Thompson Hall Retreat

There are shepherds huts, and then there are the shepherds huts at Thompson Hall Retreat. A retreat in the truest sense of the word, the trio of elegant structures at this East Anglian escape offer all the features we've come to expect of the shepherds hut – wood-burning stove, neat little kitchenette, and luxury king sized bed. But it's the en-suite bathtub and spacious veranda that tell you this is a step up from the more rustic of shepherds' abodes, not to mention the luxurious outdoor spa with a hot tub, sauna and solar shower. After all, nothing says luxury like stargazing from the foamy comfort of your steaming al fresco tub.

Although most of your whims will be taken care of as standard, Thompson Hall Retreat offers a range of packages to upgrade to with everything from fresh flowers, and Neal's Yard pamper boxes to full-time access to the outdoor spa area (which isn't included in the regular price). And if the occasion calls for it, why not order in one of Thompson Hall's bespoke retreat boxes? The hamper choices range from antipasti and BBQ meat platters to the ever popular Twilight Retreat box with everything you could want for your sugar fix – marshmallows, strawberries, ice-cream and enough chocolate to sate even the sweetest of teeth. Enjoying beside the campfire is essential.

If you can bare to tear yourself away from your cosy cabin in the woods, the natural wonders of Norfolk are just beyond the retreat walls. Thompson village lies within the sprawling Thetford Forest, itself part of the lesser known Norfolk Brecks. While the North Norfolk Coast and the famous Norfolk Broads (both eminently reachable from the site) are the destinations of choice for most tourists to the East of England, the Brecks are one of the region's hidden gems. Brimming with a vibrant variety of flora and fauna, an unmapped woodland walk is the best way to imbibe the atmosphere of this magical woodland.

For those glampers whose extra-curricular activities don't extend much beyond the village itself (and let's face it, we wouldn't blame you given the healthy dose of idleness a stay here engenders), Thompson is a delightfully pretty village of quaint chocolate box thatched cottages, some dating from the 14th century. And we're pleased to report that, in the 300-year-old Chequers Inn, the village also boasts that most essential of ingredients to all great getaways, the quintessential English country pub.