Our Brand New Renovation, The Barn.

Tuesday 10th June

We started renovating The Barn in December 2013.  We completely gutted the building, which was previously two cottages, Barn and Elm.  Andrew and Janice converted the old farm building, which was previously a home to about 14 cattle downstairs with a hay loft upstairs, into Barn and Elm in 1978.  The cottages were mirror images of each other and had three bedrooms, a bathroom, and open plan kitchen, living and dining areas.  As the years have gone by many families have enjoyed a lovely holiday in the cottages, but demand has grown for bigger properties that sleep more people.  So Shaun thought that Barn and Elm would be a good building to create a larger cottage.

During last summer, Shaun and Jaime brainstormed their ideas and came up with an interior plan including 5 bedrooms, 3 en-suites, 1 bathroom, large lounge and spacious kitchen and dining area.  Work started in December and the whole building was completely gutted!  Ceilings and walls were taken down, the old concrete spiral staircases were dismantled and removed, new floor joists were put in, the glass in the windows was replaced, the building was completely rewired, underfloor heating was installed downstairs and radiators upstairs.  We mostly used local businesses and tradesmen within a 10-15 mile radius.  Dave, our trusty stonemason, but who will actually turn his hand to anything, helped us throughout the renovation and it was his Father who helped Andrew do the original conversion of Barn and Elm all those years ago!

We have done our best to keep the country cottage look and feel to compliment the old barn exterior, whilst providing our guests with all the mod cons that they might want and need during their holiday with us.

The kitchen has a large electric range with a 5 ring hob and three ovens.  The fridge freezer is large enough to hold a weeks supply of food for a large family.  We have provided a wide range of pots, pans and other cooking utensils and plenty of crockery and glassware.  There is a highchair and also a booster seat for a toddler or small child, children’s plates and cutlery and in the bathroom we have provided a step, child’s toilet seat and bath mat.

The dining table is 6′ in diameter and comfortably seats 10, with space for the high chair. The round table means that all the family can be involved in the conversation and see and speak to each other easily.

the barn lounge

The lounge has seats for 10, with different styles of seating to suit anyone’s behind!  We suspect that the snuggler chair in the bay window will be the most popular!  The TV is mounted on the wall, safely away from little hands and it’s got 3D, so if you’ve got glasses, bring them on your holiday!  We’ve provided a few board games, books and some Duplo, just in case it’s raining.

There are two double bedrooms downstairs, both with en-suites, which we think is helpful for anyone who can’t manage the stairs too well.  There is another double bedroom upstairs adjacent to the bathroom.  The bedroom is large, with space available for a cot or put-u-up bed.  There is a bunk room which also has room for a cot or put-u-up, so the room is suitable for up to three children.  Finally, the last bedroom, which has an en-suite shower room, has twin beds which can also be put together to make a super king, giving this room flexibility to suit children, singles or couples.

Outside we have put up fencing and gates to make the garden completely enclosed, making it safe for little ones.  There is a jungle gym play frame which includes a slide and children’s picnic bench on a bark chipped area.  A large garden table, made locally from reclaimed timber, seats 10.  The shed contains private laundry facilities for the use of guests staying in The Barn, there is a washing machine and dryer, clothes horse, ironing board and iron.  We have also provided a set of quoits and croquet to play on the lawn, which is not flat, but makes for a more interesting game!!

We are really pleased with the end result and hope that our guests like it too.  We have had a lot of interest from our returning visitors and have taken many bookings already.  The photographer came last week and now we can showcase all our hard work!  Take a look at the images, let us know what you think and book up your holiday!

Click here to view The Barn