or e-mail judsonsinfrance@wanadoo.fr
A very realxing 10 days. Pool is fantastic and kept our girls busy for most of the holiday as did the croquet and the table tennis - they even tried their hand at golf! We were fortunate enough to be here when the firework display occurred in Angles sur l'Anglin - probably the best display we have ever seeen. Thank you Mark and Caroline for being lovely hosts.
Nicky, Paul, Sophie, Kate, Summer 2018
I loved this place, thank you for the pool and the pottery. Thank you for the dinner. From Olivia
Fab location, fab food (even Mark liked it). We have all had a beautiful relaxing but fun week and can't wait for our two week return next year. Helen and Mark
Fantastic in all respects roll on next year. Brenda and Peter
Summer 2018
"Wow! We have had a truly wonderful week! Thank you Caroline and Mark for everything. We have explored all the local villages as newcomers to this part of France and loved it all. DB pizza in St Savin ( on the corner ) got a big thumbs up! Without question the highlight of the week was our pottery session with Mark (we are total beginners). We created pieces we will terasure and remind us of very happy memories here. Thank you. Weather V V hot, pool fab, we will be back i'm sure."
Liz, Kerry, Sam, Alex, Summer 2018
I would like to emphasise that we really did have a superb time with you. The house and grounds are without equal - the whole place is so peaceful. Furthermore, there are such a goodly number of small towns and villages nearby with rivers, castles, cafes, restaurants (yr recommendations are spot on!).
Peter, Nicole, Blanche, Harry, Exeter
What a fantastic 3 weeks we have had. Kids and adults have totally enjoyed all the wonderful things to do at Chenevaux. It's been fantastic! Thank you so much. We'll be back!
Tim, Laura, Henry, Fergus, Daisy, Cornwall
What a delightful location for our weeks summer holiday here at Chenevaux. It had everything we needed to forget about work/school/university back at home. The Gite is large and spacious and had everything we needed. The gardens, croquet, golf, table-tennis and the pool were all enjoyed. ...... Angles sur l'Anglin a very pretty village to visit. ... The wildlife in the garden, birds, butterflies and the baby swallows ...... I can honestly say this is one of the best gites we have stayed in ......
Sue, Andrew, Phillip, Ashley, Devon
A wonderful holiday thanks in no small part to Mark & Caroline for whom nothing was too much trouble. Great fun on the golf course. Hopefully we will be back.
Doug and Jenny, West Yorkshire
It’s barely a month since I returned from a long weekend in France and all due to an article in the Ceramic Review called ‘Living the Dream’ (issue number 248. Summer 2011)
The article centered on Mark Judson, former
director of Art at The Perse School in
Cambridge, his wife Caroline and their decision to leave England in pursuit of
a new life in France in 2005. As a fellow artist and teacher it filled me with
admiration and curiosity. Over the following year the article sat on my shelf
and in moments of reflection or when the weight of teaching became onerous I
would flick through the pages until I found the sunflowers and dream of a
studio of my own in acres of land with not a student or syllabus in sight! As
term ended and exhaustion reined the rain filled summer did little to encourage.
Again my thoughts meandered settling on a need to visit the ‘Judson’s’ to see for myself what the good life had to offer. A short email later and accommodation was
arranged, just four days before the start of term my husband and I were on a
flight. We landed in sunshine following barely an hour’s flight and the 90
minute drive to Chenevaux was delightful, we were excitedly greeted by Mark and
Caroline. I can only recommend fellow artists, ceramists and teachers alike
make the trip. Set in seven acres the farmhouse offers B&B or there is Gite
accommodation, swimming-pool, golf, pitch and put, cycling, studio tuition and outdoor
eating .Mark has swopped syllabuses and mountains of papers for a sit on mower and
breathtaking views of fields of Sunflowers. Caroline cooks stunning meals and
we were entertained with produce lovingly home grown. We idled hours taking in
the fragrance of the garden, marveling at the size of the tomatoes and Marks
magnificent pergola.
Mark still struggles to find enough time
for his own work but his studio is everything you would wish for and much of
his work is inspired by the local landscape. There is no doubt the upkeep,
further development, constant stream of visitors and day to day running keep
the Judson’s busy. We returned with hours to spare before term started. Students
are now drawing seed pods, joining pinch pots to fashion them in clay inspired
by the poppy heads I gathered in their garden. My garden already sports a
pergola built days after our return. With inspection looming I have taken to
flicking through the pages of the article again in search of the sunflowers. I
may not be so brave as to live my dream yet but it was fantastic to spend a
long weekend sharing theirs, we will be back next summer with the whole family.
I can only recommend you try it yourselves.
Wendy and John, Surrey, September 2012
Printed in Ceramic Review February 2013 www.ceramicreview.com
Lovely gite, fantastic location - shame we only had 5 nights.
