Hayloft at Newbarn Farm

As you approach the Hayloft, following quiet country lanes, any feelings of stress will melt away with the rejuvenating view that greets you – a topiary-lined driveway with the owners’ centuries-old home and barns ahead, all surrounded by gorgeous gardens and woodland, with the Hayloft sitting to one side.

This immaculately presented bolthole has a reverse-living design, making the most of the double-height ceiling in the living space on the first floor, which features the original A-frame’s 300-year-old timbers. Head up an external flight of wooden steps to the front door, which opens into a light and spacious open-plan living-dining area and a fully equipped kitchen with a lovely view through the original hayloft door across the farm to the surrounding countryside. An interior staircase leads down to the ground floor where there are two comfortable bedrooms (one a king-size double and the other a twin) and a family bathroom.

The Hayloft is the perfect location for some rest and recuperation with not another property in view (other than the owners’ barn) for at least a mile in every direction. It is surrounded by woodland, gardens and the farm’s stables, with just the sounds of nature, the countryside and the owners’ horses, chickens and guinea fowl to accompany you as you sit outside on the cottage’s small but pretty, outside seating area. There are wonderful walks on the adjoining country estates of Ditchley Park and Cornbury Park, while Oxford, Burford and Stratford are all easily accessible by car.

First Floor

The Hayloft is a reverse-living holiday home, with a light and bright, open-plan living-dining area and kitchen on the first floor and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor.

From the gravel courtyard, head up an external, wooden staircase (with a sturdy handrail) to the front door. Here you’ll find a small deck with a great view and a handy boot box where you can sit and remove boots and shoes before heading inside.

Living/Dining Area:
Step into the eaves of the A-frame of this charming, reverse-living barn where you’ll be able to touch the ancient timbers and look out through the original hayloft door – now pretty, French windows – across the rolling hills.
The dining area is furnished with a large circular table to comfortably seat four guests. The living area’s two comfy, three-seater sofas and occasional tables form a cosy, convivial sitting area where guests can relax, play games or watch the smart TV.

Kitchen:
At the far end of the A-frame, with all its centuries-old, exposed beams is a fully equipped kitchen, spacious enough for a breakfast table and two chairs. The kitchen is equipped with an electric hob and oven, a dishwasher, microwave and all the small kitchen appliances required for a self-catering holiday. There’s plenty of well-lit worktops to prepare meals, and cupboard space to store groceries – with lighting below the beams and from above through three Velux windows.

Ground Floor

Head down the carpeted staircase, with a handrail, to a small hallway with a window overlooking the stables and a small chicken coop – a lovely spot to pull up a chair and absorb the comings and goings of the animals outside. Off the hallway are the two bedrooms, bathroom and utility cupboard.

Bedroom One:
This charming master bedroom with its matching Sanderson bedspread and lined curtains, looks out across Newbarn Farm’s immaculate lawn, topiary bushes to the woodland beyond. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed, with a bedroom bench, bedside tables with reading lamps, a chest of drawers-cum-dressing table with a make-up mirror, hairdryer and table-top fan. The bedroom has a full-length mirror and a double wardrobe, with plenty of hanging space, shelves and storage. (The travel cot and highchair are stored here.)

Bedroom Two:
The pretty, twin bedroom looks out to the owners’ stables – if you’re lucky you may get a glimpse of Moomin, the miniature Falabella-cross-Shetland pony. The bedroom is furnished with two full-size, single beds, each with a reading lamp over the bed, and a shared, central bedside chest of drawers. A large wardrobe provides hanging space, shelves and plenty of room to store suitcases.

Family Bathroom:
The bathroom is equipped with a full-size bath with over-bath shower, a W.C. and wash basin set in a custom-built vanity unit, with a large make-up/shaving mirror with lights to one side.

Utility Cupboard:
Directly outside the bathroom is a handy, walk-in utility cupboard housing the washer-dryer, airer, iron, ironing board and vacuum.

Outside

On the gravel courtyard, beside the parking area is a small area dedicated for guests’ use, with a table, four chairs and a large BBQ. (Please note, the lawn immediately beside this seating/dining area is not for guests’ use.) At the top of the stairs is a small deck where guests can sit on the boot box or take out a chair to enjoy the lovely view towards the surrounding hills.