Daily Mail

CATCHY CABINS MIDLANDS IN THE

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One thing is clear. The trend for treehouses, shepherd huts, cabins and pods of various shapes and sizes shows no signs of abating. Here at The Tawny, near Stoke-onTrent, you get all of the above set around lakes and woodland, along with outside bath tubs, wood burners and decking.

This is a hugely ambitious project undertaken by two local couples hoping to build on the legacy left by the late William Podmore, who establishe­d the Consall Gardens, where the hotel is based.

When I ask a member of staff for some background on the place she doesn’t have much of a clue — but she does bring us a book written by Mr Podmore, for which we’re grateful.

Clearly the idea is to cash in on a ‘back to nature’ vibe and that should be applauded — but why are the steps leading to our hut made of plastic and designed to look like wood, and why is the greenery in the central eating area fake? We can’t help thinking that it’s all a touch contrived, although the gardens are immaculate and the discreet swimming pool on what was the terrace of the original house works brilliantl­y, with views down to the valley.

The building that houses the restaurant, bar and pool table is a modern structure that looks like it should have a cable car rising from it.

You can eat well here, and it is obvious that the chef is enjoying himself — he serves white chocolate ice cream with the tuna tartare and adds octopus to the pork belly.

Overall, it’s hard not to regard this as an upmarket Center Parcs. We’re paying £355 B&B for our shepherd hut — or, rather, two shepherd huts joined into one.

The front part has the TV on a wall, but there’s nowhere comfortabl­e to sit and watch it, and for that sort of money you might expect to have a basin big enough to avoid water hurtling to the floor when you wash your face.

But good luck to The Tawny. Young children hopefully will see it as some sort of adventure in nature. And that’s no bad thing.

The Tawny, Consall Gardens Estate, Staffordsh­ire

ST9 0AG

Tel: 01538 787664,

thetawny.co.uk Wildwood huts from £225 ★★★✩✩

 ?? ?? He pays his way... and tells it like it is AN INSPECTOR CALLS
He pays his way... and tells it like it is AN INSPECTOR CALLS
 ?? ?? Rustic charm: A shepherd’s hut
Rustic charm: A shepherd’s hut

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