The Shepherds Lodge

The highlights

• Locally known as 'Oven's Mouth', the field in front of the hut is exclusively yours for the duration of your stay, whether to run, read, picnic, or simply recline with a book.
• As well as a portable DVD player and board games, the hut comes with a whole shelf of Penguin Classics, ideal for lazy mornings, rainy afternoons, or take with you on your excursions.
• From flip flops and bath robes to a complimentary bottle of prosecco, you can expect a whole range of additional treats to ensure that your stay is restorative and luxurious.
• Take advantage of the warmer months by firing up the barbecue, and cosy up in the winter by lighting the wood-burning stove, powered by local wood.

You should know

• Apart from the bathroom, the space is open plan.
• There is a two night minimum stay.

The detail

Located on a sprawling green patch in the wilds of Norfolk, the Shepherd's Lodge is a quirky and delightful shepherd's hut. This space is packed indoors and out with delightful features and all of the amenities that a resourceful couple could need for a restorative and romantic trip to Norfolk. Beautifully finished and designed with no compromise on fittings, furnishings and fixtures, the Shepherd's Lodge combines the attention to detail and high-end quality of a boutique hotel with the romance and privacy of a glamping pod. The hut creates a unique and pleasing space that will stay with you long after your holiday is over.

The hut itself is situated on a patio-style space, with private decking, outdoor furniture, and plants in containers dotted around the front door. There is ample space to sit with a cup of coffee and a book in the morning, or a glass of wine in the evening as you take in the scenic views all around. Inside, the ceiling is vaulted with a gentle curve, and light simply pours in through the contemporary windows. The structure is built around the kitchen-cum-living space, a room which simply delights, from the Belfast sink under the window to the slate-grey high-end cabinets throughout. A large, L-shaped sofa faces the field outside, and there's a temporary DVD player if you feel like watching a movie. The hut is also large enough that even if it's raining outside, you never feel cooped up.

At the far end of the long building you'll find the bed, a large and ultra-comfy mattress built into the space. The room benefits from elegant storage on both sides, and is nicely spacious. Off the main living area is a gleaming white bathroom that features a walk-in shower with high-pressure hot water and a quirky reclaimed jam pot sink.

While the property is naturally a favourite with couples and individual travellers who relish being outside in the wooded hills and valleys of Norwich, it is spacious and well designed enough that homebodies will feel perfectly comfortable pottering around inside. Guests can spend time cooking ambitious meals with local ingredients, devouring books, building a fire in the evening, and generally unwinding from the stresses of contemporary urban life by totally unplugging.

For a hearty fry up before setting off, or to take a break from cooking, you can head to the on-site bar and grill, where you can enjoy counter service as well as a great meal with locally sourced ingredients. For long walks, charming local pubs, and rustic picnics, there really is nowhere else like it.

Features

Essential