Cats Abbey
About the home
Cats Abbey is an enchanting Cotswold farm yard converted into a stunning holiday let. It is located just off the A40, about 5 miles west of Burford, with spectacular views across the Windrush Valley.
The big barn has a magnificent beamed ceiling, a gallery, a stone fireplace, wood-burning stove, and a stone floor with underfloor heating. The kitchen is a cooks dream and the dining table can seat 24.
Originally an out-farm yard, Cats Abbey has been purpose designed as a holiday let and converted to a very high standard specifically for holiday accommodation. The site is on the National Trust Estate at Sherborne, and they have overseen the conversion work. Very suitable for small corporate events.
The quality of the accommodation and the delightful setting make Cats Abbey a gem of a holiday home, and perfectly positioned for exploring the Cotswolds. Cats Abbey boasts several eco-friendly features - read on for more details.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 24, 11 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | Weston-super-Mare, 100km |
| Will consider: | Corporate lets House swaps Long lets Short breaks |
| Access: | Car advised Wheelchair access Nearest amenities: 10km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Suitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | Pets welcome No smoking at this property Self-catering |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Log fire, Internet access, DVD player, Staffed Property |
|---|---|
| General: | Central heating, TV, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Satellite TV, Wi-fi available |
| Standard: | Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Clothes dryer, Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 11 Bedrooms, 19 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom, 9 en suites and 9 shower rooms |
| Furniture: | Sofabeds (2), Single beds (10), Double beds (6), Cots (3), Dining seating for 24, Lounge seating for 24 |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided Highchair available |
| Outdoors: | Balcony / Terrace, Private garden, BBQ |
| Access: | Wheelchair friendly, Secure parking |
Further details indoors:
The en-suites are shower rooms, so the total is 10 ( not 19 as calculated by computer !)
9 double bedrooms have en suite shower, WC and basin.
1 smaller bedroom has adjoining bathroom with bath, WC, basin.
This one is more suited to children, but the bed pulls out to make a double if required.
The family room is actually 2 rooms; a double with en-suit and a children's room for 2+.
Cats Abbey has more insulation than required by building regulations, reducing the need for heating.
Underfloor heating is used throughout the building, meaning the heat stays where you want it and doesn't rise up to the ceilings. This works via a ground source heat pump, which also helps heat hot water in winter.
Passive stack ventilation is used in some bathroom. This uses no electricty.
Solar panels are used to heat the water in summer. These are set in the roof and disguised as roof lights. The heat produced from the panels can also be sent around the other buildings on a circular heat-main.
Further details outdoors:
Farmyard setting with magnificent views, all set in 6 acres with woodland nature reserve.
It's part of the National Trust Sherborne Estate, with access to the estate and open farmland.
All rainwater from the main roofs is collected in an underground tank, to be used for flushing toilets, and to provide soft water to the laundry. We have plans to add filters to make it suitable for showers and general domestic purposes, possibly drinking water.
We have a septic tank, which transfers to a vertical reed bed, which removes the ammonia. Then a hoziontal ree-bed remove the nitrates. The purified water goes into an aeration pond before draining into the ground. The pond also encourages wildlife.
Further details
We can offer self catering, or bed and breakfast, or a range of catering options by arrangement. We have an account with Oxford Wine who will deliver on Fridays, and do sale or return, which much simplifies the wine decision. They are good value as well: see www.oxfordwine.co.uk
Conditions
Fexible times by arangement. Deposit of 33% required with booking. See our website for complete booking details. Credit card requested to cover phone bills etc. No smoking anywhere inside please.
There are two cottages adjoining the site. In one, Richard, has a spaniel gun dog. In the other, Mike and Carrie have a golden retriever, Harry, and two cats, Abbey and Spot. If your animals will get along with this lot, they are most welcome. Until on kennels are built, we prefer to limit it to two dogs.
The Fox Inn at Barrington, by the river, serves great food, and also allows dogs. Please explain to your dogs that sofas and beds are not their territory.
Photos
The Central England / Cotswolds / Oxfordshire region


We are very central for the Cotswolds. Oxford, Cirencester and Cheltenham are all about 20 minutes away, Bibury, Bourton on the Water and Burford, about 10 minutes. We are just 7 ½ miles from the ideal wedding venue at Cripps Barn, Bibury, and perfectly located for exploring the Cotswolds.
