New recreation area is on the way

Posted: 28/01/2021

The Old Vicarage might be closed to guests at the moment but we are using the time constructively to further improve our extensive leisure facilities.

Our plans involve converting a section of the large outbuilding adjacent to the house into a new recreation area with a full-size pool table. There have been plans to do this for a while but it is hard to get a long enough gap when the property is empty, so that we are not disturbing the peace and quiet of people’s rural retreat with any work on site. This is one positive outcome of lockdown!

Originally the building was a shippon, used for hand-milking cows. In latter years, one of the three bays has been used for housing the barbeques, firewood and recycling but the other two bays have been closed off for general storage. Following a bit of a sort-out (of the things we keep ‘just in case’!), we are now able to free up one of these bays for the use of guests. The plan is to preserve the rustic nature of the building but capitalise on the wonderful open space for a self-contained activity area.

The new facilities will complement those already housed in the main leisure complex (situated a few minutes’ walk away across the fields) but they will have the added bonus of being within the grounds of the house itself. This is perfect if older children want to safely occupy themselves while the adults potter about, or alternatively if the grown ups want time to hive off or even take part in a mini-tournament!

We will keep you up-to-date with how this fun project develops and look forward to the big unveiling when we are able to welcome back our guests.