The Harvesting Barn

Located on our client’s family estate near Shipton-Under-Wychwood, in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this substantial threshing barn had become redundant. Our clients approached us to transform it into a luxury holiday let. Our design maximises the potential of the barn’s large space and provides first class guest accommodation.

A triple-height main entrance celebrates the cathedral-like space of this large barn.

This leads into a huge living room, kitchen and entertaining space with a central log burner. The ground floor also features a dining room, home cinema and a games room, plus a practical utility room and boot room.

All the principal ground floor rooms open onto a large terrace with wonderful views over the Cotswold countryside.

There are seven bedrooms in total, with three double bedrooms, one single bedroom, and a bathroom and shower room on the first floor. The master suite with bathroom and dressing room is on the mezzanine level, and there are two further double bedrooms (one en-suite) on the second floor.

Because the existing barn had not been used for many years, the roof was sagging in places, tiles had slipped and there were cracks in the walls. Our plan includes restoration and renovation works and a new single storey extension.

A change of use from agricultural to residential can be challenging and the planning process can be difficult. We found that a small number of bats were roosting in the barn, and worked with specialists to get the necessary licences for their safe re-homing. High-performance thermal insulation was added to minimise energy consumption. Despite the constraints and challenges, planning permission was approved and works will begin on site soon.

We worked with our long-term collaborator, Lauren Gilberthorpe, on the interior architecture and interior design. Neon signs and spectacular tiling bring visual interest and help create a sophisticated, luxury interior, featuring paintings by local artists.

The landscaping is respectful of the barn’s context and enhances the setting. A new gravel drive leads to the property, planted beds soften the site and a new lawn has been laid at the back.