Authentic barn conversion in picturesque Stonor Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. As you enter the barn through tall glass doors, you come into an open-plan sitting room, with double height ceiling and a comfortable seating area.
To the right and still part of this open plan room, is a dining table that seats up to 12 and a fully equipped kitchen with fridge, freezer, oven, hob and a dishwasher.
Also on the ground floor are two double bedrooms and a bathroom.
Upstairs, the barn is made up of two large mezzanine rooms accessed by two staircases flanking the fire place. To the right above the kitchen and dining area is a large family bedroom (described under Accommodation) and to the left on the mezzanine is a Games Room, with a full sized billiard table.
The fire place is a focal point of the open plan living room and is in good working order, logs will be provided although the barn is centrally heated.
There is no washing machine or tumble dryer but a laundry service can be provided at an additional cost by the owner.
Accommodation:
This property is advertised for 12, it is ideal for that number if shared between two families with children but for an adult group wanting their own space and privacy we would recommend it for a group of 6, two in each of the three rooms.
There is one sofa bed (x single) and one truckles (single bed in Master with one truckle below) if people want their own bed due to your group dynamic. Please let us know if these need making up. Please note there is only one bathroom!
The bathroom is spacious, with loo, sink, bath and separate wet-room shower.
The accommodation comprises:
x 1 double bedroom that sleeps 3 (1 double bed and a single bed, there is a truckle under this single bed so could work for two children)
x 1 double bedroom that sleeps 2 (1 double bed)
x 1 family bedroom / children's room - this is located on the mezzanine level and sleeps 7 (x 3 double beds and one single sofa bed). Please note that this is on a mezzanine and open to the living area below, it is perhaps a consideration for those with young children who are light sleepers and likely to be disturbed by light or noise from the main sitting room below.
A travel cot is also available for small infants.
In the Games Room there is a further single sofa bed if required.
Tennis Court:
This is right next door to the guest house and can be used by guests as they please.
Swimming Pool:
The indoor pool is attached to the farmhouse and must be accessed via the house, therefore it will be offered to guests between the hours of 8am and 7pm. Pool towels are provided.
HOUSE MANUAL (in brief):
The pool is attached to the owners house but can be accessed without entering the house through sliding doors. The pool is shared with our family but guests have priority use.
All children must be supervised, there is a manual outlining pool safety, Normal Operating Procedure, Emergency Procedure. We have public liability insurance but you are responsible for your own safety, that of your children or elderly relatives.
Garden
Please feel free to enjoy all aspects of our garden. There is also a BBQ area by the pool that you are welcome to use, please mention when you intend to use it so we can coordinate, as this is a shared facility.
The garden is big enough for all to enjoy but we work on an understanding of mutual consideration if the family is enjoying the garden with friends.
Pond
There is a shallow pond in the garden, please be aware of it if you have small children.
Wood
There is a public footpath which runs through the five-acre plot, on the other side of the footpath is a small wood and field. You are welcome to access this area and children are welcome to play here under your watchful eye.
Rubbish / Bins
South Oxfordshire County Council require us to split waste three ways – Food, Recyling (glass and plastic), Land-fill. There are three bins and three types of bags for the purpose. Please use these correctly otherwise the bin men won’t collect the bags!
Babysitter www.sitters.co.uk
Eating and Drinking
Private catering
Charlotte Stewart - 1jbs@btconnect.com 01491 638426
Charlotte provides home cooking delivered to the guest house. This needs to be booked in advance with decent notice. Charlotte charges ingredients at cost plus her preparation time. She does not provide a chef service.
Life, Nettlebed
Also provides delicious home cooking, cakes, casseroles, wonderful salads
01491 642062
Pubs
The Crown, Pishill 01491 638364
A short walk, good for a drink and basic pub grub
Luscombes, The Golden Ball, Lower Assendon 01491 574157
Superb food, restaurant standard – try the soufflé!
Chequers Inn, Fingest 01491 638335
Good food, lovely atmospheric pub, can walk 1 hr 30 mins
The 5 Horse Shoes, Maidensgrove 01491 641282
1st sitting for lunch at weekends advisable, lovely walk from house 45 mins, past church
Fox and Hounds, Christmas Common 01491 612599
Also good walk approx. 1hr 30 mins. Good food.
Bull & Butcher, Turville 01491 638283
Quintessentially English pub, also a good walk
Chequerors, Fingest
Nice pub grub and pretty location / atmospheric
Crooked Billet, Stoke Row 01491 681048
Very good gastro pub, restaurant standard food, great atmosphere
Giggling Squid, (Thai) Henley – Eat in or Take Away, delicious 01491 411044
Royal China (Chinese) Henley – Eat in or Take Away, average 01491 410001
Spice Merchant (Indian) Henley – Eat in or Take Away, v.good 01491 636118
Shaun Dickens at the Boathouse – Fine dining, excellent 01491 577937
Dog and Badger, Medmenham – gastro pub, restaurant standard, excellent 01491 579944
Sir Charles Napier, Chinnor – 20 mins drive, excellent restaurant standard food, lovely atmosphere 01494 483011
Hand & Flowers – Michelin star ** , Marlow (Tom Kerridge) 01628 482277
Advanced booking essential or try walk in ad sit at bar
The Coach (Tom Kerridge), Marlow – don’t take bookings, walk in, tapas
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons – Michelin star ** (Raymond Blanch) 01844 278881
Hotel du Vin, Henley – nice bar for cocktails
Supermarkets and Deli’s
Waitrose, Henley and Wallingford
Tesco superstore, Henley
Co-op, 6am-11pm, Wattlington
Asda superstore, High Wycombe
Waitrose superstore, High Wycombe
Butcher – Machin – Henley (v. good) 01491 574377
Britwell Salome Farm shop, Nr.Watlington (excellent meat too) 01491 612070
The Granary Delicatessens, Watlington 01491 613585
Best cheese ever!
Life at Nettlebed, Deli, café, interiors shop 01491 642062
Nettlebed Creamery - not need to book - great toasted cheese sandwiches and Kifir smoothies
Beauty
Canelle Beauty, Hart Street, Henley (can arrange beauticians to come to the house but lots of advanced notice needed) – French run, good treatments 01491 575905
Kuba Spa 16 Bell St, Henley – very nice salon, more luxurious than Canelle in terms of treatment rooms 01491 414130
Danesfield Park Spa, Nr Marlow – part of the hotel, includes pool and gym facilities 01628 891010
Nails
Gorgeous Pink and White Nails, 56 Bell Street, Henley (not at all glamorous in terms of salon but good manicures, shellac and gels that last!)
01491 573080
Activities
Oxfordshire Wakeboard and Water skiing 07974 369982
bookings@owsc.co.uk
Checkendon Equestrian Centre, Lovegroves Lane, Checkendon, Nr Reading RG8 0NE
01491 680225
Linda@CheckendonEquestrian.co.uk
Henley Canoe Hire, 21 Gossmore Walk, Marlow
0118 402 5820
info@henleycanoehire.com
Boat Hire
Hobbs of Henley (all sizes available) 01491 572035
Tennis Coaching
Chris Clarke - 07436 924330