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, walk the owner's dogs, swim in the freshwater pond and sign up for on-site art 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 en-suite wet room-style shower room.
Ground Floor
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.) 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.
En-suite 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 en-suite wet-room style shower room, featuring a shower with rainfall and hand-held showerheads, 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, 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).
