|
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.
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”
|
 |
 |
|
The front view of Orchard Farm |
The rear view of Orchard Farm |
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.
Upon arrival, all guests are welcomed with the offer of tea or coffee,
served either in our lounge or in the garden (weather permitting). Breakfast
and evening meals (if booked) are served in our dining room. The house is
centrally heated and the lounge has a wood burning stove. |
