The Marlings
Standish, Stroud, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Here is a centennial grainstore, reborn; a place where polished nickel boat baths offset an oat-and-husk palette. A stone’s throw from the limestone grassland and fruit markets of the Cotswolds, this celebratory cluster of barns and cottages has more character than you could shake a sheaf of wheat at. It's a feat of inside-out artistry that brings the days of yore into the here and now, yielding a luxury self-catering farmhouse on the outskirts of Stroud with a pool, hot tub, playground, and tennis court to rival any private family resort.
Introduction
If only these old stone walls could talk, we’d hear how rye gave way to russet yarn and ink prints. Atop slabbed floors and Swedish checkerboard rugs, The Marlings unfolds across four dwellings on a foliate parcel of edge-of-Cotswolds land in Standish; never has a collection of barns been so primed for barefoot garden parties among piebald mangalitza pigs and glam rock alpacas. With storied lintels, velveteen loungers, and lofty halls that could fit the Brady Bunch three times over, this luxury self-catering farmhouse is Gloucestershire’s retort to “We Are Family”, a place for poolside coming-togethers and Pimms-fuelled tennis tournaments.
Inside
Think of it as the grown-ups’ answer to “that room’s mine!” With vaulted rhubarb suites, garden cottages, and attic dens up for grabs, a stay of fine slumbers is yours for the taking once you pick a nook. Be you seven or seventy, yarn-spinner or wine-swiller, you’ll find no end of gathering spaces and hiding places here. Made up of a five-bedroom Farmhouse, three-bedroom Stone Barn, two cottages, and a banquet hall fit for grand hurrahs, the entire country pile is taken as a private family estate. Filled from granary to gable with walnut draper's tables, fire-warmed snugs, and sound-bouncing stone, The Marlings sends laughter ricocheting down its arterial hallways.
Outside
Family holidays are different at The Marlings, the luxury farmhouse that’s one part playground, one part gathering place. Here, farm animals whinny the children out to play, camembert galettes are eaten on picnic blankets, and the only sticky wicket for waterfolk is whether the pool or hot tub sees first splash. On clement eves, have half the crew assemble on the tennis court for sundown sparring, while the resident pizzaiolos perform alchemy with mozzarella and basil at the pizza oven. Throw in daisy chain-making walks in the Gloucestershire plains and a curveball breakfast barbecue, and this might be the great escape that your inner child always wished for.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 25 guests (20 adults and 5 children)
From £7,450 per week, £5,595 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 12 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are eleven bedrooms at this luxury farmhouse, spread across four dwellings. Six of the rooms have king-size beds and en suites, one has a zip-and-link super king-size bed with an adjoining family bathroom, and two have king-size beds with shared access to a family bathroom. There is also a family suite containing a king-size bedroom, a single bedroom, a children’s quad room up a narrow staircase, and an en suite shared by all three rooms. There are individual WCs on the ground floor of both the Farmhouse and the Stone Barn.
View bedrooms - FeaturesHeated outdoor pool (available April to October) with pool house, hot tub, tennis court, wooden playpark, massage room
- PetsThree well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. There are two travel cots and three highchairs across the properties, and one stairgate in the Farmhouse.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample off-road parking for ten cars in the courtyard and on the driveway. The Farmhouse’s kitchen has a five-door Aga, French-style fridge-freezer, storage pantry, microwave, and dishwasher; there is also a utility area with boot room, washing machine, and tumble dryer. The Stone Barn’s kitchen has an Aga, microwave, freestanding fridge-freezer with ice and water dispenser, and dishwasher; there is also a utility with washing machine and tumble dryer. There is underfloor heating in the Stone Barn. Both cottage kitchens have an electric oven and four-zone induction hob. Please note that there are farm animals in the adjacent fields (including pigs, alpacas sheep, ducks, and chickens) so please exercise due diligence if you are travelling with dogs and young children; the animals are tended to twice daily. If booking the smaller group option, guests will stay in the Farmhouse, sleeping eight adults and four children; this includes access to the pool, pool house, hot tub, pizza oven, and barbecue, which are all located in the Stone Barn’s garden.
