Our Shepherd’s hut, Old Brampton Derbyshire – In a Vase on Monday

Definition Glamping = a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping.

“glamping is likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life’s luxuries”

There aren’t many things My Chap and I disagree on but CAMPING is one of them.  He’d love to be out in a tent in the middle of nowhere, with a campfire and basic facilities – he’s camped since he was a small child.

I like the great outdoors –  I like walking, hiking and gardening, of course. Definitely, I like getting away from it all, with a beautiful view, preferably by the sea.  I like eating outside when it’s warm, BUT I like my creature comforts.

When I was a child I camped with the Guides, usually in fields or orchards rather than on organised campsites.  I loved the campfire and cooking outdoors (still do), but I hated sleeping on the floor even with blow up mattress. Also, I hate being cold or wet -so this is a hazard of camping.  Generally, I’m not a fan of noisy campsites, with a club/bar etc.  Since I developed osteoarthritis, I need to sleep in a proper bed.  My Chap roles his eyes about my fussiness but understands why I’m like I am.

I’ve been on a touring caravan holiday too over Christmas/Hogmanay in Betwys-y-Coed, Wales.  There’s was deep snow but clear blue skies.  We were on the edge of the town, walking distance to shops – it had a properly heated, shower, washing and cleaning block.  We cooked breakfast outside on Christmas Day – I loved it – a mini house with all the facilities you need – but it can move location 🙂 When I was a teenager living in Berkshire I went sailing on yachts across to France/along the south coast.  Yachts and caravans are fairly similar inside if you see what I mean.

The view from the door of the Shepherd’s Hut – Derbyshire Dales

We have been away in a Shepherd’s Hut in Old Brampton, four miles from Chesterfield in Derbyshire – it’s about an hour and a half drive from Manchester. We had a lovely, relaxing time and it was just what we needed after a very hectic summer.  The hut is on Brampton Hall Farm opposite the Church in the centre of the village.  There were beautiful views across the Derbyshire Dales.

Brampton Hall Farm – some parts of the Hall date back to 14th century. Our kitchen and ensuite were on the ground floor to the right of the huge clematis

Sweetpeas and Achillea

In a Vase on Monday – Sweetpeas and Achillea

I picked some achillea and sweetpeas for my Vase as there were plenty of blooms.  It seemed really cheeky to pick someone else’s flowers.  The plants had definitely self-seeded as they were growing against the wall and the sweetpeas were growing along the ground.   There were some Californian poppies but they’d had been munched by bugs.

Sweetpeas, nettles and dry stone wall.

The ‘vase’ is a plastic fake jam jar which was used for cocktails from a street food vendor in Lisbon.  There were flowers in old water troughs and plenty in the gardens of the Hall, Farm and cottages.

I’m joining in with Cathy who hosts at Rambling in the Garden – do have a look at her vase and the vases from my fellow bloggers from around the world.  There are some stunning arrangements this week.

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If you want to see a bit more of the orchard our Hut lives in – check out my last post – Six on Saturday – Old Brampton and Chesterfield 25 August 2018

Our Shepherd’s Hut

Despite its appearance, it was built and fitted out in 2011. It had full double glazing and insulation – we were lovely and warm. We didn’t light the wood burner, as we were out in the evening.  The bed was a comfy, small double with plenty of storage underneath.  There was a fold-down table in the hut too.  The well-stocked kitchen and ensuite shower and toilet were in the former cowshed opposite.  There were plenty of plug sockets, a digital radio, board games, books and maps. As well as a file describing local walks, attractions, information on pubs and restaurants.

How to choose a place for a glamping adventure

• Distance from home – how far do you want to drive? and how far on dark, country lanes off the main road. By definition places with glamping, huts, yurts etc tend to be off the beaten track.  It can be easy to find somewhere in daylight but not so easy after dark.
• What is non-negotiable? For me, this is a proper toilet (or compostable one) I hate chemical toilets, a good shower in a warm room are a necessity.
• Heating – central heating, an open fire, a wood burner? Is there somewhere to hang out wet clothes/put muddy boots? Can you dry clothes?
• How close to other people are you? are you sharing a field with other yurts/huts? Do you have to share facilities?
• Photographs and professional website/payment systems  good clear photos showing all the rooms, facilities views etc.
• Wifi unlikely usually if you’re glamping but we need proper electricity plugs to power the cameras.
• Kitchen – well stocked with utensils etc – usually you can tell from the photos or the description.
  This is more applicable to hiring a cottage for a week but a dishwasher is vital for us, as is a freezer (not just for ice for the gin 🙂 ).  We don’t have a dishwasher at home but never want to waste time washing up when we’re on holiday.
• Eating outside (and inside) options – with a nice view.
• How far to walk between the facilities so to speak 😉 are they adjacent? or is it a walk in the rain/dark? Not much fun for me if I get cold and wet just nipping to the facilities.
• Boardgames, books, DVDs etc.  
• Reviews from visitors – recent and detailed preferably

Once you’ve booked

• How prompt the contact with the owners and answering queries?  Do they have information about good places to eat nearby on the website?
• Some things you won’t know until you get there – it’s always great to find details information/leaflets on local activities, walks, cycling etc.
• Also, knowing that the hosts or neighbours are around in case there are any problems.

For me – it also matters how accessible the accommodation is – I don’t like staying in places with very steep stairs in case I’m having an arthritis flare – as it never does to fall down the stairs.

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As I mentioned, I wrote more about where our hut was located on the farm in my latest post – apples, blackberries and many climbers were around us.  We’ve had a lovely, relaxing time here.  The only thing we could hear was the wind and dogs barking now and again.

• Six on Saturday – Old Brampton and Chesterfield 25 August 2018

Kitchen

We booked our hut via Canopy and Stars – www.canopyandstars.co.uk – Note: I wasn’t asked to write about the hut, we paid full price. Other cottage and glamping websites are available 😉

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We will definitely go glamping again – we’re looking at places in North Wales, about an hour and a half from home.

Have a lovely week everyone – It’s a big week for me, I’m upgrading this blog 🙂 hope you like the new version.

Have you been ‘glamping’? What’s the most unusual place you’ve stayed? Which would you prefer to say in a Shepherd’s Hut or a yurt?
If you’ve never been glamping (or camping) would you go?  Let me know in the comments.

Carpe Diem

Love Bec

xx xx xx