Brail Barn

Experience life in the country at this cosy barn, nestled in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is the perfect spot to relax in nature, as you're surrounded by nine acres of fields, woodlands and idyllic English countryside to ramble and roam – your hosts even have pony and sheep paddocks that only add to the rustic charm. A short walk away is the quaint village of Great Bedwyn, where you'll find a local pub, cafe and shops, and there are a slew of canal towpaths and walking routes that the whole family will enjoy – including the pups. After a long day in the great outdoors, we loved coming home and unwinding in the bright living room, which has sumptuous sofas and a surround sound system that lends itself to family movie nights. The vibe here is warm, homey and inspired by the landscape – from the French doors upstairs showing off the view to the bespoke artwork made by a local artist. Come together for a meal around the dining table – prepared in the sleek kitchen – or, on warm days, enjoy an evening tipple in the garden while the kids let loose in the play area. That's what we call a rural getaway.

Home truths:
*This is an incredibly dog-friendly home – the hosts even provide a large dog crate – just make sure you wash off muddy paws outside and that you close the gate so they can’t go upstairs
*During our visit, the wifi was a little patchy
*Please use the wellies washer to take care of muddy boots before entering the house
*The bedrooms are interconnected – you’ll have to walk through the smaller single room to use the bathroom
*There’s also an outside WC, though it may not suit every guest
*There’s a separate office space that can be rented out for an extra £100 if you want to work-from-home
*You’ll have plenty of privacy, but this barn is adjacent to the host’s home, so the garden is shared – they live on-site and are very lovely