A Tale of Two Horse Boxes – Part 2
With this title you’d be forgiven for wondering where the second horse box comes into it, so here we go with more from our friend:
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Standing next to The Swallow is a second, smaller horse box (like the type you see towed on the roads) which houses the composting toilet and the shower. The shower area is huge with a rainfall shower head and piping hot water from the gas powered shower unit. You can change the temperature and the water flow to suit everyone and the big window by the shower makes it a special experience looking out across the field. There are sometimes cows in the field next to The Swallow, and although there weren’t any while I was there I bet they get curious about what’s going on in there!
There’s a washing up area outside the bathroom facilities and then at the other end of the pitch is a raised fire pit with a table and chairs for relaxing by in the evening. There is a grill to go over the pit if you like barbecuing but it’s lovely just to sit round it with a cold drink and take in the peace and tranquillity. The radio provided came in very handy for some music and a sense of “company” on my solo trip.
A short walk away lays an old church – Leigh Old Chancel. It’s actually just part of a church (the rest got moved elsewhere in 1896) and is looked after by the Churches Conservation Trust and Andy, the farmer and owner of The Swallow. If you’re into wildlife and plants, this is a must-see as there are over 60 species of rare plants in the churchyard, plus bats roosting in the roof.
There are several lovely Cotswold villages nearby as well as lots of walking routes and wildlife spotting to be done on the farm and at the nearby nature reserve. Andy will give you a farm tour and some tips on the best places to go and visit and this is well worth it, as I was lucky enough to see some gorgeous new born calves on my visit.
The Swallow is perfect for relaxing and getting away from it all. The setting is really peaceful – you’re tucked away in the corner of a field but you get the afternoon and evening sun directly onto the deck which warms The Swallow up nicely – no need to light the fire. It’s off grid, so the hot water comes from gas bottles, the lighting (and charging point for a phone or tablet) runs off solar power and the toilet is a composting, separating type which works really well to keep the whole place off-grid and free of distractions from the modern world. I did take my laptop to watch a film in the evening, and as I didn’t need to light the log burner it turned out to be the perfect place to set the laptop screen up while I lounged on the sofa.
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We think The Swallow sounds like a great place for a truly switched-off relaxation break with plenty of things to do and see in the local area. If you’re looking for something a bit different, you would do well to choose this two-horse box beauty and have a really magical, unwinding holiday.
