Pointers Guest House, located in Wistow, UK, has three rooms available throughout the year for guests. Each of the three accommodations has different bed options and occupancies, with the largest unit being the Family Room. This suite has two rooms, one with a super king-sized bed and the other with a single bed and space available for a second single bed to be added if necessary. The other units feature either a king-sized bed or two single beds. The exterior of the guest house has a walking trail around the perimeter of the 15 acres of land. Also on the grounds is a private nature reserve that, according to David, one of the owners, has won a conservation award. The owners hope that those staying at the property are able to relax and "chill out" during their stay. They hope that the nature, as well as the location of the establishment, can help with that goal.
Pointers Guest House has three guest bedrooms with various occupancy options that are available throughout the year for reservation. Each unit has
its own bathroom. The cream bedroom features a king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom, together with a dressing area, while the twin room has two single beds and, again, an en-suite bathroom. The family room features a super king-sized bed as well
as a permanent single bed and an optional second single bed. Sleeping up
to four people, the room is intended for groups traveling together, such as
families, and has a private bathroom across the hall from the room. Inside
of the family room, the super king bed is located in one room, while the
single beds are in an adjoining room, separated by a hanging curtain.
David says that the room is ideal for a family due to the curtain which
separates the two rooms. Both of the adjoining rooms have access to the
hallway. All three bathrooms have a double-sized power shower.
Located in each room are a coffee and tea tray, biscuits, refreshments, and
a television. Additionally, all three of the guest suites feature a sitting area
with at least two chairs. Throughout the rooms, all of the included amenities
are the same, making the main difference between the units the size and
amount of beds. All guests to the property also have access to free Wi-Fi
connections. David further explains that there is ample parking for vehicles
of all sizes. The guest house is protected by electric gates and CCTV
covering the building exteriors.
The exterior of Pointers Guest House is described by David as a detached
farmhouse. Painted cream with a brown roof, the home is located on 15
acres of land in Wistow, UK. Common areas for guests across the grounds
include the conservatory where breakfast is served each morning, an
outdoor patio, and the acreage around the home which consists of a private wildlife reserve. According to David, the acreage has won an
award in the past for the reserve, which features various plant and animal
species native to the region. Several ponds also characterize the premises.
The property is home to 12 beehives, which one of the owners, Eileen,
manages for honey. Two orchards provide apples, pears, plums,
greengages, damsons, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Beyond
this, the property additionally grows fruit in three greenhouses, and there is
also a vegetable patch. Eileen uses these fruits to make jams in season.
Breakfast at Pointers Guest House features jams and marmalades made
by Eileen. David says that there are several options for the morning meal,
including a continental-style meal or variations of a full English breakfast.
The English breakfast consists of items such as bacon, handmade
sausages from a local butcher, free-range eggs from hens that live at the
property, baked beans and mushrooms together with home-grown
tomatoes in season and marmalades or jams over toast, plus cereal with
milk if desired. David says that a house specialty is smoked trout (caught
by him) and scrambled eggs. If notified before arrival, the owners can
accommodate for food allergies and preferences such as gluten-free,
vegetarian, or vegan. In addition to providing homemade jams and
marmalades for breakfast, the owners of Pointers Guest House sell
such produce as honey, free-range eggs, tomatoes, jams, and marmalades
during their respective seasons.
While staying at Pointers Guest House, Eileen and David hope that their
guests can enjoy their experience, enjoy the accommodations, and "chill
out." The owners designed this property in an attempt to provide that type
of experience by planting the various types of foliage in the backyard and
adding additional space to the main building. David reports that during guests' stay, both he and Eileen strive to avoid interrupting or imposing on
their guests. Previous guests of the property have mentioned the peace
they found at the property, as well as the nature and surroundings of the
guest house. One said, "The room was comfortable and spacious with
lovely views and the bathroom was well appointed with a bath and shower.
There is lots of parking for vehicles of all sizes. Also, they had a wide
selection for breakfast - from cereals and fruit to a choice of cooked items
which included eggs from hens on the property and tomatoes grown in the
owner's greenhouse - all freshly cooked for each guest."
For those staying at Pointers Guest House, there are policies in place.
There are no pets allowed inside those parts of the house occupied by
guests or any of the sleeping arrangements. David reports that there are
kennels outside in the stable area where guests can have their pets stay
overnight, but in order to keep the house as clean as possible from pet
allergens, the owners ask that dogs and other animals stay outside.
Additionally, David and Eileen ask that guests notify them what time they
plan on arriving. Due to the multiple acres of property the couple owns,
notification in advance is important for check-in so that one of the owners
can be at the house to welcome new arrivals. There is no smoking allowed
inside the guest house; however, there is an area provided outside with a
table, chairs, and ashtray for guests who may require such facilities.
Three places the couple often point visitors to eat at include The Crown at
Broughton, Johnson’s Steak House at Old Hurst, and The Windmill at
Somersham. Located near the city of Cambridge, there are also attractions
within the area that patrons can enjoy. Some of these places include the
Imperial War Museum at Duxford, the Raptor Centre, and the Horse Racing
Museum at Newmarket. Other attractions are the cathedrals of Ely and
Peterborough, the Great Fen nature reserve, and many other
internationally important wildlife sites. Visitors can travel to the lavender
fields of Norfolk, the bulb fields of Lincolnshire, and the Norfolk coast to go
on boating trips. Pointers is just a 20-minute train ride from the center of
London. Several historic sites like abbeys and national trust properties can
give guests historical insight. David says that because East Anglia is one of
the places closest to mainland Europe, it has been one of the most invaded
parts of the country, so many historic landmarks exist from the Bronze Age
to the modern day.
In 1998, David and Eileen purchased the land that is today known as
Pointers Guest House. Before they came to the property, it was used as a
farm, and it remains a registered smallholding today. They started the bed
and breakfast after their children moved away from home, with the intent to
keep their big home full of people. According to David, before they began
work on the home, the farmhouse was approximately a third of the size it is
today. Since then, the couple expanded the original structure "in all
directions," in the words of David. In addition to expanding the square
footage of the home, the couple purchased the 14.5 acres that surrounded
the farmhouse and planted grass, trees, and other foliage. They created
ponds and made the acreage into a private nature reserve when they
added the plant life, and they also built stables and converted the garage
from a single into a triple.
In the future, the owners have additional plans to continue to keep the
business running. They are currently in the process of adding solar panels
to the home in an attempt to make the establishment more eco-friendly.
Additionally, the couple wants to build a summer house in the garden to
offer more space to guests. Their latest project was putting in electric gates
at the main entrance of the property to increase security.
Wistow Toll, Wistow
Huntingdon, England PE28 2QH
United Kingdom
Bed and Breakfast
David and Eileen Winser
