Soho Farmhouse Booking: Everything You Need to Know
If you live in the UK, you’ll most likely have heard of Soho Farmhouse. From the Soho House group, it’s one of the best places to stay in The Cotswolds.
Located just outside Great Tew and set across 100 acres of countryside, it’s the kind of place you visit and never want to leave – they have everything you could want from a hotel.
I checked in at the start of the year with my Mum and we both came away in agreement that it’s the best place we’ve stayed. With a pool, cinema, gym, cowshed spa and 5 onsite restaurants, it’s easy to see why.
Getting to Soho Farmhouse
The easiest way to get to Soho Farmhouse is definitely by car. There’s free onsite parking a short walk from the main farm. Don’t fancy walking? There’s milk floats that run between the car park and the Main Barn to escort you.
If you don’t have a car, get the train into Charlbury station and then jump in a taxi. The train journey takes around an hour from London followed by a 15 minute drive.
I’ve written a more in-depth guide to getting to Soho Farmhouse depending on where you’re travelling from, and whether you’re driving or taking public transport.
First impressions
Good service is at the heart of your visit, and I was so impressed by the attention to detail that went into ensuring our stay was as relaxing as possible.
Upon arrival, the car park is divided into two sections depending on whether you’re visiting for the day or spending the night.
If you’re staying over, you’ll make your way to reception where a member of staff will greet you. Check-in time is 4pm but you’re welcome to arrive whenever you like and use the facilities whilst you wait.
For me, this is a huge bonus and justifies the price of a stay. You can do this after you’ve checked out the following day as well, so you’re essentially getting 2 full days at the farm.
Hand over your car keys and your luggage will be placed into your room ready for your arrival. This meant all we needed to worry about was where we were going to eat.
If your room is ready earlier than 4pm, you’ll receive a text to let you know. Ours was ready about an hour before check-in which was a great perk! A
fter checking-in, we jumped on the milk float round to the Main Barn. I’d been to Soho Farmhouse before so this wasn’t my first time experiencing it, but it was still just as impressive.
Outside the Main Barn is an outdoor seating area and bar, perfect for the warmer months. There’s always a roaring fire, which creates a gorgeous smell around the place. Mum and I both agreed that there was a real sense of cosiness that instantly relaxed you.
Can you stay at Soho Farmhouse as a non-member?
To visit any Soho House or stay in their hotels, you need to either be a member or be visiting with one. A membership gives you access to most of the houses around the world, the hotels, and facilities.
To be approved for a membership you need to have two referrals from people who are already members, and you’ll be asked to write a short bio about yourself and why you want to join.
The price you pay depends on your age – they offer an under 27s rate starting at £91 a month. I missed the cut-off for applying to the U27s rate and couldn’t justify paying full price.
Luckily, last year they launched Soho Friends. For £100 a year you can stay at any of the houses, but you can’t visit if you aren’t spending the night. If you live in London (where a lot of the houses are) and are planning on using the gym, a full membership might be worth it for you.
For me, £100 a year to be able to stay in their hotels felt like good value for money, considering I wouldn’t be visiting for the day very much.
Don’t fancy getting a membership? Read my guide to 12 beautiful alternatives to Soho Farmhouse
How long is the waiting list for Soho House?
There isn’t a set rule around how long it’ll take for you to hear whether you’ve been accepted, although I’ve heard rumours of meetings to discuss applications taking place quarterly. I was accepted within a few weeks of applying.
Which room should I choose?
There’s 13 different room types at Soho Farmhouse, from the cosy Piglets perfect for 2, to The Farmhouse that sleeps larger groups.
Which room you choose will depend on the size of your group and your budget. For the larger properties, there are rules around how many people need to have memberships.
In The Farmhouse, where up to 14 people can stay, at least 3 of the guests must be Soho House members.
We checked into one of the Piglets, partly because I’d seen them on Instagram and thought they looked adorable, but mostly because they were the most affordable.
I’ve got my eye on the Studio Cabins for next time. They have baths on the balcony which overlook the water and inside, there’s a wood-burner and a cosy seating area.
What are The Piglets like?
I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious The Piglets were, they’re much larger than they appear in pictures. They’re perfect for a short stay and have everything you could need. And I do mean everything.
I’ve never stayed in a hotel room that’s as well-stocked as this one. My Mum, bless her, asked if she should bring shower gel with her, only for us to be greeted by 3 different types of shower gel, shampoo and conditioner.
All of the toiletries are from Cowshed, the Soho-House owned brand. They smell incredible and if you have a membership you’ll also get discount on the products.
Also in the room you’ll find an impressive mini-bar, an umbrella, hairdryer, iron, and even condoms and lube. I’ve only seen condoms in a handful of places and I’m always impressed when they’re thought about.
