Notes from the host
Welcoming Victorian House in Swindon's Old Town
Swindon is a great jumping-off point from which to explore Wiltshire's wonderful countryside and fine old towns. It has great road and rail links, and good local resources.
Whether you're coming for a holiday, to visit family or friends, or for working purposes, you'd be welcome to book a stay. Perhaps you're house hunting - or looking for temporary accommodation while you have work done on your own house. You can arrange to bring your well-behaved pets for a small extra fee.
Our homely Victorian house is in a quiet street in Swindon's Old Town. It's spacious, comfortable and uncluttered and has plenty of natural light, with a big conservatory opening on to the level, private and secure garden. Wifi is included as essential.
The house has four good-sized bedrooms. Two double rooms (one en-suite) and two singles. Each of the single rooms has room for an additional full-sized, comfortable folding bed which we can supply on request.
If you have a baby in your party we also have a travel cot and other baby gear if you need it, for no extra cost.
So while there are actually just four beds, we can - at a pinch - sleep up to about eight people plus baby. However, up to about six is probably a more sensible number, so as not to feel overcrowded!
The space can be arranged to suit a variety of needs - please ask if you have particular requirements.
There are three small steps at various points in the downstairs area.
The 'family bathroom' is downstairs, accessed via the utility room. It has a toilet, hand basin and a bath with shower over.
Washing machine and dishwasher in the utility room, which is between the kitchen and the bathroom.
The open plan kitchen is large and well-equipped. The woodburning stove is here too - a cosy heart to the house in colder times of the year. An initial supply of fuel is provided.
There's a traditional open fire in the sitting room or lounge as well, burning wood and coal. Also an electric stove for supplementary heat. Gas central heating can be turned on and off as required.
IMPORTANT: Your rental fee includes up to £40 worth of gas and electricity PER WEEK. Any significant excess would be charged for at cost price.
We don't provide a concierge or cleaning service during a let. Cleaning materials and equipment are provided for guests' use, and additional bedlinen and towels for longer lets.
The lounge was originally two rooms so it's long rather than wide. Small dining or work table and two chairs. Comfortable three piece suite. Television with Freeview, and a DVD player with a collection of family friendly films. You can probably access your own subscribed channels such as Netflix and Amazon. A cable to connect to a laptop is supplied.
Books, brochures, guides, maps, games and a few toys are provided.
From the kitchen you enter the big, bright conservatory with its wooden floor reclaimed from an old gymnasium. There's a big wooden table with eight sturdy chairs and an old fashioned dresser containing extra crockery etc. There are also a few other comfortable garden-type chairs and a small table so you can use the conservatory as a second place to sit and relax.
There's a door into the garage, as well as into the garden - a safe place for children (or a dog) to play, or for adults to relax.
ON THE SUBJECT OF DOGS - we normally say a maximum of two, at £5 per night each. However if you wish to bring more pets, get in touch and we can discuss the possibilities. We have recently installed a 'dog toilet' for the disposal of droppings!
At the end of the garden there's a small summer house where we keep garden furniture, barbecue gear, a few garden toys and so on.
A small locked shed which used to be our children's play house now houses garden tools and equipment. Our gardener has a key, and usually comes once a fortnight. She comes through the garden, not the house, so you wouldn't need to worry about being there to let her in. We would let you know if she is likely to come during your stay.
There are tall fences on three sides of the garden - at the end there's an evergreen hedge and on the other side a fence with an 'invisible' locked gate in it which the gardener uses. This will normally be locked. A row of tall mature trees borders the old cemetery, which is no longer used for new burials, but maintained in its rather wild state for wildlife. It's home to badgers and foxes, which you may find visiting the garden at night - a great privilege to see them!
The cemetery is a surprisingly pleasant place to wander around in. If you turn left out of the front door and turn left again you'll find an entrance. Walking down hill you'll come to another gate, and from there you can walk down into Swindon town centre with its shops, eating places and cinema. Bear in mind that the cemetery is locked at dusk and opened in the morning. A list of timings is on the gate.
T
Hosted byTim Browne, Jill Ryan Browne
