High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city
Located 8 miles west of Cambridge, in the Cambridgeshire village of Bourn, The Bull Pen is a high quality build designed to keep a feel for its history and location. It is a comfortable and peaceful place with open space indoors and outside for friends and families to enjoy. All the rooms look across traditional pasture with mature oak and ash trees, hedgerow and then arable fields beyond. It is ideal for a holiday combining 'time in' the city and 'time-out' of the city! Traveling into Cambridge is easy; there is a Park&Ride bus station just 10 minutes drive away.
The main kitchen/dinning/living area - Open plan with floor-to-ceiling windows and a vaulted ceiling with steel beams. The new kitchen is well equipped and has a large oven/grill, electric hob, microwave and fridge. There is a comfortable dining area and lounge area for up to 6 adults with Smart TV. For warmer days there are French Doors leading to a patio and a garden snug area to enjoy the outdoor space and BBQ. And for cooler winter days, The Bull Pen is cosy with constant thermostatic underfloor heating and large triple glazed windows so you can still enjoy the view of grass, trees and big sky.
Snug room with Smart TV and sofa - This room is also where the laundry facilities are: washing machine, tumble dryer and drying area. The Snug room has a double sofa bed and blackout curtains so could also be used as an additional bedroom for one extra guest to sleep and would be sharing the shower room with guests in bedroom 3 (extra bedding cost per stay £40). The snug room is also suitable for a travel cot ( extra cost per stay £10).
Bedroom 1 (first floor) with ensuite: a spiral staircase leads to the master bedroom with a kingsize bed with large velux windows to watch the night sky. There is also a Smart TV and an en-suite bathroom (with shower in bath) N.B this room is similar to a mezzanine, there is no door between the hall and bedroom but it is private. A single folding bed suitable for a child can be added in this room on request (extra charge per stay £40)
Bedroom 2 (ground floor) with ensuite wet room- super kingsize double bed/or twin 3ft single beds (adjustable electric & massage), vaulted ceiling with fan and en-suite wet room. French Doors open to a patio area. This room is also suitable to anyone needing easy access with no steps and has wide doors through to the main living area.
Bedroom 3 - (ground floor) also a twin or double; two single beds will link/zip together to make a king size double. A compact room but with a very comfortable bed, and has an ensuite shower room and a private adjoining Snug room with sofa & Smart T.V.
Special features: Ground floor bedrooms with no steps, low thresholds. Quiet with lovely views and big sky, good walking routes. Three lovely places to eat in the village; Country restaurant/bar , quality Indian food and Cafe for brunch/lunch, and also a butchers with farm shop Wifi throughout building - ( fibre broadband - download speed 70 Mbps) Easy access – 2 parking spaces (plus overflow for 3+ cars), no steps and low thresholds (2 low steps onto patio area only)
Outdoor space: Terrace with bistro table and 6 chairs Garden snug with large corner sofa (+ fire pit or heat lamp available on request) BBQ and large dining table with 6 chairs 3 seater garden swing
Families with young children - We are a working arable farm with occasional machinery working in the adjacent farm yard and also some cattle in the meadow. We welcome all family members, but for safety reasons, The Bull Pen is ideal for families with older children (7+) or babes in arms. If you have a young family and are unfamiliar with farm safety, please call me to discuss your needs and to check suitability for a safe & enjoyable stay.
Available on request for the little ones: Bed rail for one of the single beds Travel cot (£10 per stay) fits in well in Snug room next to bedroom 3 or in bedroom 1. Single folding bed+bedding (£20 per stay). to fit in to bedroom 1 High chair&plastic dining set (free) Stair gate for bottom of spiral staircase (free)
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Welcome,but caution needed as next to working farm
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside only
Families with young children are very welcome but for safety we request that children are kept under adult supervision at all times. Thank you, Sally
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Cambridge
Located in Cambridge, this holiday home is in a rural area. Wimpole Estate and Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Cambridgeshire Golf Club and Cambridge Lakes Golf Course. Travelling with kids? Consider Comberton Leisure, or check out an event or a game at Fenner's. Practise your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as hiking/biking trails in the area.
