King John's Palace gallery Gallery
King John's Palace
Leafield,
Oxfordshire
Self-catering
+44 (0)7791 899660
Visit owner's website
£750 - £1000
per night
£5000 - £7000
per week
Cakes from the host & eggs from the hens. Bring a party, bring the dogs, and soak up the history from a very fine house in the Cotswolds
7 beds
6 bedrooms
Sleeps 12
Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome
Your dates are available!
2 Guests 11 Dec 24 - 11 Dec 24
Direct with the owner
Visit the owner’s chosen website for availability, online booking or contact details.
Enquire through Sawday's
Fill out the enquiry form and we'll pass your questions onto the owner.
What part does Sawday’s play?
£750 - £1000 per night
£5000 - £7000 per week
The Experience
The rear is Tudor, the front is Victorian, and the history of the house is fascinating: it was a royal hunting lodge for Wychwood Forest, six miles.
Today the great dining hall incorporates the kitchen: it’s the hub of the house and as cosy as toast (note the six-door Aga). Hire the services of an excellent chef or dine at The Lamb Inn at Burford (four miles). Or gather in the garden for a great big barbecue, serenaded by the odd bleat or moo (the owner’s farm is as immaculate as your home). Marvel at Blenheim Palace at Woodstock (14 miles) and ancient breeds of bristly pig at Cotswold Farm Park.
Return to country air, star-studded skies, and pre-dinner drinks by crackling fires. As for the bedrooms, they’re pretty, airy and antiquey, with sparkling new bath tubs and showers. Some even have the old bells to the dining hall (though you can no longer summon the servants!)
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We think you'll love
- The wonderful character and history of this building
- Enjoying a meal in the great dining hall whilst the dogs bask by the fire
- Being close to numerous Cotswolds' gems, and 40 minutes from Oxford
You should know
- The children's playroom with snooker and table footie has a low ceiling
- It's a very old building so expect spiral staircases and the odd wonky floor
- You're on a working farm with some country noises
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £750
- Weekly price
- from £5000
- Damage deposit
- £
- 1 House for 12
- From £7507 beds6 bedrooms
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- 3-8pm
- Check out
- Flexible
- Other details
- Minimum stay: 2 nights. 3 nights in high season. Short breaks available.
- Closed
- Never.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Property
- This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
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Reviews
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We had a great time in this fabulous house and look forward to returning. It was spacious, clean and well equipped with great gardens. The owner was helpful and communicative before and during our stay. There was a welcome pack awaiting us which included the most delicious home baked sponge. The living areas were unusual in that we could all congregate in the main rooms if we wanted to, but there were other rooms should anyone want quiet time. We loved our stay and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
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What a special place this is! We were here to celebrate another important milestone and reminisce about the past years and enjoy all the memories we shared together! What a wonderful time we all had, and St John’s Palace was just the perfect place to do just that. The peace one feels in the house, which is equipped to a very high standard, the wonderful location on Langley farm, surrounded by fields and villages where the delights of country pubs and walks abound. We just loved every minute and will return, to enjoy more of this very special place with so much history. Thank you Vicky!
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Further to previous review…to add that the house is an absolute delight and a voyage of discovery to explore in itself-from croquet for the garden to a working record player and a pianola. All respectfully enjoyed and very much enhanced our stay. The standard of furnishings and facilities was excellent. Lovely powerful showers and spotlessly clean linen. Very well equipped kitchen. Really can’t recommend highly enough. The beautiful home made Victoria sponge with our welcome pack was very much enjoyed. We enjoyed a delicious meal from private chef Mike Fishpen on our last night - a real treat.
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Beautiful property in a stunning location. Very clean and extremely well equipped. Highly recommended.
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All as advertised, wonderful atmosphere, well equipped property & very helpful hostess
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This was a wonderful venue for a family get together with children. The house and grounds gave plenty of space for different activities. The kitchen was ample for preparing and eating food together. The bedrooms were comfortable with good bathroom facilities. Vicky was very helpful.
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Beautiful property with every possible amenity, I had a lovely Hen Weekend here with lots of space for socialising and dinner parties, it was perfect!
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First visit to this amazing house in the Cotswolds. So much care detail and superb furnishings show this house off beautifully. A perfect place for a large family, friends to come together. The kitchen lounge area is the hub of this historical house. I look forward to returning.
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King John's Palace is a beautiful building with so much history to fascinate over at every turn. It's characterful and homely and has been sensitively restored to incorporate modern comfort. The location is excellent for exploring the north Cotswolds and Oxford.
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Location
The neighbourhood
The house overlooks outbuildings and open farmland, with the edge of Wychwood Forest in sight, a perfect spot for walks and cycle rides in summer. The nearest pretty Cotswolds' towns are Burford, Kingham and Stow and the best shopping hub is Witney (6 miles). The Swan at Swinbrook, 3 miles, steeped in period charm, is a treat, and fancy farmshops (Upton Smokery, Diddly Squat, Daylesford) abound.
Local points of interest from Vicky Greves
- The house in itself is a rare Listed historic property having been built by King John and used as a Royal Hunting Lodge visited by 10 kings and queens. Sleep and tread where royalty once trod and slept. Four poster beds and views in every direction.
- Situated within 10 minutes drive of the historic town of Burford with many shops, eating places and Burford Garden Centre. Diddly Squat is just across the valley. There is a lovely circular walk from the house ideal for those with dogs.
- The Cotswolds are on your doorstep, honey coloured stone surrounds you and that is just around the garden. If you do decide to leave the house we can guide you to whatever you fancy. Books of local interest and guides are here to help plan your days out
- You are of course neighbours to some very famous people of a certain "Set" but we try not to mention anyone in particular, just ask and we can tell you.
- We have partnered with some great local businesses. Order in a vintage tea, a delicious tasting menu or dinner cooked by a private chef, or just relax in the care of a mobile massage, breathwork or yoga therapist. Relaxed hens welcome by arrangement
- Daylesford, Blenheim Palace, Adams Farm, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Water Park, National Trust Properties, Oxford, Stow on the Wold, Chipping Campden, the list is endless of places to visit and all have great dining options should you wish to stay out.
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Introducing
Vicky Greves
Country lover Vicky lives with her family, and dogs, and horse, just across the lane. In spite of running her livestock farm, and two further properties (both out of sight), Vicky always finds time to look after her guests. The 'Palace', as it is known, was sensitively renovated over several years, and was finally launched as a holiday home in 2020.
The house is beautiful, has a lovely atmosphere and has everything, plus some! that you could possibly need. It is a very quiet location and all you can hear are the birds nesting in the eves and sheep. It is quite lovely.