The Old Barn
The Old Barn is a fantastic open-plan designed barn conversion, with stunning views over the River Windrush water meadows towards nearby Witney that will simply take your breath away. It has been lovingly decorated in neutral tones that allow the furnishings and paintings to add that splash of colour that really warms you as you walk through the property. Downstairs is all open-plan to enable your party to enjoy everyone’s company with ease and there is no doubt, the fabulous kitchen will be a place to cook some fantastic meals. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms downstairs and the staircase leads to the fabulous feature mezzanine suite with a king-size bed which will be a place to easily relax at the end of the day.
Overview
Sitting on the outskirts of Witney, The Old Barn is a place to relax and enjoy quiet tranquillity, whilst being ideally situated to explore the Cotswolds. With its own gravelled drive and ample parking in front of the property, lawned gardens wrapping around the side of the house and to the rear, this really is a lovely bolthole retreat for your stay in the area.
The house has been lovingly decorated throughout and has all the features you would expect in a home away from home. The fantastic open-plan kitchen dining and living area will be a place your whole party can spend some quality time together, whether that is making some fantastic meals within the well-equipped kitchen or relaxing on the cosy sofas after a day walking the area. One thing that will stand out is the beautiful panoramic view from the bi-fold doors which could almost be a framed picture. Each of the bedrooms are of a great size and all en-suite, but there may be strong discussions over who gets the feature mezzanine room on the first floor.
The bi-fold doors open from the dining space to a paved patio which really does bring the outdoors in. The view is even more breathtaking from outside, and you will use this space on fine evenings and crisp mornings having a lovely meal or just a coffee whilst admiring the view and listening to birds chirping. Walks from the front door will be sure to keep everyone happy and exploring the Cotswolds from this destination will be an ideal holiday.
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall:
Opening the front door of The Old Barn, you cannot help but be drawn to the view through the bi-fold doors in front of you in the large open-plan kitchen-living-dining space. Leading off the hall are the double and twin bedrooms with a separate entrance to the bathroom and utility.
Open-Plan Kitchen/Dining/Living Area:
This wonderful sunny space is a fabulous open-plan sociable room for everyone to enjoy. The high ceilings give a greater feeling of size and the two large cartwheel light fittings set off this area. There is a long dining table to easily seat all guests but for those wanting a more relaxed coffee or breakfast, the counter space with four stools is an ideal location. The well-equipped kitchen with its deep blue Aga is sure to be a place to cook some memorable meals and the addition of the separate two-burner gas hob is a real benefit. An American-style fridge freezer, dishwasher, and all the equipment will be all that is needed to create your culinary delights inside or outside. At the far end of this space are three large sofas to ensure a cosy place to relax, read or just watch your favourite TV programmes after a hard day walking around the area. For music lovers, there is a Music Fidelity Hi-Fi system that allows streaming from Spotify.
Bedroom One:
Entering directly from the entrance hall this spacious double room with dual aspect windows looks out to the lawned area to the front and side of the barn. The double bed is sure to ensure a great night’s sleep and is complemented by two bedside tables and touch-sensitive reading lamps. There is also a wooden blanket box, bookcase, chest of drawers, and a perfectly positioned mounted smart TV.
En-Suite:
The en-suite leads straight from bedroom one and is the only bathroom in the barn that features a bath. A handheld shower, basin, and WC finish the space.
Bedroom Two:
Another space that is a great size, like bedroom one, is entered via the hallway. Twin beds with bedside tables and lamps and for those wanting to undertake some writing or catching up on emails, the desk is perfect. There’s also a wall-mounted TV.
En-Suite:
This fantastic wet room has a direct entrance from bedroom two but also has a separate door allowing access from the open-plan area of the barn. Rainfall shower, basin, and WC give you everything you need.
Utility Room:
The utility houses everything you would expect including a washing machine and dryer. This is a great place to take your dog after a walk to dry off and keep your coats and boots away but easily accessible.
