Gilboa Barn | Customer Reviews

Guest Reviews

We freely admit, we never grow tired of hearing our guests say how happy they have been, here at Gilboa Barn ...

Feel free to add your own review here.

Kerrie R

13-01-2019

Awesome House
We stayed here 28th December to 1st January and couldn't have asked for a better house to see in the New Year together. The house is just awesome, very comfortable, stylish, spacious and clean. We had 6 children in our group whom we hardly saw as they were so entertained with table tennis, trampoline and a pool table, it was bliss, if the kids are happy, the parents are happy! Due to great weather we even managed a dip in the hot tub which was heavenly. I would highly recommend this house, Fiona is a great host, and has great attention to detail, there was nothing that she hadn't thought of to make our stay extra special. Beautiful house, beautiful surroundings.

Rosie Smith

25-12-2018

Christmas Review
We had a wonderful time. Gilboa barn was so warm and comfortable and we were able to relax completely..Our ages ranged from 13 -79 but there were games and extras which suited everyone. The hot tub was bliss and as we had no rain we were able to use the other outdoor facilities like table tennis and football for the boys. We also appreciated the keyboard and guitars although the boys had brought their own instruments so we had quite a band !! The beds were so comfortable and much appreciated by all. Fiona had tastefully decorated the rooms and Christmas tree which gave it all the wow factor!

I had kept the venue secret so it was such a wonderful surprise for them all. The lovely well equipped kitchen was, as in all good homes , the focal point, and the variety of Christmas pyjamas at breakfast time was amazing. Great to have an Aga too. Tamsin Lapage came in one evening and cooked us a superb meal which we all enjoyed. All in all it was a most successful time and I received some lovely thank you letters from the younger members of the group....praise indeed! So a big thank you to Fiona and her team . Happy New Year to you all. Rosie Smith

Martin de F

25-11-2018

We had a perfect stay at Gilboa Barn
The house is very nicely decorated and fully equipped. There is an amazing kitchen allowing to cook large meals. The perfect country retreat! We will be back!

Clare

28-10-2018

Highly recommend. Great for 12+. Very well-appointed. Kitchen very well-equipped. Loved it.
This is a beautiful home in a beautiful setting. Immaculately clean, well equipped kitchen, plenty of crockery, plates, wine & champagne glasses for large groups, plenty of hot water, good heating, stylish furnishings, thoughtful provisions provided by Fiona, the lovely host... highly recommend Gilboa Barn. We were a party of 12 aged 7-80!! And we all loved it!! Hot tub, table football, small pool table, outside space for football & rugby, trampoline... book it now.

Trevor & Dee

21-10-2018

Perfect accommodation for a family gathering
14 of us ranging from 9 to, let’s just say, "over 50" stayed for a long week and we couldn’t have improved on anything from first to last. Fiona was friendly and helpful throughout the booking process: taking care of everything from the directions to ensuring the food delivery scheduled the day before our arrival was put away.

The property itself was lovely. Immaculate decor with plenty of space to spread out, but also communal rooms large enough to cope with everyone spending time together. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into a number of little touches: robes in the rooms, big fluffy towels for the hot tub and a comprehensively equipped kitchen all added to the enjoyment of our stay.

The location is great, too. Off the beaten track and yet within walking distance of at least one welcoming pub and only a few minutes away from Malmesbury and Tetbury, both of which are well worth a few hours of mooching.

All told a marvelous place to stay for a large group.
Trevor & Dee

Jennie

12-10-2018

Incredible barn and amazing and helpful host!
What an absolutely fantastic barn, absolutely beautiful surroundings, and just amazing attention to detail! Fiona, the Host has thought of absolutely everything, from towels dedicated to the hot tub, tea and coffee, robes, complimentary champagne, plastic glasses for outside... there was everything you could wish for. Plenty of bedrooms, so much space, loads of bathrooms and even more toilets. Clean, tidy, luxurious furnishings. Fiona and her team even put away with Sainsbury's shop that I had delivered the day before! Fiona was just a delight to deal with, so nice and friendly and always replied to messages quickly!! I had an amazing hen weekend with 14 of us in total. We used the hot tub (a lot!), had a lazer clay pigeon shooting company come and set up in the grounds, and had a little party on the Saturday evening. It was relaxing and fun and everything I could have wanted. Also some great pubs in the surrounding villages and easy to get taxis there. We went to Malmesbury for lunch on the Saturday's, to the Smoking Dog, which was fab! Thank you for the incredible barn and making it easy and fun to book and everything else!! Jennie xx