Imperial War Museum Duxford - 21 min drive - 28.4 km
Getting around
Royston Station - 17 min drive
Cambridge (CBG) - 18 min drive
Restaurants
Courtyard Cafe - 9 min drive
McDonald's - 7 min drive
The Old Rectory Restaurant - 15 min drive
La Pergola - 10 min drive
The Three Horseshoes - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city?
As of 12 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city on 12 April 2026 start from NZ$634, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is High quality barn conversion near Cambridge to enjoy countryside & city located?
Located in a rural location, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Comberton Leisure, Wimpole Estate, and Croydon Village Hall. Hilton Turf Maze and University of Cambridge are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Wonderful lodging- cannot say enough about how great this place was! Even with no AC there was lots of air circulation that kept things very pleasant - we didn’t even need the fans provided in each room. Kids loved seeing the cattle and accommodation was very quiet but close to what you might need. Recommended pubs were also very good!
Had a lovely stay with family for a post Christmas and birthday get together.Accommodation was amazing with everything we needed.Highly recommend, thanks Sally
Samantha O.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Adam
19 January 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Had a fantastic weekend with friends. Perfect property for a break near Cambridge. Location was close to Cambridge, close to supermarket and pub. Hosts were very helpful in providing information on things to do in the area and were very accommodating. Would happily go back
A spacious, comfortable, well-equipped cottage with high end appliances and everything we could possibly need to make our stay easy and comfortable. Communicating with Sally was easy and she responded quickly. All in all, a great experience.
We were very fortunate to come across The Bull Pen and really loved all the attention to detail and the help we were given. Thank you so… much. We will stay again, if at all possible!
Marion C.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you Marion and I hope we welcome you to The Bull Pen again one day😊
We had a wonderful stay in this magnificent barn which was furnished and equipped to an outstanding level. We have stayed in many properties over the years and this is up there as one of the best we have stayed in.
We had a very relaxing stay and enjoyed a fabulous meal at one of the local restaurants that was a short walk away which was a bonus.
The property is in a great location with easy access in to Cambridge itself via the park and ride a short drive away.
Andrew L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you for your lovely review: it’s great to hear your meal at The Willow Tree was successful, and that the Park&Ride was east to use. Sally
You won’t find a better place to stay if you’re looking to stay in the Cambridgeshire countryside. The Bullpen is beautifully located on the owners’ farm. The property is spacious, immaculately maintained, and very well equipped. Sally was very helpful in making our stay a wonderful one and was very responsive to our questions. The location is convenient for getting to Cambridge, and having a supermarket 5 minutes away was very convenient. A wonderful place to stay!
The Bull pen is perfectly located for exploring the Cambridge area especially IWM Duxford. The building itself is fitted out above and beyond what you would expect.
This was completed by the incredible welcome and support of Sally.
Never head any farm noise....honest.
The weekend started with a lovely warm welcome from Sally the owner. Sally had earlier provided really useful information about the local eating places. We had a family gathering with members from across the country. The Barn is cosy, comfortable, clean, everything was as described online. We had a fantastic weekend. One to enjoy.
Paul L.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you Paul and I’m so pleased you all had a lovely weekend. I hope you enjoyed your visit to Duxford too👍
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Frances M.
12 June 2017
Fantastic property. I would highly recommend.
The Bull Pen was a wonderful location for a family get away. Everything you could need has been thought of and you can just arrive and relax. The fact that two bedrooms are on the ground floor, each with an ensuite bathroom make it ideal for people who cannot manage the stairs for any reason. If you can climb the spiral staircase the bedroom upstairs is beautiful. (Also with its own bathroom). Easy access from the M11 and close to Cambridge. Lots to see in the area too.