First Floor
Stairs with a handrail to your right lead up to:
Balcony Bedroom:
A large spacious mezzanine suite overlooks the open-plan space of the barn and is sure to be the feature bedroom of the barn. The king-size bed sits comfortably here and the addition of a reading chair and matching footstool will be somewhere to get away to read any of the wide array of books found within The Old Barn if anybody wants a quiet space. The Velux windows allow light into this bright space, and they are fantastic for looking at the stars on a clear night. There is a writing desk for a quick letter or two to send back in this age of electronic communication.
En-Suite Shower Room:
Found at the end of the mezzanine is this well-proportioned shower room. With a large spacious rainfall shower, basin, and WC all set in a white and blue tiled room.
Outside
Surrounded by mostly lawn at the side and rear of the barn, the large two bi-fold doors open onto a large patio that will be used for many daytime or evening meals taking in the great views towards Witney. The back lawn with farmland beyond will be a place to really kick back and relax with a book or a nice chilled glass of your favourite beverage.
The front of the property has a wide gravelled drive which also wraps to the left of The Old Barn in front of a five-bar gate that leads to the back lawn and patio.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - King-size
Bedroom Two - Double
Bedroom Three - Twin
3 Bathrooms - 2 X Shower Room, 1 X Bathroom All En-suite
Hairdryer - 3
AGA
Hob - Separate 2-ring
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 8
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 50-99 Mbps
TV - Smart
Board Games
Workspace
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Highchair
Sound System - HiFi And Music Streamer
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 2 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden
Outdoor Dining Area
No BBQ Available
Parking - Off-road Parking For 5 Cars
On your Doorstep
In nearby Burford, the town also has some excellent independent food shops, including W.J Castle butcher’s shop, Bumbles of Burford deli and fruit & veg shop, Hanley’s Deli, The Cotswold Cheese Company and the Bakery on the Hill.
Eating Out:
The Lamb, Crawley (0.6 miles)
The Bird in Hand, Hailey (1.9 miles)
The Plough, Finstock (4.0 miles)
Walks: Out of the drive and down Crawley Road towards the town. Go right on the first road (New Mill Lane) onto the Water Meadows, where you have a big area to walk. If you continue on Crawley Road past New Mill Lane take a left at the next track (Milking Lane) and into the Wychwood Forest Project halfway up.
Farther afield there are some fantastic walks around Minster Lovell and Swinbrook and also with Burford nearby where there is excellent walking as well.
Places to Visit:
St Mary’s church, (13th Century) (1.9 miles)
Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens (9.3 miles)
Minster Lovell Hall & Dovecote (2.3 miles)
There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, why not have a look at some of our favourite Bolthole Retreats Experiences.
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 16:00 and a check-out time of 10:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences.
- 2 well-behaved dogs are permitted at the property for an additional fee.
- The rear garden is enclosed but children and dogs should be supervised at all times as it is possible to get through these into the fields beyond.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Open-plan barn conversion with stunning views over the River Windrush meadows and vibrant, art-filled interiors.
- Two en-suite bedrooms plus a feature mezzanine suite, perfect for relaxing after a day exploring.
- On the edge of Old Minster Lovell, within easy walking distance to the pub, river, and cricket club, with quick drives to Witney, Burford, Oxford, and the iconic Blenheim Palace.
Discover more
The Location
The Old Barn lies on the outskirts of Witney, a vibrant market town with excellent amenities and a thriving local community with a wide range of independent shops, restaurants and boutiques, as well as a number of larger stores, including Waitrose and M&S. Less than 3 miles from the Old Barn lies the picture-perfect village of Old Minster Lovell on the edge of Wychwood National Nature Reserve with the River Windrush passing through. The village has a pub, a country hotel with spa, a village cricket club, a church, a small convenience store (in Minster Lovell) and fishing on the river – all within a lovely walk from the property. Some fantastic Cotswold locations are all within easy reach of the Old Barn including Burford, Oxford and the fabulous Blenheim Palace.
