Extraordinary Huts

The quiet nights and the view from the bed were the best parts of our stay in “The Hut”. It looks out over fields towards the sea, and there’s a deck and fire pit outside. We booked two nights but left after one because the hut felt disappointing and needed care. We’ve stayed in much more comfortable Shepherds Huts. Getting there takes a drive down an unmade track, then a walk through the trees following the signs. It’s secluded, though finding it can be tricky. The narrow, creaky ladder up to the beds would be difficult if you have mobility issues. There’s little room to stand, no clothing storage, and some lights didn’t work. The pillows were a mix of lumpy and squishy; the futon we used was reasonably comfortable. It’s quiet at night with no light pollution, so bring a torch if you need to get around. The outside chairs were uncomfortable and covered in bird droppings. There’s an axe for chopping wood, but it’s blunt. Inside, the sofa had old food on it and looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time. The floors and windows were dirty and dusty, there were dead bugs in the window frames, grime around the sink, and old broccoli on the drainer that wasn’t ours. The cutlery drawer was grubby too, and the stovetop kettle had no whistle. The wet room needs refreshing. It was poorly lit, had no mirror or steam extraction, and stayed damp all day. The drain smelled as well. After a shower, using the toilet meant wet clothes could easily touch the dirty floor. There was hardly any usable hand soap, just empty bottles. The gas fridge had no milk. There were some old tea bags and sugar, plus coffee sachets in a jar in a cupboard. A rustic off-grid hut can be basic, but with more attention this could feel special. It just didn’t for us.

The Plough was a nice spot to walk over to for a drink. My boyfriend and I stayed in The Hive for a night and loved it. The interior was cozy, lovely and very clean, and it made it easy to switch off and relax with very little service. I’d happily recommend it to anyone. Thank you!

We were only a few minutes from Rye, and wished we could have stayed longer. Our hut had a good bed and more room than expected, with stylish decor inside. The setting was amazing, especially the beautiful hill views from our own private deck.

We spent a long summer weekend in this beautiful hut and loved how quiet it was. It felt simple but luxurious, and nicely cut off from the bustle of the outside world. The farmer was there to help, and there are some lovely local pubs nearby, especially the Plough up the road. What a fabulous getaway. I’d definitely recommend it to friends, and we’ll be back!