Frances M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you for staying at The Bull Pen Frances; you will be very welcome guests if you are ever need to visit Cambridgeshire again. All the best, Sally
Our stay at the Bullpen was exceptional. The facilities were comprehensive, the accommodation outstandingly clean and comfortable. Quite honestly the reality is better than the photos! the outlook was rural but Cambridge was in easy reach.
~It was great to know our hosts were nearby but their presence was certainly not intrusive at any time.
We would certainly stay again - Thank you.
Paul N.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you for such a lovely review Paul.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Robert T.
28 March 2017
A real treat
There was only one major problem with our stay at the Bull Pen - it was only for two nights! We were staying to attend a wedding in Cambridge with my 94 year old father so the downstairs bedrooms, wet room and adjustable beds were a real plus. The property was superbly decorated and one of the best appointed properties we have stayed in. We did not regret for a moment that we weren't staying in the posh hotel where the wedding reception took place, the Bull Pen was to an even higher standard. The Netflix access was an unexpected treat and the welcome pack one of the best. Combine all this with very friendly and helpful hosts and the Bull Pen is extremely hard to fault.
Robert T.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you Robert for your lovely review; we like being compared to the posh hotel :) Glad to hear you enjoyed the Netflix too!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Mike K.
7 June 2017
Superb accommodation in a tranquil rural setting but close to the beautiful city of Cambridge
This property certainly has the 'wow' factor. Every room is immaculate with everything anyone would want for a self catering holiday. Sally is a delightful host and ensured we had everything we needed to ensure an enjoyable stay. The outlook onto fields with the resident bull, two cows and two bullocks added to the restful tranquility The Bull Pen and the pretty village of Bourn instilled in us. Cambridge itself is a beautiful city which I would liken to York but perhaps on a bigger scale. We are not ones who return often to properties we have stayed in but The Bull Pen is an exception to this self imposed rule. We would love to return to experience, again, the peaceful and restful surroundings of The Bull Pen. Highly recommended.
Mike K.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you for such a lovely review; I'm please that Cambridge wasn't too busy for you, it can get a bit popular through the summer. We would love to welcome you back to the Bull Pen for another short break; maybe to tempt you, a visit to Bletchley Park or The Henry Moore Foundation would be of interest to you! all the best, Sally
Couldn’t of been more perfect for my Sisters Hen Do
I made my booking with Sally and Nick quite far in advance as it was for my Sisters hen do and they were so helpful from start to finish. Sally gave me ALL the recommendations, local walks, spa’s, restaurants, bars, transport, clear details of the accommodation, I knew I’d booked the right place from the first message because she was so detailed and thorough, I even made a comment to family that I’d write them a glowing review already without even staying! Sally even went out of her way to put an order in for some milk to take some of the hen do stress off of me, and nothing else was needed, the place was fully stocked with tea bags, coffee pods etc when we arrived. The accommodation itself was stunning, 6 of us stayed and there was so much space we didn’t feel on top of one another at all, it was so clean, plenty of towels, bathroom products, cleaning products (even some stain remover which saved my jacket!), a beautiful view and ample parking. Sally checked in a couple of times during our stay and made the whole process and stay so relaxed. I couldn’t recommend highly enough and whilst we were there even spoke about booking again in the future! Thank you Sally & Nick
Olivia S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Charlie R.
23 August 2016
Luxurious accommodation with lots of attention to detail. Stunning!
We fell in love with the Bullpen just looking at the pictures online. In reality it was even better. The barn sits inbetween the working arable farm and the owners house. It is built on what was a barn/chicken coop but it is a new build and very contemporary version of a barn.