The bed was huge and incredibly comfy, and there was space for a small seating area in front of the TV. Outside, there’s a couple of chairs and a small table. As in all Soho House properties, the design was impeccable.
Clashing prints, coffee table books and quirky artwork give all of their rooms a distinctive feel. Few hotels do interiors as well as Soho House, and it adds to the luxurious feel that’s evident across the whole farm.
You don’t get as much privacy as you would in the other room types, as The Piglets are bundled together and you share a wall with your neighbour. That being said, I really enjoyed the fact that they were further away from the main part of the farm, as I liked the peace and quiet.
We were lucky in that our room faced fields, rather than another cabin. If we had another Piglet, our experience might have felt different. Especially in the warmer months when you’d probably want to sit outside in the evenings, it could feel a little crowded if you’re having to stare at another couple.
What’s the food and drink like at Soho Farmhouse?
All of the meals we had were incredible and there’s plenty of choice. I’d recommend booking in advance if there’s a particular time you want to eat, or a restaurant you really want to go to, as it does get busy.
There’s 5 restaurants to choose from, so you’re bound to find something you like. You can either book restaurants on the Soho House app, or with member services. You’ll receive an email from them a few weeks before your stay asking if you want to make any reservations.
The Main Barn
The hub of the farm, it’s where most people will go to eat. They serve a varied menu, we ate there twice during our stay. On the first day, I had the dirty burger, which was delicious.
For lunch on the second day I got the mac and cheese which I didn’t enjoy as much, but that might be because I think I make the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had to be honest.
The Hay Barn
The Hay Barn serves a similar menu to the Main Barn, but it was a great place to stop for a drink and a snack in the afternoon.
It’s got a cosier feel – we grabbed the tater tots and hot sauce which were delicious. They also serve pizza from their wood oven which is supposed to be lovely.
Little Bell
Undoubtedly our favourite meal of the trip, and a newer addition to the farm. Little Bell is from Peter Creed and Tom Noest, the duo behind The Bell Inn Langford.
The Bell is one of my favourite restaurants in The Cotswolds, so I booked dinner at Little Bell as soon as I booked our stay. It’s tiny, so don’t expect to walk in. The dimly-lit interiors add to the rustic feel and would make it a great place for date night.
We were pretty full by the time we got to dinner so we shared the buttermilk chicken and the onglet steak with beef dripping chips. I’ve had the buttermilk chicken from The Bell Inn so I knew how good it was, and my Mum was in full agreement that the food here is hard to beat.
Pen Yen
Overlooking the water, Pen Yen serves up Japanese meat and fish from a robata grill. We didn’t eat here during our stay but I’ve been told that I have to go back simply for this place, which is a pretty good testament to how good it is.
Blake’s Kitchen Bakery
Located across the yard from the Main Barn, Blake’s Kitchen Bakery is a great place for brunch, or a quick snack. As well as hot food, they serve fresh bread (baked daily), pastries and sausage rolls.
The Mill Room
Their take on an English country pub, we got a drink here right before we left and wished we’d discovered it sooner. It’s really cosy and a lot quieter than the other restaurants which we loved.
The Cocktail Float & Breakfast Greasy Spoon
If you’re staying in one of the cabins, you can arrange for the cocktail float to come to your room. Your very own bartender can whip you up a cocktail at your doorstep. There’s also a breakfast float – ‘The Greasy Spoon’ that delivers fry ups.
Is breakfast included at Soho Farmhouse?
No, you’ll need to pay for breakfast separately.
What activities are there at Soho Farmhouse?
The activities on offer at Soho Farmhouse are endless and are what make it a stand-out place to stay. You can book all of the activities with member services. You’ll receive an email from them a few weeks before your stay asking if you want to make any reservations.
The swimming pool and gym
Soho Health Club features an indoor-outdoor pool, that’s heated year-round, as well as a gym and classes. The pool is one of my favourite things about Soho Farmhouse, it overlooks the water and is open all day.
You don’t need to book to use the pool, just turn up when you fancy a dip! Everything is provided for you, there’s changing rooms downstairs, towels, and even straighteners.
Children aren’t allowed in the morning so get up early if you’d prefer that. They also run weekly classes, including HIIT, tennis, yoga and barre.
In the gym, there’s treadmills, rowers, squat racks, a boxing ring and Peloton bikes. If you’re looking for a more focused workout, you can book a session with a personal trainer.
The Cowshed spa
Book a treatment, get your nails done or relax with a massage at The Cowshed Spa. There’s 13 treatment rooms, and across the footbridge, a hidden island. There you’ll find a steam room, sauna, ice shed and a hot tub that looks over the lake.
Explore the farm by bike
Each room at Soho Farmhouse comes with bikes for you to use during your stay. The farm is really well set up for cycling, there are clear paths across the whole 100 acres. We used ours a lot to get around quickly, although we ended up walking them back at the end of the day after far too many drinks.
