An exclusive hideaway in the Blackdown Hills where shepherd's hut glamping is the order of the day.

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Dimpsey Glamping

South West England Somerset Chard

3 Shepherds Huts
Shepherd’s huts

Shepherd’s huts with romance and style in Somerset’s Blackdown Hills

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The three shepherd’s huts at Dimpsey Glamping each occupy their own field on a farm in Somerset’s Blackdown Hills. They also each have an outdoor hot tub or bath, a wood-burning stove and a pizza oven. Those are the headlines, but guess what guests who visit these romantic getaways comment on most? The little things. Like the locally-made biscuits that are waiting for you on arrival and the tiny hot chocolate corner. We’d love to tell you all about them but that might take away from the magic that makes this place so special. Instead, we’ll keep schtum and stick to the bigger picture.

The first shepherd’s hut arrived at Beetham Farm back in 2015. In some ways what’s on offer has not changed much since then — it’s always been about carefully-sourced, beautifully-designed, locally-made fixtures and features. That starts with the huts themselves (built by the craftsmen at Blackdown Shepherd’s Huts, less than 10 miles away) and is carried through to the toiletries in the bathroom cabinets. However, while the ethos at Dimpsey has stayed the same, the high-end glamping at this site has been honed over the years to give each hut its own personality and style.

Choose 'Dimpsey Hither' for a cosy stay with a wood-fired hot tub in a covered, fairy-lit, stone shelter outside. Choose 'Dimpsey Yonder' for a double-sized hut with a hot tub under the stars and a copper bed at the foot of the bed. Or choose 'Dimpsey Dapple' for a stay in a copse of trees with a bath outside, a starlit ceiling over the bed and the best chance of spotting deer. Each hut is self-contained with an outside space that’s yours for the duration of your stay. The site is dog-free, child-free and designed to be stress-free too. With that in mind there’s no wifi either. It’s a place to slow down, relax and enjoy simple things like good food, campfires and sunsets.

The name 'Dimpsey' is from an old Somerset word for the half-light at the end of the day – the type of light you’ll be enjoying after days out walking in the Blackdown Hills or exploring Lyme Regis, half an hour’s drive away. It’s the light you’ll be enjoying as you cook dinner on the campfire or walk to highly-recommended local pub, The Candlelight Inn. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that. And it doesn’t get much more romantic than Dimpsey.

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Details

Facilities

Each Shepherd Hut is 18ft long and includes full en-suite facilities, including shower, flushing loo and bottles of Bramley bathroom products. The huts are sheep's wool insulated and have a log burning stove with a free, unlimited supply of wood. In all three huts there is a double bed (linen and bedding provided) adorned with blankets a plenty ready for those snuggly evenings; there is a long sofa and a kitchen area with gas hob, fridge, sink and all the utensils and cutlery you will need. Games, books, a radio, telescope, OS maps and star maps are all in there too, just waiting to help you relax and recharge however you wish. Outside, each hut has a hand built oak table and benches (by Blackdown) ready to be graced by your culinary creations prepared using your personal wood-fired pizza oven. Depending on which hut you choose you will either have your own wood-fired hot tub or outdoor bath for your exclusive use throughout your stay.

Dimpsey is a small, mixed farm with 16 Dexter cows, 12 Silvernose sheep, 3 Berkshire pigs and 2 geese!

15 acres are a designated SSSI too, so expect plenty of varied wildlife and a blissful dawn chorus.

Remote working, we can offer longer stays and we’re particularly good for people who want to come and work in a peaceful place. We have really good 4G but no wifi in the huts – lots of plug sockets, natural lighting, a wonderful atmosphere etc.

Suitable For

Glampers only. Tents, campervans, caravans, dogs and pets – no.

Nearby

Numerous walking and cycling routes surround the campsite and other country-side activities including horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing trips, golfing and more can be arranged on request. There is a lovely 3 mile circular walk, which starts and ends at the driveway. If you want to stretch your legs further then driving the 35 minutes to the coast is always a safe bet. Walk along the infamous South West Coastal Path, explore the beaches of Lyme Regis and Charmouth fossil beach or try Burton Bradstock for a slice of Dorset life by the sea. If impressive country houses are more your scene, there are plenty within easy driving distance of Dimpsey. Forde Abbey, a privately owned former Cistercian monastery, can be reached in just a 20 minutes and the National Trust properties of Barrington Court, a fine 16th-century Tudor Mansion, and Montacute House, Elizabethan architecture and exceptional gardens, are both within a 30 minute drive.

Food & Drink

Subject to availability you can buy a selection of food direct from the farm including burgers made from their own Dexter beef, sausages from their pigs, farm fresh eggs, Dimpsey Apple Juice and even pizza kits for you to create your own Dimpsey Pizza. Just ask what's available during your stay – or pre-order by email.

Dimpsey’s location is a food lovers heaven with award winning pubs in easy reach including: the gastro stylings of The Candlelight Inn just a mile away; The Michelin Guide 2024 listed Cotley Inn just under 5 miles away; and one of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s canteens, River Cottage 23 minutes away in Axminster.

For something different try Mark Hix Oyster & Fish House overlooking the harbour in Lyme Regis, or Papa’s Taste – offering you a taste of Greece in the nearby town of Taunton. There's a fabulous farm shop called Barleymow’s for all you local produce needs (just 3.1 miles away) and the lovely local market town of Ilminster (about 10 minutes away) has a fantastic butchers and delicatessen, as well as a Co-op and large Tesco.

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

From £145 per night

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The Owner Says

Location

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Getting There

From M5 South: Exit M5 at J29. Continue on A30 signposted Honiton and then on the A303 to Yeovil for 24 miles. Turn right at crossroads signposted Whitestaunton, soon after the dual carriageway at Marsh. Continue for ½ mile, Beetham Farm is on the left opposite Higher Beetham Farm.

From M5 North: Exit M5 at J25. Continue on A358 signposted Ilminster, Langport & Chard. At the first roundabout turn right and take the 3rd exit onto A303 signposted Exeter, Honiton & Marsh. Continue for 5 miles and about ½ mile after the speed camera at the Eagle Tavern, turn left at crossroads signposted Crickleaze & Whitestaunton. Continue for ½ mile, Beetham Farm is on the left opposite Higher Beetham Farm.

The nearest train stations are Taunton (Paddington line), Honiton (Waterloo Line) and Crewkerne (Waterloo line).