At The Cowshed

At The Cowshed is a small cluster of handmade traditional shepherd’s huts in the Wiltshire village of Kilmington, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Each of the smart huts has been kitted out with comfy beds (with bedding supplied), and they share a well-equipped kitchen that has plenty of utensils and basic provisions plus a hob, an oven and a fridge (in which you’ll find breakfast packs to get your morning off to a cracking start). Nearby are a couple of toilets and hot showers with lots of nifty touches including body wash and hooks to hang all your bits and bobs on.

And the facilities list goes on… that shared area also has a barbecue space, a firepit for chilly evenings and a hot tub for swish soaks (most welcome after a day of hiking or bike riding in the gorgeous surrounds). One thing you’ll not be provided with is wifi – and there’s little mobile signal either, so you can really switch off and settle into the important business of properly relaxing.

Speaking of hikes and bike rides, this is a splendid spot for both – the site is on the Wiltshire Cycleway and near to plenty of woodland, quiet paths and pretty villages that all merit a visit on foot or two wheels (Stourhead Estate’s just a couple of miles away too). If you need ideas, maps or pub recommendations, have a chat with friendly hosts Richard and Charlotte (they’ll also be able to sort cycle storage to keep your steed dry, or warm your boots on the Aga if you get caught in a downpour…)