Find peace glamping in a Cumbrian Herdy Hut SIMON COYLE
Hunts some camping peace and quiet but without the need for a wet night on a hard floor...
I’VE always loved the idea of camping.
Spending a quiet night in the wilderness, gazing up at the stars and then enjoying a peaceful night’s sleep under canvas sounds fantastic.
Unfortunately the reality, for me at least, tends to be putting a tent up in the rain followed by a night spent shivering on a cold hard floor.
So with this in mind I thought I would try out glamping – glamorous camping – which combines roughing it in the great outdoors with more than a hint of luxury.
I was staying in a cosy Herdy Hut at Rydal Hall, close to the village of Ambleside in the Lake District.
These beautiful cabins are based on the traditional wheeled huts which were used by shepherds hundreds of years ago, who would live in them while watching over their flock.
Thankfully time has moved on and these huts are fitted out with everything you need for a relaxing, peaceful and more than comfortable stay.
Whether you are after a romantic getaway, family holiday, or just a place to chill out on your own to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, then these cute little huts are ideal.
With no electricity or central heating, all lighting and warmth is provided by lanterns, candles and a fantastic and easy to use wood burning stove.
With plenty of kindling, newspaper and logs provided, you can get a roaring fire going in no time.
And even in the harsh winter, due to the insulation of the cabins, the fire will keep you nice and snug while you snooze away.
At the end of the hut lies a large double bed, with a memory foam mattress, and a single bunk bed which is suitable for children.
The hut has a foldaway table and chairs where you can sit and eat your meals, a gas hob to do some cooking, pots, pans and cutlery.
There is no running water in the huts, but there is thankfully a modern toilet and shower block just a three-minute walk away.
And if you don’t fancy the walk in the middle of the night there is a small compost toilet in the field for guests staying in the huts to use.
The five huts that make up the site are in a small field, complete with sheep who you’ll often hear dozing under the hut, within the hamlet of Rydal.
This historic little spot almost has the feel of a holiday retreat with the old hall converted into a hotel, the grounds used for camping and the outbuildings now a youth centre, tea room and cottages.
You may choose to spend your evenings drinking red wine in front of the roaring fire, and peacefully nodding off.
Or if you fancy a drink and bite to eat then a two-minute walk down the road takes you to the Badger Inn – a fine traditional pub which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Named after the badgers that live nearby, these nocturnal animals can even be seen every night after 9pm, as they feast on the pub’s food scraps from the day.
A further 25-minute walk away, down a signposted track, is the quaint village of Ambleside with its numerous bars, pubs and shops.
There are also plenty of restaurants if you fancy a meal out – although it is advisable to book at weekends as the village can get busy.
The Herdy Huts are also a great base for anyone wanting to explore the Lake District by foot.
Access to the hills is along a well-used path which is right on your doorstep.
A small but fairly strenuous walk up to the top of Nab Scar – a large rocky hill which overlooks the huts – provides you with some stunning views of Windermere, Grasmere and Langdale.
Those feeling extra fit can carry on to Heron Pike and Great Rigg, looping back to Rydal through Grasmere, or on to Fairfield, or even Hellvellyn, which dominates the horizon.
At the other side of the valley sits the smaller but equally impressive Loughrigg, which is another fine fell you can walk to from your hut door in a few hours.
This hill can be easily accessed by taking the trail which goes through Rydal Water.
This quiet and clear stretch of water, just a fiveminute walk from the huts, lies between the larger Windermere and Grasmere lakes.
You can spend a good few hours exploring the shoreline, woodland and Rydal Cave – a man-made cavern which has been hollowed out of a rocky outcrop.
It’s rare these days that you can find somewhere in the UK where you can really get away from it all.
But if you a fancy a peaceful and cosy few days in the most beautiful corner of the Lake District, then a break in a Herdy Hut is for you.