Heavenly hand-built huts in magically secluded Bodiam woodland, the perfect setting for a unique and refreshingly sustainable stay on a friendly family farm.
  • Sleeps: 5 per unit
  • Bedroom: Open plan
  • Bathroom: Communal
  • Minimum stay: 1 night

The Original Huts are very aptly named, with each one providing an enchanting setting for a delightfully unusual glamping experience in the heart of East Sussex. 

Your lovingly hand-built hut is surrounded by acre after acre – 200 to be exact – of stunningly secluded countryside that will soon have you feeling relaxed and revived, far away from the stresses of everyday life as you surround yourself with fresh air, wild flowers and joyous birdsong.

Each Original Hut, accredited by Quality in Tourism, has been crafted from reclaimed, recycled and locally sourced materials – so they’re not just beautiful places to stay, they’re sustainable too, with each hut housing a solar panel for lighting.

You’ll find the site’s friendly family owners are never far away, and always willing to share their extensive experience in sustainability and rural life – and they’re also full of ideas for local activities and entertainment!

Choose from a selection of homely, electricity-free huts in two farm sites, The Orchard Huts and Hop Pickers Wood Huts, both featuring accommodation that sleeps five people.  Fully equipped for a five-star living experience in the great outdoors, you’ll also discover a wealth of clever features inside your hut, including a dining table that transforms into a double bed!

Whip up a selection of tasty feasts on the gas hob – or if you prefer, stoke up the fire pit and enjoy your meals al fresco as you watch the golden sunset, before returning to your hut to snuggle around the cosy gas heater.

A hamper packed with delicious local produce can be arranged for your arrival – a wonderful treat for a celebration. A linen service is provided, and you’ll find a sink with running water inside your hut for an extra touch of convenient luxury. The nearby wash hut situated in both sites provides communal hot water washing facilities and toilets. A starter pack of kindling, logs and firelighters is also provided on arrival.

Keep reading

At a glance

  • Selection of eight sustainable hand-built, fully equipped huts, each sleeping five people, located across two sites on 200 acres of farmland in Bodiam, East Sussex.
  • Both locations can accommodate up to 20 combined, with additional glamping units possible to be added, with Bell Tents provided by The Happy Glamper, ideal for larger groups.
  • Easily accessed by road, parking is available, though cars are not permitted on the site itself. The nearest rail stations are Robertsbridge and Etchingham.
  • Linen is provided for the huts, you will need to bring bedding for the bell tents. Towels are not provided. Don’t forget to pack a pair of wellies and a torch!
  • Pets are regrettably not permitted.
  • On-site Hub café/restaurant. Outside catering available, and various activities running on-site.
  • There is an array of local walks to be discovered, and further afield a wealth of attractions, pubs, shopping and dining opportunities.

Features

  • Family Friendly
  • Large Groups
  • Off-Grid

Facilities

8 huts (across two sites within the main site) each sleeping 5, convertible double bed & bunk beds, bedding provided, fully equipped kitchen area, 4 burner gas hob, sink, crockery, cutlery, glasses, mugs, cooking equipment, tea & coffee, solar panel lighting, double glazed windows, wood burner, seating/dining area, outdoor dining furniture, fire pit, starter kit of kindling, logs and firelighters provided, welcome pack.  Washing, toilet and shower facilities are located in nearby wash hut located a short walk away.

Local activities

Onsite:  arts & crafts, spa, river fishing.  Offsite:  Bodiam castle, boat trips, light railway, bakery school, horse riding, cycling, walking, beaches, national parks, historic towns & villages.

More information

If you’d rather bring your own tent along, there is a beautiful campsite called Gabil Meads available to pitch up in, offering conveniently-placed washing facilities, cosy covered areas…and exceptional countryside views to wake up with. There are also two private hire campsites available, enquire for details on these.

On site, enjoy discovering The Hub – a shop, meeting place and spa all rolled into one!  Showcasing all things local, you’ll find it a treasure trove of food and drink, arts and crafts, activities and experiences that are especially unique to the area.  Arrange a pottery lesson, or learn bushcraft or archery while you’re away, and return home with a brand-new skill!

