Leigh House
Leigh Bake House:
Sorry, no stag/all male parties are allowed at this property.
This Grade II listed ancient dwelling dates back to the 14th Century. The old bread oven and meat/ fish smoking oven are still evident and the old stone floor bears the marks of the axe where the wood was cut to fuel the fires. Leigh House is believed to date from 1574 and was part of a farm estate given by Elizabeth I to Robert Leigh. The property extends over 4.5 acres and includes the Tithe Barn and the Bake House. It was a wealthy estate in its day and the depth of the well in the courtyard indicates that it was a property of significant importance. In the early Eighteenth Century it was owned by Robert Taylor who lived in the main house and manufactured cheeses in the cheese loft, now a bedroom over the kitchen. It was converted in 2006 and has been completely refurbished by the current owners who have retained the original features, selected fine furnishings and original works of art.
The Bake House is reached through an old latchet gate beneath arched boughs and opens into a courtyard with topiary trees, lavender beds and a pretty fountain tumbling into a pond of water lilies. Beautifully furnished, this compact cottage style home has been painted throughout with Farrow and Ball paints and has a comfortable 'L' shaped sofa and armchair to seat 5 and large TV with DVD. There is a cosy wood burning stove in the old fireplace with a window seat and curtains in Ian Mankin fabrics. There is a pull out dining table with 5 chairs The downstairs double bedroom has beamed ceilings and its own original fireplace (no longer in use). One window opens onto the courtyard whilst the other overlooks the potager and walled garden. There is an oak wardrobe, an oak framed bedstead and a little hand basin with fluffy white towels. The triple room upstairs has a spacious king sized bed along with a single bed under oak beamed ceilings, two oak bedside tables, chest of drawers and hanging space. A hand basin under the window looks down across the Victorian green house to the vegetable garden..
The little kitchen overlooks the central courtyard and has a gas hob, with electric oven and grill, a microwave and small fridge. The newly renovated bathroom has a large walk in shower, a hand basin and WC.
The Old Dairy
The former dairy has been renovated to encompass a state of the art gym including resistance machines, free weights, treadmill and rowing machine. There is a large sauna and shower for your use. We have a resident Personal Trainer who trains private clients during the week and is available to guests by prior arrangement. The facilities are available every evening and weekend when the PT is not on site and are shared with the owners and other resident guests.
Leigh Barn:
An 18th Century Tithe Barn converted to the highest standard offering luxury accommodation for 10 people in three double ensuite rooms, and two twin ensuite rooms. The style is open and airy French chic with personal touches throughout. The large paddock offers an extensive outdoor living and dining space with a BBQ and Hartmann seating. The sauna, gym and games room is a few steps from the kitchen door and also has surround sound, Wii and plasma TV available. Leigh Barn is set in 4.5 acres in the charming town of Bradford on Avon with its many restaurants, pubs and shops. It is one stop by train to Bath Spa.
The Ground Floor
Appreciate this amazing piece of rural architecture at the entrance. Huge crook beams, smooth stone floors, white-washed walls taking your eye up to the ancient oak rafters, with a cascading brass chandelier hanging from the beams. The big barn doors have been glazed to light up the open-plan living and dining room. It is warm and inviting (under floor heating) with a great `L` shaped leather sofa (to seat 6) and another large cream sofa (to seat 3), a broad wood-burning stove packed with logs, lots of good books, games and movies and a TV (with Sky, HD, Box office, Kids TV and Sky Sports, Wii and DVD). There is also a Bose stereo for your ipod, with great sound quality and Wi Fi connection is available throughout the barn.
The long, pretty French country table seats up to 10 and is placed in front of a set of broad glazed barn doors that swing back in warm weather. There is another table that joins to this table for groups of 10-15.
The Kitchen
The bright and sturdy oak and stone Kitchen is in the old bull pit which is a couple of steps down from the Living room. There is a big electric range with 2 ovens, a grill and a warming plate and a 6 ring gas hob. Also here is a microwave, a dishwasher, and a large fridge. There will be a separate freezer and laundry facilities across the yard in the games room eventually. The kitchen has plenty of equipment for culinary flourishes, lots of china and thankfully no bull! The back door leads out to pretty west facing seating area with a table and chairs for 4, a bench, and potted herbs to add zest to your cuisine. .
The Bedrooms
The owner adores vintage finds from French provincial markets and has created four charming bedrooms, every room in the barn is elegant, luxurious and decorated with original artwork. The exposed beams and stonework create a wonderfully rustic and romantic setting. There are 5 bedrooms in total, all have ensuite bathrooms.
On the ground floor on the south side of The Barn is a delightful and spacious twin room with oak paneling wrapped comfortingly around two single antique beds. There is a large pretty oak wardrobe and chest of drawers and an elegant antique chaise.
It has a contemporary oak paneled ensuite with decorative stone tiling. There is a bath (with shower over) a recessed hand basin , a WC and lots of storage.
There is a newly renovated bedroom on the ground floor with twin beds and an ensuite shower room,
An Oak bridge spans across the living areas below and leads into two more bedrooms. Low beams and low doorways are a feature of these atmospheric rooms. They carry the weight of history so watch your head on them!
A pretty double bedroom under the eaves has a white king size brass bed. It has a chest of drawers, a dressing mirror and an inviting chaise. There is a small oak panelled ensuite with bath, hand basin, and WC.
Across the bridge is a handsome double room with a king size sleigh bed, a wardrobe and chest of drawers, an elegant chaise, and a clothes rail. The ensuite has a bath, hand basin and WC.
In the Hay loft which is up a separate stairway, is a double room with a white king size brass bed, fitted storage, a chest of drawers and a little chaise. The ensuite has a bath (with shower over) a hand basin and a WC.
The Grounds
In this rural setting, The Barn, The Bake House (together known as Leigh House) as well as the owner`s residence are clustered in a `u` shape around an idyllic planted courtyard with the original well that supplied the farm. These wonderful old buildings are surrounded by cobbled paths, gardens, orchard, paddocks and fields with southerly views towards Salisbury Plains and The Whitehorse at Westbury . Behind the Bake house is a large secure walled garden with a lavender walkway leading to a rose arbor and plans for a pottager with flowers, fruit, veg and herbs. There are outdoor tables and benches dotted all around the grounds so you can relax and take in the country air. Pick your own apples, pears and plums from the Orchard or head towards a large south facing paddock with lovely views, seating and BBQ area. Bring wellies for lovely local walks into Bradford-Upon Avon (just 10 mins. away) or longer walks to South Wraxhall.
Parking
Maximum of 6 cars allowed. Sorry no campers or large transit vans . 3 night min stay during peak seasons
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