About Us

A bit about us

Church Farm Country Cottages began in 1992 by Steve and Trish Bowles. Old Cow Byres were converted into 5 cottages (Burys, Hayleaze, Rickbarton, Stapeley and Vellum Stone). These proved popular with our guests, so we decided to convert two more (Moncrate and Lime Kiln) a few years later. We didn’t stop there: we now have our indoor heated swimming pool as well, which guests can book for private use.

Our ethos

We seek to provide high quality accommodation for our guests, and we will go above and beyond to make their stay at Church Farm as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

We strive to achieve a high standard of customer satisfaction by offering a friendly and professional service. This year we have been awarded a Visit England ROSE award in recognition of service excellence.

We have been awarded with a green tourism award, and are very proud in achieving this. Every effort is made, both in the cottages and on the farm, to be as green as we can: recycling, solar panels, biomass boiler, the products we use and promoting alternative transport. We urge our guests to be green when staying here.

We love our location and would love our guests to enjoy it as much as we do. We are available and happy to help with any questions you may have.

History

The Bowles family have been farming in Winsley for five generations and in the area since the late 1400s.

Great Grandfather Bowles also used to own the village pub, the Seven Stars, which is still very popular today. Legendary ‘Pappy’ Bowles has left a memoir of his life in the village, for those who are interested to read it.

A working farm

Steve runs a working sheep farm, with a flock size of 200 breeding ewes. We have a variety of breeds, but mostly texels and lleyns. Spring lambing starts in late March. This is our busiest time, but also the most rewarding. If you visit around this time be ready to help feed some lambs! Our lamb is reared and sold at the neighbouring family farm, Hartley Farm.

Becky is now running Farm Sessions for guests during their stay. These are an opportunity for guests to see what goes on behind the scenes of a working sheep farm. Activities include some feeding, a farm tour, farm themed games and a spot of sheep herding. These all need booking and paying for in advanced.