Characterful upside down barn in the countryside

As you approach through winding country lanes and across a farm track, you know you've arrived somewhere special. On the edge of the Forest of Dean, Holme House Barn offers remote peace and tranquillity, yet is within 5 minutes of everything you need. This newly updated barn conversion mixes rustic charm with modern comforts. With local walks, cycle trails and river activities on your doorstep, this is your perfect escape. Surrounded (literally) by nature and wildlife, rediscover what matters. The space Holme House Barn is a converted grain barn that was part of an old dairy farm, still in use up until the 1980s. It was sympathetically converted in 2011 (and has been since refurbished and upgraded). It was rated 4 star gold by Visit England and has won many awards for being cycle and dog friendly. It has an airy, open plan upstairs living space with comfortable furniture and a fully equipped kitchen, with bedrooms and bathroom beneath, all with underfloor heating. This means bedrooms are naturally cooler than the living space - a perfect combination. It has a mature private garden with outdoor furniture, and guests have access to a fully equipped utility room (shared with the hosts) with secure storage for bikes as well. For those with an EV or a plug-in hybrid, there is also a 7kw charger (charged separately based on exact energy used) to recharge your batteries. The property is in the Forest of Dean countryside literally surrounded by fields and valley views, and as such is incredibly quiet and peaceful. A perfect escape to the country. You approach by crossing a cattle grid and farm track (all but the lowest sports cars will be fine getting to the property), and the rural setting is breathtaking as you approach. The track crosses a local farm field which regularly has cows or sheep in it - our adult children call this the 'safari park' when they visit. The cows (Herefordshire) are very friendly and if on the track, they will mooove as your car approaches (or maybe wave your arms a bit!) Whilst off the beaten track, the property is only one mile from the local town centre. Mitcheldean town is just 3 minutes away by car or a 15 min walk, and offers shops with essentials, various take away outlets, a doctor's surgery, pharmacy, cash machines, churches and also a fuel station. If willing to drive just 10 minutes from the barn, you'll find larger towns (either Cinderford or Ross-on-Wye) with larger amenities, supermarkets, cinema and well known fast food outlets. The barn is a perfect base for exploring the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, and you can walk straight into the heart of the forest without even getting in the car. We provide walking guides and maps so you can make the most of the trails on your doorstep. Within just a few miles in the car you can also access the cycle trails, river activities and historic attractions that the region offers, and a little further away are the Malvern Hills, the Welsh valleys and the Cotswolds. In addition to Ross-on-Wye (with it's beautiful river frontage), other charming towns like Ledbury or Monmouth are just half an hour's drive. As part of the recent upgrade, all mattresses, linen, towels and crockery were brand new, along with new appliances and lighting. The mattresses are all 'medium firm' with a soft topper for comfort, but we can remove the a padded topper if you prefer a firmer experience. A new private adjoining garden with dining furniture and barbecue space was also created in 2023, and guests have access to a fully equipped utility room (shared with the hosts) which contains space for laundry, drying and ironing should you need it. You are welcome to bring a disposable barbecue and truly enjoy outdoor living. We provide utensils and even a picnic backpack for you to use whilst you're with us. The garden is even lit at night so you can enjoy those summer evenings to the maximum, or maybe just use them to see your dog when you let him/her out. The barn has everything you need for a restful and relaxing stay, including a selection of books and games, DVDs and music CDs. There is a smart HD TV upstairs with Blu-ray player and recently, internet TVs have also been installed in both bedrooms, meaning that you can stream live TV from apps like iplayer or ITVX, or log into your Netflix, Amazon Prime or other subscription accounts to access your online content, all whilst waking at your own pace, coffee in hand. The barn is also well designed to accommodate well behaved dogs. They enjoy the underfloor heating and we provide bowls, dog beds and even old towels for dirty paws! For those bringing babies and toddlers, we can install a travel cot, high chair and stair gate, and for younger children in addition to a family DVD selection, we can put in colouring packs and stickers - just let us know how best to prepare for your family. There are two parking spaces made for guests, but if you need more, there's plenty of space in the courtyard shared with the hosts. We provide a full printed manual in the barn, listing practical amenities like supermarkets and fuel stations, and we also recommended local places to eat. Please contact us if you'd like this emailed beforehand to make reservations during busy times of the year. Our guests have included friends catching up, families on summer holidays, cyclists, professionals on business, dog lovers and even brides getting ready for their big day. No matter the reason, any occasion is made special and memorable at Holme House Barn. Guest access Free super-fast wi-fi is provided, meaning that streaming media or video calls can be made without any problem, and even remote working can be done if necessary. We also recommend that phones are enabled for wi-fi calling as cellular signal can be patchy in the barn's location. Other things to note We have a large printed guide located in the barn, which lists the location and contact details of all local amenities and recommended restaurants. If you would like this emailed before your visit, please let us know.