The Studio

Introduction

It could be the real-life Repair Shop, every inch of it restored, retained, repointed, and resurrected. And yet, an elevation happened here that took this barn in the Cotswolds from humble cream-and-cheese beginnings to something that wouldn’t be out of place amidst the warehouses of artsy Tribeca. As much a lived-in exhibition as a couples’ residence, as much an upholding of heritage as the making of an honest-to-goodness personal space, The Studio put the Grade II rubric on a pedestal, then anointed it in pink cement tiles, poured concrete floors, and dark mustard cabinetry. You might expect Basquiat to be reclining in the Eames chair, or perhaps a certain Q.

Inside

Good design is a subtle phenomenon; using all sorts of genius, yet ensuring we don’t think much about those efforts at all. Here, the focal point is not the authenticated Eero Saarinen tulip table or the one-of-a-kind Fornasetti armoire, not the giant Stovax woodburner or the “stick em up” art from Frieze London. At The Studio, soul is the pearl in the oyster. An ode to the owner’s father — who came from the Highlands, tools in tow, to handpick and carve each beam and truss — the barn is the encore of a craftsman who introduced substance to style. Here, industrialism brings modernity to a heritage space; think of it as "museum meets Manhattan".

Outside

In one of the twin villages of Slaughter (from the Old English slohtre, meaning mudland), The Studio is one of just fifty homes in England’s fairest hamlet. Close to the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold — with its antiques stores, fine art galleries, and old inns — yet far enough from the bustle to hear the nuthatches. Its private walled yard, flanked by a slow-flowing river and outfitted with a pizza oven, brings Tuscan zhuzh to the county; a place for tearing mozzarella and swirling black-fruit Barolos. And just a mooch away, over an ancient footbridge and past a red telephone box, you'll find a revered eatery; not bad for a place where time stood still.

• PricingFrom £1,695 per week, £1,450 per short break
• FeaturesPizza oven, fire pits
• PetsSorry, no pets
  
• FamilyBabes-in-arms twelve months and under are welcome
• PracticalitiesThere is parking for one car on the gravel next to the barn. The well-equipped kitchen has an oven, induction hob, dishwasher, and under-counter fridge and freezer, and there is underfloor heating throughout. Please note that there is one low original beam between the kitchen and dining area, so do mind your head. The property offers a private and secluded garden with a covered outdoor dining table. Please note guests will need to bring their own cot and highchair. There is one camera that covers the car parking area at the property.
  
  
• Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
  
  Explore private dining
• Eco-friendly11kw EV charger

Upper Slaughter

Burrowed in a sleepy Cotswolds valley, Upper Slaughter is oft-voted the prettiest village in England for a reason. Expect every quintessential biscuit tin scene, but without a hint of cliché; think local community, oodles of soul, and perhaps a sighting from the silver screen.

View property location Destination guide

Getting there

• On the map This luxury barn is located in Upper Slaughter near Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds, ideally located for visiting Bibury and Stow-on-the-Wold.
• By car The Studio is thirty minutes from Cheltenham and Cirencester, one hour from Oxford, and two-and-a-half hours from London by car.
• By train Kingham is twenty minutes away by car. There are regular trains from London Paddington with GWR with a journey time of under one-and-a-half hours.
• By air Gloucestershire Airport is one hour away, whilst Birmingham, Bristol, and London Heathrow Airports are each less than two hours away by car. There are private airstrips and helipads nearby.