Crannaford Shepherd's Hut

5.8 miles E of Exeter

Sleeps 2

From £64 per night

Shepherd's hut in Devon: What could be more relaxing than the peace and quiet of the Exeter countryside? Take things slow and live life at your own pace in this delightful retreat.

General

The art of simple luxury. When it's time to get away from it all, an escape to the country is the answer. And east Devon is the ideal destination - easy to reach, yet far enough from the madding crowd to feel completely refreshing. You could even avoid the motorway traffic and fly in to Exeter Airport, just a few miles from Crannaford Shepherd's Hut, a bijou, bespoke retreat that combines all the delights of simplicity with home comforts and mod-cons. Beautifully hand-made by a local artisan, the hut is warm and cosy, with a wooden floor, cream-painted, timber-clad walls and glowing wood-burner. There's an effortless combination of function and good looks in the form of an open plan living-room with under-floor heating (cosy toes!), a well-equipped kitchen that includes a two-ring hob, fridge, kettle and toaster, and a neat little foldaway dining table and chairs. At one end is the super-comfy king-sized bed, which has views from the adjacent window, storage beneath and - in case you need to catch up with your latest series - a nifty concealed TV at the foot. At the other is the en suite shower-room, with wash-basin, WC, heated towel rail and endless hot and cold running water as a matter of course. From the living area, floor-to-ceiling double doors lead out onto a raised wooden deck, where you can cook on the barbie or chill out at the table while enjoying the glorious view towards the meadow beyond. At the end of a hard day's relaxing you may want to hop into the hot tub that bubbles away on the patio below, grill a steak over the fire-pit or even play a round of pitch and putt on your very own course - yes, you did read that correctly! Balls and clubs are even provided. At the end of the day, this is the perfect spot for a romantic retreat, a refreshing getaway from the 'real' world and just the place to recharge both physically and mentally.

Out and About

There's so much to do around and about Crannaford Shepherd's Hut, starting with nearby Woodbury Common, an unspoilt heathland with plenty of paths to explore on foot. Beyond that, the striking Jurassic Coast offers plenty to see and do, from pebbled beaches to pretty little seaside towns and fishing villages. The National Trust village of Broadclyst, where there's a shop and a choice of two pubs, is a comfortable stroll away along a country lane, while the Ashclyst Forest, at 800 acres one of the largest in east Devon, is a renowned haven for butterflies, bluebells and birds, featuring waymarked trails for exploring. In the opposite direction is Cranbrook, a growing new town that is being built as a low-carbon community, powered by the solar park by Crannaford (you may hear the occasional buzz from behind the high border of trees that shelter the hut) and within easy walking distance is The Cranberry Farm pub, with a buzzing atmosphere and great food and drink. The local train from Cranbrook station takes you into the heart of the Cathedral City of Exeter, where you'll find a great selection of boutique shops and national chains, or you could drive out across Woodbury Common and check out the coastal towns of Budleigh Salterton (great fish and chips!), Sidmouth, a Regency town with a long promenade and lovely views, Lyme Regis, an elegant highlight with its famous Cobb, or the fascinating villages of Beer and Branscombe. For evening excitement in the summer, you might also catch the Red Arrows, sometimes based at Exeter Airport in the summer (depending on wind direction, you may occasionally hear planes and engines from the hut), who always put on a mini show for local people when they return to base in the evening after an aerobatic display.

Layout

Shepherd's Hut: Open plan living-room with kitchen, dining and bedroom areas. TV, wood-burner, 2 ring hob, fridge, toaster, kettle and king-size double bed (5'). Shower-room with shower, WC and wash-basin.

Availability, reservations and pricing: From £64 - £113 per night

Bed linen and towels are included in the price. There are no extra charges for cots or high chairs where they are listed in the property description on the website.

A non-refundable booking fee of £40 is payable per booking.

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Located 5.8 miles E of Exeter powered by the classic guide

Location

The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.