Stay in a beautiful 17th century house and help with garden, renovation projects and animal care, Kent, UK

United Kingdom

Favourited 94 times

Host rating
Feedback
16
Last activity
09/08/2019
Nº of Facebook friends
829
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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Availability

2019

Min stay requested: at least 1 month

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Description
We live in a beautiful 17th century house very close to Deal in Kent. We love music and my sons collaborate in a musical co-operative. I am a complementary therapist specialising in energy work. My husband works in London and is an engineer. We have lived here for 11 years and have done a lot of renovation work on the main house.

We are now renovating a stable block and a barn to create workshop space and accommodation for groups. We need general building. gardening and house work help and can offer space to 1 or 2 people in shared room.

There is a shared bathroom. We try and eat local produce. We do not eat red meat so are happy to support veg and vegan diets. We have 3 dogs and a cat so it is vital that you are an animal lover.
There is free unlimited wifi.
Type of help
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Help in the house
Animal care
Helping with Tourists
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am a TEFL teacher so I am experienced in teaching and am willing to help those who'd like to improve their English. There are many historical places around to visit.
Help
We would like to get a veg garden up and running as well as general garden maintenance. The main house needs cleaning and decorating help
We need general labourers to help with building project
Languages spoken
English
Accommodation
A single attic room and a double attic room for couples

There is also space in the garden to camp if you wish during warmer weather.
What else ...
We live in a semi rural location close to the town, seaside and all amenities. Deal has an interesting and chequered past and was the main port used by Smuggling gangs bringing in wine and brandy from France. The old town is worth a visit with its smugglers cottages and the Time Ball Tower and museum. Nelson was a regular visitor. The Duke of Wellington lived at Walmer Castle and in fact died in his armchair there. There are many historical sites locally including the castles of Deal, Walmer and Dover.

The Turner gallery in Margate is a must for art lovers. Margate also has the recently renovated Dreamland-a Victorian style fairground and amusements.

The World heritage site of Canterbury is a short drive away or accessible by bus or train.

The ancient, medieval, cinque port of Sandwich, with its recently discovered original copy of the Magna Carta, is 5 miles away.

The British Open Golf tournament is often held at the Royal St George's Golf Club Sandwich and there are excellent facilities locally for the Golf lover. Local stables can arrange hacks and riding lessons

There are spectacular walks along the White Cliffs of Dover and local countryside strolls.

There is a thriving music scene in Deal with Music festivals and music pubs and the Astor Theatre

There are many lovely restaurants and cafes-worth a wander round to chose what suits you.

Bus stop 15 minutes walk-Bus to Canterbury and Deal Town
Mainline railway station direct to London - 15 minutes walk-can collect from Walmer Station
Travel time 1 hour 20 minutes
Train links to:
London Gatwick
travel time 2hrs 25 minutes
London Heathrow
Travel time 2hrs 28 minutes
London Stansted
Travel time 2hrs 40 minutes
Ashford International Rail station
Travel time 40 mins
Dover Priory Station
Travel time 13 minutes
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

Fergus

Fleur

Little Miss Kitty

Jago

Champlain's Well

Show all photos

Front door Champlain's Well

Cai sweeping Autumn leaves

Rupti playing guitar

Silas by the fire

Feedback left by and about host (16)

19/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Matias)

Matias was a wonderful workawayer. He fitted into the family perfectly. He was very helpful and willing. He turned his hand to everything we asked and did a very good job. He has a great sense of humour and he happily has joined our ever extending family. He was a joy to meet. We were sad when he had to leave and are very sure we will meet again… read more

(Excellent )

19/07/2019

Left by Workawayer (Matias) for host

Only five words, THE BEST FAMILY OF ENGLAND!!!
I was with this amazing family for two months and one week. It was my first workaway and I am really happy that meet them.
I came there with basic English language and then, I learnt pretty much, not only this language, indeed a lot of things.
Thanks for all family!!!.
They opened me theirs doors… read more

(Excellent )

12/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Adriana)

Adriana was a wonderful workawayer She fitted in very well with our family and loved the dogs-which is very important. She worked hard with no supervision and used her time here in UK improving her english. I can throughly recommend her to any host Top rated workawyer!

