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Welcome to Ivy House Farm. Gina and Tom Hall offer bring your horse holidays in their historic farmhouse in the beautiful South Northamptonshire countryside. Ivy House Farm is a small , family run stables and a comfortable retreat. Part of the small hamlet of West Farndon, the house itself dates back to the sixteenth century. It is a long established 'horses come first' family home.
Your Accommodation The guest room is sumptuous and huge! You can choose from twin beds or a super-king double. The room can also work as a family room with extra beds for children. It has an shower room en suite and fabulous views over open countryside.
You will enjoy a very private stay here, eating breakfast - and an evening meal if you choose one - in the drawing room as the only guests. You are also welcome to breakfast and dine en famille should you wish to do that. Tea and coffee are provided in the room. Eggs are fresh from our own free range hens, bread is baked daily, and I cook with a range of good quality local ingredients. Typical breakfasts include – a full English breakfast, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or poached eggs. Or you can have something lighter, or 'to go' if you have an early start. Evening meals are made using home grown vegetables and locally produced meat, rounded off with a dessert. An example menu could be fresh pea soup, chicken roasted with lemon and garlic with new potatoes and green beans, then plum crumble with cream. Vegetarian options are no problem!
For the Horse
I have good sized stables in an old stable block with grazing in established meadow land. I also have a covered riding school with a great new fibre floor, jumps, trotting poles etc. There is off-road parking, secure tack room and horse washing facilities. I provide hay and bedding (shavings or straw) included in your nightly rate. This is a yard where horses always settle quickly and feel at home, it is quiet and peaceful and horse orientated. I have an excellent local farrier who will do his best to come at short notice should you need a shoe putting on. There is also a very good equine veterinarian practice, who would visit should that need arise. There is a great tack shop (Harley Equestrian) for some horse and rider retail therapy!
Riding The local riding is excellent! There are loads of fabulous bridle-paths which start on, or very close to, the Ivy House Farm land. You can ride all day or take shorter hacks over gentle rolling hills, through woods, across rivers and past pretty villages and historic houses. You could take a packed lunch or I will meet you with a picnic on longer rides. I can help you plan routes or accompany you if you would like that. Most of the local paths are well-marked, and local landowners are generally very helpful.
Or you can make sightseeing and relaxing the focus of your trip - see the many local attractions, enjoy shopping and maybe a day in London, enjoy a massage or beauty therapy (see extra treat section!). Knowing that your horse is in the best care – yours!
More Things to do Ivy House Farm is a great base for some fabulous local attractions. These include
For a royal experience Althorp and Blenheim Palace are both only half an hour away, and there are castles at Warwick and Kenilworth. Oxford and London are within easy reach, Bicester Village (wonderfully tempting retail park with designer stores and gorgeous things!) is about 40 minutes away, there are great theatres at Milton Keynes and Northampton. If you're interested in transport, see the canal boats at Stoke Bruerne or visit the motor museum at Gayton. Silverstone is about 30 minutes away. And there are always local events, with attractions to suit all tastes. And of course there is horse racing at Towcester if you fancy a flutter! We are about 2 miles from events at Washbrook Farm, and Stoneleigh is about only 40 minutes away. So there is plenty to do – great for non-riding partners! And you can just enjoy taking life a little bit more slowly if you like!
Extra Treats During your stay you can book a range of massages and beauty treatments with qualified local practitioners who will come to your room. These need to be booked in advance but there is no better way to round off a day in the saddle than with a relaxing massage!
Ivy House Farm West Farndon Daventry Northants NN11 3TU 01327 261577 g.hall275@btinternet.com
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