I’ll never forget the drive to our Cotswold hideaway – what should’ve been a gentle meander through those rolling hills turned into a comedy of errors. We’d piled into the car from London, kids buzzing in the back with their dog, Monty, sticking his nose out the window like he owned the place. Sat-nav said an hour and a half, but oh no. First, we hit roadworks near Stow-on-the-Wold, crawling along while I drummed my fingers on the wheel, fantasising about cheese rolling down a hill to vent my frustration. Then, Monty decided the service station past Bourton-on-the-Water was the perfect spot for a cheeky escape under the picnic benches, leaving me chasing him across the car park with leads flapping like semaphore flags. By the time we turned off into Little Rissington, I was frazzled, half-expecting the barn to greet us with a broom and a cuppa.

But pulling up to the two private parking spots outside this tucked-away barn conversion on the Church Farm Estate? Pure magic. Nestled in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it felt like we’d stumbled into a postcard. The anticipation had been building – would it live up to the pics? – and blimey, it exceeded them. We tumbled out, bags everywhere, Monty sniffing triumphantly, and stepped into the open-plan living space. It’s all one big, welcoming hug: a well-equipped kitchen begging for family feasts, complete with a dishwasher (saintly after our road-trip crisps carnage). We cracked open a bottle of fizz at the breakfast bar before the kids claimed the sofas for a quick cartoon on the Smart TV.

First impressions? Spot on. After unloading chaos – one suitcase burst open, spilling wellies across the utility room (washing machine and tumble dryer at the ready, thank goodness) – we headed out to explore the 60 acres of land right there. The views are breathtaking, proper rural bliss. The little ones dashed to the children’s play area while we peeked at the nearby equestrian centre, tempted to book a pony trek. Monty approved, tail wagging like a metronome.

Evening kicked off with me in the hot tub, sinking into the bubbles as the sun dipped low, plotting tomorrow’s adventures. Inside, a warming bath sorted the road-weary bones, then we all piled onto the plush sofas for a film night. Bedrooms are a dream – three super-kings, all zip-and-link, one downstairs with its own en-suite shower for lazy mornings, and the other two up top with their en-suites too. Slept like logs.

Waking to birdsong and on-site perks felt like a gift. We wandered with Monty, dreaming of Bourton-on-the-Water’s model village just 2.2 miles away, or a pub lunch in the village. That messy arrival? It made the serenity hit harder. Sometimes life’s little hiccups remind you to slow down and savour. This place was our perfect reset – can’t wait to go back.