(Excellent )

12/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Adriana) for host

I stayed with the family almost one month and it has been one of my best experiences ever. It was the first time that I’ve travelled as a workawayer and I really recommend this family.

Sheersha is very friendly and she adores the dogs, it's amazing how she deal with them. She is always willing to give you some advices to improve your English or… read more

(Excellent )

04/01/2019

Left by Workawayer (Luca & Valentina) for host

This was our 3rd workaway (the first one in England) and another great life's experience! We choose to go in England mainly for improving our English, but we can honestly suggest you the O’Sullivan family for a million of reasons.
We lived for 5 weeks in a wonderful cottage (dated 1600) surrounded by a peaceful garden with Seersha, Rupti, Fergus,… read more Silas, Itzia, Fleur and Miss Kitty. We also had the chance to meet Cai, Jago and a lot of lovely friends that came for a dinner, or a guitar section. We have been happy to spend a lot of time with the family: we think that this is the real meaning of a workaway experience. But at the same time we had our privacy thanks to the cosy double room “reserved” for us. Moreover, Great Mongeham – where the house is located- is just some minutes (by car) or 45 minutes by foot from Deal, a romantic village on the Ocean, plenty of cafe, restaurants, charity shops and supermarkets. Deal is a strategic position if you want to visit the white cliffs, Canterbury, Sandwich, Margate, London… we used our car (except for London) but there should be buses and trains too, if you’re not travelling by car.
About the tasks, we helped the family with the Air BnB rooms and guests: they rent 2 rooms on the first floor, so we mainly assisted them in cleaning or checking-in or simply speaking with the guests. Seersha is well organized, so the job is quite easy and not hard at all. Sometimes I (Valentina) ironed (I never ironed before, but I learned :blush: and honestly it was a good moment to listen to the BBC radio and improve my English!).
We painted the windows and we helped with some general maintenance jobs.
We have to mention that we could organize the daily work on our convenience: Seersha was always flexible about the hours and she always asked us if we were happy with the tasks we were doing.
We also looked after Fleur, Silas, Itzia and Miss Kitty… but this was more a pleasure than a job to us :blush:
We have been impressed by the big heart of these people: they gave us the chance to feel really part of the family. We spent with them great moments, tasty dinners, we celebrate all together Valentina’s birthday and every daily moments.
During our “short” experience as traveller we learned an important lesson: you can visit breathtaking places, stunning monuments… but in the end, the people will leave you the best memories and the real feelings. If you are looking for a deep human experience, this is the right place for you.
It seems predictable…but it was really sad to leave this place after 5 weeks. Anyway, we left plenty of great memories about the time spent at Champlain’s Well: the incredible Rupti’s tales and his serenades, the chat with Seersha and her tasty food, the sound of Dj Gutzy :blush:
We still think about Fleur that waited for us at the bottom stairs, ready to have the breakfast with us. We lough thinking about Itzia, her funny faces and grunts, the patience of the old and cute Mr Silas and the fascinating Miss Kitty!
We definitely found new wonderful friends!!!!

(Excellent )

17/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (guilherme & Jackeline)

Guillherme and Jackeline were wonderful workawayers. Our animals are important and they were really caring particularly helping our oldest dog when he was poorly. They are great cooks and good fun.They worked hard without supervision and made a difference. I love the workaway idea but it is so hard to say goodbye! I hope our paths cross again.

(Excellent )

16/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (guilherme & Jackeline) for host

Seerscha and Rupti are lovely people!
We stayed a month and a half with them and it was wonderful. They made us feel at home and felt like we were family.
We were learning English and the time spent with them helped us improve our English.
Conversations with Rupti every night are true lessons in philosophy, grammar, history, culture, and… read more

(Excellent )

20/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Debora)

Debora is a wonderful person. She is self motivated and a really hard working helper. She fitted so well with our family and her and I became good friends. She is caring and good natured and a wonderful asset as a friend and workawayer. She us talented and a quick learner Be happy if she comes to your project

(Excellent )

19/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Debora) for host

My first experience in England and outside of Italy (not for holidays), with a very simple level of English. I remember the first time that I saw Seersha, at the rail station: a sweet and strong face at the same time....she has been so friendly and lovely with me. She's a very open minded and I found a friend with whom could talk openly about… read more

(Excellent )

23/01/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (recep)

Recep was a lovely workawayer. He was keen to help and fitted in so well with our family. It was a pleasure to get to know him and learn how to make Turkish tea, coffee and rice pudding! We are going to visit him in Turkey (Istanbul) in September and I am looking forward to catching up and meeting his family.

