Escape to the country with a stay at this hand-crafted shepherd's hut close to the Devon/Cornwall border. Located in an adults-only, lakeside setting it’s a romantic retreat for a fun-loving couple and their pair of four-pawed pals, with garden games, a summerhouse and sauna on the doorstep plus an off-lead play area for the dogs.
One of three shepherd’s huts set within the owner’s 10-acre grounds, this high-end holiday hideaway has been custom-designed to deliver an idyllic grown-up getaway. Head up the steps and you’re straight into a surprisingly spacious living area, with French doors offering stunning countryside views while, to one side, a wood burner casts a warming glow as you stretch out on the sofa with the dogs at your feet. A small but perfectly formed kitchen area has all the essentials for fuss-free self-catering and, beyond, the generously proportioned shower room comes with complimentary bath robes. At the opposite end of this beautifully rustic abode, the king-size bed can be accessed on both sides and has useful built-in storage. The whole space has been beautifully styled, while the open-plan layout means your pets can stay close at all times. For a sniff of fresh country air, simply open the French doors; to the front of the hut is a lawn with garden furniture, charcoal BBQ and fire pit plus panoramic views over the lake to the fields beyond. Stroll to the shared lakeside summerhouse where you’ll find seating, a TV, bar area with billiards table, large decked area with garden furniture and the option of a game of French Boules, Croquet or a 9-hole Pitch and Putt course. Alternatively, chill out with a trip to the shared barrel-shaped cedar sauna room – a small charge is payable direct to the owner. When the dogs want to let off steam, there’s a dedicated area where they can be exercised off-lead; if you’d like to extend a holiday invitation to more loved ones, additional properties can be booked, each accommodating a further two people and two pets.
Holiday here and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to doggie days out – less than 3 miles away, Roadford Lake is within the scenic Wolf Valley, with the dramatic tors of Dartmoor as its backdrop. Dogs are welcome on its network of paths, and can enjoy zoomies in their own enclosed exercise area. Alternatively, sniff out the wild beauty of Dartmoor National Park – Lydford, on its western edge, is just 12 miles away – or drive 9 miles to Launceston where Fido can join you in exploring the grounds of the town’s historic castle. For a change of terrain, head towards the coast – the sandy beaches at Bude and Widemouth Bay are less than 20 miles to the west.