The Shepherd’s Hut at Coombe Farm is only an hour or so from London and within easy reach of Goodwood, Cowdray and the south coast; yet once you’re here, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped through the back of the wardrobe. With its unimpeded views over the South Downs countryside and barely another soul to be seen, this is a magical place to hole up, step off the treadmill, dream, write, and recuperate. Although the land is prepared primarily for couples, we will accept occassional small groups to join and camp upon request.
Access is via a private lane and there’s parking on-site.
At the top, backing on to beautiful deciduous woodland, you’ll find the Hut itself – on a sturdy blacksmith-built chassis and equipped with a super-comfortable bed, log burner and simple, pretty furniture, including a table/desk. There’s a mezzanine bunk to accommodate one child. Outside, there’s a table and two chairs for a sundowner, a gravel firepit with low benches, and a picnic table. A few metres away, just beyond the wildflowers, you’ll find a well-equipped kitchen, shower and loo, all made using quirky reclaimed materials wherever possible, and with a selection of luxury toiletries. There’s hot water on demand, a wood stove and butler’s sink with pretty tiles, there is one 12v socket in the hut. solar-powered lighting and lots of little touches to make your rural getaway more comfortable. If you don’t want to cook and can’t face another toasted marshmallow, there are some great pubs a short drive away. In virtually any direction, there are lovely country trails, so you can walk it all off.
If you like wallmounted TV and cookie-cutter luxury, then the Shepherd’s Hut at Coombe Farm may not be your thing. If what you’re after is a completely secluded lo-fi idyll, welcome. We believe that nowadays, true luxury lies in space, peace and simplicity. So lie on one of our giant pillows and watch shooting stars while you listen out for the call of the barn owls and the flap of a bat’s wing. Oh, and the water here is delicious, and makes an amazing cup of tea.
There are bags of wood for the fire pit underneeth the hut, we charge £5 per bag (non profit) although you are very welcome to bring your own.
Recommended pubs: The Deers Hut, Liphook, GU30 7NY; The Rising Sun, Milland, GU30 7NA; the Duke of Cumberland Arms, Henley, GU27 3HQ; Durleighmarsh Farmshop, Tea Barn and Pick Your Own, GU31 5AX
Nearby: Goodwood (motor and equestrian sport and other activities); Cowdray (polo, farmshop and other activities); Chichester (Festival Theatre); Portsmouth; Beaulieu (Motor Museum); Selborne; Alton (Jane Austen Museum); Arundel; West Wittering and other south coast beaches; Uppark (National Trust house); Queen Elizabeth Country Park; Petersfield; Birdworld; Farnham; Haslemere; Petworth; Black Down and the Devil’s Punchbowl (beautiful country walks) – and more. This is a lovely corner of England.
Possibility of small family groups upon request at £20 per tent.
