Over the Summer, a few getaways brought me closer to the great outdoors. One of my favourite was at the Original Hut Company, near Bodiam, East Sussex, UK. A group of us spent a weekend glamping in shepherd’s huts, for a friend’s hen do.
There are six huts, all hand-built using mainly reclaimed, recycled and locally sourced materials. Also on site are five bell tents for hire, and pitches for tents; but the Hut Company is set in a tree-filled glade, so it felt very private when we were in our huts. The site is set along the banks of a small river, the Rother, which had an abundance of wild flowers. We gathered sweet peas, flowering thistles and cow parsley to decorate a garland for the bride-to-be to wear on a treasure hunt set up by her resourceful sisters (we also made our own garlands, but mine fell apart before I could take a decent picture….)
Each hut has its own fire pit and indoor wood burner, so as well as being a summertime place, the Original Hut Company would be good for chillier nights and days. There’s also a large, communal firepit, which we all sat around on the bride’s ‘Frida Kahlo’ celebration night.
The huts come well-equipped with cooking gear, and are tastefully decorated.
The communal toilets and showers are the nicest I’ve encountered so far at a campsite. Although you can’t completely fool yourself you’re in a swish, private lavatory, the pretty tea lights, flowers and artful display of toilet rolls helped make it all a lot more pleasant than your average campsite loo.
You do feel as though you’re getting away from it all on the 200 acres of farmland housing the Hut Company, but there’s tons to do, if you so choose. Activities include pottery, archery, bushcraft, paddleboarding, kayaking, falconry and foraging with Fergus Drennan. You can hire electric or non-electric bikes, or order catering if you want a special meal without the hassle of making it yourself.
Breakfast (prepared by the sisters of the bride) on one of the site’s picnic benches
And Bodiam Castle, of course, is only a 15-minute walk away, across fields and a picturesque bridge. It’s a National Trust property that dates back to the 14th Century and features a range of activities for children and adults, including guided tours (we were treated to a specially arranged ‘saucy history of Bodiam’ talk, pointing out some of the raunchier details of courtly life, for the hen’s delectation).
hen march to Bodiam
The bride’s sisters chose the Original Hut Company as a venue because our friend had stayed there with her husband-to-be; it was one of her favourite places. I imagine the huts would be great for a romantic Autumn or winter getaway; but they were also perfect for our larger group. I arrived home feeling thoroughly refreshed and energised by the fresh air, beautiful scenery…and not having the kids around for a couple of days no doubt contributed, too. But I’m pretty sure they would also love a stay at the Original Hut Company.
The shepherd huts sleep up to five people, and the site is open for most of the year. I contributed towards a long weekend at the Original Hut Company, which at the time (peak season) cost £299 per hut. Prices vary depending on time of year and length of stay. Entrance to Bodiam Castle is £7.80 per adult, £3.90 per child, or £19.50 for a family ticket.
Wow, they look amazing. Rather out of my budget but sounds like the perfect place for a hen do or other celebration.
We love camping so these look like the height of luxury to us – fabulous fun and some great photos! x
Thanks – it WAS a lot of fun.
Oh they look amazing and so wonderful to stay in. What a wonderful place to use for a celebration
It was perfect – and I’d like to go back one day, with the kids, to see if it works just as well for a family break.
oh, oh, I so want to go here! I’d love to go with a friend actually – such fun (*dials best friend*)
It really is great for catching up with friends. Let me know what you think, if you do go!
Love the look of this place, I really need to try gleaming as I just love being outdoors x
Glamping not gleaming lol
Hee hee – we WERE gleaming after a few Frida Kahlo mojitos, though!
Oh my gosh that is such a cute little hut – I wouldn’t expect the inside from the outside, what a lovely idea. x
They were so sweet! Cosy but spacious.
Now that is my kind of camping!!
Yep – it felt very luxurious.
oh my goodness that looks like amazing fun and something we had planned to do next year (glamping) however being pregnant its going to have to wait a little longer
It’s worth a try. And a darn sight easier than camping, if you have youngsters in tow!
We are going glamping in a few weeks, the kids are so excited. Looks like you had a great time
Ooh – enjoy!
Wow, this sounds fantastic, what an excellent place. Thanks for sharing Nell.
Now thw fie refuses point blank to camp, but I am sure she would com glamping, much more civilised and just as much fun!
What a lovely little hut and a fabulous idea for a hen too. It kind of reminds me of a railway carriage we slept in in New Zealand. We’ve not done glamping in the UK, I think POD would love it so we should really look into it. Seems far more appealing than camping although she’d love that too! Hope you’re good lovely and the building work is coming along x
This looks wonderful I’m not a camping fan but this I could do beautiful setting and surroundings perfect with hubby and kids what a lively find
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It’s a reat spot.