We have spent the last 18 months painstakingly restoring an old hay barn into a beautiful place to stay.

We have renovated the barn with the aim of being as eco-friendly as possible. The original stone work and wooden beams have been retained and we've used renewable energy sources for hot water, and to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

When we arrived the barn was rather unloved. After clearing away the previous owner's junk, we created a south facing terrace, re-pointed the stonework and laid new floors.

The entrance to the barn was from 2m above road level and the roof was made of bamboo. We completely renovated the roof, adding modern insulation, but retaining the beautiful original beams and keeping them exposed. The entrance is now at street level and the old hay doors transformed into picture windows.

For the last 100 years or so the main tenants have been birds. We let the last brood of swallows fledge before closing off their entry points. This year they are nesting in nearby eaves.

We have created two bedrooms and a bathroom on a mezzanine level, allowing the living/dining room to enjoy the full ceiling height, giving a bright airy feel.

Downstairs, the courtyard apartment was originally used as a byre, complete with feeding troughs. It has been completely stripped, including floors and ceiling, and is now fully insulated, air-conditioned, clean, smart and simple.