Crannaford Shepherd's Hut

East Devon is an easy to reach area of many surprises, an ideal location for a mini-holiday where you can break away from life's hectic pace without the journey snatching too much of your precious time.

Crannaford Shepherd's Hut offers a fresh take on what a real escape means. It is all about downtime together, simplicity yet comfort, rural but not isolated, your own space at your own pace.

This bespoke and beautifully crafted shepherd's hut is made locally by a skilled artisan carpenter. Inside, the living space is warm, welcoming and practical. There is a king-sized bed, a wood-burning stove, an en suite shower-room with endless hot water and an exceptionally cleverly fitted kitchen.

Outside, there is the therapeutic treat of hot tub, a fire-pit and a wide open meadow all to yourselves stretching out to the field boundary and the view beyond. Woodbury Common, an area of unspoilt heathland criss-crossed with walks, defines the horizon and the other side of it is the stunning Jurassic Coast that stretches through east Devon and along the Dorset coast. This whole coastline is dotted with delightful seaside towns and fishing villages with iconic pebbled beaches and long stretches of sand at low tide.

This setting is particularly good because of the range of experiences that are literally on the doorstep; countryside, coast and cathedral city. Head towards the National Trust village of Broadclyst - a comfortable walk along a country lane - for the New Inn or the Red Lion, which is more of a restaurant, and the local shop. Beyond the village, the Ashclyst Forest spreads over 800 acres and you can explore the network of paths through it.

In the opposite direction, in the valley, the growing town of Cranbrook provides a sparkly night sky of little lights for any times when the clouds are hiding the real thing. Cranbrook is being built along inspiring environmental lines and the solar park (which you may hear the occasional buzz from) providing its electricity, is behind the high border of trees that edge the land at Crannaford. Cranbrook has a pub with a great atmosphere, Cranberry Farm, also within easy walking distance and with a thriving atmosphere - lazy Sunday lunches are highly recommended! From there you can catch the local train into the cathedral city of Exeter for history, culture and shopping - an often overlooked opportunity to leave the car behind.

For a blast of clear sea air, drive out across Woodbury Common and you will see the sea sparkling ahead of you. Budleigh Salterton has one of the best fish and chip shops in the area and to sit on the beach, watching the setting sun and the evening mackerel fishermen, is such a good feeling. Sidmouth is a Regency seaside town with a long promenade to stroll along and views along this dramatic coast into Dorset. There are some classic coastal villages too - Beer and Branscombe are well worth a visit, and just on the border of east Devon and Dorset, Lyme Regis is always a highlight.

If you live in the north of the UK and don't like the thought of a long drive to try the South West - why not take an internal flight into Exeter Airport! It is on the far side of Cranbrook so the shepherd's hut is away from the flight path but exceptionally convenient if you wanted to beat the motorway traffic. Depending on the wind direction, you will sometimes hear the planes coming and going and the engines being tested. The greatest excitement from the airport is when the Red Arrows are based at Exeter for their summer display schedule - they always do a mini show for local people when they come back to base in the evening, with their characteristic plumes of coloured smoke making patterns in the sky.