A barnstorming move
THE dream of living in a more spacious house with easy access to the countryside is one of the main reasons for the current property boom – and what could be more fitting than a converted barn surrounded by fields. Some people might relish the challenge of converting a derelict listed building themselves, and the opportunity to live in countryside where planning would never normally be given is an attractive prospect – despite the expense.
Buying a barn that has already been transformed is much easier, although experts warn that those rebuilt decades ago may not have the heat efficiency and flexible layout of more recent conversions.
And then there’s the problem of rural internet speeds. Ian Denton, partner at Jackson- Stops’ Woburn branch, says this is less of an issue as the Government plan to provide rural areas with super- fast broadband continues.
“We’re certainly seeing an uptick in demand for barn conversion type property again,” he says, adding: “A clear trend that has come out of lockdown is that more people now want to live in the countryside and are willing to travel that bit further to work a few days a week if it means that they can benefit from beautiful open spaces and a more relaxed lifestyle.”
Cortland House, a newly completed four- bedroom, three- bathroom barn conversion in Kent certainly fits the bill.
It’s both energy efficient and surrounded by open countryside on Stream Farm in Summerhill, near Goudhurst. It’s for sale at £ 850,000 ( 01580 720000; Jacksonstops. co. uk).
But there is a third option for those in love with the idea of a barn- style home while preferring to live somewhere with easy access to shops, restaurants, schools and even neighbours: new- build.
The Maltings is a development of 45 barn- style homes in the pretty village of Biddenden with black weatherboarding typical of the Kent High Weald.
JON Neville, architect at Millwood Designer Homes, says: “The proposals for The Maltings were sensitively designed to reflect the character of the local area, with the use of traditional materials and detailing to ensure that the development is of the highest quality.
“These homes have been designed to take their character from traditional agricultural barn forms, incorporating black weatherboarding and large glazed openings.
“This ensures that the development sits comfortably within the surrounding landscape and provides an important gateway to the scheme.”
Prices start from £ 430,000 for a threebedroom, mid- terrace house with car barn and up to £ 925,000 for a five- bedroom detached house with garage ( 01732 770991; millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk).
Similarly, The Martingales is a collection of barn- style homes built around a courtyard to resemble a traditional farmstead in Great Bookham, Surrey.
Martingale Barn, at the centre of the development, forms three homes and has black timber cladding and a sloping tile roof, with large timber barn doors.
A three- bedroom home in Martingale Barn is for sale at £ 770,000 ( 01372 231583; thakeham- homes. com), including a luxurious fitted kitchen and bathroom, plus master bedroom with a walk- in wardrobe and en- suite shower room.
It also has that barn conversion musthave: underfloor heating.
‘ More people now want to live in the countryside and are willing to travel that bit further if it means that they can benefit from a more relaxed lifestyle’