Discover the charm of the Cotswolds from the perfect starting point.
Dorn is a small hamlet consisting of just two farms, an old priory, and six other homes, located one mile north of Moreton-in-Marsh. Two of the farms and two cottages are home to the Righton family.
Nearby, Moreton-in-Marsh is a charming market town in the heart of the Cotswolds, known for its historic high street lined with honey-coloured stone buildings, independent shops, and cosy pubs. With roots dating back to the 13th century and situated along the ancient Roman Fosse Way, the town offers a perfect blend of history and rural charm. Moreton-in-Marsh got its name in medieval times as Moreton in Henmarsh (meaning “boggy land with moorhens”). It’s a short (and usually dry) walk across some of our fields, following part of the Diamond Way. The town is also well connected by its railway station, which sits on the mainline between London and Worcester, making it a convenient gateway to the Cotswolds.
The farm is one of many tenanted farms on the Batsford Estate, currently owned by the 3rd Lord Dulverton of the Wills family. The earliest estate records date back to 1648. In 1886, Algernon Bertram Freeman Mitford (1st Earl of Redesdale and grandfather of the Mitford sisters) inherited the estate and began work on the house, gardens, and arboretum, as well as the rebuilding of Batsford village.
For a more detailed history, visit Batsford Arboretum.
The farmhouse dates from the 15th century, with the main part of the house added in the 1700s. Local legend says that when the nearby railway cutting was excavated, a tunnel was discovered linking the priory to the farm.