Holly Trees

We’d never stayed in a shepherd’s hut before and weren’t sure what to expect. This one is tucked behind houses near the village centre, in an attractive fenced yard with a bistro table outside that would be lovely in summer. The owners had made it welcoming, with Christmas decorations and supplies including milk, bread, cereal and preserves. It was very clean and nicely decorated, with underfloor heating, though we couldn’t find instructions for adjusting it. Google helped, and I’m sure the owners would have too if I’d asked. There’s a large high bed with storage underneath and a small wardrobe on either side. The kitchen has a hob, a good-sized fridge with freezer compartment, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and more. The fridge made occasional noises, which bothered a light sleeper, and a few larger beer glasses would have been useful. There are two armchairs but no dining table, so it’s not really set up for eating anything beyond a very simple meal on your lap. Trays are in the wardrobe. The multi-fuel stove worked well, with kindling, logs, coal, firelighters and matches provided. The rain shower was good. The shower room did the job, though more hooks and places for bottles would help. A blind would also be useful for privacy, even with the frosted glass. Our main difficulty was the limited floor space, with bags all over it. The extra cushions had to be moved around and didn’t serve much purpose. In retrospect, we should have unpacked into the wardrobes and taken the bags back to the car. We used our torch a lot to see inside cupboards because the quaint filament LED bulbs were quite dim, though they made for a relaxing atmosphere. It was a great place for a couple of nights. I’d happily return for a short stay and be better prepared. Recommended any time of year for a short break.