As I write this from my kitchen table office (Nov2023) with a mug of earl grey & the sleepy paws for company, my head is whirring with where to start with this episode of the little blog.
And then it occurred to me, that revisiting the guest book & our reviews would give me a pretty good idea of what our guests love when they come & stay in our little green hut & why they keep coming back for more.
We have been welcoming guests to thehuteyam in our little corner of the Peak District for over 10 years. When we first started, there weren't too many huts around & what started as a side hustle turned into a full time business & a lifestyle change, one which we have never looked back from. We get great pleasure in sharing our corner with you & hope that you enjoy your stays with us as much as we enjoy hosting you.
We are located in the historic village of Eyam, famous for the plague story. Pretty much in the centre of the country, easily accessible & you can be here with us in under an hour or two after finishing work in Sheffield, Nottingham, Leeds, Liverpool & Manchester. There is a village pub, a museum, Eyam Hall & courtyard with shops, cafes & even a pump track & play area for the kids. Eyam is a strong, inclusive community, which welcomes visitors with open arms, it's people are as much a part of the village as its history.
So, what can you expect when you stay with us.
We pride ourselves on being different. We won't spoil the surprise & spill the beans on everything but we think our shepherd hut has the wow factor... From initial searching, we hope that you get a feel for why we are 5 star & award winning & what a stay in our little green hut will be like. Our website aims to show you a snapshot of what to expect, whilst leaving some surprises for when you arrive. Booking is fast & easy, we contact you pre arrival & if you need any help with finding activities, places to eat or drink, we are on hand.
As your stay gets closer, depending on how long you are staying & what your plans are, you may like to book a table for supper, think about a BBQ or firepit tea or think about a walk to the pub once you've woken up. We can help with this & give you recommendations on our favourite places to go.
We are only small & our guests comfort & memorable experience is a priority so we only have the one shepherds hut. It is tucked away under the trees in a quiet corner of our large garden where you are not overlooked & it is private & peaceful. You may see shooting stars (little light pollution here), hear the owl above or see our resident golden pheasant, it really is a relaxing place to be.
Oh, and the most important & unique bit of us here at the little green hut - "seasons are our super power!" We decorate the hut for the seasons, this means the books, the bedding, the garden pickings & the breakfast hamper are all influenced by Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter & celebrations too. We encourage slow living by tuning in to the changing seasons, whether its the snowdrop carpet outside the hut in winter, the homegrown daffs on the windowsill in spring, wild strawberries in your breakfast basket in summer & pine cones in the firebasket in autmn.
Outside:
There is a picnic bench, BBQ area & plenty of seating. Festoon lights & a firepit to snuggle around.
We have an extended area for you to use at the top of our allotment/ field with a Gin deck & Hen house! The deck is the perfect place on a warm summers morning to watch the sunrise or maybe grab a pre dinner drink in the evening before you head out somewhere for supper. The henhouse is a converted, well, henhouse! It's more salubrious than it sounds, mirroring the hut decor but with easy chairs & a coffee table for you to relax in & maybe enjoy your breakfast hamper in too.
Inside:
Our shepherds hut is a traditional snug hut built by, in our opinion, the best hut makers in the world, Plankbridge. We have another blog post on how it all began, click here to read, but we are very proud to call our hut original & traditional, whilst creating a warm, cosy & welcoming place for you to stay.
Before you even open the door, the heart window should be a hint at the love & attention we gave it when designing the space. Inside you will find the comfiest ever double bed (our guests words), a vintage fold out table with chairs & an entertainment bookcase filled with books & games.
Subtle lighting & a small electric heater keeps the chills away but the best bit, a small wood burning stove to cuddle up next to in the evenings. We don't get chance to stay in the hut ourselves very often, but when we do, we love to light the fire, climb into bed & watch the flames 'til we fall asleep.
So, What do you need to bring when you stay with us?
Honestly? Not a lot! Clean pants are a good start ;-) but we've got you covered on most things.
If you order a celebration hamper on arrival, you'll even have a chilled bottle & some treats to arrive to.
If your plans are to get out for a walk, then waterproofs & boots are a good idea, if you're staying around the village, a good appetite to enjoy some of the great places to eat on our doorstep.
Frequently asked questions:
Toilet/bathroom facilities - our hut isn't en suite, it was planned that way. We figured unsavoury noises & smells would kill the mood & we decided that a totally separate building made more sense. It gave us the chance to create a utility style washroom with heated towel rail, power shower, tea/coffee making facilities & even a fridge for your fizz!
Does the hut have electricity - yep, we have it! There are soft lights & a radio inside the hut, electric heaters in the hut, hen house & the washroom & there are plenty of double sockets inside them all too.
Towels/bedding - are all included in your stay.
Are you dog/Child friendly - Sadly we don't allow dogs in the hut ( we do in our sister property, thecottageeyam) but we do allow children over 12 years of age. Note, the hut sleeps 2 only. For safety/insurance reasons we do not take babies/toddlers.
Whats in the breakfast hamper - The basket is waiting for you on arrival. A continental style breakfast is provided each morning of your stay. If you have special dietary requirements, we ask for a minimum of 48 hours notice. Vegan, gluten free are no problem.
Are there places to eat/drink nearby - yes, plenty. We are very lucky to have a wide variety of places to eat & drink on our doorstep. Click here for more details.
Transport - There is a train station in the neighbouring village Grindelford & a frequent bus service through the village. Please note, we are a rural location & as such, planning your trips if you are using public transport is recommended.
Is there a village pub - yes! We have a lovely local pub, a bar & a village club in Eyam. Several pubs within walking distance (30/40 mins) & the town of Bakewell is only a short drive away.
Do you have free parking - We have parking on the property for 1 car. If you need more, there is on street parking or a free public car park close by.
Early/Late check in/out - Our check in times are set to allow for thorough cleaning in between guest stays & we kindly ask that you adhere to them. We do our best to be ready early & will contact you via text/WhatsApp if you are able to arrive before. We politely ask you to check out by 11am for the same reasons.
But what is it really like to stay in a shepherds hut?
Written words don't give you the feels, the atmosphere, the ambience & the memories.
Its quirky & different Its cosy
Its calm
Its warm & welcoming
Its relaxing Its a hideaway Its an adventure Its romantic
Its an escape
Its all in the detail
& it's how it makes you feel
Come & try it for your self. We are confident you won't be disappointed. Our guest book is full of little notes saying that the details, the thoughtful touches, the breakfast, the magic hearts (you'll see when you visit), the location, it all adds up to a special place where memories are made & cherished forever.
That's what staying in a shepherd hut is like.
[All words/pictures our own]