Little Fleece at Folly Farm
South East England Berkshire Newbury
- From £150 a night
- One Shepherds Hut
- Shepherd’s huts
A cosy and luxurious shepherds hut for two on a beautiful farm in the Wessex Downs.
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Based on a working beef, sheep and arable farm in Berkshire, in the heart of the Wessex Downs AONB, Little Fleece at Folly Farm is a thoroughly rural place to stay. Set in its own very private paddock next door to the farmhouse, this rather luxurious shepherds hut has everything you need for a comfortable stay, whether you're a seasoned glamper or recent convert.
Recently added to the farm by David and Jane Carlisle and their daughter Tory, and handmade in nearby Somerset, the hut is a dream escape, just a couple of hours from London or Bristol and with no TV, WiFi or anything else to distract you from enjoying the nature that surrounds you. Cattle and sheep graze in the field behind the paddock, and there's nothing like waking up to the sound of the farm animals nearby, while you may also get to see the farm’s resident barn owl, as well as plenty of other birds, so bring your binoculars! .
The hut is a traditional shepherds hut and very cosy; it's insulated with sheep’s wool but has all the modern amenities you need, with mains electricity and a DAB radio and USB charging points, hot and cold running water, a fully equipped kitchenette with hob, fridge, crockery and utensils – and its own en-suite shower room and loo. There's a double bed that can fold away to reveal a snug seating and dining area, finished in oak with high-quality furniture and storage above the bed and under the seating area. Bed linen and towels are provided, along with a hair dryer, bathrobes and toiletries (homemade goats' milk soap and shampoo bar, made by a friend of the family), plus a welcome pack that includes homemade biscuits or cake, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, granola, yoghurt, bread, butter, jam and marmalade.
A small wood-burning stove and an electric heater help to keep you warm and toasty, while outside the wood-fired bathtub is perfect for a late-night wallow while looking at the stars. There's also firepit-cum-barbecue, a pizza oven and an outdoor dining area for some memorable al fresco feasts and a pair of Adirondack chairs to sink into afterwards.
It's all so beautifully done, and the surroundings so enchanting, that you may decide to just stick most of the day pottering about the farm and the nearby countryside – it's a short walk to the village pub, The Harrow in West Ilsley, and there are plenty of walks in the surrounding area, with the Ridgeway long-distance footpath just a 10-minute walk away. But if you do decide you want to go further, then both Oxford and Highclere Castle - of Downton Abbey fame – are only 30 minutes away by car.
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Details
Facilities
The hut is a traditional shepherds hut, solid cast iron wheels, clad with wriggly tin and insulated with sheep’s wool, a real bonus being sheep farmers!
It has mains electricity, hot and cold water and a fully equipped kitchenette, en suite shower room hand basin and flush loo. A readymade fold down double bed which when concealed reveals a seating and dining area. The interior is handcrafted with Oak and furnished to a high standard. There is handy storage above the bed and in drawers under the seating area. There is a small wood burner to keep you toasty or if you prefer an electric heater. Outside there is a wood fired bath tub for you to relax in during the day or gaze at the stars at night. You have the sole use of the site and its facilities- fire pit/BBQ and a pizza oven in your outdoor space with an alfresco eating area. The fully equipped kitchenette includes a 2 ring induction hob, Belfast sink, small fridge, whistling kettle, toaster, pots, pans, crockery, utensils, glassware and a DAB radio. There are USB charging points for your use.
You will be provided with luxury linen bedding, towels, hair dryer, Bath robes for use whilst staying and a starter pack of Artisan goats milk soap and shampoo bar (made by a friend).
Welcome pack includes homemade biscuits or cake, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, granola, yoghurt, bread, butter, jam and marmalade.
Outside there is an alfresco eating area and a couple of Adirondack chairs to relax in around the fire pit/BBQ whilst toasting your marshmallows or cooking dinner.
Fires are only permitted in the wood burner, outdoor wood-fired bath tub, BBQ/firepit and pizza oven.
Suitable For
Little Fleece is suitable for glamping only.
We are a NON-SMOKING site.
No pets.
Nearby
The Ridgeway National Trail is a 10minute walk away which then leads onto many footpaths. If you’re an early riser you may see the racehorses in training on the gallops.
It’s a 15min walk downhill to our village pub The Harrow in West Ilsley which overlooks the cricket field.
If you fancy sightseeing some local history Oxford is just under a half hour drive. You can go punting on the River Thames or exploring the many colleges, museums and cathedral.