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Read our reviews
Large family friendly space, perfect for chatting, relaxing, cooking and eating, and having fun for a multi generation family holiday.
Beverley
A lovely setting for an Airbnb; lots of space and very peaceful. The accommodation was spacious and tidy, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
James
We had a lovely stay, thank you
Rachel
A lovely space, much enjoyed by the family. Great outside space and quiet location.
Beatrice
Excellent.
Zollo
Great holiday home let down by lack of hot water
Lovely property with great location and views and well equipped, but we were disappointed to have to endure cold showers. The property manager was quick to respond, polite and friendly when we contacted her and she promptly visited to attempt to sort things out. Whatever she did however failed to last til the next morning. She was again responsive offering to send a plumber but it was too late as we were leaving that day.
Another few small things to mention that certainly didnt ruin our holiday but we would suggest are easy to remedy:
- the email we got with directions stated the turning off Crawley road was on the right when it was on the left. Easy one to fix and important especially as GPS not reliable at the address so what three words etc not helpful.
- the manual for the electric AGA was not where it was stated to be (in the desk drawer). We finally found it in the kitchen. Note also the link to e manuals in the welcome pack didnt work.
- weird that there were some massive big saucepans and two little ones but only one appropriate for boiling or steaming potatoes and veg for 6. Two steamers but no pans to put the steamer insert in???
We certainly enjoyed our holiday and hope these things will be remedied so that future visitors benefit from action of our feedback.
Nicky
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at The Old Barn. We’re very pleased to hear that enjoyed your stay and the property's beautiful location. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we’ve shared it with the owner and property manager. They’ve asked us to pass on their apologies for the issue with the cold showers, which have now been resolved. They’re also working to fix the links to the e-manuals and are looking into providing some additional saucepans for future guests. In the meantime, we’re also updating the directions to the property to make arrivals smoother. We hope to welcome you back to the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 30th June 2025
Old Barn
The Old Barn is hidden behind two other homes and is difficult to locate from the Crowley Road. Pity the house next to the road is not mentioned in the directions to get there. Once arriving the property is delightful and instructions for using the utilities is on the bookcase shelf. It has a lovely view over the fields to Witney. Worth the excellent rating.
Richard
Not for long stays
We have stayed here twice before and love the location and layout with two bedrooms on the ground floor. Unfortunately there is nowhere really to hang clothes other than the hooks on the wall. The cupboards don't take much and we lived out of our suitcases. I am sure its fine for a weekend. We stayed in the ground floor bedroom in single beds which were uncomfortable, but I cannot climb stairs. The big wooden gates are always broken and difficult to move. The Aga stove might be nice in the winter but it makes the house very hot when it's warm and it takes hours to heat the oven. We would prefer a barbecue but there is none. I don't think we will be going back.
Raymond
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at The Old Barn. We're so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful location and found the living areas comfortable and welcoming. We're sorry to learn that some aspects of your stay fell short of expectations and that you don't feel you would return. To clarify, bedroom one offers hanging wardrobe space, and each of the other bedrooms has a set of chest of drawers for storage. The 3D tour on our website also provides a detailed view of the interior layout and furnishings, including available storage. The other points you raised have been shared with the owner, who is actively reviewing them. We're pleased to let you know that arrangements are already underway to repair the gate, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
- Bolthole Retreats, 11th June 2025
Once arriving the property is delightful and instructions for using the utilities is on the bookcase shelf. It has a lovely view over the fields to Witney. Worth the excellent rating.
Richard
Beautiful house in a great location
This house was ideal for us. We were three couples celebrating our son's 30th birthday so needed space and ensuite bedrooms. The open lounge/kitchen was perfect, as was the private patio. Great base for days out too.
Alison
Lovely Stay
Super views a good base for us to stay, first impressions very welcoming and a nice welcome pack left for us.
Thank you for a lovely stay, very comfortable beds and sofas and clean and tidy. Facilities good although we did not use everything provided.
