Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 31, 1991 TAG: 9103310291
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: D-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ROBIN HIXON/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
With the advent of children, these adventurous sojourns were replaced with less exciting family vacations at the beach. After four summers of sand and surf, my husband and I began to fantasize about another European vacation.
With neither of us willing to leave the children for more than a few days, nor wanting to travel to Europe for a short stay, we realized we would have to take the kids. Hopping from place to place and staying in bed-and-breakfasts with our 5- and 2-year-old children was out of the question, so we decided to explore renting houses and using them as home base for daily trips to surrounding areas.
The British Tourist Authority in New York provided the addresses of over 50 agencies and as many individuals who lease what the British call "self-catering" properties.
We requested additional information from 15 of them and received detailed literature, often with color photos.
The selection included a wing in a castle, with pool and tennis privileges, and thatched-roof cottages in isolated villages that could be rented, some for short breaks and others for long term.
We decided to inquire further about only those properties where the owner or management live on the premises, reasoning that they could more readily and accurately provide any additional information needed about the houses and hopefully provide prompt attention to any problem that might arise during our stay.
Our first week was spent at Brissenden Court, a 15-acre estate in Kent, 60 miles from Gatwick Airport. The owners, Richard and Jean Bishop, live in the manor house and rent nine estate buildings.
The landscaped complex has brick walkways connecting the houses to an indoor swimming pool, sauna, game room, outdoor play area and laundry.
The buildings and brick walls enclose the complex, so it was safe for my 5-year-old to walk alone from our cottage to the playground and games room.
The majority of guests at Brissenden are British (we were only the second American family to stay in our cottage in 10 years), and because of the joint facilities we were able to socialize with them, something we always enjoyed when staying in bed-and-breakfasts.
Our second week was spent at Owlpen Manor in the Cotswolds, described by the English press as "a paradise for fugitives weary of the rat race." Owlpen, 1 1/2 hours west of Heathrow Airport, is a 215-acre estate of forest and meadowland, with over five miles of footpaths.
The manor house is 500 years old, and Woodwells, the three-bedroom, two-bath stone farmhouse we rented, is over 100 years old. There are eight properties for rent, and the owners, Nicholas Mander, heir to the Mander family title, and his wife, Karen, live in the manor house.
Success of purpose
At both Brissenden and Owlpen, our goal of finding a comfortable place where the children could run and play and not disturb the other guests was accomplished.
Without any restraints placed on the children that are not placed on them at home, we were able to relax and avoid the stress and disruption that accompanies traveling with children in hotels.
Finally, the true test of a successful trip with children is whether you would do it again. Our answer is yes, and hopefully soon.
We carefully selected places to visit during the day where few restrictions would be necessary; museums and stately homes full of porcelain were eliminated. Castles and gardens became our objectives.
From Brissenden we visited Leeds and Hever castles, where the children could run through the grounds, chase the ubiquitous ducks, and explore the mazes. We climbed the turrets at Bodiam Castle and rode the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, a one-third size steam locomotive. In the Cotswolds the children fed geese, flamingos and egrets at the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust.
Helpful information
The British Tourist Authority in New York (212-581-4700) should be the first call in planning such a trip. Its brochures cover Britain Holiday Homes and other travel needs.
Prices at Brissenden in 1990 ranged from 250 to 1,043 pounds per week ($462 to $1,929). Rentals are from Saturday to Saturday, but in the off season short breaks are available. Write the Bishops at Brissenden, Bethersden, Kent, TN26BE.
Prices at Owlpen in 1990 ranged from 200 to 850 pounds per week ($370 to $1,572). Conveniently, rentals may begin any day of the week and in the off season the minimum stay is only two nights. You may write to the Manders at Owlpen, Near Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL115BZ.
by CNB