Lower Lodge Barn, Alcester, Nr Stratford-upon-Avon

A striking and luxurious, reverse-living barn, sleeping 8 guests across 4 double bedrooms with one ensuite bathroom, one family bathroom and 2 cloakrooms. Fantastic sweeping views, open-plan living-dining-kitchen area and upper terrace. Patio, BBQ, garden and spa-like hot tub. Fabulous rural location within 550 acres of privately owned farm land yet it is within walking distance of a great local pub and is just eight miles from historic Stratford-upon-Avon. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome*. Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. The approach to Lower Lodge Barn is a long and winding farm track that climbs a hill to a fantastic vantage point. From a distance you can see the uber-modern barn exterior – a exceptionally striking sight siting proud at the top of the hill. Spend your evenings sitting outside on the patio eating alfresco from the BBQ and relaxing in the outdoor hot tub as you watch the sun set on the magnificent rolling countryside. Inside is a magnificent atrium-like hallway with stunning high ceilings and a stately split staircase leading up to the hugely impressive, first-floor living-dining-kitchen area and upper terrace. The ground floor is made up of four well-appointed bedrooms, including two king-size rooms, one with an en-suite bathroom, and two super king-size bedrooms (with zip and link beds that can be twin or super-king on request - please notify on booking which is required), serviced by a large family bathroom and separate cloakrooms. Gather around the super-sized kitchen island and while away the hours socialising with your friends, then serve up at the dining table or, when the weather is right, head out onto the terrace and dine alfresco. Retire to the comfort of the living room where you can kick back and relax on one of the plush and stylish sofas, in front of the woodburning stove while watching a film on the extra-large smart TV. *Dogs: The pet fee is NOT included in your booking fee. A request for an additional fee per pet will be sent to you after you have placed your booking. Your pet fee must be paid for before your arrival date. Facilities Sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms across: 2 king-size bedrooms (one with en-suite); 2 super king-size bedrooms with zip and link (can be made up as twins on request) Hot tub (seats 6) with patio and sofa seating 2 bathrooms: 1 en-suite (cabinet shower, bath, basin and WC); 1 family (bath, cabinet shower, basin and WC) 2 cloakrooms: one ground floor; one first floor Parking for 5-7 cars Fireplace with wood burner – logs and kindling supplied (for first fire only) Bed linen, bath towels, tea towels and hot tub towels (blue) Hairdryer x2 Kitchen starter consumables: teabags, instant coffee, sugar, fresh milk and cake. Cleaning starter pack: dishwasher tablets, cloth, washing up liquid, bin bags Bathroom essentials: hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo, shower gel Underfloor heating Free Wi-Fi TV - a Smart TV in each bedroom and the living room Sonos speakers Games Dog friendly (maximum 2 dogs) Fully equipped kitchen with toaster, kettle, utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware (champagne flutes, tumblers and wine and water glasses) cafetiere, bakeware, food preparation (grater, jug, sieve), saucepans, bread bin, kitchen foil, cling film, kitchen paper Oven/hob: electric double oven and induction hob Microwave (in upstairs utility room) Dishwasher Fridge Fridge-freezer (U.S.-style in upstairs utility room) Wine fridge Washing machine (in downstairs utility room) Ironing board, iron, clothes airer, vacuum cleaner Baby/Child Equipment: highchair, travel cot (cot linen not supplied), stairgates Outdoor patio and upstairs terrace with winter heater Garden furniture: table and seating for 8; sofas on hot tub patio; table and chairs on upper terrace. BBQ (charcoal) – please provide your own charcoal Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, carbon monoxide monitor, smoke alarm, First Aid kit. Shop 0.9 miles; pub 0.5 miles Full Property Description Lower Lodge Barn is a reverse-level property with all four bedrooms on the ground floor and the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area on the first floor. The property has underfloor heating throughout. Ground Floor Entrance Hall: Step in through the front door into the very impressive, double height, atrium-style hallway with a split staircase straight ahead leading to the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. Boot Room: Just inside the hallway is a handy room for hanging coats and storing boots and shoes. Bedroom One: This lovely bright room has a king-size bed, bedside tables and touch on/off reading lamps. French windows open onto the lawn with views extending far into the distance. The room is furnished with a wardrobe, chest of drawers, a day chair, a full-length mirror and a smart TV. Family Bathroom: This spacious bathroom has a cabinet shower, with overhead and handheld shower heads, an extra-deep bath (with central taps), a double-length wash basin with vanity unit and mirror, toilet and heated towel rail. Bedroom Two: The smallest bedroom but with an impressive view over the neighbouring farmland and woodland. This room is furnished with two zip and link single beds that can be left as twin beds or made up as a super-king-size bed*. The bedroom has bedside tables and touch on/off reading lamps, a chest of drawers and smart TV. French windows open onto the lawn. (*Please state preference on booking.) Bedroom Three: This light and bright, spacious bedroom has a zip and link super king-size bed* with bedside tables and touch on/off reading lamps. It is furnished with a wardrobe with hanging space and shelves, a chest of drawers and smart TV and full-length mirror. French windows open onto the lawn. (*The bed can be made up as a super-king double or a twin. Please state preference on booking.) Cloakroom: In the main hallway, immediately outside Bedrooms Two and Three, is a toilet with hand basin. Bedroom Four: At the entrance to the Barn’s master ensuite bedroom is a custom-built, double wardrobe. Continuing on into this spacious room you’ll find a king-size bed with bedside tables and touch on/off reading lamps, a chest of drawers, a smart TV, full-length mirror, day chair and large circular pouf. French windows open onto the lawn. Ensuite Bathroom: Featuring a cabinet shower with overhead and handheld shower heads, an extra-deep bath (with central taps), a double-length wash basin with vanity unit and mirror, a toilet and heated towel rail. Utility Room: This handy room has a washing machine, sink, storage units (for the patio seat cushions) and ironing facilities. Next to it is the boiler room with a clothes airer. First Floor An impressive, wooden, split staircase with banisters leads up to the spectacular, open-plan living-dining-kitchen area. Custom-built, lockable stairgates are at the top of the two divided staircases. (Note: a stairgate is not provided at the base of the stairs, so young children should be supervised at all times when on the ground floor.) Kitchen - Dining Room – Living Room: As soon as you get to the top of the staircase, you’ll see why the owners refurbished the Barn as a reverse-level home: the fabulous, open plan kitchen-dining-living room has far-reaching views across the surrounding farmland and countryside through three sets of French windows - each with a glass, Juliette balcony. Impressive Ragley Hall – the seat of the Marquess of Hertford – is visible in the near distance. The Barn has oak-effect flooring throughout with underfloor heating and chic-industrial-style lighting. The room has wall-mounted Sonos Bluetooth speakers. The fully equipped kitchen features a long and wide island, with six bar stools, storage cupboards, a provisions fridge and a wine fridge. To one side of the island is an induction hob and double oven, a double sink and cupboards full of all the contemporary equipment you need for a self-catering stay. On the other side of the island is a long dining table and chairs to comfortably seat eight guests. Gather around the kitchen island and while away the hour socialising with your friends as you grab a chilled bottle of champagne from the wine fridge whilst the chef of the group cooks up a storm on the beautiful white granite worktops. Serve your meal up at the breakfast bar, the dining table or head outside and dine alfresco. The fabulous living area has two parts: a snug seating area, with two, pink velvety armchairs placed to enjoy the view, and a main area, with a super-size woodburner, a large L-shaped sofa and two armchairs, and an extra-large smart TV with a sound bar. Terrace: To one side of the dining area are bi-fold doors that open out to a terrace furnished with a large, square table and four rattan armchairs with foot stools. The terrace has a very effective wall heater, making it a fabulous year-round spot to enjoy a drink, relax with a book or play some games. Utility Room + Cloakroom: Alongside the kitchen area is a cloakroom with a toilet and wash basin and a separate utility room with a U.S.-style fridge-freezer, microwave, cleaning equipment, and kitchen units with worktops and storage (where guests will find the BBQ tools). Outside The Barn’s double wooden gates open to reveal a large, gravel driveway, with room for five to six cars and a far-reaching view of the local farm and woodland. To the right-hand side of the Barn is a patio with a large table and eight chairs, which is positioned close to a brick BBQ – the perfect spot for al fresco dining. Head down the steps from the dining patio to a bubbling, six-seater hot tub with in-tub lighting and a private patio with a sofa, two armchairs and spa-like floor lighting. To the front of the barn is a long, narrow lawn and footpath that passes in front of the four bedrooms. At the entrance gate is a wooden shed where cushions for the outdoor furniture are stored. Guests may also keep bicycles in the shed. Guests have