A couple of suggestions please can a shower door be placed on the bath to enable the shower to be used in the master bedroom, and the fan in the ensuite bathroom not working but able to open the window.
Entrance gates tight to turn into.
Throughly enjoyable stay would recommend.
Jane
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at The Old Barn. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback has been shared with the owner who has taken these points on board and is looking into them. They've also let us know that the extractor fan will be fixed as soon as possible. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.
- Bolthole Retreats, 25th April 2025
Amazing accommodation.
We had a fantastic stay in this beautiful modern accommodation. With three en- suite bedrooms it lends itself really well to family vacations. It is located in a fantastic area in close proximity to Oxford, Burford and the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
Linda
We had a fantastic stay in this beautiful modern accommodation. With three en- suite bedrooms it lends itself really well to family vacations. It is located in a fantastic area in close proximity to Oxford, Burford and the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
Linda
Beautiful barn conversion in a peaceful but convenient location to explore The Cotswolds. Plenty of parking space. Secure garden for our 2 dogs. Ensuites in every bedroom and a lovely open-plan living space. I wish we could have stayed longer.
Jason
Great location, very spacious property in a lovely setting with easy access to locations, pubs and canal walks which will definitely recommend to friends and family.
Mark
A long weekend with family
Great location, close to walks and pubs.
Lovely accommodation, clean and comfortable with lovely views.
Perfectly suited!
Ian
Homely Cotswold stay
Stayed for 3 nights with family for a local wedding. Lovely barn conversion with beautiful views. Very spacious and in a great location
Shauna
A family celebration
Six octogenarians , three sisters and their partners, one visiting from Canada, took a rare opportunity to spend time together in this lovely house and setting. As soon as I walked in I knew it was just what was needed - light and spacious, with two bedrooms on the ground floor and excellent facilities. everywhere well equipped , the kitchen perhaps over so, and the only downside was coming to grips with the Aga when we wanted to cook in the oven. Wonderful views and the presence of rare breed sheep added to our enjoyment.
A fascinating and quirky conversion - like sharing a home with a library! Very helpful and courteous staff at Boltholes.
Brigid
Great place to stay
The Old Barn is a beautiful place to stay in a peaceful location, just outside Witney. The whole place is well kept and clean which is really important to me. It was a joy to watch the sheep graze outside the window while we enjoyed our meals. We chose the Old Barn over other holiday properties in the area because it was wheelchair friendly, with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms on the ground floor level. It is also level access into the property from the front door. In summary, I would thoroughly recommend a stay at the Old Barn.
Sylvia
Our second stay
I like the Old Barn because it has two bedrooms on the ground floor, it is four minutes from Waitrose, M&S and Sainsbury's and the best pub in England is at Crawley about 1 km away, where we can take our dogs. It's very quiet and I love sitting outside watching the lambs and sheep in the fields. There is an extensive library of good books, including three by the owner. I could stay here all year just to read them all.
There are a few things I don't like at all but they may not worry everyone. There is an Aga in the kitchen which takes hours to heat up and burns your fingers because there are no oven mitts. If you leave it on it heats up the house and in summer it's already hot so you have to turn it off. Awful piece of equipment that is about 100 years out of date and should be replaced with a modern range that actually works. No idea why they still sell these things because they are so impractical in every single way. The TV and music system does not work probably because all the batteries in the remotes are too old and it is so complicated. Just a simple TV with decent speakers would help. It was very difficult to watch the Olympics because the sound was so bad. There is no grill outside to have a barbecue and that is a real negative point because it would be nice on a summer evening to sit outside and eat with a proper gas barbecue. The pillows on the beds really need to be changed they are very uncomfortable. A shower mat is required in the shower I used where the floor turns into an ice rink. The washer and dryer had not been cleaned for months if not years. My wife spent an hour taking out the mould and running a bleach wash before she would put any of our clothes into it. However, there is a washing line and the clothes dry in no time in fresh air. Forget hanging your clothes in a wardrobe, it doesn't exist. I suppose for most people who stay for two nights none of those things matter, but we would love to stay a month. That also isn't possible because Bolthole lets it to people for a weekend, so you can never find a month of consecutive days. In America they only allow you to rent from Saturday to Saturday so that you can get a full week or even a full month quite easily.
