Rooms

Every element of this architecturally-intriguing barn is beautifully finished. The decor combines antiques, botanical wallpaper and pastel tones without feeling cluttered. Pleasingly, furniture has been sourced from the local hospice shop including a piano (sheet music supplied) and vintage stereo. Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors in both the bedrooms and living space allow the light to pour in.

The barn has two bedrooms, which can be set up as doubles or twins. The downstairs bedroom offers easy wheelchair access, while the upstairs bedroom has its own private terrace overlooking the bluebell woods. Each has its own bathroom featuring either a free-standing bath or a walk-in rain shower.

The bright living/dining space has an eclectic modern vibe with its painted breezeblocks, Persian rug and metal beams. Bi-folding doors open out onto the courtyard and adjoining lawn. There's also a laundry room plus an outdoor hose for muddy wellies or cleaning up after wild swimming.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The spotless modern country kitchen is well equipped with an oven, hob, fridge-freezer, blender and dishwasher. Basic essentials like tea, coffee and milk are provided. You'll find a generous welcome basket on the table which includes home-pressed apple juice and a bottle of wine for booking through i-escape. Arrangements can be made if you'd like to do an online shop beforehand.

Eat at the vintage dining room table (sits 6-8), which opens up into the courtyard, or bring food so you can dine beside the lake or in the folly - very romantic! There's also a barbecue for alfresco summer dinners, or toast marshmallows at the woodland camp.

Foxham Inn in the village is only a mile and a half away and offers decent pub food and caters well for anyone with allergies or specific dietary requirements. There's a farm shop in Dauntsey, and a supermarket in Calne.

If exploring the Wiltshire countryside, you'll stumble across plenty of good country pubs. Grassroots village pub The Dumb Post Inn at Bremhill (10 min drive) has hearty food and a good view from its garden. The George at Rowde is walking distance to the Kennet and Avon Canal. If dining out, there are plenty of restaurants in Tetbury, Marlborough, Malmesbury and Chippenham to choose from.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Toaster

Activities

• You're in a conservation farm of 200 acres of ancient woodland and meadows, perfect for family ramblings. There are maps on lanyards to take with you when exploring
  
• On warmer days, go wild swimming in the lake or take out the rowing boat
  
• Chill out in the peaceful classical-styled Stone Folly, with its incredible vistas along three long rides, and classical fireplace with table and chairs
  
• Or take a short walk to the Woodland Camp in bluebell woods which has a Playhouse for kids and a fire pit for toasting marshmallows
  
• Bowood House and Gardens are great for days with unpredictable weather. Explore one of the best preserved examples of a ‘Capability’ Brown garden and look inside the Georgian house boasting over 300 years of antiques and artwork. Indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds will keep kids entertained
  
• Longleat has a famed safari park
  
• The National Trust’s Lacock Abbey is a country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the photographic negative
  
• The Neolithic sites at Avebury are less than 30 mins away and you might spot the Cherhill White Horse at Oldbury Castle on the way
  
• Westonbirt Arboretum is the perfect place for walks, especially in autumn for the colours. You can spot over 2500 species in the canopy on the STIHL Treetop Walkway
  
• Classic Cotswolds town Tetbury offers antiques, restaurants and boutiques including the Highgrove Shop
  
• Drive to the Cotswold Water Park for water-based activities
  
• Historic Bath has shopping, architecture, the Romans and Christmas markets

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling

Kids

This is a great place for families as we can attest. The vast woodland and meadows are ideal for hide and seek or building dens, swinging on the tyre or kicking a ball on the lawn, and swimming in the lake is great fun for all ages. There are games and a big TV if the great British weather sets in. There's a baby cot and a high chair to borrow if needed at no extra cost. A single mattress can be set up for a third child on request.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Both bedrooms can be setup as doubles or twins; our kids were in the downstairs bedroom as a twin, which worked well.

Distances:

• Airport: 1-hour drive
• Hospital: 30-minute drive
• Supermarket: 7-minute drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Foxham Boutique Barn is set on a farm near the small village of Foxham, Wiltshire.

By Car:
The barn is 40 minutes' drive from Bristol and approximately two hours from London. The nearest town is Chippenham. There's private parking at the barn for two cars. There's no EV charging point, but a charging cable is available for use on a standard outdoor socket. If you want to hire a car, see our recommendations.

By Train:
The nearest station, Chippenham, is on the Paddington – Penzance line. There's a taxi rank in front of the station, and it's a 25-minute journey to the barn from there.

By Air:
Bristol is one hour away; London Heathrow is 1.5 hours.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.