Review: Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire

Why book Soho Farmhouse?

Whatever you’re looking for, from cocktail-fuelled fun to a soothing wellness reset, Soho Farmhouse offers the ultimate country bolthole for city dwellers. The spa has just expanded its collection of beauty and wellness offerings that are absolutely worth exploring.

Set the scene

I visited Soho Farmhouse the first week it opened in 2015. It was a curious sight, strewn with newly planted trees, fresh landscaping, and the promise of a luxury farm retreat – without the rustic smells of an actual farm. Almost a decade later, those trees have firmly taken root; the accommodation now includes various options aside from the original farmhouse and cabins, and it’s become a destination for gourmet lovers. It’s a hedonistic paradise, and a peaceful wellness break rolled into one.

What’s the backstory?

Chipping Norton is known for its celebrity country homes, infinite rolling hills and abundance of Land Rovers, making it the perfect spot for the Cotswolds outpost of the Soho House private members’ club and hotel group.

Spanning 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, the estate was built on a derelict farm. The aim was to mimic the cosiness of an upstate New York country cabin, totally secluded in nature but with a touch of luxury. The entrance to the main barn feels like a gateway to another world, even though it’s only two hours drive from London. There is an undeniable charm that attracts guests from all over the world looking for elevated British country life.

What’s the wellness concept?

A stone barn houses a classic Cowshed spa. Expect gentle, soothing scents, cosy areas to relax, plush mani-pedi booths and private rooms for massages and facial treatments with Cowshed and Soho Skin range. Relax inside on a soft bed after a treatment, or find a white and mint-striped lounger overlooking the newest addition to the wellness offerings, The Lazy Lake.

The concept was inspired by the rising popularity of sauna culture and ancient wellness practices. At first glance, The Lazy Lake looks slightly underwhelming – but once you’ve dipped one toe into the water, it all makes sense. Wooden hot tubs inspired by Japanese onsen-style baths are sunken into the lake, with tub-service drinks to deliver a picante or kombucha right to you. Add a bespoke touch to the steamy bath with a selection of mineral salts or seaweed, and kick back to feel your aches, pains and woes disappear in languid bliss.

Once you’re sufficiently warm (it’s 38 degrees), move to the next steps of the therapy-inspired circuit: an ice hut, steam room and three infrared sauna cabins – all aiming to boost circulation and lower inflammation. Retreat back to your tub, slather on the organic clay face and body mask waiting for you and finish with a rolled oshibori (chilled towel). Or, extend the experience to include a treatment on the covered deck.

The Lazy Lake experience does come with an additional fee of £60 per person, but it is worth it. It feels delightfully separate from the rest of the (often very busy) property.

What’s the nutrition concept?

Although there’s no cafe inside the spa, food options abound at Soho Farmhouse. Head to the Main Barn for plentiful Sunday roasts and refined comfort food with plenty of space to work, rest and play. Or walk over to Pen Yen for incredible modern Japanese fare and excellent cocktails. The Little Bell serves pub classics with a twist, while Blakes Kitchen is great for smaller deli bites and takeaway items for your journey home.

The newest offering is Little Berenjack, a new outpost of the popular London eatery specialising in Persian food. They have a two-year residency at Soho Farmhouse. Think grilled meats, quaffable cocktails and the best hummus you’ve ever tasted.

What are the signature treatments?

The signature massage is the Balance Body & Mind Massage, £110 for 60 minutes, which is the ultimate stress reliever. It is delivered with care and expertise, gently weeding out knots without pummeling. Cowshed has a brilliant standard of training; they always deliver a top-notch massage.

London-based Skinwork is currently in residence at the spa and delivers some of the best instant-result facials using traditional holistic techniques and modern tech. Choose from The City Cleanse, Clean + Contour, Skin Fix and Pro Glow facials – all designed to reboot and replenish your skin and leave it noticeably glowing.

What else do they offer?

Within the wellness area itself, there’s a glorious outdoor heated pool, sauna, steam room, gym and studio classes, all available to guests. The kids’ club Teeny Barn offers arts and crafts from 9am to 5pm daily, with dedicated swimming times for children and a petting zoo.

The rooms

The country-chic appeal is abundant, from the larger cabins and farm huts to the smaller piglet rooms. Each room has cosy amenities like tea, coffee and freshly baked cookies, and a glorious shower laden with Cowshed bottles, but it is the cabins and huts that really shine – the outdoor tin bathtubs, the enormous marshmallow-like beds, and the kitchenette laden with bread, cheese, drinks, and the most delicious granola.

Eco effort

There is very little single-use plastic, and the beauty products are refillable. Instead of a buggy or car, take a green Foffa bike to dinner. In 2023, they replanted 42 native species across 19,375 square feet of land to foster natural biodiversity, absorb carbon and improve water and air quality.

Accessibility

There are accessible bays for Disabled guests arriving by car, and guests can request a ride to the main area on one of the Farmhouse's famous milk floats, which have been adapted for Disabled guests. A handful of rooms at Soho Farmhouse have been adapted for wheelchair users. Lots of the main site is on the ground floor, though it is a little gravelly around the main barn, deli and spa, which may be tricky for some. The communal areas have adapted toilets with handrails and assistance alarms, and ramps are available from the team. Vibrating pillows offer an alternative wake-up alarm for those with hearing loss.

Within the Cowshed Spa there’s an accessible treatment room, changing room and toilet. The gym has adapted changing rooms, showers and bathrooms for disabled guests, and there is a lift to access the steam room and sauna. There are steps leading into the pool, but there are no handrails or hoists. Assistance animals are also permitted.

Anything else to mention?

To visit for the day, you need to be a Soho House member and to book a bedroom, you need a full membership or a Soho Friends membership.

If you’re enamoured with shabby chic style, the Soho Home showroom is where you’ll find everything you need to recreate its appeal at home.

Final word

Book a mid-week trip to relax and reboot, and remember to pre-book the Lazy Lake.