A three day escape to one of the Cotswolds’ most beautifully converted luxury barn retreats
Words & photography by Pete Rudd
Reading time 7-8 minutes
Bibury Farm Barns review — sometimes you arrive somewhere and immediately realise you’ve found exactly the kind of place you needed.
We recently teamed up with the team at Bibury Farm Barns to create photography and video content, spending three nights staying in the Bull Pen, one of five beautifully converted barns on a working farm in the Cotswolds.
After what felt like an endless home refurbishment project, the timing couldn’t have been better. A few days surrounded by countryside, beautiful interiors, good food and absolutely nowhere we needed to be was exactly the reset we needed.
Set just outside the picturesque village of Bibury, Bibury Farm Barns combines the character of original Cotswold stone buildings with contemporary interiors, comfortable living spaces and all the little details you’d expect from a luxury countryside escape.
This is my personal review of staying at Bibury Farm Barns, including the Bull Pen, the interiors, the surrounding countryside and some of my favourite places to explore nearby.
Before You Book
Location: Bibury, Gloucestershire, Cotswolds
Style: Luxury self-catered barn accommodation
Best for: Couples, families, groups and countryside escapes
Highlights: Beautiful interiors, countryside views, private outdoor spaces and an excellent location
Nearby: Bibury village, Arlington Row, Burford, Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water
Bibury Farm Barns is made up of five beautifully converted stone barns on the edge of a working farm in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The barns combine the character of their original architecture with contemporary interiors and the comforts you’d expect from a luxury countryside stay.
One of the biggest advantages is the location. Bibury village is around a 10-minute walk away, while some of the Cotswolds’ best-known towns and villages are easily reached by car.
During our stay we explored Bibury itself before heading further afield to Burford, Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water.
If you’re looking for a peaceful base for exploring the Cotswolds without giving up comfort, Bibury Farm Barns is particularly well placed.
First Impressions
We arrived at Bibury Farm Barns after the short drive through the Cotswolds and were immediately struck by how peaceful everything felt.
The barns sit amongst open countryside, surrounded by fields and rolling views, while the original stone buildings give the property a sense of history that you don’t always get with newer luxury accommodation.
We were staying in the Bull Pen, and stepping inside immediately confirmed that this wasn’t going to feel like a traditional hotel stay.
The original architecture had been retained, but the interior was beautifully finished with natural materials, carefully chosen furniture and plenty of space to properly switch off.
After spending so much time surrounded by builders, dust and DIY at home, having somewhere this calm to disappear to for a few days felt pretty perfect.
There was also something particularly nice about being able to arrive, unpack the camera bag and simply slow down.
No schedule. No rushing around.
Just a few days in the Cotswolds.
The Bull Pen
The Bull Pen was our home for the three nights we spent at Bibury Farm Barns.
Each of the five barns has its own character and design, but the Bull Pen manages to combine the rustic character of the original building with a really sophisticated contemporary interior.
The design was created by Pippa Paton, and you can see the attention to detail throughout the property.
Exposed stone, original timber, natural textures and carefully selected furniture sit alongside a beautifully equipped kitchen, comfortable living areas and plenty of space to spread out.
It feels luxurious without becoming overly formal.
That’s probably what I liked most about the Bull Pen.
You could appreciate the design and craftsmanship, but it still felt like somewhere you could actually live for a few days.
The property also comes with the kind of details that make a self-catered stay considerably easier, including high-quality kitchen equipment, a coffee machine, Sonos speakers, Smart TV, luxurious bedding and natural bathroom products.
There was even a welcome hamper waiting for us when we arrived, which was a lovely touch.
If you’re staying for a long weekend, a week or travelling as a group, the Bull Pen gives you much more space and flexibility than a traditional hotel room.
The Interiors
For me, the interiors were one of the biggest highlights of Bibury Farm Barns.
The design manages to walk a difficult line between traditional Cotswold character and contemporary luxury.
Rather than stripping away the history of the buildings, the original stone walls and timber beams have been incorporated into the design and used as part of the overall aesthetic.
Against that, you’ll find soft neutral colours, natural materials, contemporary furniture and carefully chosen artwork and accessories.
It creates a really calm atmosphere throughout the Bull Pen.
As a photographer, I found myself constantly noticing the small details — the way the light moved through the rooms, the textures in the stone and timber, the flowers, ceramics and little pieces of furniture that gave each space its own personality.
It’s the sort of property where you could easily spend an hour photographing the details before even getting outside.
And, of course, that’s exactly what I ended up doing.
The Kitchen & Living Spaces
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Bibury Farm Barns rather than a conventional hotel is having a proper kitchen and living space to enjoy.
The Bull Pen’s kitchen is beautifully finished and equipped with everything we needed during our stay.
After a day exploring the Cotswolds, there was something really nice about being able to come back, make a coffee and cook breakfast without having to head straight back out again.
The coffee machine quickly became a favourite.
Mornings were slow, with local produce, plenty of coffee and no real reason to rush anywhere.
The living areas were equally comfortable, with plenty of space to sit, relax and spend the evening.
There is also a separate snug area, which gave the barn a nice balance between having somewhere to socialise and somewhere to disappear to with a book or a coffee.
For a group or family staying together, I can see this being one of the biggest advantages of the setup.
The Bedrooms & Bathrooms
After a full day exploring the Cotswolds, having somewhere comfortable to come back to was exactly what we needed.
