Prospect Barn is an award-winning Dutch Barn conversion located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north Cotswolds countryside, just six miles to the east of Cheltenham. The conversion of this redundant Dutch Barn, one of the first of its kind to be converted to residential living in this country, has been set within the footprint of its former farmland for over 60 years. The design was conceived and executed by the British Architect Ed Pack, of Pack Associates, for his parents and is a contemporary reflection of the post-war vernacular agricultural buildings in the area. Reaching completion in 2005, it has since won at least two awards: Best Conversion, Daily Telegraph/Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and Best UK Architecture (single unit) UK Property Awards.

The house sits in a secluded position, with the formal entrance located at the front of the building, facing the village. The rear of the building looks out over open farmland. The internal living areas are built to impressive proportions, with nine double-height panels of glazing, to the rear, transforming the quality of light and the spatial experience for the entire house. Careful interior planning and strategic placement of the external timber cladding ensures privacy, whilst allowing light to flood through the dramatic voids and curved ceilings throughout the building.

The internal accommodation, which measures 2,583 sqft arranged across two storeys, is introduced by an exceptionally light entrance hall, with ceiling heights of over two and a half metres and a dramatic curved staircase as its centrepiece. A bespoke modern kitchen sits to the left of the entrance hall, with polished stainless-steel central islands fitted with Neff and Miele appliances and the added convenience of a centralised vacuuming system.

A bright dining room area is positioned to one end of the kitchen, with level access directly out to the patio and outside seating area. On the opposite side of the entrance hall, a spacious and light living room leads through to what is currently set up as a library and study, but with a sliding room divider and attached bathroom, this space is occasionally used as a fourth bedroom.  A fully equipped utility room is also located on the ground floor.

The full-height glazing stretches up to the upper floor; a generous landing room providing a second workspace. This area opens up onto a glass fronted balcony offering far reaching southerly views across the surrounding open countryside. The opposite side of this landing hall offers views down across the neighbouring ancient settlement.

The master bedroom sits to one side of the upper floor and has its own adjoining bathroom and a separate walk-in closet. A second bedroom, with its own bathroom, sits on the opposite side of the landing hall. The third bedroom, with ensuite bathroom, has an interlinked study room (currently used for sewing) with a beautiful woodland view.

A Cotswold stone wall, built from the excavated material in the grounds, forms the boundary of the immediate curtilage, enclosing a beautifully landscaped garden with well-established herbaceous borders, pleached hornbeams, lavender and beech and yew hedging. To the village side of the house there is a mature apple and damson orchard and to the rear, on the lower tiers, a timber frame glass house and garden store. A double garage, a more recent addition to the property, is almost invisible from the roadside, with its curved roof following the contours of the sloping land.

The name Shipton means ‘Cattle Enclosure’ or ‘Sheep Farm’ and the village itself lies in a fold of the Cotswolds, with both The Gloucestershire Way (a long-distance footpath) and the river Coln running through it. Neighbouring Andoversford has a good selection of schools, a popular local pub and a village shop for basic amenities.

For a broader selection of shops, restaurants, cultural events and travel links, Cheltenham is reachable by car in 15 minutes, with rail connections from Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington in two hours. The city of Oxford is 30 miles east.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.