access to the whole property, garden and hot tub. The property manager is available for guests if help is needed. Nestled on the edge of the bustling village of Alcester, you will find Lower Lodge Barn is ideal for a gathering of family or friends. Explore the 550 acres of privately owned farm land with hard standing tracks that are ideal for dog walking and cycling with links up to Oversley Wood. Here you’ll find 230 acres of stunning woodland bursting with wild flowers and a blanket of bluebells in spring. Or head out for the day to Stratford-upon-Avon, Cheltenham or the Cotswolds, visit Ragley Hall, play a round of golf or spend some me-time at the local spa. Alcester Alcester is a market town at the junction of the River Alne and River Arrow in Warwickshire, close to the Worcestershire border. Alcester has a surprising number of public houses, restaurants and take away food outlets, as well as a variety of independent shops and plenty of antiques dealers and art and craft shops. Alcester is also known for two, nearby stately homes. To the north is Coughton Court, a National Trust property, and to the south-west is Ragley Hall the home of the Marquis of Hertford. There are many fairs and festivals in the town including the Court Leet in early June, which is a charity street market, and the Mop Fair in October where amusement rides, side stalls and food booths line the streets. The Alcester and Forest of Arden Food Festival is held every May and October and attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy local quality food and produce. Within eight miles is the historical town of Stratford-upon-Avon set on the banks of the River Avon. The birthplace of William Shakespeare and home of the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as excellent restaurants and bars. (See our Stratford-upon-Avon guidebook.) Within easy reach is Warwick (15.7 miles), many Cotswold villages, and Cheltenham, home of the Gold Cup, which is held annually in March at the town’s racecourse. Local Pubs Just three-minutes’ walk from the Barn are two great pubs/restaurants: The Fish at Wixford Located on the banks of the River Arrow this highly rated pub is a great starting point for a lovely stroll around the area before trying out their appetising menu. The Fish welcomes dogs to dine with you! The Three Horseshoes at Wixford Another highly rated pub with a Thai restaurant. Also serves English mains and vegan options. Takeaways • Alcester Fish Bar (fish & chips), 2 Moorfield Road, Alcester, B49 5DA. • Rooster Chinese Takeaway (Cash Payment Only). 3 Swan Street, Alcester, B49 5DP. Walks Oversley wood is a stone’s throw away and boasts 230 acres of beautiful woodland with a variety of nature and scenery. Directions: Take a left out of the Barn’s gates, then walk down the track until you reach the style on the right. Ragley Hall If you look to the left whilst standing in the Barn’s living area you can see Ragley Hall, with its 26 acres of formal gardens, created by Victorian designer Robert Marnock. Other areas have been left wild for visitors of all ages to explore. Watch the deer in the woodland from the hide, take a wildlife walk, see two- or three-hundred-year-old trees, or enjoy the many contemporary garden sculptures. Ragley Hall holds a variety of events throughout the year from game fairs to open air productions and festivals to firework extravaganzas. Spa Time Bannatyne Health Club & Spa Wildmoor @ Stratford on Avon is 5.5 miles away from the Barn. It is a beautifully designed facility on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon, featuring a crystal steam room, herbal sauna, caldarium and 20 metre swimming pool. Golf Welford on Avon Golf Course: A family run, 18-hole, par 70 (6080 yard), pay & play parkland golf course designed by Martin Hawtree, with numerous water features and great views. By Car: Lower Lodge Barn is just 8 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon. The last part of the approach to the property is via a farm track which may be muddy and uneven. By Train Stratford-upon-Avon Station, on the West Midlands line, is 8 miles away. Taxis 007 Taxis Parking: There is ample, secure parking on the drive area inside the wooden gates for 5-6 cars. If more space is required, please park to the left-hand side of the Barn (outside the gates). Please be mindful not to block the track as farm machinery and neighbours’ cars use it. Points of Note/ House Rules Dogs: The pet fee is NOT included in your booking fee. A request for an additional fee per pet will be sent to you after you have placed your booking. Your pet fee must be paid for before your arrival date. Be mindful of neighbours and avoid excessive noise late at night. Only the number of people booked into the property are permitted to stay. We kindly ask that the property it is left secure at all times. Under 18s should be supervised when enjoying the hot tub and BBQ area. There is ample parking on the drive area – please be mindful if parking outside the property and do not block the track.