The bedrooms continue the same design approach as the rest of the Bull Pen, combining natural materials and original character with comfortable, contemporary furnishings.
The attention to detail continues right down to the bedside tables, lighting, linens and smaller decorative touches.
The bathrooms are equally well considered, with natural botanical products and plenty of those little details that make a stay feel more special.
For me, though, it was the overall feeling of the space that made the difference.
Nothing felt overly designed or like it was there simply for Instagram.
It felt comfortable, warm and genuinely liveable — which is exactly what you want from a countryside escape.
The Countryside & Working Farm
One of the biggest reasons to stay at Bibury Farm Barns is simply to enjoy being outside.
The barns sit on the edge of a working farm, surrounded by open Cotswold countryside and plenty of space to slow down.
We were lucky enough to enjoy some beautiful evening light during our stay, and watching the sun disappear over the surrounding fields quickly became one of my favourite moments.
It’s also the kind of place where you don’t necessarily need a packed itinerary.
There are walks straight from the property, Bibury village is close enough to reach on foot and there are plenty of pubs, restaurants and attractions within a short drive.
For photographers, the combination of old stone buildings, farmland, changing light and rolling countryside makes the area particularly rewarding.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up carrying a camera with you everywhere.
Exploring Bibury
One of the best things about staying at Bibury Farm Barns is being so close to Bibury itself.
The village is famous for its honey-coloured Cotswold stone buildings and, of course, the incredibly photogenic Arlington Row.
We spent part of our first day simply wandering around the village, taking in the architecture and exploring the surrounding countryside.
It’s easy to understand why Bibury has become one of the most recognisable villages in the Cotswolds.
The Swan Brasserie is also nearby if you’re looking for somewhere to eat, while The Catherine Wheel offers a more traditional pub experience.
For photographers, I’d recommend heading out early in the morning if you want to experience the village at its quietest.
The soft morning light on the stone buildings is beautiful, and you’ll have much more time to explore without the crowds that arrive later in the day.
Planning your own Cotswolds trip? The official Bibury Farm Barns website has more information about the accommodation, local walks and nearby places to eat.
Exploring the Cotswolds
Bibury makes a great base for exploring more of the Cotswolds, and we spent the rest of our stay taking the car out to some of the surrounding towns and villages.
Burford
Burford was one of our favourite stops.
Known for its steep main street and traditional Cotswold architecture, it’s a great place to wander around for a few hours, browse the independent shops and stop for something to eat.
Cirencester
We also spent some time exploring Cirencester, often referred to as the capital of the Cotswolds.
It’s a little more lively than Bibury, with independent shops, cafés and restaurants making it a good option if you fancy a change of pace.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Then there was Bourton-on-the-Water.
Set around the River Windrush, the village is one of the Cotswolds’ most popular destinations and is particularly picturesque when the weather is good.
Blenheim Palace
On our final day we drove to Blenheim Palace, which was around 30–45 minutes away.
We spent the morning exploring the palace and gardens before stopping for lunch and heading back towards Bibury.
It made a great final day before heading home and showed just how much there is to explore within easy reach of the barns.
Final Thoughts
Sadly, our three days at Bibury Farm Barns came to an end far too quickly.
What started as a photography and video collaboration turned into exactly the kind of countryside escape we needed.
The Bull Pen gave us the perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds, but more importantly, it gave us somewhere genuinely comfortable to slow down and enjoy doing very little.
I loved the combination of the original architecture and contemporary design, the attention to detail throughout the barn and the feeling of having your own private countryside retreat rather than staying in a traditional hotel.
The location is another huge advantage.
You can walk into Bibury, explore Arlington Row and the surrounding countryside, then jump in the car and discover some of the Cotswolds’ best-known towns and villages.
For me, though, it was the evenings that I’ll probably remember most.
Sitting outside as the sun went down, surrounded by countryside, with nowhere else to be.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you need from a few days away.
If you’re looking for luxury Cotswolds accommodation that combines beautiful design, countryside surroundings and the freedom of a self-catered stay, Bibury Farm Barns is well worth putting on your list.
More Travel & Stay Guides
If you enjoyed this Bibury Farm Barns review, you might also enjoy some of my other hotel reviews, travel guides and photography stories:
Unplugged Cabin Review | Digital Detox in East Sussex — my experience staying in an Unplugged cabin and embracing a slower, more disconnected style of travel.
Four Seasons Marrakech Hotel Review | Luxury Stay in Morocco — a very different kind of luxury stay, exploring the rooms, pools, restaurants, spa and gardens of Four Seasons Marrakech.
The Highland Club Loch Ness Review | Unique Luxury Stay in Scotland — a historic stay in the Scottish Highlands.
How Travelling Changed My Life: Lessons From 15 Years of Travel — a more personal look at how travel eventually became a huge part of my life and photography career.
Work With Pete
I create natural, story-led photography and video for luxury hotels, resorts, tourism brands and lifestyle businesses.
Having worked with hospitality and lifestyle brands including Four Seasons, I create imagery that captures not just how a property looks, but how it feels to experience it.
From hotel interiors and architecture to food, lifestyle, landscapes and destination content, I create visual stories that can be used across websites, social media, campaigns and marketing.
View my Hospitality Photography portfolio or get in touch if you’d like to discuss a project.
