Architecturally striking and unusual, Sans, Souci. is of oak framed/cob construction providing a comfortable, spacious, self-contained annex (built 2010) adjoining a range of former mill house cottages (circa 1800) where the owners, Robert and Richard reside. There is a private garden with patio, outdoor seating and free, secure car parking. Sleeps 4 (double + double/twin). An additional double room in the main house is also available at extra charge. Sans, Souci. is set in an idyllically rural setting in a quiet countryside location convenient for exploring the Lincolnshire Wolds, which is designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The area offers plenty of walking and cycling opportunities along many quiet lanes, footpaths and other public rights of way. Lincoln (20 mins) and Horncastle (10 mins) are the nearest sizeable settlements. The interesting market towns of Louth, Caister and Market Rasen are also easily within reach by car. The east coast seaside resorts of Skegness, Chapel St Leonards, Sutton on Sea, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes are easily-accessible, 'bucket and spade' attractions. Cadwell Park is 10 miles (18 minutes) away by car.
What makes a stay at Sans, Souci. @ Mill House unique?
Sans, Souci. is an architecturally unusual and attractive 'cottage' built on the site of a former post-mill, which was used to mill flour. It is of oak framed construction with thick, rendered 'cob' walls. The cottage is consequently cool in summer and warm in winter, and thus a remarkably comfortable place to spend time in. It was built in 2010, so has modern comforts, simple, contemporary, elegant design, with oak joinery throughout. Most visitors think that the building is centuries older than it is. The 'Oak' bedroom is a large double. The 'Owl' bedroom can be configured as a double or twin. The upstairs bathroom has a jacuzzi bath, large shower and twin sinks. Downstairs there is a large sitting room, dining area, separate fitted kitchen and an additional lavatory. There is a private guest access entrance lobby. Guests have the exclusive use of a private patio and garden, which is not overlooked, set in the peace and tranquility of edge-of-the-Wolds countryside. The owners reside in the 'MIll House' next door and are thus available at most times of the day, which also allows for flexible arrival and departure times. An optional, extensive, continental style, buffet breakfast is available, served in the Mill House kitchen, next door. A 'welcome tray' is provided, with some useful food basics and some additional 'complimentary extras'.
What is the capacity for Sans, Souci. @ Mill House?
Sans, Souci. sleeps four people in two, comfortable, upstairs bedrooms linked across a galleried landing. A family bathroom is located off the landing and 'dressing area' between them. The large 'Oak' bedroom is a double and overlooks the private garden and patio. The smaller 'Owl' bedroom can be set up as a double or twin room, ideal for children, or two separately sleeping adults/friends. There is an additional double bedroom available in the main house should a further two guests need accommodation. A small child can be easily accommodated (at no extra charge) in the Oak Bedroom if guests can supply a 'cot or travel bed'. Responsible dog owners and their pet(s) are welcome (at no extra charge). The half acre Sans, Souci. and Mill House garden are 'stock fenced' within hedges and trees, so all but flying animals (and most children) are safely confined. Mill Lane is a single-track, very lightly trafficked road.
What can guests enjoy when staying in the Horncastle area?
The Lincolnshire Wolds is a nationally important and cherished landscape, designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' in 1973. Located on the southwestern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Sans, Souci. is a perfect base for exploring. The gently rolling countryside and relatively quiet roads and lanes are ideal for both car and bicycle touring. There are several east coast resorts only 25 miles away and interesting market towns like 'antiques-capital' Horncastle (6 miles), with Louth, Caister and Market Rasen within a short drive too. Historic Lincoln (15 miles, 25 minutes away), needs no introduction - good for culture and shopping. Woodhall Spa and local airfields have historic WW2 'Dambuster' and other aviation associations. Cadwell Park is a short drive away if motor car and motor bike events are your thing. Opportunities for golfing nearby are numerous. Open water swimming is catered for close by. The LIncolnshire coast offers a range of diverse sea-side experiences, including Sutton-On-Sea and the more 'alluring' resorts of Mablethorpe, Cleethorpes and Skegness. All have relatively safe, expansive beaches. Walking and cycling is well catered for in and around the Wolds. The owners offer a 'bike rescue service' if a guest cyclist over-estimates his/her abilities or has a puncture or other mis-hap.
Where can guests enjoy food and drink?
In the nearby village of Minting (2 miles), there is the Sebastopol PH, where currently there is no food available, however, customers are welcome to enjoy their own take-away food there. The village of Wragby (4 miles) fields a fish & chip shop, pizza and kebab house, an Indian restaurant & take-away, and a Chinese take-away (cash only), plus pubs and a day time cafe. The market town of Horncastle (7 miles) has a diverse range of eateries: cafes, take-aways, restaurants and pubs, all serving a wide range of food. Lincoln (15 miles) has all the restaurants and eating opportunities one would expect of a city with two universities. At Sans, Souci. an optional, much complimented upon, diverse, continental-style, buffet breakfast is available (£10 pp), served in the Mill House kitchen. Free-range eggs from the owners' own hens are included, cooked 'how you like them'. Breakfast times are flexible, any time up to 11am. A three-course evening meal can also be provided (£30 pp), given a day's notice. Information (and often menus) from local 'eateries' are available for guests to look at from the Sans, Souci. 'local dining resource file'. The free Sans, Souci. Wi-Fi of course allows those who are gadget-inclined to check and book in more modern ways.
Other Information
Sans, Souci. translates from the French to mean 'without concerns, care or worries'. The punctuation in the name is as it appears on the facade of Frederick the Great's Sans, Souci. summer palace at Potsdam, near Berlin. It was a 'place of retreat' away from the pomp and circumstance and general court business in Berlin.
There is a modern, HD, flat-screen, TV and 'BluRay' unit in the downstairs sitting room. The 'Oak' bedroom also has an HD flat-screen TV. Some games and jigsaws are also provided.
A 'welcome tray' and 'fridge essentials' are provided for arriving guests. This includes (amongst other things) tea, fresh ground coffee, sugar, milk (FF and SS), butter, noodles, pasta, recipe basics (oils, garlic, herbs, etc.), fresh free-range eggs, biscuits, Haribo treats, Prosecco and a few beers. All with the compliments of hosts Robert and Richard. A local Co-op store is 5 miles away in the nearby village of Wragby.
Take-aways are available from several sources in nearby Wragby. There is a fish and chip shop, a kebab and pizza house and an Indian restaurant.