Local Attractions.
All around we have beautiful countryside, pretty stone villages, excellent pubs and restaurants, and all the hunting, shooting and fishing you could want.
The Burford / Sherborne, Burford area
Walk directly onto the National Trust Sherborne Estate.
Chedworth Roman Villa; one of the largest in UK.
Bibury Trout Farm; Catch your own trout (guaranteed!) have tea, admire the view.
Cotswold Water Parks, near Cirencester. Water ski by overhead wire. Sail, swim, picknick.
Cotswold Wildlife Park; Nr Burford, a great day out.
Bourton-on-the-Water; Tourist mecca, but very pretty. Birdland, Model Village, Vintage Cars inc Brum.
Also do a tour of the Perfumery, or join a day course.
Moreton in Marsh; pretty market town, largest Cotswold street market every Tuesday.
'FOXSTOCK' The free Jazz festival at The Fox Inn, on the Windrush River; August bank holiday all weekend.
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Birmingham: 70 km |
| Railway: | Shipton-under-Wychwood: 10 km |
| Ferry: | Southampton: 108 km |
Half way between Oxford and Cheltenham, just off the A40. About 1hr 15m by road from both Birmingham and London Airports. See the map on our website: www.catsabbey.com
Activities near Burford
Tennis in town
Watersports
Waterpark
Horse Riding
Golf within 30 mins drive
Fishing
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
Cycling holidays
Guestbook for Cats Abbey
Fantastic barn conversion; Karen
Beautiful home from home, Bruce and Michaela.
Lovely stay, loved the views and countryside, stunning conversion, beautifully done; Brenda
Amazing barn, great atmosphere; Lizzie
Wonderful, beautiful, fantastic, amazing; Sophie
You have thought of everything (several)
I WANT TO LIVE HERE (several)
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: British £ | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 24 | ||||||
| Period | From![]() | To![]() | Weekly![]() | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| Jan to Dec 2012 | 4 Jan 12 | 21 Dec 12 | £ 5061 | 895 | 1125 | 3 Nights |
| Christmas 2012 booked | 21 Dec 12 | 30 Dec 12 | £ 9450 | - | - | 1 Week |
| New Year 2013 booked | 30 Dec 12 | 4 Jan 13 | £ 5750 | 995 | 1165 | 4 Nights |
| Jan to Dec 2013 | 4 Jan 13 | 23 Dec 13 | £ 5241 | 995 | 1165 | 3 Nights |
| Christmas 2013 | 23 Dec 13 | 30 Dec 13 | £ 9950 | - | - | 1 Week |
| New Year | 30 Dec 13 | 4 Jan 14 | £ 5950 | 995 | 1165 | 4 Nights |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
EXTRA NIGHTS AT HALF PRICE !
Add extra nights to your weekend:- 1- 3 extra nights at Half Price, and the 4th extra night FREE !.
COST PER PERSON PER NIGHT
We rent the barn as a single unit for any number up to 24, at a fixed price, but if you are able to fill say 22 beds, your effective cost can be as low as £33, including vat, per person per night! This is amazing value for such outstanding accommodation.
All of our 10 bedrooms can sleep 2, even the smallest has a single bed that pulls out to be a double, so we sleep 20 in comfort. The family room has a childrens' room adjoining which sleeps another 2 (or 3 children) and the gallery has a couple of single sofa beds, so the absolute maximum would be 24 adults.
Four double bedrooms can be split into twins to cater for more singles, which means we can sleep 18 singles without having to share a bed. This gives a lot of flexibility, and alternative arrangement can be seen on our web site by looking at the floor plans.
CATERING
There are a number of catering options available by prior arrangement; please ask.
CORPORATE BOOKINGS
Cats Abbey is a perfect place for intimate corporate meetings, offering seating for groups of around 35, and overnight accommodation in 10 double en-suite bedrooms. Additional accommodation is available close-by, if needed. For a small corporate event, please call for a specific quote tailored to your requirements.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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Contact the owner
* Required fields Please check the following errors: | 4 years listed You are contacting Michael Waddingham
Payment accepted
Languages spoken ![]() The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2007. This farmhouse has so far received 0 reviews. ![]() |
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