News
(last updated June 3rd 2008)
Our aim
Since we acquired Bicclescombe Grange in October 2004 we have made constant efforts to maintain and improve it. It's a big job though – and we can't do everything at once!
The house, built around 100 years ago as a significant family home, was obviously never designed as a holiday home for 22 people. That's why, for example, the bedrooms vary greatly in size and why not all rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Ultimately we might be able to address such areas, but for now, we prefer to look at such things as part of the charm and character of the property – and we hope you will too!
Having said that, we have already done a great deal and will continue to do more, as and when we can.
What we are doing now
The new kitchen has just been finished! See the pictures on the Photos page.
Although everything that's needed was present, the layout of the kitchen never lent itself perfectly to cooking for 22. The new luxury kitchen changes all that. Granite surfaces, oak units, marble tiling and high specification stainless steel appliances all look amazing and make a fantastic cooking space.
Whenever we stay, as part of a large group of family and friends, we find that all the adults tend to congregate in the kitchen (while the children charge around the rest of the house!). We wanted to make a better space in which to do this. We've enlarged the whole kitchen area to allow for more seating, both low and high level, so hopefully any combination of adults, children and cooks can be accommodated in style.
Under-floor heating, leather backed bench seating, a large flat screen tv with Sky Plus and all Sky's channels, an ice maker and a dual zone wine cooler make this a great room that you will definitely enjoy, even if you have to cook!
What we've done recently
The kitchen, obviously.
The outdoor barbecue area has been built.
A stylish brass and mahogany overhead fan with integral adjustable lighting has been fitted in the conservatory – those 'too hot' days in the sun won't be too hot any longer!
The shower room off of the pool area has now been updated to a proper wet room, with under-floor heating and a superb shower.
The top floor area has been re-decorated and the storage heaters replaced with radiators linked to the main central heating. The bathroom on this floor has also been re-tiled and re-decorated.
The porch area has been tiled and the Green Room and Oak King Room have been re-decorated too.
The small unsatisfactory door from the pool to the garden has been replaced with a much wider sliding door, making this a much better linked space, particularly in the summer.
The pool has been drained and the liner replaced.
A pressurised hot and cold water system has been installed, to improve water pressure around the house.
The lounge television has grown to 43". Sky World has been installed.
Internet access is now available.
The outside ponds and waterfall have been cleared of weed.
What we will do next!
We have many plans and exactly what will happen when is uncertain. Although every area will be improved as and when we can, we like to consider feedback from our guests in deciding what will be done first – which is why we now have internet access and Sky television. An outside hot tub and a sauna area seem the most likely new major additions in the near future.
We'll keep this page updated to let you know how it's going.