With sheep grazing in the fields around them, Spring Grounds Farm Shepherd Huts are entirely at home in their setting. It’s a working smallholding in the Oxfordshire countryside where 50 acres are home to 100 sheep, plenty of wildlife, and just two shepherd’s huts. Book one and you have everything you need for a few days away in the country. Each hut is self contained, warmed by a log burner, and offers fantastic views. You can walk to a country pub, drive to a market town and, perhaps, explore one of the grand houses and gardens nearby. But no one would blame you if you simply wanted to stay right here on Spring Grounds Farm.
Badger’s Den is the romantic retreat. It has an ingenious fold-down double bed, so the hut feels cosy at night and spacious during the day. It has a kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and a flushing loo. Water and electricity are connected and there’s wifi too. And, should you wish to visit as a family, you’re welcome to bring a tent and pitch it in your outdoor space. This, like the hut, is spacious and well equipped. There’s a picnic table and a fire pit and an undercover area with a gas barbecue. In the same field, but a fair distance away, is Fox's Den. This family-sized shepherd hut offers a similar spec but keeps the family under one roof with sleeping space for up to four in a fixed double bunk bed – plus it has a hub tub outside.
Both look out from the farm’s top corners, across fields of sheep and the wider countryside. This is just outside The Cotswolds and it’s all rolling green fields, though you may just catch sight or sound of a train whizzing through on its way to Banbury, which is three miles down the road. And if the wind is blowing from the west, there can be a little road noise from the M40 – but you won’t notice either from inside your insulated hut and both keep this rural retreat well connected. It’s an excellent getaway from both Birmingham, an hour to the north, and London, 90 minutes away.
Experience the charm and comfort of a shepherd hut, complete with modern amenities and breathtaking views of the Oxfordshire countryside. "Badger's Den" - our first hut for hire - is situated at the top corner of the Farm, east facing, in the perfect position to watch a beautiful sunrise. From the balcony, you have stunning panoramic views of the valley and surrounding countryside. The Hut is fully insulated and has all amenities you will need for a relaxing break. It has a full size double bed, which lifts up to create an open plan comfy seating area with cushions. There is a kitchenette equipped with gas hob, fridge (with small freezer compartment), kettle, toaster, utensils and sink with running hot and cold water. There is a private en-suite in the hut, with a flush loo, modern shower and sink. It is equipped with board games, a range of books and a radio for entertainment during your stay and WiFi is available to all guests for free. We supply high quality freshly washed bedding, towels and loo roll. In the Hut there is a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty and warm in the evenings, we provide a starter pack of kindling and firelighters, and more wood is available to purchase should it be needed. Outside the hut, there is a bench, table and fire pit positioned with a great view overlooking the valley, as well as a covered seating area with a large gas BBQ and all utensils. If you are a family and would like to bring a tent for kids to stay with you, you are welcome to pitch your own tent (at no additional cost) behind the Hut, please write this as a special request in the booking form. We do not supply extra bedding/beds/tent etc.Spring Grounds Farm is on the edge of the village of Great Bourton, a few miles from the northern reaches of the Cotswolds National Landscape, three miles north of the market town of Banbury. You can head out on walks from the site to the village of Cropredy, a mile to the north, or to Little Bourton, a mile to the south. Both have pubs and The Oxford Canal Path is a bridleway along the canal which connects both with Banbury too. Another recommended place for a walk nearby is Burton Dassett Hills Country Park (six miles away) where there are more great views and a woodland walk. Farnborough Hall (four miles) and Upton House (nine miles) are two historic houses built with the area’s characteristic honey-coloured stone and open to the public thanks to the National Trust. Both sit in lovely landscaped gardens too. Chipping Norton, in the Cotswolds, Leamington Spa and Warwick are all about half an hour’s drive from the farm. Cropredy (just a mile from the shepherd’s huts) is home to the annual Cropredy Fairport Convention music festival in early August.
The on-site facilities make cooking easy and you can pick up supplies from the well-stocked village shop in Cropredy (one mile) or from Banbury (three miles) where there are plenty of shops including supermarkets and a twice-weekly market on Thursdays and Saturdays. Breakfasts at Cropredy’s Mulberry Cafe are recommended by your host and there are lots of good pubs to choose from for lunches and dinners. In Cropredy there’s The Brasenose Arms, which has a bar and a restaurant menu, and the traditional Red Lion. In Little Bourton (one mile) there’s The Dirt House (ring ahead to check food serving times) and in Banbury there’s The Old Auctioneer. There are also good takeaways in Banbury: Paw Paw is recommended for Chinese food and Q Fish for fish and chips. Further afield, but not far, The Falcon at Warmington (five miles) and The Castle at Edgehill (eight miles) are also recommended for their good food.