(Excellent )

08/09/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina & Linda)

Martina and Linda were excellent workawayers. They didnt need supervising and worked hard. They fitted in well with the family and everyone LOVED their cooking. They were friendly and caring and very positive to be around. It was hard to say good bye and hope they want to visit again one day.

(Excellent )

08/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina & Linda) for host

This was our first Workaway experience and it couldn't have been better!
The family are very kind, welcoming and friendly. They treated us like real members of the family.
The days in Great Mongeham were never boring because there was always someone to spend time with or you could just sit in the garden enjoying the sun and the dogs' company.… read more

(Excellent )

28/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Helena & Kristýna)

It was a joy to have the girls to stay. They were friendly, happy and hardworking. To listen to them singing whilst they worked was magic! They were respectful and polite and a credit to their families. They decided to only speak
English to each other so they could maximise the learning opportunity they had-very impressed! We enjoyed the evenings… read more

(Excellent )

27/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Helena & Kristýna) for host

We've just come back home from our first adventurous trip in the United Kingdom.
As it was our first trip abroad we were both excited but a little bit nervous too. However, it wasn't necessary to be worried, at all! At the first moment we saw smiling woman sitting in a car and the fear was completely gone! Seersha gave us a lift to their homeplace… read more - Great Mongeham. We were welcomed and treated as we didn't even dream about...so warmly and lovely..

Seersha became as our real mum so there was no reason to feel homesick. She is the most clever and skillfull woman, we've ever met! She manages to do many things in the same time that it's even not possible. She treated us as her real daughters and we felt so loved. We really enjoyed listening her fascinating stories with a cup of warm tea. When talking about drinks, it's necessary to mention that she's an amazing cook and the cuisine there was so delicious.

Rupti always came up with so interesting news, opinions...We loved times when he was playing on the guitar and we could just sit, close our eyes and listen warm music. (sometimes by the campfire, sometimes just in the garden).

Fergus and Jago were nice, positive and friendly boys, who everytime ate all the meals we cooked for them. (hopefully they liked it).

We can't forget to mention the cutest dogs ever. Silas, Pixie and Fleur loved cuddling and staying by our sides. (specially during dinner times). The last animal - queen Kitty always hungry, cute cat.

We stayed one month in a small, separated house in the garden near the main one. It was so comfortable as it was completely new building. We did varied things such as helping with rooms for Airbnb people - making beds, hoovering, cleaning bathrooms and so on. What's more, we helped for instance with laundry (hanging out and ironing), cleaning the kitchen, feeding dogs and cooking, when necessary.

What's more, the place it's such a wonderful one with breathtaking countryside around. In our free time we did many trips - we saw beautiful landmarks such us Dover catle, Canterbury, Walmer castle and many others...Sometimes we just went to explore breathtaking countryside - the most stunning one are definitely White Cliffs of Dover! When you just feel you need to relax a little bit you can buy a delicious ice cream on the pier in Deal and sit on the beach and listen the wawes of the calming sea.

Last but not least, we really appreciate to being with this family. There's no better family we could choose for the first time! During our stay we gained so many experience, met lots of new people and saw lots of places...tasted new cuisine and live another kind of life.

At the end, we would like to say big thank you Seersha for giving us the opportunity to stay with your family and for being so wonderful woman! You enabled us to fullfilled our dreams!

Thank you! We will remember this month for the rest of our lives!

(Excellent )

14/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Chester)

Chester was our first workaway so a new experience for us. It was his first workaway trip too. It has been an extremely positive experience for all of us. In a very short time he entered our hearts as a kind, willing, honest, hardworking man with an open heart and great sense of humour. He will be an asset to any host. He was generally helpful in… read more

(Excellent )

13/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Chester) for host

My time with this family proved that family doesn't have to be blood.

Working more than 10,000km away from home could not have been more comfortable, fulfilling and heartwarming. I was treated as a friend of the family and after awhile, a member.

Rupti showered me with fascinating stories, knowledge and his intriguing opinion regularly. Fergus… read more

(Excellent )

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