Wiltshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-28999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/The-Farm-at-Avebury-Courtyard-v1-edit-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">What? Where?</h2>



<p>Six stylishly converted stable blocks, called The Stables at Avebury, now self-catering accommodation, sited around a landscaped courtyard on a working arable farm in Beckhampton village, just outside Avebury. Local landmark, Silbury Hill, is literally at the bottom of the drive and London is just an hour and a half away. The Farm also sells its own produce direct to consumers and hires out its event spaces (The Barn and The Granary).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="638" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-28998" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero-800x340.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero-1000x425.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero-768x327.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/silbury-hill-hero-900x383.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Vibe</h2>



<p>Imagine all the bold design-sensibilities of a members&#8217; club-hotel like Soho Farmhouse or Babington House, combined with earthy Wiltshire hospitality. Owned by the Hues family since 1922, Galteemore Farm (as it&#8217;s officially known) is now in the hands of Rob and Alice, who in turn hope to hand it on to one or more of their three daughters, when the time is right. And although the couple farm 2000 acres of land (700 in Avebury), the pair realised that economic and environmental pressures meant they needed to diversify.  So in 2021  they launched their premium short-stay cottages and event space, where large groups can come and chill all together for weddings, hen parties, milestone birthdays etc &#8211; it sleeps 24 in total. If you&#8217;re lucky, you could get a tour of the farm in Rob&#8217;s Landrover too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stay</h2>



<p>They&#8217;ve thought of everything and been bold with the decor and thanks to interior designer Polly Ashman, it really works.  I arrived in the evening during tempestuous Wuthering Heights-weather &#8211; howling winds and driving rain so forceful I couldn&#8217;t find the keypad to let me in the front gate. Luckily owner Alice was on the other end of a phone to open the gate remotely. As per her instructions I headed for lights which guided me to the parking &#8211; a fence with the name of my accommodation &#8211; Longstones &#8211; clearly marked. Just behind the fence was the courtyard, which looked pretty even in the rain as there are various little lit corners and seating areas, so it must be a beautiful place to sit outside with a glass of wine on dry evenings.</p>



<p>Alice, Rob and their Marketing and Events Manager Katrina had left the light on in my cottage, which was warm, cosy and dry, with a well-lined curtain to draw across the door. Inside the blue-grey colour scheme with burgundy accents was welcoming.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29010" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-interior-v1-edit-1-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Longstones </figcaption></figure>



<p>I nestled myself in. As I didn&#8217;t have anyone with me, I was in a two-person stable. I took full advantage of the comfy sofa downstairs and spread out like a starfish in the double bed upstairs on the mezzanine. There were fluffy white robes and towels too giving it the edge over other self-catering cottages and as with most of the other bedrooms on the property, the headboard made a statement.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29012" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Longstones-bed-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Although my room was compact, there was exquisite attention to detail, which I soon discovered was typical of The Farm&#8217;s overall hospitality. There were hooks for my coat on the reverse of the ladder stairs, a tray for dirty boots and shoes as well as a selection of cook books (mainly Jamie Oliver) and plenty of sockets with USB charge points too. Everything has been chosen with design in mind &#8211; the egg cups were a playful leopard design and the giant fruit bowl was as much of an artistic statement as it was somewhere to keep the guest book and walking guide &#8211; which is excellent by the way &#8211; packed full of useful tips, directions and QR codes to walks.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29014" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Farm-at-Avebury-bowl-and-walking-guide-b1-edit-1-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The next morning I had a poke around the other rooms. Silbury Hill sleeps 6 and can be linked with Long Barrow to make an even bigger space. There are three bedrooms, with one on a mezzanine that has views of the actual Silbury Hill. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29015" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-bedroom-v1-edit-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The colour palette is rich green throughout and the design is artistic and playful with plenty of space for dining, lounging and relaxing together.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29017" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-interior-v1-edit-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Much of the wall art is for sale as The Farm At Avebury work with two local artists &#8211; Betty Borthwick and Georgie Wedon.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29019" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Silbury-Hill-sofa-v1-edit-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There are also four more stable blocks: Long Barrow that sleeps four, Swallowhead that sleeps two, Greyweathers that sleeps 4-6 and Windmill Hill that sleeps four. Each one is boldly unique.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-interior-v1-edit-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Windmill Hill Kitchen</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29025" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/windmill-hill-bed-v1-edit-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Windmill Hill bedroom</figcaption></figure>



