Crannaford Shepherd's Hut

Overview

Set in its own private meadow, this beautiful hideaway is the pinnacle of tranquillity and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a few blissful days. Throw open the French doors and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the decking accompanied by blissful birdsong. Spend the day exploring the stunning scenery of nearby Woodbury Common and the Jurassic Coast before returning to Crannaford Shepherd’s Hut and slipping into the soothing waters of the bubbling hot tub for a relaxing soak. Cook up a feast on the barbecue and enjoy it in your alfresco seating area, before lighting the fire pit and toasting a marshmallow or two as the sun begins to sink in the sky.

Step Inside

Beautifully handcrafted by a local artisan, Crannaford Shepherd’s Hut is an idyllic place to escape for a dreamy getaway. The open plan living space combines function and style, and has underfloor heating to ensure you always stay toasty.

There’s a well-equipped kitchen which includes a two-ring hob, a combination microwave, an air fryer, a fridge, a kettle and a toaster - everything you need to whip up a tasty breakfast or an evening feast. Fold down the dining table and chairs to enjoy your culinary creations as you savour the view through the french doors. Enjoy a morning coffee or an evening tipple as fresh country air and golden light fill the space through the open doors.

After a day of exploring, snuggle down in the super-comfy king-sized bed which you’ll find at one end of the hideaway. Open the adjacent window and wake to the sound of bird song as the sun comes up. There’s a concealed TV at the foot of the bed, perfect for a relaxed movie night if you feel inclined to stay indoors. At the other end of the hut you’ll find a shower room, with a heated towel rail to add that touch of luxury.

Outdoors

Throw open the French doors in the morning and step out onto a raised wooden deck. Enjoy coffee and breakfast in the alfresco seating area while savouring the gorgeous view of your completely private one and a half acre meadow.

Spend a day taking in the secluded area surrounding your hut, listening to the birds and admiring the wild flowers in the meadow. You even have your own private pitch and putt course - a perfect way to spend a couple of hours for those with a competitive spirit!

At the end of day of exploring, slide into the bubbling hot tub and enjoy a peaceful soak as the birds sing in the trees around you. Rustle up a feast on the barbecue and settle down to enjoy it as the sun slowly sinks and paints the sky in stunning shades of pink and gold. Light the wood burner and reminisce about the day’s adventures as night falls around you.

Explore

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, combination microwave, air fryer, fridge, toaster, kettle and king-size double bed (5'). Shower-room with shower, WC and wash-basin.