The House

Entrance to our home is through the gateway and the large brick barn, which provides covered parking and leads into the open courtyard, where more parking is available. The house is straight ahead of you and the Stables outbuildings are to your right.

“A really lovely and welcome find, after some difficulty finding accommodation on the Somme. Marvelously warm hospitality and generosity to a wet and tired cyclist – with a fantastic workshop and dinner to boot! It was a destination and target to return to.”

The house is a charming brick farmhouse, built in 1924 when there was a huge amount of rebuilding throughout the Somme following the war, and it is set on the north-western edge of the village of Combles, which is located in the triangle formed by the towns of Bapaume (north) Peronne (south-east) and Albert (west). The grounds are mostly laid to lawn, with shrubs and trees. To the rear is a small orchard with several varieties of apples, plus a plum and a pear, all of which produce a good crop. The original vast orchard is featured on contemporary WW1 trench maps for 1916 and beyond the field to the rear of the property we are overlooked by Bouleaux and Leuze Woods.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect… ended up as a most wonderful holiday”

House Front	House Rear
The front view of Orchard Farm	The rear view of Orchard Farm

“Fabulous location and wonderful hosts. It was like staying with friends. Many thanks for a lovely silver wedding day. Hope to see you again soon.”

To date, some 30 shells have been found within the garden, which was the site of heavy fighting in September 1916. It would also appear that the house was occupied during WW2 and we hope to undertake some research into the full history of the site in due course.

Katie finds a live shell in the Orchard

The location is very quiet and relaxed and guests are welcome to use the garden in good weather.

“Fantastic: relaxing break, lovely house and location, superb hospitality, excellent food and drink. Plenty to see and do on Martin’s itinerary.”

Upon arrival, all guests are welcomed with the offer of tea or coffee, served either in our lounge, on our terrace at the rear of the house or in the garden (weather permitting). Breakfast and evening meals (if booked) are served in our dining room or on the terrace. The house is centrally heated and the lounge has a wood burning stove (and you are most welcome to help with the daily job of chopping wood!)

“Second visit and hopefully not the last – what a wonderful welcome at the end of a long drive.”

“This is not a B&B, it’s the most welcoming and open house. I will be back for more.”