The owners, Chris and Sarah Smith, came to Highgate Accommodation Newtown in November 2003. They were both originally from farming backgrounds in West Berkshire, Chris having spent his working life on the family farm, seeing many changes from truly mixed farming (dairy, beef, poultry) to arable only. Sarah, once the children were school age, kept farm books for local farms and estates in the area.

Chris and Sarah have four children who are all grown up with families of their own. They also have nine grand children, five of which live in Australia, two in Cheshire and two in North Devon. They are keen horse riders, although these days more ‘happy hackers’ and enjoy gardening and outdoor pursuits.

Over their time at Highgate Chris and Sarah converted three old barns into six cottages, re-roofed and updated the 1631 farmhouse to accommodate en suite bathrooms, and built the Barn House. Chris also converted what was once the dairy unit into stabling and an indoor ménage. The focus is now on group accommodation and events at the Barn House, as well as running two self-catering properties: Old Stable Cottage and Milk Stand Cottage.