Beechnut

Why you'll love staying here

Beechnut is a beautifully restored barn conversion set on a working farm in the village of Swerford, close to the quintessential Cotswold market town of Chipping Norton. Offering eclectic yet comfortable accommodation, it is perfectly suited to couples or solo travellers looking to explore this beautiful corner of the world.

Overlooking a picturesque paved courtyard, the barn showcases handcrafted furniture and fittings made by skilled Cotswold artisans using English hardwoods, many sourced directly from the farm itself. A local blacksmith was commissioned to create bespoke ironwork, adding distinctive character to the doors, windows, and fireplaces.

Beneath the dovecote, a solid wooden door with a wrought-iron grille opens into a welcoming lobby with plenty of space for boots, coats, and outdoor equipment. Guests are greeted with a generous welcome hamper filled with local produce, homemade cake, and seasonal cut flowers provided by the owner.

A medieval-style arched doorway and stone passage lead into the bright and airy open-plan living space. Whitewashed walls, a high pitched ceiling with exposed timber beams, terracotta floor tiles, and colourful rugs create a relaxed, Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere.

At one end of the room, the kitchen has handmade oak cabinetry, ample storage, and a full range of appliances, making cooking a pleasure. A small dining table sits beneath large picture windows overlooking the courtyard, flooding the space with natural light, an ideal spot for leisurely breakfasts or intimate suppers.

The sitting area centres around a beehive-shaped adobe-style open fireplace, with a plush sofa providing a cosy place to unwind in the evenings with a glass of wine or a good book.

The bedroom continues the barn’s characterful charm, with exposed brickwork, wooden beams, and stone-mullioned arched windows framing views across the surrounding fields. The bed is dressed in crisp white linens and a pretty printed quilt, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Hidden behind a secret door is the shower room, a stunning sanctuary with Moroccan-inspired tiles, wood panelling, and a powerful walk-in shower. Luxury toiletries and soft towels complete this indulgent space.

Guests also have use of a shared games room, with table tennis, a pool table, musical equipment, and much more. There is also a wide selection of toys, games, DVDs, and books for guests to borrow whilst they stay.

Outside, the terraced courtyard with a fish pond is lined with fragrant herb borders and offers ample seating and a barbecue, perfect for al fresco dining or relaxing with a book in the sunshine.

Opposite the cottage lies a large kitchen garden producing an abundance of seasonal fruit and vegetables, including strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, leeks, carrots, artichokes, cabbage, lettuce, peas, and beans. Inside the polytunnel, grapes, tomatoes, padrón peppers, cucumbers, and chillies flourish.

Beyond the garden, chickens roam freely within a wooded enclosure, while sheep and goats graze in the fields below. The 70-acre farm is managed with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, with newly planted trees and wildlife ponds attracting an impressive variety of species, including roe deer, badgers, rabbits, weasels, moles, bats, and butterflies.

Guests can also enjoy access to a natural spring-fed lake on the farm, home to herons, ducks, geese, and the occasional kingfisher. The lake is perfect for wild swimming, boating or paddleboarding, and visitors are welcome to feed or fish for the resident rainbow trout.

Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Beechnut is just a short drive from Chipping Norton. Steeped in history yet lively and welcoming, the town is known for its historic streets, weekly market, independent book and antique shops, cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs serving excellent food and local ales. Art galleries, a museum, and a thriving theatre add to its cultural appeal.