Hampshire families yearning for a taste of the great outdoors may be in luck this Easter.

A historic, listed barn in the heart of the Test Valley countryside is set to be transformed into visitor accommodation in the nick of time for the annual school holiday.

Michelmersh Manor Farm in Romsey is converting the 275-year-old barn into two self-catering units to supplement its existing crop of staycation spots, which includes the recent addition of two converted shepherd huts.

The conversion will consist of one smaller unit which sleeps four, and a larger unit which will welcome up to six guests at a time.

The first barn unit will have two ensuite bedrooms and a downstairs toilet, with the second boasting a king-sized bed on the ground floor level and a double bedroom upstairs.

Both units come complete with a fully equipped kitchen, wood-burners and “cosy” furniture including sofas and seating.

The bathrooms have showers and baths and both units include TV and wi-fi. For those who want to ditch the technology, the hosts are providing puzzles and games as well as books and a leaflet of local walks and pubs.

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Fran Drake, who runs the farm with her husband, said: “This will be a very exciting new addition to the farm's holiday lets and we'll be taking bookings for early April very soon.

“We hope to offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the experience of farm life at its best, in a barn full of Medieval history! The barn has been in a state of disrepair for such a long time, and it will be wonderful to see it come alive once more.”

Michelmersh Manor Farm has a unique history, first being recorded in 1205 as a Masonic grange with a Grand Hall, chapel and fortified gate head. Valuable grain, paid as tithes would have been stored in its big granary. There is evidence of Iron Age and Roman era occupation nearby and the farmhouse and associated buildings are of great medieval interest.

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The farm has 300 cows, 100 sheep which are lambed over the Easter, chickens, guinea fowl, peacocks and horses as well as various crops grown throughout the year.

Families can enjoy helping with feeding and watching the milking taking place, by appointment.

When tired of farm life, there's a games room with table tennis, snooker, table football and darts.

For more information about Michelmersh Manor Farm visit michelmershmanorfarm.com and for more about the area visit testvalley.gov.uk/communityandleisure/tourism.

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