Catch a film at The Electric Barn Cinema
Book into a screening at the on-site cinema if you’re in the mood for a more relaxing evening.
Clay pigeon shooting
The resident farmer, Frank, offers clay pigeon shooting on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Horse riding
Soho Farmhouse has its own stable where you can book a horse ride or a hack around the farm. Even if you’re not riding, you can still visit the horses to say hello. If you’re bringing children, they’ll need to be over 4 to ride the horses.
Go shopping
There’s a few shops across the farm if you’re in the mood to shop. If you’re feeling inspired by the design you see during your trip, you’ll be able to buy it in the Soho Home shop.
The Store X is a great place to pick up designer pieces. I grabbed a bottle of locally-made Limoncello for our bar cart at home. Finally, Farm Flowers sells floral displays and hand-tied bouquets.
Take a boat out on the lake
When the sun’s shining, take a rowing boat out on the lake in the centre of the farm.
How much does it cost?
I paid £300 for one night in The Piglet. It’s up to you how much you spend on activities and food and drink.
The Piglets don’t have self-catering facilities, so you’d need to book into a different room type if you wanted to cook. If you have a Soho House membership, the room rate is cheaper.
But you’re paying more for the membership, so it’s swings and roundabouts really.
When’s the best time to go to get a cheaper room?
As with any hotel stay, if you go mid-week or during the winter, you’ll get a cheaper rate. Soho Farmhouse often has last-minute rates if they have availability, so keep an eye out for those.
Is it suitable for children?
Definitely! I don’t have kids so I can’t speak from experience, but the facilities are set up so well for little ones.
The Teeny Barn is open from 9am-5pm and has an indoor and outdoor play area. Babysitting can also be arranged as long as you give them 48 hours notice.
As well as horse-riding, there’s loads of animals around the farm for children to enjoy, including cows, goats, chickens and pigs. Some of the rooms aren’t child-friendly, so make sure you check when you book.
Can I go for the day?
This depends on which membership you (or your friend) has. If you have a Soho House membership, you can visit for the day, but you’ll probably want to book the restaurants and activities ahead of time.
If you have a Soho Friends membership, you can only visit if you’re spending the night.
How many people can I bring with me?
If you have a membership, you can bring 3 people with you. If you’re travelling with someone who also has a membership, you can bring 6, and so on…
Can I take pictures?
As you can tell by this blog post, I took pictures when I was there. That being said, you do have to be respectful of the fact that Soho House is a place that people go to relax and not be disturbed, and they pay for that privilege.
Usually when I’m away I’d take pictures on my camera, but for this trip I just used my phone (except when I was in the room). Be mindful of who’s around you if you do want to take pictures and be discreet.
And if you do see someone famous, definitely don’t take pictures of them (or anyone else for that matter).
Can I bring my dog?
Whilst Soho Farmhouse claims to be dog-friendly, there are restrictions about where your dog can actually go.
They’re allowed in some accommodation types, but even then you’ll need to request a dog-friendly room.
When you’re around the farm, they need to stay on a lead, and they can’t join you in most of the restaurants. I don’t have a dog so this isn’t a problem for me, but I can see how it could be frustrating if you did.
What’s the service like?
I’ve seen mixed reviews about the service at Soho Farmhouse as they’ve scaled, but I can only speak from my experience. From start to finish the staff couldn’t have been more helpful and attentive.
Whilst eating in The Main Barn, the restaurant manager introduced himself to us, gave us his name and told us that if there was anything we needed, to let him know.
When I realised I didn’t have my laptop at 11pm, I called reception and within 10 minutes someone had been to our car, got my laptop and delivered it to our door.
Normally I wouldn’t be this annoying so late at night, but we’d been out all day so I’d only just realised I didn’t have it and was worried it had gone missing.
On the way home from dinner when I decided I fancied their infamous cookie dough dessert, I ordered it from The Main Barn and it arrived at our room shortly after we did. If you’d prefer, you can charge everything to your room, so you don’t have to worry about settling up after every meal.
At check out when we didn’t recognise a charge on the bill, they took it off, no questions asked. We didn’t even have to walk back to fetch our car, it was brought round to the main entrance, luggage already inside, ready for our departure.
It truly was first-class service, and the thoughtful touches made our stay so easy. All we had to focus on was enjoying ourselves (read: drinking lots of gin).
Things to do near Soho Farmhouse
Soho Farmhouse is based in The Cotswolds, one of my favourite places to spend the weekend in the UK. Whilst we didn’t leave the farm, if you were staying for longer you might want to venture further afield. Nearby Great Tew is a gorgeous village to visit.
If you’re looking for more places to see in The Cotswolds, read this:
