Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



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<p>Poised directly opposite ancient Silbury Hill, it’s apparent from the get-go that The Farm at Avebury is about as idyllic as it gets. From Beckhampton’s rolling fields to Avebury’s neolithic stone circle, a smidge up the road, this is a real slice of ancient England. As you bob down the driveway, chalk downlands stretch away into the distance and a herd of Highland cattle graze in a meadow, pausing briefly to peer at us through their shaggy manes.</p>



<p>The Hues have farmed the land here for four generations, and owners Rob and Alice recently celebrated the family’s 100<sup>th</sup> harvest. Between them, they’ve also masterminded the conversion of the stable blocks into six units of luxuriant self-catering accommodation, sleeping 23 in total, as well as two event spaces. These are all clustered around the central courtyard, which is beautifully landscaped and dotted with planters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



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<p>I rocked up on a spring afternoon, with three children and a dog in tow. Despite the slight chill lingering in the air, we found guests sitting at one of the communal tables in the courtyard, enjoying a drink amidst a riot of yellow and purple flowers. There’s no doubt this is a gorgeous place to while away the day, especially when the sun is out in force.</p>



<p>When it comes to design, imagine a members’ club-hotel like Soho Farmhouse, combined with friendly, down-to-earth Wiltshire hospitality. Time it right and the chances are you’ll get a farm tour from Alice or Rob, or maybe even a go at feeding the lambs.</p>



<p>It’s all so pretty and peaceful, it’s easy to see why the place is in such high demand for events. The Farm hosts everything from yoga retreats to Pilates sessions and health workshops, and groups often descend for milestone birthdays, reunions and family celebrations. The stables can be all booked individually or in their entirety, in which case you bag the event spaces – The Barn and The Granary – too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay">STAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill5-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As we opened the vast glass doors to our stable (Silbury Hill), we were met by a delicious waft of aromatherapy oils. Thanks to the combined talents of Alice and interior designer Polly Ashman, the décor here is light, bright and bold. Think a stylish mix of modern clean lines and rustic character &#8211; chunky beams, exposed brickwork and statement headboards, with zero hints of chintz.</p>



<p>Lamps hail from Pooky, fabrics from Fermoi and much of the colourful, splashy artwork is by Becky Borthwick and Georgie Weedon, two local talents. There are plenty of quirks too, vast vases, stuffed with big, blousy hydrangeas and a fruit bowl brimming with zingy, oversized ceramic lemons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill-6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33300" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill-6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Silbury-Hill-6-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The beds (Silbury Hill has two kings and two singles) were oh-so comfy, and the kids were intrigued by the mezzanine floor. Accessed via a fixed wooden ladder, this isn’t a climb for the faint-hearted, but the suite provides a great adult escape. The bathroom is also pretty swish, with a powerful shower and marble double sink.</p>



<p>It&#8217;s definitely not a case of style over substance though. There are tons of thoughtful touches throughout, like Bramley toiletries, fluffy towels and oodles of board games, tucked neatly under the TV. There were cookbooks on hand to inspire us in the kitchen and an impressively polished walking and cycling guide. It was packed with adventures, ranging from short walks to serious stomps for hardier hikers, alongside useful tips and QR codes, which bring up directions.</p>



<p>With three young daughters themselves, Alice and Rob are exceedingly well qualified to know what makes parents tick. The adjacent boot room houses everything you need to make the most of the great outdoors, from baby carriers to wellies (Aigle for the adults and John Deere for the kids, natch). Four-legged visitors are brilliantly catered for too, with dog bowls, leads and even a posh wicker bed to hand. Piper, our pooch, couldn’t quite believe his luck.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-decor.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33294" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-decor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-decor-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-decor-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We stopped enroute to pick up eggs and veg, but The Farm makes self-catering a doddle. Locally baked sourdough awaited us, alongside a pat of butter from Brinkworth Dairy, milk from Avebury Dairy and a bottle of the farm’s own apple juice (delicious). The kitchen is well kitted out with everything you’d need and when you book, you can also pre-order farm-reared meat, like bacon and steak, as well as homemade meals. Our cottage pie was waiting for us when we arrived, so we chucked it in the oven while we ventured out for a late afternoon walk. Made with beef reared right here, it was the perfect comfort food and devoured in minutes by the kids.</p>



