In exchange for an honest review, Daily Info was recently invited to spend the night at Kingfisher Barn, a four-star B&B nestled into one of Abingdon’s green vistas.
Kingfisher Barn really did begin as a series of barns - not that you’d know it visiting today. The buildings on site originated as farm buildings but became obsolete by the 1970s - when modern machinery became too large to enter the buildings. The farm was relocated and in 1994, the main stone barn became the host to a multitude of events and activities, from indoor bowling to concerts, and a popular wedding venue. Meanwhile, the cow biers were completely transformed into ten self-contained holiday en-suites, encircling a dainty courtyard.
Abingdon is a cosy and manicured market town six miles from Oxford. There is a village-y warmth and an abundance of stunning buildings, some scenic walks alongside the River Thames, and a smorgasbord of charity shops, independent restaurants, and an excellent indie bookshop called Mostly Books.
The location of Kingfisher Barn really is a marvel. While located only a ten-minute walk from Abingdon centre, the long, unlit road up to it obscures any sense of nearby hustle and bustle. You’re surrounded by farmland, rolling hills and tall trees. By night, thousands of stars glitter overhead.
I first approached the B&B during daylight hours, then left to meet my partner for dinner, returning after dark. There is a large sign at the start of the road, but it is faded and unlit. The B&B itself also has no lit signage. I would say without Google Maps and prior knowledge I would have struggled to find it. However, this does lend it unparalleled tranquility, and a map of the grounds is emailed to guests before their arrival. This is a good place to note there is also a large off-road car park for guests.
Our room, listed as a double, was large and thoughtfully equipped with a desk fan and the hairdryer, and a cot and high chair offered free of charge.
The vibe of the decor was one of ‘rusticness’ in the most polished Anthropologie sense of the word, with wood floors and a sienna-toned throw. Little details - the wall of white exposed brickwork, an abundance of lighting, and a generous bathtub - all impressed me. The cleanliness of the room was impeccable. There was a set of towels for us each.
As mentioned above, these ten en-suites began their lives as a package deal, rented to groups of holiday makers to host their own events, often for weeks at a time. Some of these groups were for people with disabilities and special needs, so as a result, all of the rooms are purpose-built for wheelchair accessibility. All ten suites are ground level, with wide doorways, spacious loos and raised toilets.
There is a television and free Wi-fi in every room. Our mattress felt more on the firm side and was very comfortable.
In terms of amenities, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are all provided, along with a deliciously zesty citrus hand wash. The hot drinks tray is kitted out with tea, coffee and hot chocolate, along with both dairy and soy milk, sugar, and lotus biscoffs for dunking. While thrilled with this spread, I was surprised not to see an artificial sweetener included.
The info pack was helpful - numbers such as the local vet, dentist and doctor - as well as recommendations for the best Abingdon food and drink. In future, it might be nice to also include the map of the grounds in the printed info pack to save the less tech-savvy from having to refer to their emails again (to find the breakfast cabin, for example). Choosing from the list of recommended eateries, we had dinner at The Broad Face, on Ock Street, and were very satisfied with the food, site and service. It’s worth knowing that local restaurants will deliver takeaways as well.
Breakfast was a lovely, extensive continental spread - toast, cereal, pastries, yogurt,fresh and dried fruit. There were gluten-free options available, which I appreciated. Cafetieres and ground coffee were provided so guests could brew their own fresh pots. As with the rooms, the breakfast cabin had a clean-yet-cosy feel, with cheery art prints and half a dozen tables. Guests are also permitted to eat their food in the courtyard, which boasts further seating.
Kingfisher Barn has made personal customer service their USP, and this was our experience. As the staff are all long-term Abingdon residents, they are happy to make further recommendations on local shops and services, as well as call taxis. Both cats and dogs are very much allowed at Kingfisher, although this is charged at £25 per pet per night. As each ensuite has a private entrance with a key. Kingfisher also operates an entirely contactless check-in and check-out policy, making late-night arrival a breeze.
Kingfisher Barn is both a lush long weekend getaway and close enough to Abingdon centre to make it easy for business travelers and single-night stays. The B&B truly has something for everyone, with all the amenities and conveniences of a central Oxford hotel, at a similar if not slightly better price (rooms generally range from £75-100 per night), with the added benefit of a beautiful country backdrop. This writer will be a repeat guest.