Simeon H

05-10-2018

AbFab weekend stay for a family wedding.
Without doubt Gilboa Barn is the most fabulous place to stay. We used it as a family HQ for our son's wedding. Gilboa's owner has thought of everything beautifully comfortable furnishings, well equipped kitchen, everything you could possibly want and more. We used all 14 spaces and had another 6 for dinner and there was still plenty of space. Even quiet areas for anxious best men and the groom to perfect their speeches. Our only regrets were that the weather was lousy and we didn't have the opportunity to use the hot tub...1st world problem! Fiona is the most welcoming host and is highly efficient when it comes to communication. The detailed description on the website is very accurate ..all the facilities were exactly as stated and once confirmed the very precise directions on how to find it left nothing to chance. All the family raved about how comfortable and spacious the place is and how it's the perfect venue for such a gathering. A real home from home. If you are reading this and wondering if you should book it....STOP wondering...Look no further...Just book it before someone else does. You won't regret it.

Steve H

27-09-2018

Great stay
Fabulous place for a large group of friends or family to spend a relaxing weekend with also plenty to do if you fancy it.

Samantha Tunstill

10-09-2018

Went for a 60th birthday weekend, Had an absolutely fabulous time, Gilboa Barn was perfect for our celebration, 10 adults and 4 children. Fiona could not have been more helpful, nothing was too much trouble, and would love to go back and do it all again!!

We took the opportunity to use one of the private chefs Fiona recommended for our special occasion and the dining hall was such a lovely environment to enjoy it

Gilboa barn definitely had the wow factor and was very well presented, lovely and clean. Would totally recommend to anyone looking for a luxury stay in a beautiful location, 5 stars all the way!!

Sue Papaspyru

02-09-2018

We have had a fantastic three nights at Fiona' beautiful property, Gilboa Barn. This was a Familymoon for the bride and groom and her brother who flew with his family from Sydney, Australia and her sister with her husband and family plus the brides' mum and dad. It was a wonderful reunion for us all and a great chance to spend quality time together.

The resources at Gilboa Barn are excellent and the kitchen is well equipped. Fiona showed us round which was very helpful and encouraged us to use everything. The property is very comfortable and there is plenty of room. We all slept well. We made excellent use of the outdoor area and used the BBQ, the football pitch, table tennis table and the trampoline. Our two toddlers and four year old showed a lot more stamina than the adults at jumping. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub with a glass of bubbly in the evening.

Fiona was really helpful, kind and considerate of our needs. She provided an extensive list of activities, caterers, restaurants etc. in the area before we arrived. This proved really useful.

We would all thoroughly recommend the property.

Oliver Hassell

31-08-2018

Our group of friends
(13 adults in their late 20’s, 1 baby and 1 dog) have just enjoyed a fantastic 3 night stay at Gilboa Barn.

Fiona has been an absolute pleasure to deal with from the moment we first enquired through to the moment we checked out. All of our questions were answered swiftly in the run up to check-in, including where to have lunch before our arrival.

Upon arrival, Gilboa Barn more than lived up to our expectations and we were provided with a bottle of champagne on ice. We were shown around by Julie, the housekeeper, who was very welcoming and introduced everything we’d need to know. There are a lot of things included with the barn, such as the: hot tub; kitchen essentials (herbs & spices, milk, oil, etc); bikes & helmets; walking and cycling maps; outdoor games (badminton, cricket, croquet etc); complimentary flip flops and dressing gowns; BBQ; fire pit and where to find extra wood; additional towels for the hot tub; how to use the bluetooth speaker systems in lounge and dining room; etc., etc. - the list goes on!

