We pulled up at a picture-perfect farmhouse opposite a field of sheep and Google Maps announced that we had arrived. Not wanting to intrude but unsure of what else to do, I knocked on the door. There was a friendly row of wellies in the porticoed entrance. A well-dressed child answered the door and a dog barked from somewhere inside. Cooking smells wafted out. This is the sort of life I dream of.

Owners Jake and Melanie did dream of it and then they made it happen. Melanie greeted us happily, and showed us to the walled garden where one of two immaculate shepherds huts resides. She told us that they had relocated from London for a quieter life and more workshop space for Jake, who is a high-end furniture designer.

So as you might expect, this isn’t just any shepherd’s hut. It’s not twee or cramped. It has a roll top bath, for goodness sake. If this can be described as ‘camping’ then I’m outdoorsy, after all! As well as the fancy bath, there’s a kingsize bed. How does it all fit? The dark panelled interior is roughly divvied up into three parts: bed to the right, table seating, log burner and tea trolley in the middle, and bathroom behind a sliding door to the left.

The bathroom is wallpapered in Sandberg wallpaper and toiletries are full-size Bramley. Around the bed, there’s upholstery in Veere Grenney fabrics and white bedding with vintagey embroidery. It’s essentially a micro design hotel in a field.

The walled garden is full of hens, fruit trees and borders full of verbena, roses and dahlias. The landscaping is really gorgeous, as there’s a long dining table in the middle of it. The second hut is located, more appropriately, in the sheep field.

We were supplied with fresh milk and warm brownies, and invited to settle in. We lit the log burner and awaited our pie dinner, which we’d pre-ordered. It was home cooked by Melanie and delivered in a hamper by Jake. I had a blissful bath with birds twittering through the open window, and the smell of the crackling log burner. Note to self: next house needs a fireplace in the bathroom.

Breakfast is also delivered in a hamper. Jake took our order when he collected the dinner plates. We had smoked salmon and two poached eggs on limy, herby avocado toast, pancakes with maple syrup and blackberry compote and a ham and gruyere omelette over the course of a couple of days. Mini cafetières, fruit juice, toast baskets (with lots of jars of jams and spreads), cutlery and placemats were also packed into the basket.

We walked to the village pub, The Fox Hole, for lunch one day, and down the river another. A welcome book inside the hut details of a number of walks, local pubs and restaurants that the couple personally recommend, including The Coach House at nearby Middleton Lodge. A nice touch. Wish we’d made it to Middleton Lodge, but we’ll go back soon.

The bottom line

Gorgeous, would love to return for another bath in a walled garden but sadly the website has been taken down. Jake and Melanie, where did you go?

Holme House, Piercebridge, North Yorkshire DL2 3SY
thehutbandb.co.uk
From £125