Elmley

Fantastic to be able to stay in a national nature reserve … go to sleep and wake up listening to curlew; uninterrupted views across the grazing marsh … Shepherd’s hut with hot and cold running water and flush loo! Very cosy - don’t bring lots of stuff! If you don’t want to prepare/cook/eat/wash up outside the hut, the wood-fired pizzas are among the best we’ve tasted and the breakfasts, delivered to the door, are delicious. Staff are very friendly and helpful and transition seamlessly between taking orders for pizza and expert knowledge of the wildlife and reserve management.

One of the best and most beautiful nature reserves in Kent, now offering boutique style stays, elegant dining options, and guided tours. They’re also a wedding venue, but haven’t had the opportunity to test that aspect of the business yet 😉.

If you are a Londoner and wanting to escape to more time and space, I recommend this place - if you don’t mind the price tag. I stayed in one of the basic shepherd’s huts. They are small, but the space is cleverly used. The bed is definitely a stretch for two people so I recommend one of their bigger solutions if you are a couple. The bed is comfortable, the pillows were good but on the soft side for my preference. Everything is solar powered (ie no sockets in the hut) so bring your own battery pack or charge your electronics in the communal space. Or switch everything off and go offline! The food is tasty, seasonal and genuine, but not always plentiful - so evaluate if you want to self cater. The breakfast is on the small side, and the lunch too. The pizza for dinner came with a big cous cous portion salad and dessert and it was more than I could it. The shower isn’t super powerful, so you have to be patient. But I have never brushed my teeth in front of a better view. If you don’t want to follow the rhythm of the sun, bring your own sleeping mask - the hut is by no means blackout. And you’d better know what you are doing with the woodburner if you want to stay warm. That said, my favourite part was waking up to an INCREDIBLE view, stretching in front of my hut and finish just in time for the breakfast (pre ordered that morning) to be delivered to me. The stargazing here is wonderful and there is even a swimming pond for a cold dip. The reserve is your oyster to wander and admire wildlife or the huge skies and silence. The staff is super nice. The linhay is cold even in summer so WRAP UP! Additionally, Fiona is an incredible guide and her knowledge and passion for wildlife is both contagious and impressive.