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Rushford Shepherd's Hut

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· Narrowbridge, Devon, England
1 acre hosted by Rachel J.
1 glamping pitch
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A dog-friendly shepherd's hut in the Teign Valley at the heart of Dartmoor National Park

It’s always worth reading the small print — and the small print for stays at Rushford Shepherd's Hut states that a cockerel lives in the chicken coop next door. That means, of course, that you may be woken early by a cock-a-doodle-doo. It’s intended as a warning for those who love a lie-in but for others it’s headline good news and the perfect way to wake up here, in the rural heartland of Dartmoor National Park.

This place will suit couples who love the outdoors — with or without dogs and babies in tow. It’s a lone shepherd's hut in its own little garden, surrounded by apple trees, wildflowers and clucking chickens in the corner of a field that’s occasionally grazed by sheep. The River Teign babbles away close by and the within-walking-distance attractions include a river-fed swimming pool, a deer park and a market town with butchers, bakers and a 13th-century inn.

Rushford Shepherd's Hut is the work of Tim and Rachel who live a few steps away on the edge of the town of Chagford. It’s a fully self-contained tiny home with a charm you won’t find elsewhere. Part of that is down to the setting ,l but it’s also due to the fact that it’s been handbuilt by Tim. A skylight in the roof is one of its unique highlights, as is its clever folding double bed. There’s a log burner, an equipped kitchenette and an en suite shower room with a compost loo. Outside in the garden, there’s a fire pit, a gas barbecue and a hammock.

It’s a lovely place to sit back and relax but you’ll want to explore the area, too. You can walk into Chagford in 10 minutes on the road or take the scenic route along the river. From there, head for the hills and magnificent views, or treat yourself to a homemade ice cream in town. In the other direction, you can stroll for a dip in Chagford’s outdoor swimming pool, or walk further to a nearby deer park, to the ancient woodland surrounding Fingle Bridge, or to Castle Drogo with its magnificent garden and valley views. Evenings mean campfires and barbecues before sleepy-eyed stargazing through that skylight in the roof of your hut. Some might want to draw the blind to shut out the light (and they can) while others — those who’ll enjoy this place most — will think it’s the perfect way to drift off to sleep here in the rural heartland of Dartmoor National Park.

Cosy shepherd's hut situated in the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, a short walk from the picturesque market town of Chagford. The hut is nestled in a private area of the hosts' field amongst wildflowers, apple trees and chickens. It boasts a large stargazing skylight, Hobbit log burner, fold-down king-size bed, kitchenette with gas hob, fridge with freezer compartment and an en-suite bathroom with a compost loo and a powerful hot shower. Guests can help themselves to seasonal produce and fresh herbs from the vegetable garden; kick back by the fire pit and enjoy al-fresco meals cooked upon the fire or BBQ. The River Teign runs along the bottom of the field and there is a lovely tranquil spot where you can swim / have a picnic or even fish, and for the adventurous, there's a rope swing and a dinghy. The hut comes with garden furniture including table and chairs, reclining chairs and a hammock and there is a washing line and outside tap. It is perfectly located for exploring the beautiful Dartmoor countryside and in the warmer months, you can cool off at the outdoor pool just a few hundred metres down the road.
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3 Ratings · 2 reviews
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Nathanael T.recommends
February 24, 2023
Rushford Shepherd's Hut
Absolutely gorgeous and charming hut! Rachel is a very welcoming host and we had a fantastic time :)
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Eric S.recommends
July 10, 2022
Rushford Shepherd's Hut
Fantastic hut - not to miss!!
Great hut, very cosy & detailed, designed with love. Absolute comfy, great location.
Location
Narrowbridge, Devon, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Rachel J.Joined in September 2021
From the host
Located in the heart of the National Park, our hut is tucked away in a little private area of our field surrounded by wildflowers, fruit trees, raspberry canes, a couple of raised vegetable beds and a herb garden which guests cab help themselves to, and views of the surrounding hills. Beside the hut live our flock of hens who can be heard happily clucking away or seen taking a dust bath when they're not foraging for food. The River Teign runs along the bottom of the field and there's a lovely spot in the corner where you can swim / fish / paddle in the dinghy, or for the more brave-hearted - swing from the rope swing.  Chagford is a charming, vibrant town with stunning views of the moor and is just a short walk away via the road or the river. It has everything you need, including some great cafes and restaurants and a good range of events throughout the year including a food festival and a film festival. The outdoor swimming pool is a few hundred metres from the site and there are many beautiful walks right on the doorstep, including a lovely walk along the river to Fingle Bridge. Tim is a self-employed builder and designed and built the hut himself (with a little help from his partner, Rachel); this includes everything from the kitchen, to the bed, the loo to the basin, the internal doors and chunky oak steps leading into the hut. Rachel is currently on maternity leave but works for a company that provides outdoor education for children with additional needs and runs forest schools. They live on site but hope to take time out to go travelling with their daughter.
Nearby attractions
Chagford Outdoor Swimming Pool (01647 432929) is a few hundred metres up the road (closed in winter). The River Teign passes through the bottom of the meadow you are staying in and you can walk straight from a site west to the town of Chagford in 30 minutes (though it's only 10 minutes on the road). The town has a park with a kids' play area, skate park and a couple of bookable tennis courts as well as shops and eateries. If you head east along the river, it leads you to Fingle Bridge, a quiet area of Dartmoor with ancient woodland and a dramatic gorge. Whiddon Deer Park can also be explored on foot from the hut and the National Trust's Castle Drogo (01647 433306) is a short drive (about two miles) away. Nattadon and Meldon are the two biggest hills in Chagford, both of which have multiple routes up them which can be walked from site and offer panoramic views from the top. This is all within Dartmoor National Park, of course, so opportunities for walking and outdoor exploration are plentiful. Other notable places nearby include Fernworthy Reservoir, Wistman's Wood, Kes Tor, Hay Tor and Scorhill. 
Food and drink
Chagford has lots of independent food shops (including a dairy with great homemade ice cream) and places to eat. Your host's personal favourite is The Three Crowns (01647 433444) a 13th-century, part thatched inn serving a fresh, seasonal menu. They also rate Berto's (07960 586539) as the best place for pizza in the southwest. It is just outside of Chagford, in Moretonhampstead, four miles from the site.
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