Highclere Castle which is famous for the TV series “Downton Abbey” is a 30 minute Drive.
Newbury Racecourse is a 20 minute drive if you fancy having a day at the races. We have two trainers in the village.
The Watermill Theatre +44 1635 46044 www.watermill.org.uk
The Corn Exchange (Theatre) Newbury Tel 08455218218 www.cornexchangenew.com
The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys, a 15 min drive, +44 1635202444 www.livingrainforest.org
The Cornerstone Didcot +44 1235 515144 www.cornerstone-arts.org
Didcot Railway Centre (Museum) +44 1235 817200 www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Food & Drink
In East Ilsley, a 5 minute drive or 50 minute walk, is the Crown and Horns which serves good pub grub. Booking is required call +44 1635281545 or visit www.crownandhorns.co.uk
The Bell Inn at Aldworth a 16min drive or 2.5 hr walk along the Ridgeway renowned for its fresh filled rolls, soup and local beers. In 2020 The Bell Inn was awarded CAMRA’s Pub of the Year.It has remained in the same family for 250 years Tel number is +44 1635 578272 No website.
If you’re looking for superior pub food, a 15 minute drive or 1hr 40min walk then we can highly recommend The Eyston Arms at East Hendred. It is based at the foot of the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire. Booking is essential call on +44 1235 833320 or visit www.eystonarms.co.uk
Pricing
Monday, Wednesday and Friday check in, ranging from £875 per weekWhy Book Direct?
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The Owner Says
Welcome to Little Fleece shepherds hut at Folly Farm in an AONB on the North Wessex Downs near the Ridgeway National Trail. Far reaching views over the fields can be seen from the hut which is set in the paddock next to the farmhouse but you are completely private.
Little Fleece was lovingly made by skilled craftspeople in Somerset and is equipped with everything you need. David, Jane and daughter Tory run a working beef, sheep and arable farm. Cattle graze in the field behind the paddock during the summer months and the sheep will be grazing on the farm wherever the grass is tastiest! A game shoot runs on the farm September to February.
Little Fleece is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with no TV or Wi-Fi, so come and recharge in the Berkshire countryside and reconnect with nature. Listen to the farm animals, wild birds, at dawn/dusk as you may see the farm’s resident barn owl. Walk, cycle and explore the local area. Unwind with a book and a cuppa and the homemade biscuits provided, or for the ultimate relaxation, lounge in the outdoor wood-fired freshwater bath tub with a glass of bubbly.
Location
Contact Website 07788 776 265 Little Fleece at Folly Farm, Folly Farm, Bury Lane, West Ilsley, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7AZGetting There
Sat Nav type in RG20 7AZ
Travelling from the East (London) or West (Bristol) on M4 leave at junction 13 (Chieveley) and take A34 northbound (Oxford) After approx. 6 miles take exit signposted West Ilsley The Ridgeway at the top of the slip road take the first exit off the roundabout. After 1 mile you will reach Folly Farm (private road) turn left and drive down the tree-lined track. Park in the designated space on the grass in front of the farmhouse. Little Fleece is a 15 metre walk on a gravel path.
From the North take the A34 southbound approx. 5 miles south of Milton interchange take slip road immediately after the garage on side of A34 signed West Ilsley The Ridgeway. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit go over bridge and at the roundabout take the first exit After 1 mile you will reach Folly Farm (private road) turn left and drive down the track. Park in the designated space on the grass in front of the farmhouse Little Fleece is a 15 metre walk on a gravel path.
From the south travel northbound on A34 towards Oxford At the Chieveley interchange continue northbound on A34 towards Oxford. After approx. 6 miles take exit signposted West Ilsley The Ridgeway at the top of the slip road take the first exit off the roundabout. After 1 mile you will reach Folly Farm (private road) turn left and drive down the track. Park in the designated space on the grass in front of the farmhouse Little Fleece is a 15 metre walk on a gravel path.
Didcot Parkway Railway station is a 15 minute taxi drive. You can reach London Paddington in 45 minutes. We live in a remote area and buses are rare so taxis are the way forward!
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Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 8 reviews
wholesome & lovely
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The perfect getaway!
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Wonderfully relaxing stay
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Amazing, amazing, amazing!
Beautiful and relaxing break
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An incredibly peaceful, warm & welcoming country retreat
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Perfect stay in a lovely countryside setting
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Nice and quiet.
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