About the area
Visitors to the Cotswolds have long treasured memories of charming towns and villages built from the famous honey-coloured stone, it now boasts a thriving community of contemporary artists working from studios and shops throughout the area.
Burford is possibly one of, if not THE most famous of the Cotswolds' locations. With its medieval bridge, old stone houses and attractive Tudor and Georgian frontages, Burford is justifiably one of the most picturesque towns in England. Often referred to as the 'Gateway to the Cotswolds', the town was originally a fortified Anglo-Saxon ford which later grew to be an important regional crossroads and wealthy wool town. Located mid way between Oxford and Cheltenham (25 mins each away) it is a little haven of history and beauty that many come to fall in love with when they visit.
The 16th century Tolsey building, once the meeting place for medieval merchants, now houses The Tolsey Museum, a delightful local museum illustrating the town's social and industrial past. The church is stunning, a real gem architecturally with many interesting memorials charting some of Burford's great families. There is also the signature, on the baptisimal font, of Antony Sedley, one of the Levellers besieged in the church in 1649 - three of the ringleaders were executed by Oliver Cromwell's men in the churchyard. History awaits!
With little changing over the centuries, Burford is now very popular with visitors, both for its beauty and history but also for its shopping and antiques, and for the wide variety of places to eat, with restaurants, pubs and teashops. It is an ideal base for visiting The Cotswolds area as it is within easy driving distance of popular attractions such as Blenheim Palace, Sudley Castle, Warwick Castle and several National Trust Houses and Gardens. Bourton on the Water, Bibury, Cirencester and Stow on the Wold are all with 25 minutes from the property.
Little Owl Barn, with a name like this you'd expect something that is cute and eye-catching. Thankfully it is both, in spades, perfect for Cotswolds holiday in a truly top-notch location. Tucked down a lane, behind a delightful cottage garden, this sweet, homely holiday cottage is a true gem, carved from a once enormous barn into a collection of quality homes. Pleasingly, one of them is now a holiday home for us all to enjoy and it has very recently undergone a "makeover" which has transformed the cottage and light floods into the barn rooms making sure that even though it is exceptionally cosy, it is not dark or unwelcoming - quite the opposite. The views are superb, and this coupled with the sound of nothing but birdsong and the occasional tractor ensures this is a true Cotswolds experience. Kids, of course, can run free in the enclosed garden while you enjoy a seat and relax if you wish you could all stroll down to Burford in about 10 mins for a treat in Huffkins Cafe (maybe a famous Lardy Cake....?!) Inside, the house has been furnished with style which adds to its attractive appeal upstairs are two bedroooms both of which are simple yet smart. We absolutely love this barn, as will you, - there is nothing not to like!
