Characterful country cottage in the heart of Normandy

Treat yourself to a stay in this beautiful French country cottage, in the heart of the very best landscape northern France has to offer – the Suisse Normande.

Nestled in the picturesque valley of the River Orne in the Calvados region, this stone-built, end-of-terrace, three-bedroomed cottage offers spacious and comfortable accommodation for small- and medium-sized families. Offering all basic comforts and amenities, the cottage also has fast broadband and 130 television channels plus Netflix.

The cottage sleeps 4-5. There is one double bedroom with an ensuite toilet and basin and a twin room. Off the twin room is a small bedroom for a teenager or child with a fold-up bed and a travel cot, plus a TV/video player. Bed linen is provided but not towels. There are wardrobes in each of the double/twin rooms plus chests of drawers.

Downstairs is a roomy lounge with a TV/DVD player, CD player/ipod dock, comfortable seating for six, a dining table and six dining chairs and plenty of games/DVDs/CDs. The kitchen has recently been modernised and contains a halogen hob and electric oven with plenty of pots, pans and kitchen utensils. There is a microwave, electric mixer and cafetiere as well as a fridge with a small freezer attached. There are 8 sets of crockery, cutlery, mugs and also children's plates.

From the kitchen you go left into a toilet and right into the bathroom where there is an enclosed shower, sink, clothes airers, dishwasher and washing machine.

Each of the rooms (apart from the bathroom and toilet) have wall-mounted, thermostatically controlled electric heaters.

Opposite the house is a two-storey shed/atelier, with plenty of children's toys, BBQ, garden furniture and two mountain bikes with helmets. Upstairs is another bed/seating area with plastic camping toilet. This could be an extra bedroom if needed. The stairs have non-slip treads and the hatch through which you go to the bedroom/seating area has been reinforced with a safety barrier. From the shed you can go into the enclosed courtyard where there is a garden table and chairs.

To the left-hand side of the shed/atelier is the private garden with a gate marked La Cachette. It's belongs to the cottage and is for guests' private use. There is a swing and a 10ft trampoline with enclosed safety net.

The attractive tourist centre of Pont d’Ouilly is only five minutes’ drive away – offering numerous holiday attractions, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes and trekking – and the home of William the Conqueror, the local town of Falaise, lies just fifteen minutes’ drive to the east. Here you will find two hypermarkets, as well as numerous other shops, bars and restaurants – not to mention a superb castle, museum and many other diversions. Only five minutes’ drive to the south from the cottage, there is one of France’s top tourist attractions: the stunning Roches d’Oëtre, atop the breathtaking heights of the Rouvre Gorge. With its magnificent views across the Norman countryside, this unique, elevated site offers first-rate hiking trails, rock climbing, horse riding, tree-top walking, a children’s playground and more. The Brittany Ferries’ dock at Port Ouistreham near Caen is only forty minutes’ drive away from the cottage, as are the WWII Normandy landing beaches and their numerous dedicated museums. The home of the Bayeux Tapestry lies a similar distance away, as do the historically fascinating towns of Argentan and Alençon. The legendary motorsport shrine of Le Mans is only a little further distant – just over an hour away. Plus the large man-made lake at La Ferte-Mace, with bar/restaurant, kayak/pedalos and other children's entertainments are only 30 minutes' drive away.

If you are looking for a thoroughly good “break from it all”, plus adventure and variety for all the family, then come to this comfortable and well-situated family cottage in the heart of Normandy.