, nearly half of the white goods,  and nearly all of the linen and curtains.

In 2012 we totally redecorated Apple Tree Cottage including new central heating.  The drive to Apple Tree and The Cider Barn was also completed.  At Woodhouse Farm we created the new games room, redecorated the swimming pool area, added a sauna and built a new Children's Playground. A 50KW solar array for the cottages at Woodhouse Farm was built. Endeavour Farmhouse got a new sauna.  All cottages had modern lighting systems installed. The Old School House had new central heating installed.  All cottages were WiFi enabled.

In 2013 we consolidated lots of the improvements we had made in 2012.  We also totally refurbished The Old School House, which is a lovely detached Victorian property.   Created a superb sun deck at Badger Cottage for the very smart new hot tub.  Rebuilt The Cider Barn car park so you can turn around more easily up there, and replaced the Cider Barn's lighting. Most importantly for our winter guests we replaced loads of nightstore heaters in the cottages with new modern electric radiators which are much better. Finally and most importantly we refurbished most of the cottage's roofs.   


In 2014 we will be continuing this improvement drive: 

Refurbishing the indoor pool and adding eco-heating systems powered by our own solar array.

Providing more solar power generation links to power the Woodhouse Farm Cottages and drilling a bore hole for water there and around the cottage office.

Installing wood burning stoves in all the remaining cottages and increasing the insulation in these cottages still further.

Refurbishing Endeavour Farmhouse  - where we have already installed a new AGA and sauna as well as new bathrooms... but we do like to keep improving!

Creating a Sauna Room at Apple Tree Cottage as well as refurbishing the outside of the property so it is as smart as the inside.

Making a new garden for Owl Cottage and improving the interior décor.

Creating a playground for Apple Tree Cottage and The Cider Barn.
 
We are still planning the development of Ashcombe Court - a country inn restaurant and entertainment facility, but these things take time and funding!

Finally - did you try the Ashcombe Estate Orchards Cider yet?   We made 3,000 bottles last year and it won a bronze at Tastes of The West - not bad for the first year back in production.  The 2013 vintage will be amazing and there will be lots more of it too.  

  

Check the Ashcombe Cider Website and Facebook Page for more details.