All these small things can be fixed because overall the Old Barn has so much going for it. If you want groceries it's easy. There are restaurants of all kinds nearby, lovely walks and easy access to anywhere you want to go in the Cotswolds. For me the ground floor bedrooms are a blessing even though the one we use has single beds, not something we enjoy, but I can't climb stairs so they have to do. If you stay here I am sure you will enjoy the comfortable furniture and all the other facilities, the lovely views across the fields and the atmosphere at night when you can see the stars. It is a lovely Old Barn that has been extensively renovated to create a modern day cottage that is inviting and joyful.
Raymond
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at The Old Barn. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay, however disappointed to read the points that you have raised. We have shared your feedback with the property manager who wishes that you had contacted her during your stay as she would of been very happy to come out to the property. They have also taken onboard the other points that you have raised and these will be looked into.
- Bolthole Retreats, 22nd August 2024
Lovely Break
Spacious, well converted barn. Comfortable seating area, well stocked kitchen and ample bedroom space. Nice views over the countryside and ample parking.
Kay
Relaxing weekend away with friends
We had a fantastic time at the Old Barn. It looks and feels as amazing as it does on the photos. It is a beautiful place to stay with really excellent facilities, stunning views and really good value for money. Really comfortable living area, very well kitted kitchen with really stunning design of the conversion. We also relaxed in the large garden and enjoyed the views. There is a great local pub about 5-10 mins walk away which we would recommend. The communication from booking was also second to none, all in all 10/10 stay.
Edward
Poor cleanliness
Tired and needs a thorough clean, disgusting saucepans/ pots with stains and covered in greasy film, dirty toilet, tiny dregs of fairy liquid left for us and one dishwaher tablet, no dishcloths or paper towels to clean up properly just one small sponge. Please leave enough for clients stay or at least until they can get to do a shop just don't be like this its so penny pinching or charge an extra couple of pounds for all our sakes. The table that we ate from also very sticky and needed thorough clean, beds also sub standard sheets. Such a shame as it could be stunning
We came from another holiday air bnb that was spotless and cheaper!!!
Lynn
Perfect for Cotswolds
We loved the Old Barn and it was everything we thought it would be. There are two bedrooms on the ground floor which makes them perfect for older people. We loved the big glass doors and views over the fields filled with flowers and sheep. I would go back just to finish all the books in the library. The location is perfect for quick trips to Witney for M&S, Waitrose and Sainsburys. The Lamb pub down the road is basically a Michelin restaurant in disguise as a village pub and I mean this in all sincerity. In fact I would stay in the Old Barn just to eat there. There is no point writing a long review, the images tell the whole story. We loved everything about this place with the exception of the AGA stove. Im sure in winter it must keep the house warm but to be honest, its an environmentally unfriendly relic of the past century where it should have stayed. There are books on how to operate it, but by the time you learn all the tricks you will be packing to leave. Thankfully we were not there in summer or we would have had to turn it off completely. The one thing missing was an outdoor grill, apparently for safety reasons and the outdoor patio furniture arrived the day before we left. We will be back but for a much longer time next year but with our own softer pillows. We love the Old Barn and dont want you to stay there so that we can get it whenever we want to go there.
Raymond
Create Memories
Experiences designed to make your stay unforgettable
We have curated not only a portfolio of properties, but also a portfolio of experiences we recommend everyone try the next time they visit the Cotswolds and surrounding counties. This selection of ours is constantly growing as we discover more hidden gems and local stars. Many of the experiences are incredibly popular, and we encourage booking in advance because these little extras can turn your everyday holiday into a fantastic, fond memory, one you aren’t soon to forget.
