Bull Pen Barn, Dyrham Park, near Bath

A fabulous rural retreat for 2 just 8.5 miles from Bath. The Bull Pen has a light and spacious open-plan kitchen-dining-living area, with full length bi-fold doors opening to a patio with seating. A super-sized bedroom with a king-size bed and open-plan, wet-room-style shower room. All in a unique, architectural-chic style with exposed stone walls, raw wood and stone flooring, and natural textiles. Explore the 500-acre farm and private woodland, collect chicken eggs, walk to a pub, cafe and more Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted to stay overnight. Turn down Sands Hill off the A46 – the main road rolling across the Cotswolds from Bath to Cheltenham - and you’ll quickly find yourself in a stunning rural landscape, with a view down to Bristol, the River Severn and the Mendips stretching away into the distance. A farm track leads you into Sands Farm courtyard where you’ll find the owners’ family home and their two fabulous holiday barns, The Bull Pen (sleeps 2) and Middle Barn (sleeps 6), separated by a large farm courtyard. Outside, the Bull Pen’s patio area overlooks a large farm courtyard, which leads to an enclosed garden, with a BBQ, and a children’s play area. Guests are invited to explore the farm’s 500 acres of land and 70 acres of woodland, go hunting for chicken’s eggs for breakfast, walk the owners’ dogs, swim in the freshwater pond and sign up for on-site art and outdoor experiences. Just a short stroll down the farm track is the entrance to one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful National Trust properties, Dyrham Park a fabulous late 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park – perhaps recognisable to many as the filming location of several films and TV shows, including Poldark, Remains of the Day and Sanditon. Step inside the Bull Pen and you’ll instantly be impressed with the space. This may only sleep two, but there’s room to really spread out and even invite another couple over for a drink or meal – perhaps family living close by. Step through the front, bi-fold doors into a double height barn with exposed stone walls and original A-frame timbers which have been beautifully combined with a stylish, modern kitchen, dining area and living area that looks out over the courtyard and is bathed in light and sunshine. Slide back a thick oak door and you’re into the equally spacious and stylish bedroom furnished with a king-size bed. Directly behind the bed is a custom-built, three-quarter-height wooden wall concealing a fabulous ensuite wet room-style shower room. Full Property Description The Bull Pen is on one level, with no internal stairs and a walk-in wet room-style shower, so it is ideal for guests with limited mobility. (However, please note that is one step up from the parking area at the front onto the patio. A ramp can be provided on request.) The property has underfloor heating throughout, beneath a beautiful, polished limestone floor. Living-Dining-Kitchen Area Step through the double, bi-fold doors into the beautiful, open-plan living-dining-kitchen area, with its double-height ceiling, exposed stone walls and original A-frame timbers. Light pours in through the length of this south-east facing room, making it an uplifting space. This lovely retreat’s living area is furnished with a smart TV, three-seater sofa, armchair and high-back church pew. The dining area is beside the kitchen and has a square table and four chairs. The fully equipped kitchen runs along the back wall of the barn and features a Carrow Phoenix stone sink, oven/hob, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave, washing machine, Nespresso coffee machine and all the kitchenware needed to prepare delicious meals. Ensuite Bedroom Slide open the impressive, oak door in the living area and step into the stunning studio-size bedroom where there’s room to workout, stretch, relax, and accommodate a baby in a travel cot too! This dual-aspect bedroom has a stable door with a window to one side, overlooking a grassy knoll and the patio, and a very high window (with a blind) to the far side from which all you can see are clouds scudding by or the stars at night. The bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed with bedside tables and reading lights, a double wardrobe with shelves and hanging space and a full-length mirror. Just behind the bed is a custom-built, half-height wooden wall, concealing a toilet, and a three-quarter-height wooden wall concealing a fabulous ensuite wet-room style shower room, featuring a shower with rainfall and hand-held shower heads, a hand basin with a pretty, ornate mirror and shaver’s point, and a heated towel rail. Outside A visit to The Bull Pen is as much about exploring and being immersed in the immediate natural surroundings as it is about the stunning interior. There is a patio directly outside with seating, overlooking a large courtyard, which leads to an enclosed garden, with a BBQ. Beyond that guests may explore the farm’s 500 acres of land and 70 acres of woodland, collect hen’s eggs, interact with the farm animals (donkey, goats and horses), walk the owners’ dogs, go wild swimming in the pond, and even fish for crayfish. As a security measure, please ask for the owner’s or farm manager’s permission before heading into the woodland, collecting eggs and visiting the animals. A short stroll up the farm track to Sands Hill brings you to the rear entrance to Dyrham Park, a late 17th-century mansion, garden and deer park, one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful National Trust properties. To enter the Park this way (rather through the main entrance on the A46), guests should go through the gate and head to the shop and let the Park staff know they are on the premises. National Trust members can sign in here and non-Members can buy their entry tickets at the shop. (Check before going for any entry restrictions.)   