The Barnstay

Why you'll love staying here

The Barnstay is a beautifully converted former grain store set within a picturesque farm estate in the village of Silchester. Creatively restored with exceptional attention to detail, it offers stylish accommodation for extended families or groups of friends looking to explore the beautiful Hampshire countryside.

Situated on the border with Berkshire, the timber-clad barn retains much of its original character, with wooden beams, vaulted ceilings, and exposed brickwork. Locally sourced antique and vintage furniture, along with upcycled materials from the farm, blend effortlessly with carefully chosen artwork and handcrafted pieces, including handblown Hampshire glassware, while underfloor heating and a wood burning stove keeps things warm on cooler days.

Outside, the barn is surrounded by landscaped gardens, with a pond to the front and several seating areas.

Guests are welcome to explore the farm, where a kitchen garden sits among manicured lawns and planters brimming with flowers, with acres of pastureland stretching beyond. Sustainability is central to the farm’s ethos, with native planting schemes encouraging wildlife habitats that attract butterflies, bees, and birds. A herd of rare breed sheep helps maintain the grounds naturally, and children will love meeting the lambs in spring, along with the friendly pet pigs and pygmy goats.

The Barnstay’s guests enjoy access to a range of facilities at Silchester Farm including an outdoor swimming pool open from spring to early autumn, a tennis court, and bicycles and tricycles available to hire.

There is also an on-site farm shop selling locally sourced produce, freshly baked goods, and gourmet treats made using ingredients from the farm, unique gifts, and the farm’s own premium gin, crafted using botanicals picked from the kitchen garden. A rustic bar and kitchen on site hosts a programme of seasonal dining experiences, brunches, and traditional Sunday lunches throughout the year.

For those wishing to leave the cooking to someone else, the farm’s in-house chef can be booked to create a private dining menu, using fruit, vegetables, and herbs harvested from the farm’s kitchen garden or foraged from the surrounding land, complemented by carefully sourced local ingredients.

The Barnstay is well placed for exploring the South Downs National Park. Cycle the 100 mile South Downs way passing through rolling chalk land, spend the evening stargazing at Black Down, the park’s highest point, or explore the historic city of Winchester home to an impressive cathedral, the medieval Wolvesey Castle, and an excellent range of independent shops, street markets, cosy pubs, and places to eat.

The ancient woodlands and heathlands of the New Forest can be reached in around an hour. Visit the village of Brockenhurst, where free-roaming ponies wander along the high street, explore the historic maritime village of Buckler’s Hard, or marvel at the collection of vintage cars and memorabilia at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.
Other nearby attractions include Paultons Park Home of Peppa Pig World, The Living Rainforest, The Vyre country house, and the Milestones Museum, where visitors can walk through recreated historic streets.

Silchester is famous for its Roman heritage with city walls, an amphitheatre, and Calleva Atrebatum, one of Britain’s best-preserved Roman towns. For a supermarket and other amenities, Tadley is a seven minute drive away. The nearest railway station is at Bramley which has direct trains to Reading and Basingstoke.