The Old Byre in Woodfalls, in Wiltshire, owned by Martin and Nora Barker, won gold in the Best in Central England category at the Sykes Gems Awards, run by Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The three-bedroom property was once a working dairy owned by Mr Barker’s grandfather.
It was later converted into the couple’s family home more than 30 years ago before being launched as a holiday let in June last year.
Mrs Barker said: “It’s rather lovely to be recognised with this award following the hard work we’ve put into making it a success, and considering we’ve only been in business for little over a year.
“We love meeting new people and sharing our previous home with them.
“It’s great to help visitors make the most of their staycation and we’ve made some lifelong friends in the process.”
Equipped with an air source heat pump and solar panels, the property has been designed with sustainability in mind.
The Sykes Gems Awards, launched in 2017, celebrate excellence in the UK holiday let sector.
Winners are chosen based on owner entries, guest feedback, occupancy rates, and property amenities.
The judging panel said they were impressed by the style and facilities at The Old Byre, as well as guest comments on cleanliness, comfort, and value for money.
James Shaw, chief commercial officer at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Now in its eighth year, it’s wonderful to see so many outstanding properties celebrated in our 2025 Sykes Gems Awards.
“Our owners put an incredible amount of effort into maintaining high standards at their properties throughout the year, and these awards are a great way to recognise that dedication.
“With so many fantastic entries it was tough to narrow it down, but The Old Byre stood out as a clear winner.
“With holidaying close to home continuing to remain popular – and the average UK holiday let generating £24,700 in 2024 – more second-home owners in Wiltshire may be inspired by Martin and Nora to consider taking the leap into the market themselves.”
Sykes Holiday Cottages is a B Corp certified agency with more than 23,000 properties across the UK and Ireland.
Headquartered in Chester, the company has been named ‘Best Large UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company’ at the British Travel Awards for 11 consecutive years.