Graham and Jackie - Surrey
A wonderful holiday in simply stunning surroundings. A big thank you to Caroline and Mark for making everything so easy. Hope to see you again.
Tim, Sarah and Aoife - London
Visit number two! And just as delightful and fabulous. Superb time here with our now 2 young children. Highlights included the grounds, the garden, the pottery lesson and paddling in the river Anglin. Loads to come back for .... again!
Jack, Janet, Adam and Elanor - Glasgow
Fantastic location. Lovely relaxing couple of weeks. Can't wait for our next visit - thank you!
Julie, Michael, Alice and Jo - Yorkshire
Chenevaux is truly "un petit coin de paradis". We have had (yet again) a wonderful, relaxing time and been very spoilt. Many thanks.
Denise and Martin - Cambs
We've had a lovely week - plenty of space for Joshua (6) to run around in, and plenty to do ( pool, boules, table tennis etc ). Lots of eating outside and relaxing with only occasional trips to Chauvigny or Angles sur l'Anglin as local places of interest. Lovely time and lovely meal in the Cafe du Coin on our only wet day, recommend it!
Alison, David, Joshua and Kate - Bath
We found Chenevaux 5 years ago purely by chance and come back every year. Calm, relaxing. We love the sunsets and the children are mad about the pottery. Thank you to Caroline and Mark - we are addicted!
Dorian, Virgile, Alexis, Corine and Richard - Nantes
We've had a great week - the children have loved the space and the pool! We have been tempted to sell up and move south!
Clive, Cheryl, Lauren and Ben
We've had the most wonderful stay. It's so quiet and peaceful, not only here at the cottage, but in the region in general. It's been a truly relaxing holiday. Thank you!!
Steve, Jill, Eliidh, Harry - Oxford
Peaceful, relaxing and fun come to mind first. Boys really loved the house and pool. Pottery with Mark was a great experience for the boys and will bring fond memories when we display their art work at home. Many, many thanks for allowing us to experience French life in your part of the world. PS Would recommend Monkey Valley for anyone with children (the parents loved it too).
Janet, Mark, Adam, James and Jack - Gateshead
Thank you Mark & Caroline for a fabulous holiday. We really enjoyed staying in your beautiful house and made the most of the pool and the golf course! It was great that our stay coincided with Mark's exhibition in beautiful Angles sur l'Anglin. The pottery we've taken home will be a lovely reminder of our stay.
Fiona, Tony, Irene (Granny), Sam, Ben and Robbie - South Woodchester
A relaxing week in beautiful surroundings. The weather was amazing so spent plenty of time by the pool and eating outside. We took a trip to the Velorail which was great fun and had a day out at Futuroscope. The girls enjoyed a pottery lesson and we're very impressed with our finished products. Loved the hammocks and croquet too! Thanks so much for your hospitality!
Clare, James, Imogen and Miranda - East Grinstead
So peaceful and relaxing - very tranquil! Boys loved the pool and the golf - husband included! Got to get a hammock when I get home - total bliss! Thanks for making us feel so welcome.
Nina, Mark, Robert, Ross and Jack - Truro
Thank you for a lovely 2 weeks. We enjoyed the space, the beautiful garden, the hammocks, the pool and the deep relaxation! Evie and Barney loved their art class and are so proud of all the things they made. We loved eating, drinking and having fun. Thank you!
Craig, Emma, Evie, Barney, Bessie and Olivia - Reading
What a lovely part of the world! Thank you Mark & Caroline for a wonderful 2 weeks - Chenevaux is beautiful and it was a delight staying here. We swam every day, played lots of golf (badly!) and leaned how to play croquet. Angles is deservedly one of the most gorgeous villages in France - one of the many places to visit if you want to leave the comfort of the farmhouse. We go back to Guildford browner, happier & fatter!
Pamela, Richard, Joe and Elena - Guildford
A most relaxing and comfortable location. Wonderful French villages and local activities and the best of British hospitality. We hope to return again.
Jenny, Peter, Becci and Nicole - New Ash Green
We really loved the gite and its peaceful location. Thank you for a wonderful week here and for the girls pottery afternoon which they loved. Croissants and fresh bread were looked forward to every morning! Thanks again.
Clive, Harriet, Elanor and Hannah - Aldermaston
What a fantastic 2 weeks! Once we all learned to relax we never looked back. A great lesson in how to take it easy - swimming, golf, croquet and painting - wonderful. Harry and Lucy are requesting a return visit next year. Thanks for a super holiday!
The pool was fab! And I loved beating Harry at croquet. We all loved the golf and played after dinner most nights. Merci!
Tim, Sue, Harry and Lucy - Guildford
Thanks for a fantastic week - even for the rain! We've loved the gite, got to know the area and enjoyed meeting you both. See you next year!
