Information for Visitors to Kath’s Cottage
The Cottage
Kath’s Cottage is a modern, cottage-style property with sleeping accommodation for 4 people. It has all modern amenities – including Wi-Fi Internet, full central heating, TV with DVD player and modern fitted kitchen with refrigerator, freezer, washer dryer and dishwasher. There are two double bedrooms (one King size bed and two single divans), bathroom, sitting room, kitchen and conservatory. Outside there are private gardens to front and rear. The full address of the cottage is 55 Shalloak Road, Broad Oak, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0QH
WIFI and internet access is available through a router located beside the printer in the pace below the stairs . The WI Fi network is PLUSNET-78H3KX and the Wi-Fi password is dac6e76c4b
We should mention that, during your stay, you may have a visit from our Gardener, Phil Kirkham. Phil is a local man who usually comes in for a couple of hours each week. He has a key to the side gate to the rear garden and he doesn’t need access either to or through the house, so you don’t need to stay in for him.
Included in the rental
A few pointers to what you will find in the cottage – just to help you pack. All bedding and towels are provided and the weekly rental is inclusive of all gas, electricity and wireless Internet charges. Tea, instant coffee, and sugar are provided but you will need to bring your own milk. For those whose preference is for real coffee there is a Tassimo coffee machine but you will need to bring your favourite Tassimo coffee pods with you. In the kitchen there is a plentiful supply of all cleaning materials, including washing up liquid, hand wash gel and kitchen towelling. Similarly in the bathroom you will find toilet paper and more hand wash gel. Shampoos and shower gels are not provided but there is a very good hairdryer.
Please note – a travel cot and a highchair are available where required but parents are requested to bring their own bed linen for the cot. We also have stair gates which can be placed at the top and bottom of the stairs if required. Please let us know in advance if you need any of these facilities.
Location
The cottage is situated in the centre of the village close to the the village public house and the community hall. The location of the house is shown on the map below.
Parking
Kath’s cottage has its own garage (fronting on to Mayton Lane) which guests are welcome to use. There is also an off-road parking area immediately in front of the garage. Please ensure that you use only space in front of the garage for number 55 and that you do not obstruct access to the garage to number 57 or the pedestrian access to the neighbouring house (Yew Tree Cottage). The parking area is protected by a white post and link fence which you will need to lift out before parking.
Pets
Kath’s cottage is a dog friendly property and the rear garden is securely fenced and very safe. We visit regularly with Paddy, our own much-loved Cocker Spaniel and your own, well-behaved, dog will be equally welcome. We do ask however that visitors clear up any mess left in and around the garden before they leave. We also ask that pets are kept to the ground floor and not allowed into the bedrooms.
Walking from the cottage
Finding a good walk is no problem for visitors to Kath’s Cottage. Broad Oak stands on the edge of The Blean, an area of ancient broadleaved woodland extending to approximately 11 square miles with over 100 miles of footpaths. The easiest access to The Blean is from Mayton Lane which runs alongside the cottage and you can see a map on the outside wall of the golden lion pub. You can get more information HERE
There are also some nice walks directly from the cottage. The footpath which runs along the side of the Golden Lion will take you into open farmland and you can then walk down through public footpaths into the valley of a small stream known as the Sarre Penn.
Local Facilities
The village has a general store situated at the junction of Sweechgate and the main Canterbury to Herne Bay Road. This sells a wide variety of grocery items, newspapers and other items. There is a wider range of shops, including a post office, about 1 mile away in the adjoining village of Sturry. And just outside the village, at the top of the hill leading down to Sturry, we have a really excellent farm shop and butchers.
Getting Here
- From Canterbury take the A28 road heading east for about 2 miles
- Immediately after the railway level crossing at Sturry, take the A291 Herne Bay road.
- Follow the road to the top of the hill and then take the first turning left into Broad Oak village
- Kath’s Cottage is about 1/3 mile further onat the junction with Mayton Lane.
Arrival and Departure Arrangements
Check-in on the day of arrival is normally from 3pm onwards but earlier check-in is often possible by arrangement. When you arrive, park your car in front of the garage and walk back to the front of the house. Just to the right of the front door you will see a small black and silver key safe. The combination dials are behind a black sliding cover on the front of the box and and the current combination will be provided before your visit.
Once inside the cottage you will find a range of keys hanging on hooks in the space under the stairs– including keys to the rear doors, to the shed and to the garage. The garage can be accessed from the back garden and we always find it easier to bring the main luggage in from the car by this route rather than round the front of the house.
Arrangements on departure (10AM on your final day unless a later time has been agreed) are simply the reverse of the above – just open the key safe, put the key inside and move dials to lock the combination.
When you leave please set the central heating thermostat (situated just inside in the lounge) to 12 degrees for both night a day. This is particularly important during the period from November through to April.
Contact Details
If you need any further information or if you need to contact us for any reason before or during your visit, please call on 07970 417497 or email cthompson@bcs.org.uk.
With very best wishes
Colin Thompson