Guests have full access to the Bull Pen and its own patio, plus are invited to explore the farm's 500 acres, plus woodland, garden with BBQ, children's play area, (shared with Middle Barn). The owner lives across the farm courtyard and is available for guests when they need help or advice. Dyrham is a tiny village in a Conservation Area on the south-west side of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The national 102-mile-long Cotswold Way walking trail runs through the village (at the bottom of Sands Farm). The village no longer has a pub or shop but does have some very pretty homes built with Cotswold stone, several of them Grade II listed. At the heart of the village is the National Trust’s magnificent Grade I listed Dyrham House. The nearest pub is The Bull at Hinton, 1.5 miles away, a 25-minute daytime cross-country walk. The Tollgate Café is at the top of the farm, on the A46, walkable in 10 minutes along the footpath. It serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and is licensed. Its evening Stonebaked pizzas are excellent. It is a wonderful place to watch the sunset over the Black Mountains of Wales over 70 miles away. On request it will deliver locally sourced breakfast boxes and their evening menu. A stay at Middle Barn isn’t just a property rental, it’s an experience too - for guests of all ages. The Barn is part of a 500-acre working farm with 70 acres of woodland where guests are free to ramble and explore on their own (keeping to signposted areas), collect eggs, interact with the farm animals (donkey, goats and horses), walk the owners’ dogs, go wild swimming in the pond, fish for crayfish and explore the play area. (As a security measure, the owner’s or farm manager’s permission must be sought before heading into the woodland, collecting eggs and visiting the animals.) History buffs will enjoy it here too; the site has evidence of vines dating back to Roman times and the mound that rises behind the farm is believed to be a Saxon king’s burial site. Nearby is the site of the 577AD Battle of Deorham (present day Dyrham), a pivotal point in Britain’s history when post-Roman Briton rule fell to the West Saxons. Farm activities The owners offer the following activities at the farm: Art – GBP60 per hour, up to 6 people: art workshops for all abilities, exploring a wide range of techniques and medium, inspired by the beautiful farm and countryside. Woodland Activities – GBP20 per person for 2 hours: den building, fire building, animal spotting, moonlight woodland walks. Clay Pigeon Shooting – GBP50 per person for 1 hour: suitable for the seasoned pro or a group of friends who would like to give this exciting sport a try. These activities must be booked directly with owner. Contact details will be provided after booking the property. Local Pubs • The Bull at Hinton – 25-minute daytime walk (otherwise driving recommended) • The Cross House at Doynton • The Tollgate (see below) has an alcohol license. Local cafés in walking distance The Tollgate is located at the top of the farm on the A46 and walkable in ten minutes along the footpath. They serve breakfast, brunch, lunches, afternoon teas and Sunday roasts, and in the evening bakes and will deliver stonebaked pizza. You can sit in the tearoom, in the conservatory, or outside and enjoy great views and sunsets across to Bristol, the River Severn and the Welsh mountains. All food is made on the premises from locally sourced ingredients and it is licensed. On request they will deliver locally sourced breakfast boxes and their evening menu. Dyrham Park National Trust Café Within walking distance of the barn is the National Trust’s beautiful property Dyrham Park, which has a shop and café serving breakfast, lunches and teas. Stay-In Catering If you’d like to eat at the barn but want a break from cooking, the perfect solution is Handmade Catering – a local business in Marshfield that cooks and delivers delicious homemade food. Bristol & Bath The historic cities of Bath and Bristol are 8.6 miles and 17 miles away respectively, with both providing plenty of sightseeing activities and shopping opportunities for all ages and interests. (See the Bath & Bristol Guidebook at the end of the Welcome Guide.) There is an excellent Park & Ride facility at Lansdown (6 miles away) with a regular service into Bath. Well worth using as parking in Bath is expensive and limited. For Bristol, head to Cabot’s Circus Mall for shopping, Millennium Square for attractions and historical tours and Clifton for independent shops and eateries. The property is surrounded by fantastic walking country, with the national 102-mile-long Cotswold Way walking trail at the bottom of Sands Farm and the fabulous Dyrham Park (National Trust) just a 5-minute walk away. There is an excellent Park & Ride facility at Lansdown (6 miles away) with a regular service into Bath. The Bull Pen is on one floor, with no internal stairs and a walk-in wet room-style shower room, so it is ideal for guests with limited mobility. However, please note that there is one step up from the parking area at the front onto the patio. A ramp can be provided on request. The Bull Pen is on a working farm providing fantastic farm experiences for all ages (see ‘Local Amenities’ below). Please note, however, that the farm has some machinery/vehicles, a pond, play area, animals (including four dogs) and can be muddy and farm-like at times – so please always keep young children under supervision and bring appropriate footwear.