There’s something of The Secret Garden about the setting of the Shepherd’s Hut at Blanda. You’ll find this little bolthole, alongside a glasshouse, in the old vegetable garden of a Victorian rectory. The high hedges, once designed to keep growing produce sheltered, now do the same for you and ensure your stay is peaceful and secluded. To be honest there’s not much chance of anything else around here. This is the rural hamlet of Chaffcombe in southern Somerset. It’s a sleepy little settlement with a church and not much more. It’s the perfect place to just relax... though there's no denying that the 30 minute-drive south to the Jurassic Coast is pretty tempting too.
Step inside the shepherd’s hut and things are just as tranquil as on the other side of the stable door. It’s been simply but thoughtfully furnished – all done with a gentle touch. The timber clad walls are whitewashed, the colour in the bedding and cushions is soft and there are well-chosen antiques and vintage pieces here and there. It gives the impression of age and solidity although, in actual fact, this place is rather new. You’ll notice that in the spotlessly clean en suite which has modern plumbing (and by that we mean a flushing loo and hot water shower). There’s electricity to the hut which powers lights under vintage shades, a two-ring hob and a stove. There’s just enough to make stays here comfortable but not enough to distract. There’s deliberately no TV and no WiFi either.
Instead, you can sit outside by the fire at night or in the fairy-lit glasshouse if it rains. You can head out on walks into the surrounding countryside or drive to explore a little further, perhaps visiting one of the good gastro pubs that are a short drive away. Heather, your host, is a reassuring presence who will pop to stay hello with her dogs during your stay. She’ll let you know about the best local places to visit if you want to get out and about. But don’t feel guilty if you want to stay right here and enjoy the peace and tranquility of your own little secret garden.
Nestled in a secluded hedged garden, in the private grounds of a Victorian Rectory, lies a perfect Shepherd’s hut, the ideal location to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We are excited to welcome you to our idyllic rural retreat in South West Somerset. We have recently created a bespoke Shepherd’s Hut, furnishing it with antiques and our favourite vintage pieces from the local area. The hut is incredibly light and airy with pretty views of your secluded garden. We live in the Rectory with our two dogs and a cat. We will leave you in peace to enjoy your stay but if you have any questions we are on hand to answer them. The Hut has a fully equipped kitchen area and separate a bathroom with a shower and WC. There is a comfortable double bed with plenty of storage below. It is the perfect location for a couple or solo traveler looking for somewhere with all the modern conveniences while also remaining unique, a tad quirky and allowing you to connect to nature. The Area: 30 minutes to the nearest beach, the Hut is the ideal location to explore everything from the rugged and wild Jurassic Coast, to a number of beautiful stately homes and gardens. There are also a number of fantastic walks from the house. We have created a comprehensive guide to the area with all our favourite things to do, see and eat and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. We love the hut and hope you will too and will do everything we can to ensure that you have a happy trip in the South West.
From Chaffcombe, where the Shepherd’s Hut at Blanda, is situated, you can head out on local footpaths into the nearby Park Woods or to Chard Reservoir (one mile away). There’s parking at the reservoir, which is a local nature reserve, should you wish to drive. More local routes and suggestions for places to eat and drink are detailed in Heather’s guide to the area which you will find in your hut. One of the closest places to visit is Forde Abbey (six miles), with a historic house (formerly a 12th-century monastery) and beautiful gardens. In the summer there's also a plant nursery and the chance to pick your own fruit. The Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis and Charmouth is 15 miles away, a drive of about half an hour. Hunt for fossils on the beach, walk down The Cobb (harbour arm) at Lyme Regis and explore the town’s little museum or simply take a dip in the sea.
The closest recommended pub to the Shepherd’s Hut at Blanda is The Cotley Inn – a very nice, award-winning, gastropub (about four miles away) which uses fresh local produce in its seasonally-changing menus. The Crooked Swan in the town of Crewkerne and The Lord Poulett in Hinton St George (both about six miles away) are also highly recommended by your host. Check out Heather’s guide to the area for the latest suggestions of places to eat and drink. If you want to cook on site, the closest shops are in Chard (three miles).
