Country escape: Romney Marsh Shepherd Huts
Escape everyday life, unplug and stay in a cosy Shepherd’s Hut for a night or three! The perfect romantic escape.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of every day electronic life, unwind and soak up the peace and quiet with the far reaching countryside views from a cosy Shepherd Hut.
Romney Marsh Shepherd Huts are a pair of beautifully presented shepherd’s huts based on a family farm. The Lookerer and Rumwold’s Hut are situated in a sheep meadow with atmospheric views across the marsh with its big skies.
The perfect chance to go ‘off grid’, be free from Wifi and TV (you’ll still have 4G don’t worry!). They’re bright and cosy packed with all the necessary equipment you’ll need. A well thought out kitchenette and living area with a lovely wood burning stove, it’s a delightfully romantic experience.
Also home to Romney Marsh Wools founded in 2008, the family keep circa 1,000 indigenous Romney ewes, also known as ‘Kentish Sheep’ who graze on their rich pastures – who you’ll meet on your stay!
THE LOCATION
This peaceful countryside retreat is perfect for walkers, cyclists, explorers of historic towns, ancient churches and wildlife with plenty to see and do in this area. Romney Marsh is renown for its rural historic churches, there are 14 scattered across the Marsh with St Thomas a Becket at Fairfield being the most iconic.
Romney Marsh is a wonderful place for bird and wildlife spotting with the RSPB Reserve at Dungeness being very close by.
And an uphill cycle will get you to the historic Lympne Castle and nearby Port Lympne Wildlife Park.
If you’re craving a day at the beach, head to Dymchurch which is less than 4 miles away or spend the day at Camber Sands and stop-off at the quaint town of Rye on the way through. Not forgetting up-and-coming seaside town Folkestone, only a 20 minute drive away.
THE VIBE
I immediately felt overdressed in my Veja trainers, practical and comfy clothes are what you’ll need here.
We opened a gate and drove past the family’s home where we parked at the top of the drive, next to a barn where it said ‘visitor parking’. This is where you’ll see the key locks to gain access to your Hut.
If you’ve come to escape and not see a single soul, it’s the perfect ‘contact free’ checking in process. If you need help with your bags, forget the bell boy, you can use the trolley!
THE FACILITIES
Before you arrive, you can download your ‘Welcome Pack’ as a handy app on your phone. So you’ll be able to access all the information about your stay, with or without 4G. It’s got everything you could possibly need in it; a welcome video tour of your hut, a handy guide on how to light your fire pit and even a local area guide.
The Shepherds Huts have been bespoke built by a local craftsman who used original 1900’s plans. They are surprisingly roomy and are very cute indeed, I mean look at it!
As you step in, you’ll find a double bed where the duvet, blankets and cushions have been made from their very own sheep fleeces. Perfect to keep you warm on those cooler evenings. Plus a wooden folding table and chairs for two.
The kitchen includes an electric 2 ring hob, a kettle and a coffee machine. Included with every stay is tea, coffee, jam, marmalade, milk and a bottle of wine, all from local businesses.
There’s everything you need in the cupboards with plates, glasses, cutlery, utensils, BBQ tools, trays and even a little fridge. You did not need to bring anything, apart from your dinner!
There’s also a little wood burner to keep you warm in the evenings – we were quite sad that the weather was too warm for us to use it! It came with firelighters and kindling wood which we used on the fire pit outside in the evening.
Behind the door, you’ll find the loo, heated towel rail and a powerful shower complete with Romney Marsh Wools lanolin toiletries, towels and a hair dryer.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Yes! We were invited to feed their sock lambs and we jumped at the chance. It was an amazing experience, something we’ve never done before. It was lovely to meet her family and to find out more about the sheep which were our neighbours for the night.
After popping out for our dinner, we settled around the fire pit and toasted marshmallows (which were left for us in the Hut!) as the sun set.
The perfect opportunity to star gaze and take in the quiet surrounds. We then retreated back to the hut to play the card games we brought with us to keep us entertained – we didn’t miss the TV one bit!
THE DAMAGE
The Lookerer and Rumwold’s Hut are £535 for the week OR from £326 for two nights.
Upgrade and order one of their Breakfast Boxes for 2 with 4 x bacon rashers, 4 x sausages, 4 x eggs and a small loaf of bread for £12.50.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
Good for: quiet escapes for two – you could even book the other hut and go with friends!
Not for: families, dogs or if you want a posh hotel stay.
Romney Marsh Shepherd Huts, Giggers Green Road, Ashford, Kent, TN25 7BT, romneymarshshepherdshuts.co.uk.
Book your stay: info@romneymarshshepherdshuts.co.uk
Find more stays and travel guides here.