Barnsley Hill farm

Welcome to Barnsley Hill Farm, the UK’s most advanced ecological home nestled in the beautiful heart of the Cotswolds.

This luxurious property includes six bedrooms, spacious open-plan living, 25-seat cinema, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and eight-seat hot tub yet Barnsley Hill Farm’s build carbon footprint will be equivalent to that of a two-bed flat thanks to trailblazing technology never used on a domestic property before.

The 400-year-old home is set in five private landscaped acres within the sought-after Barnsley / Bibury area which is within easy reach of the M4 and the capital.

Eco-entrepreneur Paul Lavelle, of Stonebee Limited, is the driving force behind the cutting-edge concept of this exclusive property designed to totally indulge the owner but with the added benefit of a minimum carbon cost to the environment.

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Living space

The exterior of this 400 year-old barn has been beautifully preserved and once you open the door you find a perfect balance between the mid-17th Century structure and 21st Century living.

The front entrance leads into an impressive open-plan space that offers plenty of cosy living areas. The flooring is solid oak throughout with underfloor heating. Above the main living space is a mezzanine level which is linked by a unique glass and oak bridge and offers opportunities to create a library and study. Every aspect has unrestricted views of open countryside.

The cinema

Barnsley Hill Farm has its own soundproof, air-conditioned cinema with a vaulted beamed ceiling, heated walls, hi-tech lighting and sound-surround cinema systems, accommodating up to 25 people comfortably.

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Kitchen & dining

The Dining Room

Impressive private dining room easily seating 20 guests with floor-to-ceiling doors leading to a patio area for al-fresco eating with peaceful countryside views. A feature of the room is a double stone wine cave providing space for hundreds of bottles.

The Kitchen

The spacious, hand-built kitchen with composite stone work surfaces looks out onto a large patio area and landscaped meadows. There are two substantial working areas and two sinks with filtration for pure drinking water as well as an island that comfortably seats 10 with counter seating.

Gaggenau appliances throughout including an induction hob, steam oven, oven, warming drawer and refrigerator with electric shelving and freezer.

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Master suite

This vaulted beamed spacious bedroom looks across the south-facing courtyard towards the floodlit swimming pool. The electronic lighting system panel, as installed throughout, controls the entire property allowing interior and exterior lights to be operated from the bedside.

The his and hers oak-lined dressing room has automatic lighting and is opposite the luxurious lime stone en-suite bathroom.

The bathroom has a free standing composite stone bath, walk-in double rain shower, two separate vanity areas with stone sinks as well as his and hers toilets. The owner can relax in this spa-like space and enjoy the very latest audio and television systems.

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Bedrooms

Barnsley Hill Farm has six large luxuriously carpeted bedrooms with original beams; four of these are en-suite with double bathrooms that include separate baths and walk-in showers. All have stunning views and each has its own private access to outside.

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Spa

Comprises a mosaic deck level pool which includes a counter current for a swim workout and hydro jet. A stone hot tub seats eight with adjacent plunge shower. A lime stone steam room with vaulted ceiling and state-of-the-art sauna. There is also a separate changing area and bathroom.

The pool has glass walls on both sides with doors fully opening onto the patio overlooking the copse and gardens. A ventilation system provides glass demisting.

As well as a sound system there is an atmospheric electronic lighting control system.

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Gardens

Surrounded on all sides with landscaped gardens along with two south-facing sun terraces for dining and entertaining, driveways and parking.

There is 200 sq m (2000 sq ft) of agricultural storage building alongside a private drive with lighting in all areas that is both decorative and security conscious. Integral parking space next to the barn.

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Property specification

- Entrance hall

- Open plan living space

- Open plan mezzanine area

- Massage/therapy room

- Spa

- Kitchen

- Dining Room

- Downstairs cloakroom

- Master bedroom suite

- Study

- Utility room

- Rear hallway

- 4 bedrooms with en-suite

- 2 further bedrooms

- Cinema

- 200 sq m agricultural storage area

- Integral parking space

All situated in five acres

House covers 6,000 square metres

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Eco living

Discreetly hidden behind the facade of the mid-17th century barn is one of the most opulent and advanced energy-conserving eco-homes in the UK.

