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"Our aim is to meet or exceed your expectations in terms of the quality of accommodation and service that we provide during your stay. If at an time you are unhappy with anything please let us know and we will make every effort to rectify the problem."

THE HOT TUB

The Hot Tub is constantly switched on 24/7 during your stay and is set to maintain a water temperature of 39 degrees centigrade. If you do not find that comfortable please let us know and we will adjust it for you. It may not be fully up to temperature on your day of arrival because the water is always changed and the hot tub cleaned on the morning of arrival. Depending on the ambient temperature it can take up to 24 hours to reach the operating temperature.
The water is treated with chlorine automatically but if it should become cloudy or you are otherwise unhappy with it during the course of your stay please let us know.
The controls are simple, one for the jets and one for the lights.

Please replace the cover after every use. Not only does it ensure the Hot Tub is always at the correct temperature when you want to use it but also helps to control the running costs, thereby ensuring that we can continue to offer the facility and keep our prices reasonable.

THE PATIO SOFAS

The cushions are not fully waterproof so when not in use and if rain is possible we advise you to keep them dry by placing them on the Hot Tub cover under the sail awning. If it is likely to be cold overnight it may also be best to store them inside the patio doors when you go to bed.

THE GARDEN

The two “South lawns” at Houndbeare are intended for you to use privately, they are a short walk from the Barn and we will show you where they are on arrival. There is a Picnic table, a bench, and an outdoor dining set there for you to use, as well as a barbecue and a Chimnea, which you are welcome to use at your own risk. Please feel free to take suitable logs from the lane to burn in the Chimnea.

We cannot guarantee that the garden is secure for dogs, most do not stray in our experience but if you are concerned that yours may do, please keep them under some form of control.

You are also very welcome to explore the wood, again at your own risk. It is an ancient oak woodland that has been left to the control of nature so it is used by a wide variety of wildlife including deer, badgers, foxes and squirrels. In late April and May it can be a sea of bluebells but it is steeply sloping and the climb back up is challenging! Please close all gates behind you after going through them.

HEATING

The Barn is centrally heated and the temperature is normally set to 20 degrees centigrade, dropping to 18 overnight and during the middle of the day. You can increase and decrease the current temperature using the control downstairs but it will revert to the programme settings at the next change time. If you are not comfortable and wish us to change the programme permanently during your stay please let us know and we will be pleased to do so.

There is also a thermostat upstairs which displays the temperature and controls a re-circulation system that can redirect excessively warm air back downstairs. It is NOT air conditioning and cannot cool the air. If you wish to use it you should set it to the same temperature as the thermostat downstairs. This should ensure an even distribution of warm air. By default we leave it at 25 degrees which means it only operates if the temperature gets excessively warm.

If you prefer direct heat and wish to create a cosy feeling in the evening, for example, there is also a gas real flame stove in the lounge. 

AUDIO VISUAL

Please use the network HOUNDBEARE GUEST for WIFI internet. A password will be provided in the barn on arrival. Reception and bandwidth should be good so please advise us of any faults or difficulties.

The TVs in the bedrooms receive a freeview terrestrial signal. Again reception should be good so please advise us of any faults.

The Lounge is equipped with a PHILLIPS 70 inch Internet compatible UHD TV, a DVD projector, a SONY audio system and a SKY satellite box. There is no SKY subscription so it receives terrestrial channels only. You can also watch BBC IPlayer, Netflix etc on the TV using your own account and password. Please don’t forget to clear them at the end of your stay. Most of the controls are self-explanatory although the SONY remote looks a little complicated. Keep the system on Audio most of the time (you can use the Alexa to listen to the radio or other music). Use Function + and – to switch to DVD. Those should be the only settings you need.

FAN, LIGHT AND ELECTRIC BLINDS

The controls are fixed to the wall behind the sofa and self-explanatory. Please use them in situ and don’t attempt to remove them.

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM

The Kitchen is equipped with a Larder fridge/freezer, built in oven, microwave and induction hob, dishwasher and washing machine. The controls are fairly standard but if you need assistance please ask.

The Dining table converts into a Pool table by removing the two top covers. Please store them carefully when removed. There are cues, pool/snooker balls and chalk provided.

BATHROOMS

We have a private sewage system and waste is pumped to it from the toilets. Please do not flush or dispose of anything in them that has not passed safely through your own digestive system! It will cause mechanical failure and replacement devices will be required to repair, resulting in an unavoidable delay. If used for purpose the system is extremely reliable.