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A big adventure in a tiny hut

A family adventure in a beautiful Shepherd’s hut.

Good things come in small packages. You know sometimes, a change of scene and an unexpected adventure, something different to the norm, that takes you away from every day life, is just such a good thing.

And for us, it was very much a good adventure in a small package that gave us a few days of magic and pocket-sized excitement last Summer. (I cannot believe it has taken me this long to post this!!)

The rise of glamping as a serious trend over the past couple of years has definitely been heightened once again due to global developments over the past two years. Staycations and opportunities to explore the UK have boomed, as has the demand for unique and adventurous family trips… people are seeking something different in the UK to quench their thirst for travel. We love travelling and exploring new places, so I have definitely found myself searching ‘unique family stays’ once or twice over these past months

One answer has definitely been the ‘shepherd hut’. Unique, carefully crafted, steeped in heritage and tradition, there is something so endearing about shepherd huts. So much so that we thought it would be the perfect adventure for our young adventure boys.

So here it is, our family pocket-sized adventure in the most beautiful shepherd’s hut set in the gorgeous Cotswolds. It was the perfect adventure for the boys and they have been asking to go back ever since!

Where did we go?

We headed to a beautiful shepherds hut we found on AirBnB, situated in the countryside just on the edge of the Cotswolds. It was a stunning location, set in the grounds of the owner’s home, but completely private and with it’s own large garden and parking

The property had been hand built to their specifications and included a double bed, pull out bed for the children, bespoke kitchen, working shower and toilet (compost). The owner has been so thoughtful in their approach – they had everything! Including eco friendly and vegan toiletries and cleaning materials.

I would definitely recommend doing your research so you know what you are going to be staying in – make sure it has the privacy and space you are looking for. This was perfect for us; the owner was nearby if needed, but we felt completely private and secluded. The garden space was wonderful for the boys and included a fire pit for the all important BBQ and smores

The shepherd’s hut itself was stunning. It was so carefully crafted and well thought out and had everything a family could possibly want. I spent ages searching for a property, but I am glad we did some research first so we knew it would work well for us. Outdoor space was a must for us, as were good beds! So this was perfect. These huts are small so being able to spend lots of time outside really mattered to the boys, and to my sanity!

What were our favourite things about staying in a Shepherd’s hut?

Ralph (3) “I love the bed. It was so high and I was a King. I liked the fire with the marshmallows”

Henry (9) “The best part was having our own fire which we got to make and light ourselves and then cook on it. I loved that. Plus the hut was really cosy and we all got to sleep in it together which felt like a fun adventure”

Mummy (older than 9…) “I adored the little touches, the owner had thought of everything; vegan friendly products throughout, and every pot, pan and piece of equipment you could think of. My favourite memory was sitting up by the fire late in to the evening and toasting marshmallows with the boys. Their faces were just a picture of joy.”

Daddy (even older than Mummy…) “The outdoor space was perfect for the little adventurers. We were so lucky to have good weather and be able to spend so much time outside with the fire pit. We cooked out there and went on walks from the property. It was a great adventure with a young family. Plus they actually slept in (unlike at home). Winner!”

Top tips for a unique stay like this:

I would definitely recommend doing some research – make sure you get the property that works for you in terms of space and location

We found that the outdoor space was really important – space for the boys to run and play, a fire pit and some outdoor seating all totally made the trip for us

We cooked over the fire pit on the first night and this was a huge highlight as the boys could be really involved. It is definitely worth being prepared and arriving with your food and drink so you can get set on the fire as soon as possible

Layer up. This slightly depends on the time of year, but lots of layers for different weather, and for staying up by the fire late in to the evening

Check the fire wood situation – the owner of this hut provided loads so we didn’t need to worry, but it is worth checking

Do NOT forget the marshmallows! Essential.

 

Places to visit when adventuring in the Cotswolds:

Some adventuring in the Cotswolds is a bit of a favourite for us. Wear the little adventurers out in the day and they sleep very well!!

Here are a few of the things we got up to…

Cheltenham. A beautiful city with lovely places to wander and eat. We spent the afternoon at the outdoor pool – Sandford Park Lido – which was a huge hit! Once we were finished there we headed for something to eat in the city – so much choice, which was great with little ones.

The Jolly Nice Farm Shop and Cafe – this was a great find. Wonderful local produce, good coffee and cake and treats for all the family. Plus an awesome drive through!

Lower Slaughter. This is such a stunningly beautiful village and we really enjoyed a couple of hours exploring here. Great for a walk and some lunch or coffee stop. We walked through the village to the Mill, which the boys loved, and then on to ‘Wardens Way’ which took us along the riverside and then through fields to Upper Slaughter. Lovely walk with the children.

Bourton on the Water. A favourite for anyone visiting the Cotswolds. Lots of lovely shops, cafes and ice cream! Plenty of walking and exploring to be done, including a very sweet model village.

Cirencester. We absolutely adore Cirencester. It is such a lovely place to wander and just has a wonderful feel to it. The big pull for us, in addition to the beautiful shops and cafes, is the huge outdoor space. We love going for a long walk and explore in Cirencester Park, on the Bathhurst Estate. The park is open daily free of charge and a really nice place to stretch the adventurer’s legs. There is also a lovely green space, with plenty of places to walk and a play park in the Abbey Grounds.

Frome. This was really local to our shepherd’s hut and a nice place to spend a few hours. We visited on Market Day which was fantastic – so much beautiful local produce.

  • The boys are wearing a selection of our designs in the photos above, including our bestselling Adventure Boy T-Shirt (also available as sweatshirts and hoodies). Link here Adventure Boy

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Happy Adventuring!  Emma and the Adventure Boys xx