The Rolling Downs Shepherd Huts 

March 26, 2017

Sleeps: up to 4 adults and 2 young children

Location: Halland, Near Lewes, East Sussex

Price: from £95

The Rolling Downs are a pair of beautiful shepherd’s huts offering the ultimate Glamping experience. Tucked away down narrow lanes and set among acres of Sussex countryside you can’t help but unwind and embrace a slower pace of life. The location of the huts couldn’t be better for families with Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum a short walk away (with a cafe, play area and miniature railway) and Branching Out in the local forest (a fantastic activity centre offering rope courses and zip wire activities) there’s actually no need to use the car for an entire weekend stay.

The first thing you notice as you approach the huts is how visually appealing they are. Painted in a gentle sky blue and teal the huts look picture perfect. There’s a tall wind turbine situated behind the larger of the huts – a visual reminder that along with solar panels all the power provided for the huts to operate is sustainable. Most noticeable of all is that the huts are on their own. No neighbours. No over looking buildings. Just you, your family and the great outdoors! 

The Family Hut (the larger of the two) is like a tardis. Despite it’s compact size it manages to contain a king size bed, a bunk bed, a kitchen (with hob and fridge), a wood burner, dining table and seating AND a bathroom with toilet sink and shower! If you have a large family like us…you can hire the second hut as additional sleeping. This hut is only rented in conjunction to the first hut…so no waking up to unexpected neighbours. The second hut has two full size single bunk beds and another wood burner. 

The Family Hut

I was immediately blown away by this hut. Not only does it contain all the creature comforts that create a genuine Glamping  experience…but the hut is also very well finished and presented. On arrival a tray with kitchen essentials was prepared for us containing washing up liquid, bottled water, matches, tea towels and scrubbers and even some cute little Easter chocolates. We were also provided with plenty of coffee, tea and sugar. Nothing too fancy but the little things that really matter (and often get forgotten) on a camping trip. The kitchen is well stocked with cups, plates and utensils…and we were thrilled to find a cafetière each! The under counter fridge is big enough to hold a few sausages and a couple of beers…and the double hob capable of boiling the kettle and frying bacon in one session. What more could you need? 

The dining area is large enough to seat 4 comfortably. Unlike a lot of camping style tables this is sturdy and secure. You can also see the log burner in the image below. We were very wary about using this around our toddler, but once he was asleep we found the wood burner a real luxury. Even in March it was probably warm enough to cope with out the additional heat….but it was SO cosy with the burner crackling away. Please note you will need to provide your own wood for your stay. We worked our way through 2 trugs of wood in 24 hours…(one on the outdoor fire pit) so you may need more than you expect. 

The king sized bed was made up with crisp, fresh linen and a fluffy duvet. There is plenty of storage with 2 empty drawers under the bed and a large shelf at the foot of the bed. The bunk up top was perfect for our 7 year old, Daisy…she described as the cosiest bed ever. Each bed has it’s own reading light ensuring the whole family can be snuggled up and lost in a book at the same time. 

It was a real surprise to find that the family hut also contained it’s own bathroom….I was expecting to skip through the nettles in the dead of night! The bathroom is small but perfectly formed. We were provided with clean towels and toilet roll. The shower was surprisingly warm and easy to use. 

The Second Hut

This hut is available to rent in addition to the family hut providing additional sleeping for 2 adults or older children. Again the hut is well presented and feels smart and cosy. The bunks are sturdy and well built with each bed made up with fresh linen, a hot water bottle and reading light. This hut also has it’s own wood burner for colder nights. 

We absolutely loved our stay at the Rolling Downs shepherd huts. We’re so used to a routine lifestyle dependent on wifi and tech it was a joy to step out of our bubble and bond as a family over a camp fire watching the sunset. A great way to sample the camping lifestyle from the comfort of a real bed with all the facilities you need under one roof whilst relishing the Sussex countryside….take me back! 

We enjoyed a complimentary stay at Rolling Downs Shepherd Huts in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own. On behalf of myself and my family I would like to say a huge thank you to Clare for organising our visit and ensuring we had a memorable stay. 


13 Comments

  • Heidi @him_me_three

    March 29, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    What an unusual place to stay. My children would love to go camping but I don’t like sleeping in a tent. A shepherd’s hut might be a good compromise though!! Looks like you had a fabulous time. That sunset is stunning. #countrykids

  • Karen | TwoTinyHands

    March 29, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    These look seriously cool. It’s amazing how much you can fit into a little hit like that and tastefully made out too. If we ever make it down that way I’d be sure to look these up!! #countrykids

  • Fiona Cambouropoulos

    March 29, 2017 at 8:57 pm

    These little huts look so tiny yet such a clever use of space to pack in everything that you need. How lovely to feel so out in the wild yet with a few creature comforts too. Beautiful photos and a holiday to remember. I love the hot water bottle touch.

    Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids

  • Stuart Forster

    March 30, 2017 at 7:07 am

    These look good for a family break. It’s a part of England that I don’t know too well.

  • chocolateandwineandillbefine

    March 30, 2017 at 7:40 am

    These are so cool, and in such a stunning location! It looks like you had a lovely stay! #countrykids

  • Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)

    March 30, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Love the look of the shepherd huts as a place to stay – I would never have thought that you could have fitted so much inside. That king size bed with the bunk at the end looks very cosy and how lovely to stay somewhere like this with no-one else nearby. Looks like the surrounding area is worth exploring too 🙂 #countrykids

  • Sara | mumturnedmom

    March 30, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Wow! These are amazing! I love how the huts have been designed and styled, what a lovely place to stay x #countrykids

  • Stacey

    March 31, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    What a fab place to stay. I bet you had a lovely stay.

  • Sarah Christie

    April 2, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    These look so fab I have never clamped but keep thinking I will give it a go, and these are so cool thanks so much for linking up #MondayEscapes

  • Claire at Tin Box Traveller

    April 3, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    What beautiful shepherds huts. Before you even said it I was thinking how pretty they were. The inside is something else. And a bathroom?! That’s taking glamping to the next level. What a brilliant find! #MondayEscapes

  • Mandi – Big family Little Adventures

    April 25, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    What an amazing place to stay, they look stunning and perfect for a family, I love the fact you can extend the accommodation with the addition of the second hut, my teens would love it.

  • Baby Loves Travel

    May 1, 2017 at 8:56 am

    These look so well equipped! I love how creative people can be to fit so much stuff into such a tiny space #GetGone

  • Nikki – Notes of Life

    June 9, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    This looks like a wonderful place to stay. Now I can see why my old Dad would love a Shepherd’s Hut! 😀

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