About Us
The Grinding Barn and Embers Barn at The Old Farmyard are two beautifully converted barns in the Oxfordshire countryside available for luxury large group holidays in the UK from August 2022. The Grinding Barn sleeps 14 in 7 bedrooms and Embers Barn sleeps 12 in 6 bedrooms; both have an enormous open plan living space with a very well equipped kitchen and walk-in pantry, a long dining table to seat all, and a living area with comfy seating and an open fireplace.
Each barn has gorgeous landscaped gardens and a large terrace with a barbecue, outdoor furniture and a cedar-clad electric hot tub. There is also a shared courtyard and covered games area with a pool table, table football and family games. The Old Farmyard is dog friendly and is the most perfect place for family holidays to remember, for very special family celebrations and self catering corporate breaks. The barns can be booked individually and are available for short breaks year round. The Old Farmyard is so much more than a place to stay; it’s a place to unwind, to reconnect and to enjoy, a place where very special memories will be made.
The setting is the beautiful Vale of White Horse, between the ancient Ridgeway and the Thames Valley. From the barns there are spectacular views over unspoilt countryside of rolling hills and wide open fields; within easy reach there is a multitude of things to see and do for all ages. This is a great base for exploring Oxford and The Cotswolds, but If you just want to stay put and soak up the gentle ambience of The Old Farmyard, we understand perfectly; relax and enjoy the fresh country air, the birdsong and the tranquility. You might like to stroll down to the picturesque village of Little Coxwell where the streets are lined with centuries old cottages; wisteria and roses scramble up the walls, staddle stones stand on duty, thatched roofs slope softly to the eaves. Have a look around the fascinating 12th century church, stop for lunch at the red brick Eagle Tavern in the middle of the village.
The Vale of White Horse is named after the famous Bronze Age figure carved into the chalk hillside at Uffington; go to the top of the hill for a picnic and you’ll have breathtaking views that stretch across six counties. Put on your walking boots, grab the dog lead and go and explore the Ridgeway National Trail, The River Thames Path, and Ashdown Woods where you can walk ankle deep in leaves.
Discover the places of interest and beautiful historic houses in the area; just a few miles away is Great Coxwell Barn, a medieval tithe barn that featured in Downton Abbey. Spend a day at Blenheim Palace, the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill, or at Buscot Park where you can amble around the immaculately landscaped gardens and visit the Neo-classical house.
There are quiet market towns to browse with independent shops and weekly markets; the nearest is Faringdon with its Georgian fronted buildings and 100ft folly tower up on the wooded hilltop. Nearby is Roves Farm where the little ones can have hands on farm fun. The cobbled streets and narrow passages of Wantage are a delight and provided much inspiration to Poet Laureate, John Betjeman who lived here for many years. Burford is a gem, with its three arched medieval bridge and side streets that run off the famous High Street as it sweeps down to the River Windrush. About half an hour away is Oxford, known all over the world for its university and glorious architecture; go and see the famous dreaming spires and the water meadows, potter around the Asmolean Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum. Further afield are London, Stratford, Salisbury and Bath, all fantastic for well planned day trips.
Enjoy an excursion to The Cotswolds, soak up the charm of the quintessential honey-stoned villages – The Slaughters, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold are a must. Breathe in the beauty of Laurie Lee’s Slad Valley, stop off with the family at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum and Birdland Park and Gardens.
If you’re the adventurous sorts or if you want to book corporate activities you’ll find plenty to choose from. Go mountain biking at Badbury Camp, a sea of bluebells in late spring; head to Cotswold Water Park where there are 180 lakes for watersports and fishing, or if golf is your thing there are immaculate greens at Frilford Heath and Shrivenham. There’s clay pigeon shooting, off-roading, canoe hire and boat trips on the River Thames - in other words, a fabulous choice!
Something else our little corner of the world has plenty of is good places to eat and drink, from farm shop cafes and charming tea shops to fine dining restaurants and cosy country pubs, all putting the bounteous local produce to excellent use. There is so much within a short drive from The Old Farmyard, so many wonderful discoveries to be made, photos to be taken, times to enjoy. Come and stay, come and play, we can’t wait to meet you ❤️
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If you have booked through our agents, Stay Cotswold, our properties are known as Coppers Barn (Embers Barn) and The Oat Barn (The Grinding Barn).