The Woodland Hut

Our first residents have already moved into our new Woodland Hut, which is unusual because we’re not officially open until June 19th and we have only just today started advertising. Unusual also because they are a family - though they were only two when they moved in - and the Woodland Hut only has accommodation for two adults.

Our first guests, however, are no respecters of the conventions of normal society nor do they abide by the system of human law. Which is good, ultimately, as we have no intention of evicting them!

It is entirely appropriate in the natural paradise where we have situated our Woodland Hut then that our very first guests are a family of blue tits. Between the wooden rafters and the tin roof of the porch of the Hut, a pair of blue tits have made a nest and we can report at least two chicks are screeching away in there. They have chosen a lovely location indeed to start their lives.

We’re hoping the next residents of the Hut will be human ones as finally the works are complete and booking is open.

Amanda’s dad has done a gargantuan job. He has created a beautiful piece of accommodation, cosy, comfortable and finished to a high standard. There is a double bed, a small kitchen with a fridge, an electric induction hob and air fryer as well as hot and cold running water, direct from our own spring. Guests have access to a flushing toilet and a hot shower in the Tractor Shed, some 75 metres away. Outside the Hut, on a grassy area bordering the stream, there is a fire pit, a picnic table and a hammock.

The advertising copy reads Wake up to birdsong and go to sleep to the hooting of the owl which feels a little cliched. But guests really will experience both of these every day … and much more.

Louis had a “challenging” night a few nights ago - this involved a particularly gruesome, meaty animal part fetched in the middle of the night from a nearby field (less said about this, the better) - and so I was outside during the night a lot longer than I wanted to be. It made me realise, however, what is in store for our Woodland Hut guests. What really goes on in the woods during the night? Foxes, owls, red deer and much more. It was noisy! Our guests are going to get first hand experience of this, if they want it, of course. Close the windows and the comfortable bed combined with plenty of fresh air during the day will probably mean that many guests will be just as oblivious to it as they might be at home! Perhaps we should lend them Louis for the night!!

I remember vividly camping in the woods on a school trip about 15 years ago. I say camping. The kids were camping - some were actually sleeping under shelters they had built during the day, gullible as they are - we were actually sleeping in wooden cabins!! We were glamping, though I didn’t know it at the time!! Anyway, I remember taking a walk in the woods at first light (probably around 5am). I walked a fair distance away from the camp - I am sure the kids were OK, by the way - and got to a part of the forest which was entirely isolated and silent. It was a beautiful, still morning. It was in this section of the woods that I had an encounter with a roe deer. It stopped when it saw me - even though it probably heard me as apparently their eyesight is not good - it looked straight at me and waited. Transfixed, I stood completely still for fear of it traipsing away. It must have stood for about 15 seconds before it walked away deeper into the woods.

At the time, this experience had a huge impact on me. It felt very special. It felt like I was intruding into their world, just for a moment. Now, I realise that this happens pretty much every morning in our woods, but the roe deer is a red deer! And I mention this not to seem blase about any of this, but to indicate just how powerful direct connections with nature can be.

We hope our Woodland Hut is going to give lots of people these experiences. It’s a minimum stay of three nights but I defy anyone to stay three nights in the woods without some meaningful experience with nature. And if nothing else, you’re bound to get a visit from an enthusiastic and gorgeous young golden retriever!

So, we’re delighted to offer this experience to the world. Please tell your family, friends and colleagues, especially the nature loving ones. Did I mention booking is now open and we open officially for guests on Friday June 19th?