The House
Go through the front door at Shires and you’re in the games room where there's a pool table and table football; continue through to the snug where stairs take you to Bedrooms 1-3 and a bathroom. These bedrooms all have doors onto the south facing roof terrace.
Right of the games room is Bedroom 4, fully accessible, with an ensuite wet room that allows for care givers to assist with bathing. An elevating bed and emergency hoist are available on request.
Straight ahead of the snug is the big open plan kitchen-diner with huge sliding doors opening onto the patio and garden. The kitchen is very swish and well-equipped, the dining table seats 14 and up above a colour change lighting tube runs around the room, allowing you to set the mood.
Off the dining area is Bedroom 5, designed as a caregiver's room, with a built-in intercom to Bedroom 4. There are stairs to Bedroom 6 which is great for families as there’s room for 2 extra guest beds (extra charge – see Extras).
Also off the dining area is the movie room, with THX surround sound, a 75" TV with Sky Q, and a games console. Off the movie room there’s a utility room, and a lockable door leading to the spa hall.
That spa hall. It’s the big wow. There’s a heated infinity pool with built-in LED lighting, a ground level hot tub, a sauna, changing rooms, shower and WC. With much thought given to accessibility, a hoist is available to lower patient and caregiver gently into the hot tub. Bi-fold doors pull back so the sunshine can roll in; privacy glass on one side means you can see out but no-one can see in.
The garden is huge and secure and even pet proof; outside the kitchen/dining room there’s a patio, round to the side there’s a lift to take wheelchair users and the less able bodied up to the roof terrace. There’s plenty of room for fun and games on the lawns, and for the young ‘uns, a play area and football goals. If the weather turns nasty, just head for the Scandi style BBQ lodge to snuggle beneath the twinkly lights.
Local Area
Stride out from the house for walks through the fields or along the lanes. For days by the sea, the coast is just 20 minutes away; spend a day at Lyme Regis, visit Dinosaurland Fossil Museum and the Marine Aquarium, take a rib ride around the bay or catch your supper on a fishing trip. Go fossil hunting at Charmouth, ride the tram along the beautiful Exe estuary at Seaton.
Take the little ones to see the animals at Ferne Animal Sanctuary or Axe Valley Wildlife Park, for gorgeous gardens go to Forde Abbey or Burrow Farm Gardens, visit historic houses at Barrington Court and Killerton House, take a family trip to Diggerland Devon, or Crealy Theme Park.
There are good country pubs and restaurants within a short drive, like the award winning Cotley Inn at Wambrook and just up the road, the Kings Arms at Stockland. It’s all about the good times, it’s all about the happy memories; both are in abundance when you stay at Shires.