Continue exploring the local area by taking a stroll along the wildlife-strewn River Rother, which flows through the bottom of the family farm and offers an ideal place to fish. 

National Trust-owned Bodiam Castle is a grand setting for a romantically picturesque visit and is just a short walk away.  While you’re there, catch the Kent and East Sussex Railway line through the Rother Valley to beautiful Tenterden, bursting with historic buildings, shops and restaurants.

Slightly further away, enjoy a family day out at Go Ape! – or perhaps visit the sandiest of soft sandy beaches at Camber, just a short drive from the site.

With so very much to offer, you’ll discover a break with The Original Hut Company more than lives up to its name…so come and experience its uniqueness for yourself and become part of the friendly farm community for a while! 

Things to note

Huts are eco-friendly and not connected to electric supply, guests should bring their own towels, torches, lighter, car phone charger, wellies and marshmallows.  A starter pack of kindling, logs and firelighters is provided on arrival. Pets not permitted. Larger groups of 20 may be possible across both locatons with Bell Tents provided by The Happy Glamper.

Where you'll be staying

Bodiam, East Sussex

What the guests of The Original Hut Company say

“Cosy,
cute, convenient camping… With two children, and without a car, our overnight
options are somewhat limited, but at just over an hour from London, and near a
train station, we were happy to put this glamping site on our list. Owners Anna
and Nick Eastwood, who are as helpful as they are cheerful, have eight
shepherd’s huts, each built by hand primarily with salvaged
materials. After a short cab ride from the train station we found the huts
nestled on a hill behind an apple orchard. Ours had a well-stocked little kitchen,
comfortable bedding and a wood burning stove. Each hut also has its own
fire-pit, so we were warm and toasty inside and out. There’s also a covered
communal picnic area and large fire pit which would be great for a group. The
shower was wonderful, and the loos are the nicest we’ve come across at a
campsite.”

 “Just got back from a wonderful stay. Lovely
clean huts with complimentary olive oil, salt flakes, pepper grinder, fresh
coffee, tea, sugar. Ice box complete with ice (inside a water bottle this threw
me at first). Very well stocked with kitchen equipment and 3 gas hobs. Amazing
spot surrounding by bluebells. There were 4 huts in total where we were with a
20 minute walk to the nearest pub and the castle both were fab. We had our own
fire pit and family sized picnic table and there were several picnic tables
under cover a bit further down with another fire pit next to it. Surprisingly
good and hot shower. They are connected to the mains here too so no need to
bring water with you and they have many battery powered lights in the huts and
in the toilets and shower hut. Very comfy beds and feather pillows! We
travelled with 2 kids (3 and 5) and they had a wonderful time. Beautiful spot,
connecting with nature with home comforts. Fab!  Will be back.”

“For
a couple of world-weary Londoners looking for an escape from the big, bad city,
this place is heaven on earth. Hard to believe somewhere so scenic is just an
hour from London Bridge station (a major advantage for campers who don’t have
their own wheels)! Arriving at Bodiam (a little ahead of schedule), we embarked
to the bustling Castle Inn for a fireside pint before a gentle amble/stumble
across the road to the magnificent Bodiam Castle. After a must-see tour of the
castle and grounds, our none-more-affable host Anna was happy to pick us up in
‘the taxi’ for the short trip to the Quarry Farm site. We were led down a
little ravine to the wooded area which hosts the huts. Kitted out in stylish
Cath Kidston-style cushions, curtains and kitchenware, the spacious huts are
the perfect romantic retreat. While the weather wasn’t playing ball, that
didn’t matter a jot because of the charming cast-iron wood burning stove
keeping us nice and toasty day and night. Lovely Anna took care of all the
little details and, after returning from our woodland walk, over the stream and
into the orchard, we were delighted to find a bottle of local Biddenden cider
and other goodies when we arrived back at the hut. Our evening was spent at the
local Michelin Starred restaurant, The Curlew (about 5 mins drive from the site)-the
food was outstanding. Some of the ingredients are foraged from Quarry Farm-they
run foraging workshops from the site so ask Anna for details. Thanks so much to
Anna and Nick for such a wonderful time-we’ll definitely be back!”

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