The T Barn
UK England South West England Gloucestershire Cirencester
Don’t expect a big sign directing you to the T Barn shepherd’s huts or campsite. This is the Cotswolds where everything, including the area’s latest camping and glamping site, is tasteful and subtle so as not to intrude on the charm of England’s largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Instead, you receive detailed instructions from your host, Eloise, which help you navigate from the honey-stoned pub in the village down hedgerowed country lanes to the right field on the right farm.
Shepherd’s hut guests go one way, campers and bell tenters another. There’s a meadow for each at opposite ends of the 850-acre dairy farm the site calls home. The idea to keep them separate is a good one; preserving both seclusion for the adults-only shepherd’s huts and the sociable feel of the family-friendly campsite. Let’s head there first. It’s a simple site and you see yourself in. There are three bell tents, a handful of pitches and facilities which are set up for the season. The bell tents are the easy option here; comfortably furnished for four, with bedding included too. It’s all off grid but the basics are covered and campfires are allowed with a stone-circled fire pit per pitch.
Over at the shepherd’s hut site, there’s no sharing of facilities – each hut is en suite, self-contained and, best of all, has its own wood-fired hot tub. They are luxurious but, like the campsite, off grid, which encourages couples who stay here to relax, reconnect and immerse themselves in nature. In this location, that’s not hard. There are no buildings or roads in view; just the field and the trees of a neighbouring woodland. Look out for mistle thrushes and the resident barn owl who’s often spotted swooping by.
The farm surrounds the tiny village of Barnsley and it’s a 10–15 minute walk from both meadows to The Village Pub (that’s it’s name – honest). It’s got a nice garden for summer, roaring fires for winter and a great menu whenever you visit. And, of course, this is the Cotswolds so there are longer walks, other lovely pubs and plenty of swoon-worthy villages starting at neighbouring Bibury. It’s said to be one of the most photographed spots in the Cotswolds and claimed by William Morris to be “the most beautiful village in England”. If you’re coming with kids, they may not be quite as beguiled but, don’t worry, there’s horse riding and cycling, too, and South Cerney Lake where you can sail, kayak or paddleboard until it’s time for your next campfire.
Our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Book with complete confidence at The T Barn with the Cool Camping Coronavirus Booking Guarantee. We guarantee the following clear policy for your booking:
- A low deposit of 30% to secure your booking
- Balance due 30 days before your holiday
- Complete flexibility to move bookings up to the end of 2021 in the event of Coronavirus restrictions
- Due to the flexibility provided we are unable to offer refunds
- This guarantee supersedes any other policies
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Details
Facilities
The shepherd huts are self contained with their own en-suite bathrooms, and kitchenettes. They each have a kingsized bed made up with luxe linen and a wood-burning stove. Outside there’s a wood-fired hot tub and a fire pit. Bell tents are kitted out with wood-burning stoves and proper beds with bed linen. They are set up in the camping field and share four hot showers and four composting loos with the other pitches. Each pitch and bell tent has a stone-circled fire pit and logs are for sale on site.
Suitable For
Campers, glampers, couples, families, groups – yes. Campervans, motorhomes, caravans, dogs – no.
Nearby
Barnsley sits within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so there are plenty of picturesque villages to explore starting with Barnsley itself. Neighbouring Bibury (three miles away) is even more picturesque and one of the most photographed places in the Cotswolds. Walking and cycling through the villages and countryside is usually enough to keep people entertained here and there are lovely views up the lane from the campsite, which makes a nice place to walk. For an easier way to get around, hire electric bikes from Cotswold eBikes at nearby Abbey Home Farm (and maybe pick up a picnic from their farmshop at the same time). For horse riding, there’s Talland Stables (01285 740155) and for adventures on water head to the Cotswold Water Park (nine miles away) where you can swim, fish, paddleboard, kayak, canoe or sail. South Cerney Outdoor (01285 860388) offers lessons and hire.
Food & Drink
You can pre-order a breakfast hamper for delivery on site or buy eggs from the farm. Shepherd’s hut guests and bell tent campers also have the option to order dinner or afternoon tea hampers. The Village Pub (01285 740421) and Barnley House Hotel are a short walk from the huts and summer camp. Your hosts also recommend The Stump (01285 707780), an hour’s walk or a 10-minute drive away, for sourdough pizza or rotisserie on Sunday. Bilbury, the neighbouring village, is three miles away and a great spot for an ice cream by the river and don’t miss the burgers at The New Inn (01285 750651) at Coln, also walkable in an hour-and-a-half (five miles from site). To stock up on supplies, head to Abbey Home Farm Shop (01285 640441), three miles away, for local produce or drive 10 minutes to Cirencester for supermarkets and shops.
Open
Shepherds huts: all year.
Bell tents and camping: April–October.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
The T Barn is a collection of glamping spots located across the farm in and around Barnsley, a quintessentially Cotswold village. We are off-grid and we love it that way, solar-powered, wood-burning, composting loos, no wifi, limited phone signal - this is your chance to slow down and reconnect with nature. We have three shepherds huts each with their own hot tub, king size bed & luxe linen, ensuite bathroom, woodburner, kitchenette and outdoor firepit open year round. April - October we have three bell tents with woodburners, real beds, bedding and fresh linen to sleep 2 -4 people we also have seven camping pitches to bring your own tent, each with a fire circle for the essential campfire. The summer camp has shared facilities, 3 hot showers, 4 composting loos and sheltered washing up hut. We also offer private hire of the entire site including our rustic barn - get in touch for details.
Social Distancing Measures
This site offers our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Offers & Deals
The best offer will automatically be applied to bookings on Cool Camping
Accommodation
Three shepherd huts, three bell tents and seven grass pitches.
Shepherd's Hut - Dora
Bell Tent - Mimi
T Barn Camping
Extras
Food

Classic Breakfast Hamper

Deluxe Breakfast for two
Location
Contact The T Barn, Church Farm, Barnsley, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 5EF
Getting There
Whether coming from Cirencester to the south or Burford to the north, the village of Barnsley is reached on the B4425. Once you are in the village there are different instructions for each part of the site and Eloise sends out detailed instructions after booking.
Getting to the T Barn shepherd’s hut or campsite by public transport is possible but takes planning. The closest railway station is at Kemble, nine miles from site. From there you would need to take a taxi to site (probably a good idea to book in advance) or to cycle if you’re bringing a bike. Alternatively national coach services stop at Cirencester, a little closer to site. From there, taxis are more easily available or you could take a bus to Barnsley. There are just a few a day and none on Sundays. It’s a ten-minute walk from the bus stop to the camping field or shepherd’s huts.
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Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
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See Campsites in the Cotswolds