The Old Barn

This one-of-a-kind barn conversion definitely has the wow factor. With an ancient shell, but an interior straight out of a contemporary design magazine, it’s no wonder it was featured in the Times’ Best Holiday Houses for Groups in Britain in 2018. The heart of the home is the enormous open-plan living area, with its soaring ceilings and wall of glass. We can imagine some really special meals here. There are six bedrooms, most of which have splendid views over rolling fields, and the hot tub in the lower ground bedroom is a real touch. Pour a glass of something cold and relax on the patio while the younger guests run wild in the large garden (just over an acre) or a stroll into the village. Chelsworth is basically an open-air history museum, with wattle and daub houses that are mostly unchanged since the 17th Century, and a country pub for that delicious post-walk pint.

Home truths:
*The main staircase has no handrail and is open on one side so keep an eye on little ones
*The hot tub is in one of the bedrooms with a pull across curtain for privacy
*The home does not have air conditioning