Jane, Gareth, James and Ion - Cardiff
Had a lovely time it's a lovely house and we had lovely hols thanks for a fab time. We hope to return.
Mike, Chris, Anna, Eve and Sofia - Brecon
We had a really lovely time. You are wonderfully hospitable - striking a perfect balance. Thank you for sharing your anniversary and for the fantastic art experiences.
Craig, Emma, Evie, Barney and Bessie
Very comfortable stay. Great place to explore this beautiful part of France from. Lovely old house.
Marea and Jim - Australia
Excellent. Excellent people, excellent house and excellent weather.
Peter and Nicole - Exeter
Fourth time here and it just keeps getting better. Thank you for coping with the "troublesome trio". If you can cope - we will be back
Vandy - Whittlesford
The most relaxing 5 days I can remember. Being gently guided through the production of my masterpieces(!) by the most patient art teacher in the world, and being generally pampered. Mark and Caroline you are fabulous - two new friends. I will be back!
Fiona - Babraham
Haggard and (not quite) thin, I staggered in. Happy and stout, I staggered out! ... with great future reminiscences about our marvellous grub, the Cheval Blanc ( and its patrons ) ... and the warmth of Mark (the Boss) and Caroline.
Lucy - Babraham
After a week relaxing we all want to chuck it all in, move to France and start our own businesses. Unfortunately we could just not achieve this with the same style and air of effortlessness as Mark & Caroline. We are so totally relaxed!
Vandy, Marc, Christopher, Nicholas - Whittlesford Lori - South Africa
Marc created this short video from photos taken during his stays at Chenevaux
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncwNmg2ds9o
A magical place- peaceful atmosphere and welcoming. The most relaxing time we have had in 15 months (Adam's age!!) We will remember it very fondly and hope to return for more of the same. A bientot Mark and Caroline.
Jack, Janet and Adam - Glasgow
Fantastic! Beautiful garden and lovely house.
Nina and Gavin - Glasgow/Taiwan
Thank you both for making us feel so welcome in your wonderful home. The garden is beautiful and we had such a relaxing couple of weeks. Loved the table tennis and golf too. Enjoyed seeing the local villages and markets and we hope to see you again soon.
Jim, Jules and William - London
What a fabulous rural retreat. Beautiful weather, comfy house and great hosts. We've all had a ball. Thank you so much. Will tell our friends.
Chris, Alan, Madeleine and William - Surbiton
We've had a fantastic, relaxing two weeks, and after staying in the gite and can fully recommend Chenevaux! Lots of fun had by all in the pool, playing in the gardens, and on the golf course! We enjoyed our home grown produce straight from the garden. And when we could drag ourselves away from Chenevaux for a few hours we found a lovely part of rural France on the doorstep. Thank you Caroline and Mark for a wonderful stay here, you've made us feel very welcome.
Helen, Russell, Sara and Matthew - Colwyn Bay
We love the house and have had a fantastic 2 weeks. Mark took the children for a pottery lesson which was great and we have some excellent pottery to take home! The horse riding was really good - a fantastic way to explore a fantastic and beautiful place. Thank you to you both.
Fee, Keith, Rob and Emma - Tilton on the Hill
Dear Mark and Caroline, thank you once again for your wonderful hospitality. It was a very relaxing holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed the hot sun and the cool refreshing pool. Very best wishes.
Liz, Mike and Anne Marie - Yorkshire
We really enjoyed it especially the pool.
Alice - Peterborough
I loved it so much the pool was fab'n'tastic.
Eleanor - Peterborough
Fantastic place - very tranquil - would love to come back for more pottery and painting! Jane had a great time ( the Hen ) and the party night was such fun! Thank you for a wonderful time.
Gaby - one guest from a party of 12 on a hen do
A most relaxing and comfortable location. Wonderful French villages and local activities and the best of British hospitality. We hope to return again!
Jenny, Peter, Becci, Nicole - Kent
Had a lovely time it's a lovely house and we had lovely hols thanks for a fab time. We hope to return.
Mike, Chris, Anna, Eve, Sofia - Wales
We really loved the gite and its peaceful location. Thank you for a wonderful week here and for the girls pottery afternoon which they loved. Croissants and fresh bread were looked forward to every morning. Thanks again.
Clive, Harriet, Elanor, Hannah - Hampshire
What a fantastic 2 weeks! Once we all learned to relax we never looked back. A great lesson in how to take it easy - swimming, golf and croquet and painting - wonderful. Harry and Lucy are requesting a return visit next year - thanks for a super holiday.
Tim, Sue
The pool was fab! And I loved beating Harry at croquet. We all loved the golf and played after dinner most nights! Merci!
Harry, Lucy - Surrey
All of these comments are fair copies of the originals which have been written in our guest books which are on view to all visitors.
