Sweet Chestnut is one of three luxury shepherds huts set on a private estate in the Blackdown Hills AONB in Devon. This really is a beautiful location, out in the sticks, with views that will astound you – they just roll on for miles across glorious unspoilt countryside. You can’t fail to be anything but relaxed when you come to Dreamview Shepherds Huts, with the fresh air, the birdsong and tranquility. It’s an idyllic rural retreat, far, far away from the push and shove of life. Idling comes naturally here; have a soak in the hot tub, or a cook out beneath the summer skies. If it's chilly, nestle down inside, in front of the wood-burner, snug as bugs.
Sweet Chestnut provides boutique style accommodation to a high spec throughout; the ambience is gentle and welcoming and you’ll have everything you need for your holiday or short break. The little kitchen is well-equipped for cooking, there’s a nice comfy lounge area and a very stylish shower room. At night the drop down bed is ready for you to climb into within minutes; before you close your eyes spend a while picking out the constellations through the stargazing panel above your head.
We wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t go out anywhere whilst you’re here; you’ll probably be perfectly content at Sweet Chestnut. If you do fancy exploring take a stroll up to Culm Beacon and afterwards, go and have lunch at the Culm Valley Inn, or pootle out round the lanes to The Ashill Inn.
It’s nice to while away an afternoon down by the Grand Western Canal at Tiverton, where you can hire rowing boats and take to the waters, or drift slowly along on one of the few remaining horse drawn barges in the country. Tuck into a proper Devon cream tea at the Canal Tea Rooms and Garden, or in the bankside beer garden of Duck’s Ditty floating café bar. Walk it off with an amble along the towpath; you’ll probably see swans gracefully gliding and ducks dabbling.
Spend a day discovering Exeter with its magnificent cathedral and underground passages. Wander down to the quay where you can hire paddle boards and kayaks and paddle your way up to the Double Locks pub for lunch. If you’ve a thing for historic houses you should go to Killerton or Knightshayes, both are within easy reach.
Say you’re here for a birthday – well make it extra special by booking an experience day at Dunkeswell Airfield. They do sky diving, wing walking and trips in light aircraft – not for the fainthearted, but anyone with a sense of adventure will enjoy it. If heights don’t appeal, watch the action from the Aviator Coffee Bar and Restaurant. Just up the road is Mansell Raceway with a 750m long karting circuit where you can release your inner Formula 1 driver!
Back at Sweet Chestnut, you can get the firepit going and cook sausages or toast marshmallows on sticks; slip into the hot tub to watch the sunset over the hills, see the stars come out one by one. Then snuggle up in bed with owls hooting as you drift off to the Land of Nod….