You enter through the front door (at the back) to a hallway with shoe storage, metal spiral staircase and door leading to a double bedroom. This room does have a bathroom which can be used but you have to go through the utility room which is made available to any of the farmers (on paper this sounds intrusive but we never saw any; it didn't invade our privacy). From the hallway there is an amazing open plan kitchen, dining and front room with a wall of windows. Clever blinds ensure you can control the light and privacy. This space is airy and modern and equipped with ceiling fans etc. Off from the living space is a gorgeous bedroom with rainfall shower ensuite. The master bedroom is up the spiral staircase and is just fabulous with a large number of Windows, dressing area and wonderful ensuite.
Sally, the owner was there to welcome us and showed us around the property. She is thorough and has very high expectations of the service she delivers and that you have the best stay possible. It is her attention to detail which shines through; blackout blinds throughout, games and books, smart TVs, two beds with electronic controls, condiments and a starter pack, utensils and gadgets for the kitchen to make the stay homely.
We have stayed in a number of holiday lets and this was by far the best. Even our 3 kids (4,6&10) were chuffed!
Charlie R.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 24 September 2023
Thank you Charlie and family for being great guests and for their lovely and helpful feedback. Sally
With a vehicle, this was the perfect spot for a few day visit to Cambridge for our party of four adults. Super inviting, immaculately clean, and quite thoughtfully prepared. Would highly, highly recommend! 10/10!
We had an excellent stay in Bourn at the bullpen and would highly recommend. The property itself is well thought out and very comfortable, the location is incredible, loved waking up to the bull/cows nearby. Five stars.
Everything you need to have a break and all your home comforts
This is our 2nd time staying at the Bull Pen, something we've not done before. It felt wonderfully familiar and yet we had new places to explore. The farm shop has some excellent choices for eating 'at home'. Sally goes out of her way to make you feel welcome, but equally leaves you free to enjoy the space. Recommend for friend and family stays.
La propiedad mejor equipada que hemos visitado nunca. Ideal para familias.
Buena ubicación para organizar desde allí visitas a la zona de Cambridgeshire y más (estuvimos también en Oxford, Silverstone…) Fuimos una familia de 5: casa amplia, muy bien equipada, con todos los detalles imaginables. Zona muy tranquila. La atención por parte de Sally fue estupenda. Muy recomendable.
Lovely break away with friends, the property was beautiful and was the perfect choice for a brief 3 day getaway. Cambridge was easily accessible but the property also gave us the feeling of been out of the city and in beautiful country surroundings with a lovely village just down the road as well!
Lovely property and fantastic hosts. The property was spacious and suitable for our family catch up with wonderful views of the fields and cows. The kitchen was well equipped and there was a very cosy feel to the whole property. Will definitely be staying in the future.
Amelia A.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2021
About the host
Hosted by Sally and Nick Charter
Sally and Nick live on site in the farmhouse at Chapman's Farm. We have both always live in Cambridgeshire and know the area very well. We enjoy the outdoors and when we're not working, we like to run or cycle round the local footpaths and bridleways, or go scuba diving round the British coast. The farm is an arable farm but we also, usually have a few cattle in the meadow near the farm to enjoy and to keep the meadow grass mown.
Why they chose this property
The Bull Pen was convert from an Old Bull Pen barn into holiday accommodation in 2016. The original building was built by Nick's great granddad 'Alex Charter' to shelter the farm bull. The barn's use has changed over the years from bull pen to piggery to chicken shed, and then when the farm no longer kept livestock, it became a store shed for tractors and tools. Now that the barn has been converted into a home, it is starting its next stage in the history of The Bull Pen. Hopefully Great Granddad, who was part of the new era of steam engine tractors, would approve of the new enterprise ;)
What makes this property unique
The Bull Pen is a high quality model build with modern fixtures&fittings, good insulation and heating, and big triple glazed windows for light and the view. Designed to keep a feel for its history as a working farm building. Each of the 3 bedrooms leads off from the central main living area . A peaceful spot which provides an opportunity to explore the open countryside from the doorstep. The location is ideal to combine 'time in' the city (parking for the park&ride bus into Cambridge is 10 mins. away) and 'time-out' of the city!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests