Pre arrival info

what to bring

Flip flops and bath robe to walk from hut to hot tub

Warm clothing / blanket - for star gazing

Wellies / boots - especially for Autumn / Winter guests.

Head torch / torch for walking back from the pub at night and arrival in the dark.

Cool box or bag with ice blocks for drinks as the fridge is small

Back to nature...

We are off grid here, a lovely opportunity to take a true break from busy life and relax together. It does mean we have to use electricity carefully so no high usage items like hairdryers.

Food & drinks, the nearest shop is a 10 minute drive so bring your supplies with you or pre order one of our meal hampers.

whats in the hut

Your king sized bed will be made up with fresh luxe linen, a blanket and towels.

Ensuite bathroom with hot showers (please use the eco soap and shampoo provided) and composting loos (similar to flushing loos, everyone must sit to use, more instructions in the hut)

Private wood fired hot tub just for you, we light the fire at 3pm on the day of your arrival, when you get there add more wood straightaway and it should take another 1.5 to get hot hot. Instructions in the hut, its super simple but if you need a bit more guidance do call Eloise.

Cooking, we have an outdoor cooking area, fire pit with cast iron skillet, grill rack and pot that you can hang from the tripod. In the hut there are two gas hobs and a small fridge (no freezer). We have a few pots and pans, colander, grater, kinives and general utensils. We don’t have electrical blenders etc as the solar power only runs low usage equipment.

 Wifi, there’s little to no phone network and no wifi at the huts. Treat yourself to some proper time out and put away your phone. Walking around the field you can sometimes catch some signal and the pub in the village has wifi if you need it.

Self check in and check out, Check in at 4pm, we are sometimes ready early so do get in touch if you plan to be in the area beforehand. Check out is 10am, if you have purchased late check out, check out is at 12 noon.

Water is mains water so its drinkable, no need for plastic bottles. Occasionally the water pressure is low in the field when we are filling the other hot tubs.

Electricity is solar powered, it works brilliantly for lighting and phone charging, anything more, like a hairdryer can blow the fuse in the huts so keep it low usage. You’ll find a little panel by the hut door to show you how much power you have left, in the shorter and less sunny winter days we have a little petrol generator as back up!

Fuel, we provide some wood, a barbecue bag, firelighters and kindling for your stay, if you need to top up there is an honesty box woodshed by gate, help yourselves and transfer after your stay. Bag of wood £9, firelighters £3, kindling £3.

Bank details for any extras during your stay - The T Barn, Business account, sc. 090129 acc. 32961441

Waste there are recycling and general waste bins behind each hut.

We provide cupboard essentials, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, tea, coffee. We also give you some milk and a sweet treat.

Damages While we understand accidents happen, we reserve the right to invoice you for any damages you cause to the cabin or the surrounding estate during your stay or if additional cleaning is required after you check-out.

What to organise before you leave

Download the google pin / what3words from the packing pointers email before you leave home as no signal in the village -

Shepherd’s huts - https://goo.gl/maps/n4GZCrxoAfC7Suwe6

Bell Tents & Campsites - https://goo.gl/maps/RNs2fLuJ7JJJjDPb9

Order one of our firepit hampers to make the stay even more special follow this link for more details

Book any local pubs as they get busy - especially at weekends. Plan and book any activities too as you may not have signal when you’re here. See our list below for more tips.

Local Area

Groceries - there isn’t a shop in the village but plenty a short drive away. We also offer hampers - https://www.tbarn.co.uk/food

Cirencester Direction, 5 – 10 minutes drive

The Organic Farm Shop – 5 minute drive. In the direction of Cirencester, on the right before the traffic lights. Great farm shop selling everything you might need including freshly baked bread, homegrown fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, milk. Check opening times winter / summer variable.

The Coop – closest mini supermarket – 5 minute drive. In the direction of Cirencester, go through traffic lights and go right at the first roundabout, located in the petrol station. Open until 10pm and stocks all the essentials.

The Market Garden – (12 minute drive) fantastic green grocers in Cirencester.

The New Wave Fish Shop – (12 minute drive) great fishmongers, fresh fish and helpful fishmongers.  

Lynwood – (12 minute drive) Sourdough bread as well as a café

Jesse Smith Butchers – (12 minute drive) Butchers and grocery store, sells lovely Sourdough Revolution loaves.

Fire and Flow Roastery – (12 minute drive) Amazing roastery, buy packet of beans that are ground whilst you wait. They do excellent takeaway coffees. In the industrial estate… not the prettiest place but super tasty. 

Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Tesco, Aldi & Lidl (10 minute drive) all in Cirencester

Bibury / Burford direction

The Bibury Trout Farm, (5 minute drive) sells trout! Also sells newspapers, milk and a few essentials.

The Twig, Bibury (5 minute drive) sells a few deli items including wine and beer. Primarily a takeaway café serving delicious toasties, coffee and cake.

Upton Smokery, Burford, Deli / Greengrocers specialising in their own smoked produce. Also sells booze.

Eating Out

The Boot and Barnsley House Hotel are a 15 minute walk from the huts and offer a delicious food and a warm welcome. Walkable from the huts - 20 minutes.

The Stump at Fossecross is an ancient roadside inn now offering delicious pizza and pasta. Walkable from the huts - 1.5 hours.

The New Inn at Coln is a 16th century coaching inn serving up amazing burgers and other specials. Walkable from the huts - 1.5 hours

The Seven Tuns, Chedworth (10 minutes drive), love this spot - consistently good food and lovely service from Simon.

Thyme, The Swan and Ox Barn at Southrop (15 minute drive) gorgeous village, beautifully renovated barn, good food - a bit £££

The Organic Farm Cafe just down the road is open Tuesday - Sunday 10 - 4pm, beautiful organic produce, much made on the farm and a sweet cafe offering up homemade, nutritious food.

Double Red Duke (30 mins drive) really great food, atmosphere and service, love going here ££

Bit further afield….

Jolly Nice, Farmshop and Café – beyond Cirencester on the road to Stroud (20 minute drive) great deli, butcher & greengrocer. Yummy café, best ice cream & milkshakes.

The Woolpack, Slad – (25 minutes drive) my favourite place ever, amazing food, spectacular view. Laurie Lee country. Book it.

Daylesford, Moreton-in-Marsh – Organic Farm shop, more fancy than farmy, restaurant, clothes boutique, spa and farm shop. Very Cotswolds.

Diddly Squat Farm shop, (45 minutes) of Jeremy Clarkson fame, Chipping Norton. I tried to go once but the queue was hours long…! Let me know if it’s any good! If you head that way then stop at The Chequers, Churchill for some good food and drink.

Days out and about

Walking through the Cotswolds offers charming scenes of idyllic villages juxtaposed with rustic & wild farmland. Follow the footpaths and dry stone walls across the farm and through the valley to experience some beautiful local vistas.

Cycling is popular in the area, winding lanes take you through chocolate box villages, vast swathes of farmland and nature reserves. Gently rolling hills make for an enjoyable ride but if you want a little extra oomph then check out Cotswold E Bikes located on the neighbouring Abbey Home Farm

Local lakes at South Cerney (15 minutes away) offer paddle boarding, windsurfing, swimming and much more try Cotswold Water Park

Hop on a horse at the Talland stables, next to Barnsley, there are beautiful bridle paths all around the area. Book a private ride or join in on a lesson, advance booking needed.

Rainy day? Pop into Cirencester and check out the antique arcade (centre of town opposite the Cornhall), The Cornhall Arcade and The Corinium Museum.

Bit of history

Kelmscott Manor, The Inspirational Cotswold Retreat of William Morris open over the spring / summer – check opening times as not open every day. Great pub in the village too – The Plough.

When Morris first saw the Manor in 1871, he was delighted by this 'loveliest haunt of ancient peace'; he signed a joint lease for the property with his friend and colleague Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the Pre-Raphaelite artist.

Stow on the Wold & Morton in Marsh, are two of the most well known Cotswolds market towns. Go for a browse around the curious antique shops and farmers markets.

Nature Around the Huts

Plenty of flora, fauna and birds to look out for from your hut

The joy of working at the huts is seeing the seasons change and nature transform all around. There’s beauty throughout the year so tune in, look and listen to soak up all the goodness.

Wild meadow flowers – look out for corn flowers, poppies, daisies, dandelions, violets, thistles, nettles. All loved by the butterflies, Adonis Blue, Dark Green fritillary, Holly Blue, Red Admiral, Large White.

In April see the carpet of bluebells in the copse.

There will be pheasants around as there is a shoot on the farm but far more interesting are the protected species, Mistle thrush, Song thrush, Yellowhammer (listen for their cascading song) and Stock Dove.

At Sunset look out for the Tawny Owl swooping across the field as it begins its evening’s adventure. The Barn Owl also comes out!