Seasonal heat thermal store - a bank of 20 solar panels feeds into an underground heat storage system for year-round energy supply. Heat that is readily available in the summer - but not required - is stored and used throughout the winter.

Air-tightness - the most misunderstood and the most important aspect of eco-house building is air-tightness. This one measure will reduce energy consumption more than any other, including insulation. We have developed innovative methods of achieving air-tightness throughout the build.

Heat recovery system - we have installed an air system that completely changes the air in the property once every two hours replacing the stale damp air with fresh, warm, dry, filtered air. According to 'Which' magazine, modern homes suffer 10 times more air pollution inside than outside. A heat exchanger ensures the outgoing hot air heats up the incoming fresh air.

Rainwater harvesting system - rainwater is collected from the roofs and fed into a storage tank. This water is fed around the house on a separate circuit to feed loos, washing machine and garden taps.

Sewage treatment plant - this state-of-the-art system turns sewage waste into purified water.

Paul said: "There is a long standing myth around low-carbon house building that achieving luxury is not possible.

"Our advanced technology is at the forefront of energy conservation and is what makes the creation of truly low carbon home possible."

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Technical details

Seasonal heat thermal store - a bank of 20 solar panels feeds into an underground heat storage system for year-round energy supply. Heat that is readily available in the summer - but not required - is stored and used throughout the winter.

Air-tightness - the most misunderstood and the most important aspect of eco house building is air-tightness. This one measure will reduce energy consumption more than any other, including insulation. We have developed innovative methods of achieving air-tightness throughout the build.

Heat recovery system - we have installed an air system that completely changes the air in the property once every two hours replacing the stale damp air with fresh, warm, dry, filtered air. According to 'Which' magazine, modern homes suffer 10 times more air pollution inside than outside. A heat exchanger ensures the outgoing hot air heats up the incoming fresh air.

Air conditioning - the cinema and master suite are air cooled and can be air heated in the winter using an eco efficient air source heat pump.

Space-age insulation - although air-tightness is the most important aspect of the build we still use high integrity insulation throughout.

Under-floor heating - plus our own unique wall heating in places.

Rainwater harvesting system - rainwater is collected from the roofs and fed into a storage tank. This water is fed around the house on a separate circuit to feed loos, washing machine and garden taps.

Sewage treatment plant - this state-of-the-art system turns sewage waste into purified water.

Underground boiler room - all the main plant equipment has been installed in a specially constructed underground boiler room - saves using house space and keeps noise out of the living area.

Amazing Spa - comprising of swimming pool, steam room and sauna, the pool room has a dedicated ventilation system with special vents to keep the glass clear.

Innovative duct systems - an under-floor duct runs from the plant room through the house carrying all the services. It also enables additional items to be future installed. The steam room has heated stone so warm-up time is only few minutes.

Telephone system - a Panasonic digital hybrid ISDN telephone system is installed providing a complete communications system throughout. Phone points and wireless handsets are available in every room.

Home-wide sound system - hi-fi music is available throughout the house.

Hi-tech lighting control system - any group of lights can be controlled from anywhere in the house or even remotely enabling an amazing lighting control system.

Low consumption - specialist lighting with a choice of four moods per room, beautifully lit gardens and swimming pool plus security lighting. Total lighting control from several areas, including the master bedroom. Use of very low consumption lighting in long use areas. For example, the whole rear garden lighting arrangement only consumes the same electricity as one traditional light bulb.

Vola taps - these wonderful Danish taps are used throughout.

Gaggenau appliances - we believe these are the best kitchen appliances available.

Wi-fi and wired computer networks throughout.

Bespoke Kitchen - Stonebee bespoke hand-built kitchen.

Security system - wired for perimeter, CCTV and internal security including electronic gates and customisable to personal requirements.

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Contact

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