Whimsical images of stargazing telescopes under willow trees, twinkling lakefront gardens, rustic outdoor kitchens and steaming tubs are surely what mini break dreams are made of (and what Instagram was made for). I have been, somewhat surreally, stoking the fire of The Shepherd's Hut Retreat near Hinton St George for months; it has, unabashedly been the object of my Instagram scrolling affections multiple times a week. Even Taylor Swift wrote a whole two albums on such romanticised woodland escapism, but the reality is also right here in Somerset. And, as luck would have it, it was about to become a reality for me too.
As we only live a short ten minute drive away, you'd think this adults-only, rural hideaway would be something that I'd never be able to justify but as a special gift for my husband's birthday, I decided to go ahead and treat him (and me!) I make him shut his eyes to try and keep the exact location of the Shepherd's Hut a mystery. But the surrounding scenery and approach to the glamping site is so striking, I have to let him see. Acre after acre of sweeping green fields, a narrow country road that drifts off into the picturesque landscape and a 140 metre-high mound of a motte and bailey castle (possibly Norman), which we shortly discover, also provides the backdrop to our stay.
Despite its ‘hut’ status, nothing about this place feels like we might be skimping on conveniences. This is a level of luxury that shepherds of old could scarcely have fathomed. Not only is it a sizeable space, both inside and outdoors, but everything here has been carefully considered to enhance your stay. Kitchen facilities comprise a two-ring hob, kettle, toaster, oven, fridge and sink. Big glass doors open onto the deck and a window overlooking the lake beside the bathroom’s monsoon shower, bring the outside in, and mean you don’t miss out on lake-gazing opportunities even when indoors. We quickly get to exploring our little abode for the night. Both of us are like excited children pointing out the thoughtful details to each other - from a jar of marshmallows to toast over the fire bowl, to a built-in trivet helpfully placed beside the BBQ. Mini toiletries, matching gold kitchenware, board games, fresh white bathrobes and a ‘roaring’ electric fire add to the charm. And a discreet TV (plus DVDs) in handsome wooden shelves that have been strategically placed to separate the living space from the sleeping area. A bottle of Prosecco kindly welcomes us, which will go perfectly with that hot tub. Talking of which….
The instructions explain that the hot tub will take around three hours to get up to temperature, so we start filling it with the hose and getting the fire going. While we wait, there’s more exploring to temporarily lure us from our hideaway, namely snacks from the honesty shed, a beautifully-renovated, open-plan 100-year-old barn, housing a yoga and activity space, wood burner, gym, sauna, table tennis and pool table, and a woodland sauna. We secure a one-hour session in the latter by signing our names in a time slot on a board outside, grab our towels, and soon find ourselves peering out through the trees, trying to spot some nocturnal bird life while we sweat.
The hot tub isn’t quite ready when we return from the sauna, but in the twilight, the deck is now glowing with fairy lights and I half wish we were rustling up pizzas and cosying down at the hut for the evening. However, we are child-free for the night, and the law states we must go out, which isn’t too much of a hardship given one of our favourite pubs, The Lord Poulett Arms, is just down the road. Although walkable from the retreat (approximately 40 minutes each way), I’d say it’s best saved for daytime or summer, as when we step away from our glittering abode, the deep South Somerset countryside is pitch black, save for the gleaming eyes of a lone deer caught in our headlights as we head out for the evening.
Back at the hut after dinner, the water in our hot tub has reached scorching proportions, which is easily remedied with a dash of cold and then it’s ready for us to take a dip in the dark. We wallow for a while, before heading inside, popping on the TV and sinking into Egyptian cotton sheets. Come morning, my husband is up before dawn and is eager to get the hot tub going again. The fairy lights are still glowing and the moon is still shining over the lake when I join him. Wisps of steam rise bewitchingly from our hot water, as cheerful bird song and the sound of ducks quacking and flapping provide the soundtrack. The magnetic pull of the water and enthusiastic warbling of the birds are hard to tear myself away from, but the skies are bright blue and the sun is shining, and I’m eager to soak up some of Somerset’s countryside at its finest. There are a number of walks right on the doorstep, including a leisurely 20-minute woodland stroll, and a footpath to the market town of Crewkerne. Off I trot, counting my lucky stars and revelling in the magic of it all.
Web: theshepherdshutretreat.co.uk
Instagram: @theshepherdshutretreat
Email: theshepherdshutretreat@gmail.com