Our group enjoyed several activities at the house, with only one couple taking bikes out to explore the area; it simply didn’t feel necessary to leave when we had everything we needed and more.

The garden offers a large open space where we played various ball games, plus enjoyed the table tennis table and a trampoline. A large part of each day was spent outside; the space meant you could enjoy a quiet drink or come together in teams for a competitive, scored rounder's match. The baby was also easily kept away from certain activities but still able to enjoy the outdoors.

The kitchen is fully equipped and it was lovely to have an Aga in addition to an electric hob and oven. The space allowed us to prepare large meals, where several of the group could stand around the central island to prepare food whilst the rest set the table. We were able to arrange a food delivery for the hour after our arrival and this was easily stored in the fridges and freezers (even though we’d over ordered on almost everything). We partly picked Gilboa Barn because it looked like the dining room would be ideal for our group size and we were right - the dining table and room were perfect.

Each couple had a beautifully decorated bedroom which offered privacy and comfort. A single adult, a late addition that Fiona happily accommodated, enjoyed a single bed cleverly made up in an area that can easily be called a bedroom - again offering privacy and comfort. Everyone was very happy with their rooms (when in other properties on previous holidays this hasn’t been the case).

When leaving Gilboa Barn, the cleaners arrived on schedule and were happy for us to continue using the living areas whilst cars were packed and they tended to the bedrooms etc. It was a pleasure to meet Fiona in person and tell her how much we’d enjoyed her wonderful property.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gilboa Barn!

Jodie Koch

12-08-2018

A group of my family / friends stayed in Gilboa Barn 10-12 August, and we could not have been more pleased or impressed with the beautiful house and wonderful service from Fiona. Fiona helped us through every step of the way with directions, requests, suggestions and even allowing us to stay past our check-out times when trains were cancelled. The house is absolutely stunning and even the babies and toddlers had such fun exploring the house and grounds and the outdoor activities! We enjoyed BBQ's, log fires in the pit outside in the evenings, and even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits! Fiona ensured that our stay was perfect and the small extras such as robes in each room, fresh towels, a fully equipped kitchen and large communal spaces were an absolute joy to make sure our stay was just what we needed. I would highly recommend staying at Gilboa Barn and we are looking to book again next year! Jodie Koch

The Wagstaff family

28-07-2018

Just perfect for my 80th Birthday Celebration
We had a wonderful weekend at Gilboa Barn. Everything was perfect and the house was exactly as described in every way. Fiona was really kind and so helpful from the beginning of booking the house to the moment we left. She greeted us at the door with a bottle of champagne and showed us all around the house and the facilities. We were very lucky with the weather and made full use of the football pitch, table tennis and badminton sets which kept the whole family happy. The highlight was the "hot tub" where we sat drinking champagne under the stars. Altogether a wonderful way to enjoy my 80th birthday with the entire family in lovely surroundings and many thanks to Fiona for making this happen.

Chloe Stone

24-07-2018

Wonderful stay! We had such a wonderful stay at Gilboa Barn! Fiona was really efficient and responsive with communication leading up to the weekend and kindly greeted us with bubbles on arrival - the perfect start to the weekend! The house and grounds were gorgeous and perfect for our large group - it had all the amenities we needed and we made good use of the large hot tub! Fiona had given thought to all the small details we might need - from lanterns for the garden, cosy dressing gowns, to flip flops for the hot tub. We’d love to return!

Chris and Anne

21-07-2018

Celebratory weekend at Gilboa Barn
We stayed for a long weekend to celebrate our Ruby Wedding Anniversary at the end of July 2018. The facilities were ideal for our whole family of four generations and two dogs. Nothing was too much trouble for the owner, Fiona Walsh and our every need was catered for in a very thoughtful way. We had a superb time there and would definitely stay there again.

Kirstine (& Lynz’s Hens)

19-07-2018

Five star top notch stay at Gorgeous Gilboa! We had THE best weekend for my sister's hen do at Gilboa Barn! Fiona was absolutely brilliant from the moment we made contact - so easy to deal with and extremely helpful. Fiona sorted the taxi for us, Tetbury Minibuses were fab and we had a brilliant night in Bristol. Pride weekend made for an awesome atmosphere!

