The art of togetherness: How two studios shaped Stow Farm
A Cotswolds estate shaped by collaboration: Blake Architects and Emma Kirby Design merge history and modernity at this listed, family-led home.
The scale of Stow Farm won’t fail to impress. Scattered throughout the vast grounds, four separate dwellings – the Farmhouse, Cottage, Stone Barn and Dutch Barn – feature their own living quarters and private outdoor spaces, plus design by Cotswolds-based Blake Architects and Emma Kirby Design. Retreat to your own corner or come together effortlessly – the options are endless. For the latter, dive straight between the heated pool (and superlative pool house) to meals in the Dutch Barn, a striking setting for up to 20 diners.
What’s included?
7 night stay from £22,000 – £35,000
3 night stay from £11,000 – £13,200
At the heart of Stow Farm, an 18th-century listed Farmhouse pairs rustic grandeur with everyday comfort. Exposed brick walls, curved timber ceilings and numerous log burners bring a kick-off-your-walking-boots-and-relax feel throughout. The footprint is characteristically generous, with multiple living spaces each more inviting than the next. Competing for the best seats in the house, the formal drawing room looks out over the cinematic setting, while the snug’s L-shaped sofa is sink-into worthy.
Converted from a former outbuilding in 2023, the Stone Barn is the epitome of countryside chic. Vast Crittall windows frame views of the surrounding grounds, while a preserved hay rack and timber beams in the kitchen nod to the building’s agricultural past (again, with lashings of stone, brickwork and an obligatory fire).
As its name suggests, the Cottage is a welcoming home-from-home. Originally a simple outbuilding, it was recently refurbished with a quietly refined palette. French windows open onto the garden, letting in natural light and birdsong during the spring and summertime, while a log burner provides a cosy focal point in the colder months.
Each of the four distinctive living quarters at Stow Farm has its own separate kitchen and dining facilities. Characterful and considered, the Farmhouse Kitchen is an uplifting culinary setting, complete with sky-blue cabinetry, a double butler sink and electric Aga oven.
For entertaining a crowd, the Dutch Barn obliges. Once used for storing hay, it’s now the natural central gathering place of Stow Farm. The original steel frame and corrugated cladding echo its working past, now offset by expanses of Crittall glazing that draw in natural light and gaze across the orchard and fields. An open-plan layout is imagined for entertaining, with a fully-equipped kitchen, large dining table and ample seating gathered by a fireplace. From here, full-height doors lead onto a large terrace – with a barbecue and outdoor dining table.
In the Stone Barn, another open-plan kitchen and dining area has style and substance – think bespoke cabinetry and a retro Smeg fridge. Meanwhile, for those staying in the Cottage, an open-plan kitchen and dining space is flooded with natural light through garden-facing windows. Dark-green cabinetry, terracotta floor tiles and a classic Aga combine to create a quintessential country feel.
The Farmhouse contains four bedroom suites, each following a formula of calming tones, patterned upholstery, exposed wooden beams and serene views stretching across the countryside.
Two further bedroom suites are found in the Stone Barn. One is positioned on a mezzanine level, which looks down over the open-plan living area below. Towering Crittall windows extend toward the vaulted ceiling, drawing daylight deep inside and animating textural stones and timbers used throughout. The other enjoys an in-room freestanding tub, with exposed wood and brick walls bringing tactility to the setting.
The Cottage offers an additional four bedrooms: two benefit from en suite bathrooms, while a third is self-contained with its own kitchenette and bathroom, making it ideal for staff or longer stay guests who require extra independence.
Encircling the buildings, gently undulating lawns are dotted with trees and fruit orchards. At the farm’s core, a 16-metre heated swimming pool beckons, surrounded by lush grasses and a stone patio furnished with lounge chairs. Nearby, a wood-clad sauna and cold plunge pool are tailor-made for wellness enthusiasts. An astroturf tennis court sits poised for a match, its expanse opening onto uninterrupted views of the rolling countryside. There are integrated football posts, if you prefer a kick-about.
Al fresco dining is thoughtfully woven throughout the grounds. A walled rose garden, framed by manicured topiary, offers a quiet setting in which to linger over a meal. Next to the Dutch Barn, a terrace with an outdoor kitchen and barbecue invites convivial gatherings, with a wooden veranda that offers sun-dappled lunches.
The Dutch Barn’s ground floor is designed for rejuvenation and relaxation. A fully equipped gym provides space for morning workouts and afternoon yoga sessions, while the steam room and spa offer a calm counterpoint for recovery. As the day draws to a close, the cinema room – fitted with Dolby Atmos sound and plush seating – invites guests to unwind with a classic or the latest blockbuster.
Tucked into the rolling hills of the northern Cotswolds, the village of Upper Oddington is a springboard to its rural surroundings. It’s a five-minute drive, or 30-minute walk, to the iconic Daylesford farm shop, replete with organic produce and artisanal homewares – plus an on-site restaurant and wellness spa. Closer to home in Lower Oddington, seasonal, wood-fired dishes and locally sourced wines can be found at The Fox.
Boutique shopping, art galleries and cosy tearooms await in nearby Kingham and Chipping Norton, while the Michelin-acclaimed Wild Rabbit showcases modern British cuisine in a stylish renovated inn. Often called the Venice of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water charms beside the gently flowing River Windrush. There’s plenty to see here, from exotic birds at Birdland Park & Gardens to classic cars at the Cotswold Motoring Museum and the whimsical Model Village. For further reflection, take a stroll around Burford’s 900-year-old church – particularly enchanting at Christmas.
Daylesford – 5 mins
Stow-on-the-Wold – 8 mins
Chipping Norton – 15 mins
Soho Farmhouse – 30 mins
Oxford – 1 hour
With a helping hand from our concierge team, our rural homes are made for switching off. Think horse-riding through unspoilt countryside followed by restorative massages, chef-cooked feasts and curling up by a roaring fire with an expertly mixed cocktail. Fireworks displays on the grounds or milestone celebrations: we make things happen both within and beyond the walls of your estate.
Finesse your stayA Cotswolds estate shaped by collaboration: Blake Architects and Emma Kirby Design merge history and modernity at this listed, family-led home.
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