Copper Beech is one of three hand crafted luxury shepherds huts tucked away on a private estate in the Blackdown Hills of Devon. The location is absolutely stunning, with the most beautiful views that seem to roll on forever across unspoilt countryside. With bounteous fresh air, the tranquility, bird song and those enormous skies, this is a wonderful place to stay for anyone wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of life for a short break or holiday in peaceful surroundings. Imagine idling the hours away soaking in the hot tub beneath a sky full of stars, or when its cold out, cosied up by the fire with mugs of steaming hot chocolate…
You’ll feel all your worries slip away the minute you step inside Copper Beech; it’s so welcoming and so well designed. There’s a little kitchen where you can cook your supper, a lounge area with a table that converts for dining, and a drop down bed where you can dream the night away snug as bugs. Everything that’s here was hand picked especially for Dreamview Shepherds Huts, wall lights are by Tom Raffield, soft furnishings are by Susie Hetherington, and just outside the door there’s a private garden area with a hot tub, firepit/grill and vintage style bistro furniture. It’s the bees knees, this place; come and completely unwind, make happy memories.
You might be so content at Copper Beech that you don’t feel the need to go anywhere, but if you do, you’ll find some lovely things to do close by, and plenty of attractions and places to visit a little further afield. If you want to explore go for a walk up to the stone hut at Culm Beacon, or stroll along the river; round it off with lunch at the Culm Valley Inn at Culmstock, or tea and cake outside The Strand Stores.
If you go to Tiverton you can take a trip on a horse drawn barge along the Grand Western Canal, or hire rowing boats and take to the waters; cycle or amble along the towpath looking out for wildlife; see swans nesting on the banks, moorhens scooting about and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher darting across the water. Have a cream tea at The Canal Tea Rooms and Garden, or go to Duck’s Ditty, a floating café/bar with a bankside beer garden that’s possible one of the loveliest to be found.
There are historic houses with formal gardens and acres of parkland to discover – Killerton and Knightshayes are both within easy reach. You could have a wander round Cullompton and find a table at The Bakehouse for a bite to eat, or even spend a day in Exeter, exploring the city streets; see the glorious Gothic cathedral, take a tour of the medieval underground passages.
Book ahead of your stay for an exciting experience like skydiving, wing walking or a light aircraft flight at Dunkeswell Airfield; if you don’t have ahead for heights go to the Aviator Coffee Bar and Restaurant and watch the action – planes coming in to land and parachutists drifting down from the skies. Just up the road is Mansell Raceway where you can put your driving skills to the test on the 750m long karting circuit.
When you get back to Copper Beech, get the steaks sizzling on the grill, have a soak in the hot tub as the sun sinks below the far horizon. Then tuck yourselves up in bed with the big old moon shining down on you through the stargazer panel above the bed. Perfick, as they say round these parts.