<p>Don’t want to lift a finger? You’ll find tons of great pubs and restaurants in the area. Marlborough (12 minutes by car) has you covered with everything from Rick Stein’s fish restaurant, to Bunce’s, a café serving some of the best sandwiches and brunch you’ll ever eat (the eggs benedict hash is a firm Muddy fave). If a quintessential country pub is more your scene, try the charming White Horse Inn, in nearby Compton Bassett. Of course, when it comes to dining out, Alice and Rob have done the hard yards here for you too &#8211; each stable is kitted out with a guide to their favourite haunts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Silbury-Hill-The-Farm-at-Avebury.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Silbury-Hill-The-Farm-at-Avebury.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Silbury-Hill-The-Farm-at-Avebury-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Silbury-Hill-The-Farm-at-Avebury-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Farm’s outside space is excellently geared for families, with two play areas that came highly rated by my brood. There’s a vast barn which houses ride-on tractors, footballs and a sizeable bouncy castle, perfect for a rainy day. Even the teenager was easily entertained, thanks to the ping pong table, darts board and giant Connect 4.</p>



<p>There’s also plenty to test their mettle in the orchard, including a sprawling climbing frame with monkey bars, swings and a slide. Orphan lambs roamed about freely, and were soon gleefully given nicknames by the kids. However, the real stars of the show were the piglets, living high up on the hill. If you’re lucky, Alice or Rob might take you to visit them on the Gator – my lot loved the ride, bumping through the fields.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-piglets.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33301" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-piglets.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-piglets-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-piglets-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Farm fun aside, there is tons to do in the wider area. Avebury’s ancient stone circle is a five-minute drive away and well worth a visit. Think vast sarsen stones, like Stonehenge, but these ones you can actually wander around and touch. For water babies, <a href="https://www.cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com/">Cotswold Country Park and Beach</a> offers SUP hire on the lake, plus a brilliant inflatable obstacle course. Or, if fashion or interiors inspo are more your bag, head for a mooch around Marlborough High Street. It has some great indies, alongside the likes of Busby &amp; Fox, White Company and Susie Watson.</p>



<p>Of course, walking is big news around here and Wiltshire’s rolling hills certainly don’t disappoint. Our favourite stomp took us up Cherhill Downs, where a vast white horse is carved out of the chalk escarpment. There are eight of these iconic landmarks in Wiltshire, seven of which are within a 20-minute drive of The Farm. History buff in your midst? A short potter down the drive takes you to Silbury Hill, a mysterious neolithic mound, around the same size as the pyramids. Alternatively, little legs will love the short march up to West Kennet Long Barrow, an ancient burial chamber that you can clamber inside (if you dare).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: Families, friends, celebrations and festivities. This is also an ideal location for anyone seeking to organise a wellness or artists’ retreat. The Barn seats 42, and has its own kitchen next door, while The Granary, which seats 10-12, makes a great meeting or office space. It’s worth noting that while The Farm is child and dog friendly, that doesn’t come at the expense of peace and quiet – we didn’t hear a peep (or a woof) from anyone else while in our stable.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:&nbsp;</strong>Solitude-seekers should be mindful that the courtyard is a communal space. You will however find miles of quiet walks in the area, and oodles of space. We loved our stable, Silbury Hill, but the two ground floor bedrooms would be better suited to anyone who might struggle with the ladder steps to the mezzanine. </p>



<p><strong>The Damage:</strong>&nbsp;This is luxe accommodation, but there’s no doubt you are very much getting what you pay for. Prices per night start from £109 for a one-bed (Swallowhead), to £339 for the 3-bed (Silbury Hill).</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.thefarmatavebury.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Farm at Avebury,</a>&nbsp;Galteemore Farm, Beckhampton, Wiltshire, SN8 1QJ</em>,&nbsp;<a href="tel:+447790026363">+44 (0)7790 026 363</a></p>


Review: The Farm at Avebury, Wiltshire

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