<p>Elsewhere on The Farm at Avebury there&#8217;s also The Barn, an event space that holds up to 42 seated people and that comes included if you hire all six spaces, but that you can hire separately too. It&#8217;s often rented out for family meals, yoga retreats and other events too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Scoff &amp; Quaff</h2>



<p>As this is self-catering, you bring your own Waitrose/Aldi haul and cook in your accommodation which has an oven, fridge, crockery, glassware and utensils. Longstones didn&#8217;t have a microwave but some of the other stables did. What was left for me was a Beckhampton Breakfast (usually available on request) in the kitchen area &#8211; fresh local apple juice from My Apple Juice, a sourdough loaf from The Baking Chambers, milk from Berkely Dairy and a pat of Brinkworth butter. Most of the packaging for the food and the cleaning products, like washing-up liquid and hand soap, is &#8216;white-labelled&#8217; as The Farm of Avebury, adding to the polished feel of the place. And if you like your meat, there is a healthy range of farm-reared produce available to pre-order at the time of booking. There&#8217;s also a Waitrose in Marlborough.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29011" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2022/11/Beckhampton-Breakfast-v-1-edit-1-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Beckhampton Breakfast (the butter was in the fridge)</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dog-friendly</h2>



<p>Your pampered pooch is very welcome at The Farm at Avebury, who have even mapped out specific dog walks for you to enjoy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Disability Access</h2>



<p>Unfortunately The Stables are not ideal for wheelchair users because the buildings are Grade Two listed, making alterations like widening doorways impossible. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Out and About</h2>



<p>If Rob is around, he&#8217;ll take you on a tour of the farm and maybe you&#8217;ll even get a chance to feed the lambs too. Kids can help out and also play in The Orchard play area or take turns on toy tractors around the courtyard.</p>



<p>Avebury Stone Circle is just down the road and often overlooked for the more famous Stonehenge, but at Avebury you can actually touch the stones, it&#8217;s much less managed. Silbury Hill is at the bottom of the drive and Marlborough with all its shops and independent boutiques plus <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-parade-cinema-marlborough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parade Cinema</a>, is just a short drive away. For food, head to <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-red-lion-east-chisenbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Red Lion at East Chisenbury</a> and take the kids to Lotmead Pick Your Own, Cotswold Water Park or Roves Farm, Swindon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Muddy Verdict</h2>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: Group stays and celebrations, retreat and yoga holiday organisers. If you book all six stable accommodation blocks, then use of The Barn as a meeting/party space is included &#8211; plus it has a small catering kitchen attached which is ideal if you&#8217;re having meals there. Otherwise there&#8217;s a small hire charge for use while you are there. It&#8217;s also a great place for making friends with your fellow guests. There&#8217;s also has a small office space called The Granary which is also useful if you wanted to come away for a weeks&#8217; working holiday. It&#8217;s also great for children to play in the communal courtyard areas where they might meet other kids on holiday (there are some plastic tractors younger ones can scoot around on).</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Intimate and/or romantic getaways, because of the sociable shared courtyard layout, which although has been thoughtfully planted to create private outdoor seating areas, still doesn&#8217;t afford much privacy from others. Also, just imagine if it was a group of 16 plus you &#8211; although The Farm owners would let you know of a situation like that. And &#8211;  if you book one of the smaller rooms like Longstones or Swallowhead &#8211; be mindful that the living areas face glass doors so if you did book it for a 50 Shades of Grey weekend, you&#8217;d want to always make sure you&#8217;d drawn the curtain.</p>



<p><strong>The Damage:</strong> This is definitely the premium end of the market, but very much worth every penny. The average price is £173 per night, or otherwise the price range is £99 for a one bed to £298 for the 3 bed per night.</p>



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


Review: The Farm at Avebury

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