(last updated May 2010)

Our aim
Since we acquired Bicclescombe Grange in October 2004 we have made constant efforts to maintain and improve it. It's a big job though – and we can't do everything at once!

The house, built around 100 years ago as a significant family home, was obviously never designed as a holiday home for 23 people. That's why, for example, the bedrooms vary greatly in size and why not all rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Ultimately we might be able to address such areas, but for now, we prefer to look at such things as part of the charm and character of the property – and we hope you will too!

Having said that, we have already done a great deal and will continue to do more, as and when we can.

What we are doing now
We like the area so much that we moved to Ilfracombe in January 2009, and we still really like it here! We've made a lot of new friends and our children have settled well into their new school and new surroundings.

Living nearby means we are able to devote more time to the Grange and are constantly looking for any new improvements we can make.

What we've done recently
The three skylights on the top floor have been replaced with proper Velux versions, complete with wonderful remote controlled blinds. (July 2010)

Two extra dining chairs have finally been delivered. It only took them six months! Although we've had the extra bed for some time we've had to wait until now to be able to state our official capacity as 23. (May 2010)

Floor plans have been created and added to the website. (April 2010)

Trickle vents have been added throughout the house to improve air-flow and ventilation. (February 2010)

The games room has been redecorated. (December 2009)

An extra single bed has been set up on the top floor and a privacy curtain has been added to allow separation of the main area into two parts each with two beds. (November 2009)

The small conservatory roof has been repaired, the room redecorated and new seating provided. A humidity controlled extractor has also been installed. (November 2009)

The turning wheels on the pool cover roller have been replaced and improved. (November 2009)

More work on the website, which now includes a What to do page. We will continue to add to this but it already contains nearly a thousand local suggestions for you. By the way, if you were interested in a local caterer coming to the house you can find details there under 'Food and Drink'. (September 2009)

Our Guestbook has been added to the site. See what people have been saying about us! (July 2009)

We've been painting! All the woodwork throughout the house has been brought back to its best and the entire top floor has been re-painted. (June 2009)

A new dehumidifier has been added to the pool area. Condensation there is a thing of the past! (April 2009)

A lot of time has been spent on the website, particularly the much more interactive booking system, which will now take credit card payments, allow you to keep track of your booking, and even let you leave notes for others in your party. See the Availability and Prices page to get started. If you've made a booking previously you can now use the Already booked? tab on the menu bar above to see your details and make any balance payments. (February 2009)

The conservatory furniture has been replaced with something a little more luxurious. (February 2009)

The pool cover now has a new roller system which can be operated by one hand rather than two people! (January 2009)

A heated towel rail has been put in the wet room. It doesn't get chilly; there is no condensation; and there's somewhere to hang your towel too! (November 2008)

A stylish brass and mahogany overhead fan with integral adjustable lighting has been fitted in the conservatory – those 'too hot' days in the sun won't be too hot any longer! (May 2008)

The outdoor barbecue area has been built. (March 2008)

The shower room off of the pool area has now been updated to a proper wet room, with under-floor heating and a superb shower. (February 2008)

The new kitchen was finished last January and has performed well - we're very pleased with it! See the pictures on the Photos page. (January 2008)

Although everything that's needed was present, the layout of the kitchen never lent itself perfectly to cooking for 22. The new luxury kitchen changes all that. Granite surfaces, oak units, marble tiling and high specification stainless steel appliances all look amazing and make a fantastic cooking space.

Whenever we stay, as part of a large group of family and friends, we find that all the adults tend to congregate in the kitchen (while the children charge around the rest of the house!). We wanted to make a better space in which to do this. We've enlarged the whole kitchen area to allow for more seating, both low and high level, so hopefully any combination of adults, children and cooks can be accommodated in style.

Under-floor heating, leather backed bench seating, a large flat screen tv with Sky Plus and all Sky's channels, an ice maker and a dual zone wine cooler make this a great room that you will definitely enjoy, even if you have to cook!

What we will do next!
The next major project is to install a heat exchange ventilation system throughout the house.

We have many plans and exactly what will happen when is uncertain. Although every area will be improved as and when we can, we like to consider feedback from our guests in deciding what will be done first. We intend to provide an outside hot tub and a sauna area at some point though our plans for these have been hampered by the capacity of our electrical supply. Changing to energy efficient light bulbs has improved the situation but we probably still need to introduce further measures before we can install the tub or sauna. A wind turbine is one possibility but solar panels are the more likely short term option.

But we'll keep this page updated to let you know how we're getting on.