This idyllic escape is the perfect choice for an anniversary, birthday or simply a get-away-from-it-all break in glorious Devon countryside. The Retreat at Sheary comprises a "living hut" and adjacent little brother "shower hut", in a private meadow with views over wooded hills. A mile away, there’s a village pub that serves excellent food – a great spot for relaxing after long walks in the scenic woodlands all around. Explore the rugged beauty of the Exmoor National Park (5 miles), making the most of hikes among the moorland, valleys and streams, peppered with quaint villages. Just 3 miles away, the National Trust’s Arlington Court is a beautiful Regency house with picturesque gardens, and if you feel the pull of shops, markets, cafes and tea rooms, Barnstaple is only 8 miles away. For a day at the seaside, the sheltered beach at Combe Martin is about 5 miles away, while Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands are all within 13 miles.
With corrugated-metal cladding and barrel-shaped roofs, these very special shepherd’s huts have been hand-built by the owner to a classic design. Arrive on site and follow the driveway to a small car park. From here, walk down a steep slope (using the trolley provided for luggage) to the meadow where the hut is situated. Five wooden steps lead you up to the stable door of the ‘living’ hut, which is an open-plan space for relaxing, sleeping, cooking and dining. At the far end, the cabin bed features an award-winning hybrid mattress and Egyptian-cotton bedlinens, with lamps above and storage below. Lie in bed and admire the delightful views, or draw the thick curtains and feel completely cosy. The kitchen area is compact but high-quality, designed to maximise space and make cooking simple meals a pleasure, and you can serve up at the dining table, folding it up and out of the way afterwards if you wish. Although plug sockets are provided, this is your chance for a digital detox, and books, board games and a radio are on hand to enhance your back-to-nature retreat. Separate but very nearby, the ‘shower’ hut (also with five steps up to the door) includes a hot-and-cold shower and a flushing WC, with Egyptian cotton towels provided for that touch of luxury.
In warm weather, step outside and enjoy the tranquillity of your private meadow with wonderful views. Here, you’ll be surrounded by nature, and if you stay still long enough, you may spot foxes and deer, and hear owls and other birds. Sit back in the wooden armchairs and sip a coffee or a sundowner, light the fire pit, or grill a tasty treat on the BBQ. At night, the sky has no light pollution and is perfect for stargazing. There is parking for one car, with a walk down a steep slope from the car park to the meadow.