Cottageguide.net
The Vale of the White Horse is a picturesque and relatively undiscovered part of rural England with the ancient landscape of the Ridgeway to the south and the River Thames to the north. Shellingford is a charming small village within the Vale, known for its attractive stone cottages and beautiful late C12 church.
Goodlake Barns is a series of light and spacious self catering cottages, sensitively converted and retaining much of the character and charm of the original stone barns, stables and outbuildings.
There are currently three cottages sleeping 4, 6 and 8 as well as a studio/bed-sit that doubles as a fifth bedroom for the largest cottage. They are arranged around a courtyard on an organic dairy farm close to the church and in a conservation area. This is a place where friends and family can stay together and unwind in a convenient location only 17 miles from Oxford.
The market town of Faringdon is 3 miles away and caters for most everyday shopping needs and there is a wide range of places to visit including Blenheim Palace, Oxford, the Cotswolds and the iconic Uffington White Horse.
If you are prepared to travel slightly further, Stratford (48 miles),
Salisbury (50 miles), Bath (53 miles) and London (80 miles) are all surprisingly
accessible.
This is an excellent location for country pursuits. Walkers will enjoy the
surrounding footpaths and close proximity to two national trails, the Thames
path and the Ridgeway. Fishing, golf and riding are also popular locally.
For keen shoppers, why not take a trip to the Bicester Outlet Village or visit the local farm centre and craft shops.
Whether visiting relatives, exploring the area or just getting away to relax, you can be assured of a warm welcome and we will do all we can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
The manor of Shellingford was an agricultural estate made up of a number of farms including Church Farm. In 1850 the lord of the manor, Thomas Mills Goodlake, constructed a stable on the farm to supplement the agricultural buildings there and on it inscribed his initials.
The estate was eventually split up in 1923 and the various farms and houses sold to different parties but the stable continued to be used as housing for the working horses and as a dairy until the late 1950’s. After this it no longer suited modern farming methods and gradually fell into disrepair. In 2006 it was converted into two self catering cottages and since then an old stone barn and other of the agricultural buildings have been converted and you can now come for a holiday in this picturesque Oxfordshire village.
Church Farm is a family run organic dairy farm and one of a decreasing number of dairy farms left in the area. We are proud of our farming practices and animal welfare and you can arrange to view milking in progress when you visit.
There are many footpaths to explore around the village. The surrounding area is characterised by gently rolling countryside of arable land and pasture with small copses and hedgerows, streams and the occasional settlement. In the background is the chalk escarpment of the Lambourn Downs.
There is plenty of wildlife here including deer, skylarks, buzzards, kites, owls and badgers to name just a few. There were once numerous elm trees in the area and we have recently planted a disease resistant cultivar and are hoping that these magnificent trees will one day make a comeback.
The local B roads are relatively quiet for cycling excursions, Uffington
White Horse, Great Coxwell Barn and the market town of Faringdon are all within
5miles distance.
Golf, fishing, horse riding, boating, farm parks and a public swimming pool and
gym are available all within 10 miles.
The nearest pub and shop are within two miles and a convenient local taxi service is available.
Tel 01367 710112
www.goodlakebarns.co.uk
Oxfordshire self catering holiday cottages