What can I say about this amazing house?! It was just perfect for the hen do, there was eleven of us in total and there was plenty of room for everyone. We were blessed with beautiful weather so made use of the beautiful outdoor spaces and trampoline! We enjoyed FIVE STAR luxury, spotlessly clean, champagne chilling in the fridge when we arrived and everything you could ever want or need has been thought of! Fiona had even put a celebratory helium balloon up for our hen in the kitchen! The hot tub was fabulous and certainly well used! We did a dance class for our hen do activity with First Steps Dance and hired Lea Village Hall just ten minutes away from Gilboa so would definitely recommend both as it was a lot of fun!

Thank you again for helping to make my sister's hen do so fabulous, we had such a lot of fun and the house was a major part of this (the 'L' party which was hosted in the kitchen and living room went down an absolute treat (the hen dressed as Lisa Simpson, we had a couple of Lara Croft's, a lumberjack and a lamp partying with us!) and I can vouch that the island in the kitchen makes for an ideal Prosecco Pong table!

We all absolutely loved Gilboa Barn and would absolutely recommend for any occasion, from a big family get together, to a weekend away with your friends, you'll find it's perfect. There has already been talk of a hen do reunion or 40th birthday bash so I'm really hoping to be back in the not too distant future!

Shauna S

09-07-2018

Fabulous Barn, everything so perfect The Barn is simply stunning. It has been decorated so beautifully and yet is extremely homey and cosy. The main bedroom is so luxurious, we wanted to move in permanently. This is 5* accommodation

Sasha W

06-07-2018

Fantastic Barn I booked Gilboa Barn for the weekend of my sister’s hen do and it could not have been more perfect. The house was immaculate and had everything that we could possibly need. The rooms were beautiful and the setting was fantastic; wonderfully private. The hot tub was a huge hit and we had great time exploring the surrounding area. Fiona could not have been more helpful with everything from booking enquiries to caterers - she was fantastic. I would strongly recommend Gilboa Barn for anyone organising a group break in the beautiful Cotswolds countryside.

Steven

20-06-2018

Fantastic property, would recommend to anyone
A group of 12 of us stayed for 2 nights. The owner (Fiona) was great, she was in touch regularly before hand to make sure we had directions and everything we needed. We were greeted by Julie who was very helpful, showing us around, making sure we knew how everything worked and providing information on what is around the area (places to walk, nearest pub etc).
The property is great, it's spacious and well equipped for big groups. The kitchen was big and had everything you would need, crockery and glasses, condiments, 2 large fridges and Fiona also provides milk, bread and a bottle of champagne! There is also a large dinning table in the next room.
Bedrooms were all spacious enough and there are plenty of beds throughout them. Fiona will do her best to make up the rooms to suit in terms of singles and doubles which is great for a groups such as our which were a mix of couples and singles.
There are plenty of outdoor games/sports equipment to go along with the table tennis, trampoline, pool table etc and a good outdoor seating area with the BBQ. There are also extra towels and flip flops provided for when you use the hot tub, dressing gowns and Bluetooth speakers around the house which were really nice touches that you wouldn't necessary expect but make a big difference.
All of our group had a great weekend and would recommend renting Gilboa Barn. We will hopefully be coming back next year..

Caroline S

17-06-2018

Amazing! Perfect for a family celebration.
Gilboa Barn is an amazing place to stay. We had a 40th birthday weekend there and it was perfect from start to finish. We had a great welcome from Fiona who showed us round the barn which is full of character and has everything you need. Lovely touches such as a bottle of bubbly, robes and crisp linen.
Everyone had a fantastic weekend, so much to do from adults to kids alike, particular favourites were the trampoline, football pitch, table tennis and Hot Tub! It was really relaxing and really felt like we'd got away from it all for the weekend. All Fiona's recommendations were great, from Tamsin the caterer who did us and Indian-themed BBQ to the local pub lunch at the Potting Shed. Cannot recommend this enough and we hope to come back one day!
Thank you from us all! - Caroline S.