- Homestay includesA luxury welcome hamper including homemade baked treats and Gloucestershire fruit juices, iPad, Wi-Fi internet, Smart TVs, Nespresso Vertuo coffee machines with pods, ceramic charcoal Big Green Egg barbecue (plus small coal barbecues in each cottage’s garden), books and board games, luxury bed linens, towels, and bathrobes, and logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Standish
All at once a faraway pasture town and easily reachable from London, Standish embodies easy Gloucestershire living on the outskirts of Stroud; dotted with clusters of ancient cottages, wise old manors, and lazy water meadows where swans come to rest.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury farmhouse is in Standish near Stroud, within the green Gloucestershire hills, ideally located for visiting the Cotswolds, Gloucester, and Cheltenham.
- By Car The Marlings is around 15 minutes from Stroud, 40 minutes from Bristol, just over an hour from Birmingham, and two-and-a-half hours from London.
- By Train Stonehouse Train Station is 10 minutes away, and Stroud is 15 minutes away by car. There are regular trains from London Paddington with a journey time of one-and-a-half hours on Great Western Railways.
- By Air Cotswolds Airport is 40 minutes from The Marlings by car, while Bristol and Birmingham Airports are each around one hour away. For guests wanting to arrive by helicopter, please enquire for further details.
From the owner
“Acquiring The Marlings was our opportunity to infuse a collection of traditional threshing and farm barns with vibrancy and feeling, creating a resort-like residence. Today, split between four dwellings and a banquet hall, they make a glorious private estate right at the edge of the Cotswolds.”
We found this collection of properties through coincidence, and right on our doorstep. We used to rent the Stone Barn from its previous owners, and when we realised that the collection of properties was on the market, we jumped at the chance to purchase it. Bringing the buildings back to life was a unique challenge; our goal was to create a large family estate, the type of place you arrive at and don't think about leaving for a whole week. The multiple residences, pool, tennis court, playpark, and banquet hall all combine to create the feeling of a resort - we recommend hiring a private chef to make the most of the dining experience.
With a modern farmhouse look in mind, we stitched a thread of bold colours through the Farmhouse, the Stone Barn, and the cottages, bringing a cohesive feel to the separate buildings while maintaining their originality. In darker rooms, such as the sitting room, we chose deep hues to further enhance the already intimate and cosy feel. Meanwhile, in the Stone Barn, a lighter space with high ceilings, we used slightly fresher, yet vibrant colours, and added a more relaxed modern farmhouse feel to this space that looks out to the pool house. The use of one-off pieces, such as the collection of vintage runners that feature on the beautiful old staircase, add to the fusion of textures and tones. Reclaimed wood and bold linens tie the cottages in with the older buildings.
Rich and Buffy
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Standish with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
The Painswick, Painswick
A place that´ll see you through from afternoon tea to twice-baked cheddar souffle, The Painswick brings decadence to the à la carte table; with polished parquet floors and a backlit speakeasy-style bar, it´s the place to be on nights when no-one volunteers to be chef.
To Do
Stroud Farmer´s Market, Stroud
It´s long held the unofficial title of the best farmer´s market in the UK, and for good reason; with rhubarb and pear chutneys, kiln-dried pottery, and cider as sharp as a knife´s edge, you´ll spend hours picking produce for supper (and baguettes to munch en-route).
To Eat
The Bell, Sapperton
Old stone walls, beamed ceilings and cosy corner tables; The Bell is the epitome of Cotswolds country charm. After a hearty Sunday roast, taking a gentle stroll around the pretty village is practically mandatory. Just be sure to leave room for the chocolate brownie with berry coulis.
To Do
Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham
Pack a hat and head to Cheltenham Racecourse for a day of equine action and a palette of popping colours, perhaps booking a restaurant package to soak up the atmosphere over brunch. Its famed panoramic eatery is the idyllic spot to watch the events unfold with glass in hand.
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
Best cabin stays in the UK
The Times
May 2023Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023Britain´s best holiday cottages
The Telegraph
May 2023Best holiday homes in the UK
Conde Nast Traveller
May 2023A look inside The Fable x The White Company
House Beautiful
May 2023Britain´s best offbeat escapes
Country Living
May 2023Follying up the folly
Country Living
May 2023The hidden heart of Cornwall
Financial Times
April 2023
Collections > Alternative Group Option > UK > Gloucestershire > Stroud > The Marlings
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
