The Barn review: an art-filled Airbnb in the Cotswolds

Our verdict 

Located in the pretty village of Duns Tew in the Cotswolds, The Barn is a two-bedroom cottage that’s both cosy and contemporary. The interiors bring together colourful furniture, geometric textiles and an impressive collection of David Shrigley prints alongside original 18th-century beam ceilings and bare brick walls. 

With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen facilities and a private garden, it offers plenty of space for family stays. Handy amenities like travel cots and highchairs can be provided, and board games and sofa blankets keep things comfy. 

I stayed with two friends and a toddler and loved the peaceful setting within walking distance of a playground and an excellent pub. It’s also well placed for visiting nearby Bicester Village and Blenheim Palace. 

How we tested 

I spent two nights at The Barn with two friends and a toddler in November. We drove from London and it took around two hours. We used the self-catering facilities at the cottage and explored the local area on foot and by car. 

What are the rooms like?

The whole cottage is incredibly beautiful and thoughtfully curated - it packs colour and character into a small place. The open-plan kitchen and lounge area is bright and airy with French doors that open out to the garden, and there’s a wood burner to keep things cosy. 

The space has been designed by the London-based ONLY CHILD studio and there are fun elements throughout from the David Shrigley artwork to the zebra print rug and mustard yellow modular sofa. 

It sleeps four in two separate bedrooms but you could squeeze two more guests in by making use of two single pull-out beds in the lounge. The Master bedroom features a king-size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub, and the second bedroom has a double bed and a cute window seat. There’s a second bathroom too, decked out with pastel pink tiles and a rainshower. 

If the weather’s nice you can eat outside or there’s a pop-out table in the lounge. The kitchen is well equipped - we loved the eclectic accessories and tableware. There’s a mini bar area too with some great cocktail-making accessories. 

We appreciated the speedy Wi-Fi and there’s a work desk in the Master bedroom should you need to log on during your stay. 

Is it good for families? 

It’s a warm and welcoming space that’s set up like a stylish home from home. There’s a basket of board games in the lounge and the small garden is private and sheltered. It’s not specifically designed for families (the second bedroom features a double bed rather than singles or bunks) but if your kids don’t mind sharing or you’re travelling with one child or a baby (travel cots can be provided) it’s a great set up for a family stay. The bean bags and cosy window seats make it feel very relaxing. 

There’s a playground just round the corner and you’re a few minutes’ walk from the local pub which we found very accommodating with our toddler. There’s also plenty of family-friendly attractions nearby. 

What is there to do nearby?

The cottage is located on a quiet street in the village of Duns Tew in the Cotswolds. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Chipping Norton and Bicester, and a 10-minute drive from Soho Farmhouse. We loved the village pub - The White Horse, a couple of minutes’ walk from the property. It’s really cosy and we received a warm welcome from the locals. The food is amazing - don’t miss the fish and chips. 

We enjoyed peaceful countryside walks in the area and visited Blenheim Park with its secret route for stunning views of Blenheim Palace itself. We also visited Bicester Village for a spot of shopping and enjoyed some seasonal activities in the run up to Christmas. 

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About the author 

Charlotte Ross works at Mumsnet and has over 10 years of experience working on brand partnerships across fashion, lifestyle, and beauty for both independent and global media companies.

Originally from London, she’s built her career working with some of the biggest names in the industry. Whether it’s working on a glossy magazine launch or a digital-first campaign, she’s always focused on bringing brands and audiences together in meaningful ways.

When she’s not working, Charlotte loves keeping up with the latest trends in style and culture, along with scouting out the best new restaurants and hidden gems in London. 

About the editor 

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids.