The Team
There’s not really enough space on this page to tell you individually about all of our team involved in making The Barns and the wider farm run smoothly so below we’ve highlighted those you may come across. We have a talented bunch of people here – carpenters, plumbers, painters, front of house, designers, gardeners, four legged grass trimmers, cleaners, organisers, and glue-holder-togetherers who all at some point have helped make these buildings what they are today and what we wish them to be going forward.
Kinsey Hern
Upper House Farm is Kinsey 's family farm and he is the fourth generation to take on the challenge! Primarily a farmer, Kinsey manages the whole entity at Upper House; he has a passion for livestock (particularly Hereford Cattle) and also architecture and design. He designed the barns himself, every detail of the beautiful structure and layout with many more similarly large projects on the go at the moment. Kinsey loves to enjoy activities with his young family when time allows, which is tricky at the moment with lambing, calving and managing the whole business.
Camilla Hern
Camilla is married to Kinsey and is the perfect match to his design, adding in heart and soul to projects such as The Barns, creating a feeling of warmth and homeliness you will enjoy during your stay. Camilla is the barns manager and responsible for the day to day smooth running of the barns (but with plenty of help from the hidden team of girls) - she's a photographer so you may spot some of her work on the walls and certainly her artistic influence and style. She is a big fan of recycling and re-using with lots of the furniture, artwork and textiles you see around having been sourced or re-worked locally.
Emma
Emma is our head honcho in the office, accounts and admin that's her thing. A Herefordshire bred lady, her partner Gary who now also works here, and their awesome Labradors who are partial to a good walk. Emma may be the lady who meets you on arrival, or answers the emergency phone during your stay. She is master of many things, and can and does turn her hand to most tasks here at The Barns, although not a fan of a cup of coffee, more of a tea girl through and through. Occasionally you might spot Emma around the estate looking after "The Spots", aka Camilla and Kinsey's two young dalmatians.
Ben
Ben is our Barns hero and Kinsey's right hand man. He's from a rural Herefordshire background and has amazing skills in building, planning, managing and maintenance - anything linked to buildings, farming or rural life. Ben helps the team sort any building issues or maintenance and is an all-round great guy to have about. He keeps an eye on all areas of the business. Bens turns his hand to all things projects and maintenance, from the small every day fixes to the big 5-year plans - he's your man!
Rob
If you have stayed with us before, you probably know Rob. Rob is the one you see whizzing about on the yellow mower, flat cap in hand! He is chief lawn-mower, mole catcher and hot-tub manager. He will probably be the face you see in the distance checking the hot-tub water on a daily basis, and sorting what needs to be sorted there. Rob is a local farmer and has 3 grown up girls who have kept him busy. If Rob's not on his mower - he's probably on his horse or nattering to someone closeby..
Tricia Hern
Tricia (and the late Tony) are Kinsey's parents and live in the lovely Victorian house directly opposite the central courtyard at The Barns. Tricia was born in the house and has really fond memories of The Barns in their traditional purpose - she vividly remembers hand feeding the chickens in the Stables kitchen with the white washed walls. You may see either of them watering the plants, coming and going or dealing with one of their busy grand-children. Do say hello if you come across them - they are experts on the local area.
Tash
Tash is another local Herefordian girl, with over 16 years experience in tourism management. She is a mum to two young "outdoor boys", so life is always busy, and multitasking is something that comes with the title "working mum"! Tash organises all sorts to keep The Barns running smoothly, from the day to day tasks to business development, and of course getting stuck in with the team on our busiest of days; the ultimate general dogs body. Tash will be the one you are in communication with in the lead up to your stay, and will most likely greet you in on arrival.
Amanda
Amanda is our "boss of keeping everything ship-shape". She looks after our laundry, housekeeping, change overs and everything in-between. She is a fan of a tidy and organised laundry room, and a structured stock room! Another local lady, Amanda loves to get out on early morning dog walks. You can often find her double, and even triple checking that everything is prepared perfectly for our next guests, with a keen eye for detail and a knack for setting those all important first impression touches.
Our Housekeeping Team
Jude, Pauline, Lorraine, Paula (and sometimes Cath) are our housekeeping team; we are lucky enough to have our own lovely ladies who know The Barns inside out. Combined they have a bountiful number of years experience in all things cleaning, and if there is a cleaning trick to be known; these ladies often know it! They clean The Barns from top to bottom on every change over, they make beds to within an inch of their life and they stage our rooms perfectly - ensuring we maintain our high standards, every time. We couldn't do it without them!
