For a quintessential country getaway, our Music Editor, Emma Harrison heads to the Merry Harriers, taking up residence in a charming shepherds hut. Surrounded by rolling fields and a quiet, timeless charm, this is a delightful escape that feels both comforting and restorative in equal measure.
If you want to get ahead, get a hut! In all my years of travel journalism, I have never had the opportunity to stay in a shepherd’s hut — until now. I didn’t have to travel a long way to make romanticise my al-fresco living stay; the Merry Harriers was just shy of an hour and a half from where I live.
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Why a Shepherd’s Hut Stay Makes For The Ultimate Staycation
Despite it being December, we were game for a cosy stay in a shepherd’s hut. The good people at the Merry Harriers came up with the goods with a selection of shepherd’s huts that are housed in a field across from their pub and restaurant.
The 16th-century inn, along with its charming cluster of shepherd’s huts was launched in May 2024 by old friends Sam Fiddian-Green (named one of CODE’s 30 Under 30) and Alex Winch, who are also the duo behind the award-winning Hilltop Kitchen, The Merry Harriers has quickly earned the 44th spot in the Top 50 Gastropubs.
Most recently, they were named number 3 in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Pubs. Now Sam and Alex have turned their attention to the pub’s accommodation to ensure The Merry Harriers looks as good as it tastes. As country pubs go, this is incredibly inviting thanks to its timbered ceilings, a glowing fire, and a rich tapestry of history.
Nestled in the charming hamlet of Hambledon, near Godalming, it offers a sense of peaceful seclusion with sweeping views over fields and woodland. The pub itself is the main attraction of the area (and it can get packed, particularly on a winter’s Saturday night). Next door there is an intriguing little collection of businesses in the shape of a creative hub called Coal Yard Creatives where you can find local creatives such as artists, gin distillers, jewellers, bakers, and more.
Guests at The Merry Harriers can choose from 15 bedrooms: four within the main inn, six in a stylishly converted barn, and five shepherd’s huts located just across the road. We stayed in one of the quaint shepherd’s huts, which are the perfect place for a dreamy, intimate retreat in the heart of the Surrey countryside.
A Hygge-Inspired Shepherd’s Hut Dreamy Escape
Just outside our shepherd’s hut (number 3), a pair of wooden loungers await, while a crackling fire pit sets the scene for toasting marshmallows, a sweet treat provided for your stay. Wrapped in cosy blankets, you can linger outdoors even on crisp, chilly evenings, soaking up the tranquil surroundings. It was somewhat of a damp evening, so we only ventured outside of the pub to stroll across the road for dinner.
Despite being small in stature, the Merry Harriers shepherd’s hut certainly packs a punch and is full of the home comforts you need for a snug evening in. The whole vibe is very much inspired by Scandinavian hygge throughout, from its decor through to its soft lighting. There’s even a book on hygge in the mini library should you wish to immerse yourself in a slower, Scandinavian way of life.
The bed was super comfy with the headboard in the middle of the room facing outwards towards the large picture window. The view looked out at the lake with a water feature and just over to the side was a field with some pretty horses in it.
There is also a sofa, which is ideal for watching TV with a glass of wine, and a small but perfectly formed little kitchenette where you have a smeg kettle, a fridge, and a Nespresso coffee machine. You can make a warming cup of tea, but there were just sachets of milk available as opposed to fresh milk which would have been a great addition.
A Roaring Fire In The Cutest Shepherd’s Hut
Just in front of the sofa and nestled next to the stable door of the shepherd’s hut is the piece de resistance — a log burner which will keep you toasty during your stay. There is also underfloor heating, but for whatever reason, we couldn’t get it to work during our time.
Whilst it is a bit of an effort to get the fire going, it’s most definitely worth it – but the handle can get pretty hot, so it’s worth asking the staff at the Merry Harriers for a glove or look to use a cloth to open and shut the door of the log burner.
The shepherd’s hut had a surprisingly bigger-than-expected bathroom with a large rainforest shower and a nice selection of Wildsmith toiletries. Truth be told, it was a delight to stay in the shepherd’s hut, and it certainly took some motivation in the form of a delicious dinner in the pub over yonder to leave my cosy haven.
Amazing Food At The Merry Harriers
Leaving the hut was 100% worth it, thanks to the sublime dinner we had. We started with a beautifully-crafted grilled oyster with garlic butter and parmesan and one of the pub’s specialities — a gourmet scotch egg with an oozy yolk complete with homemade brown sauce from the nibbles section of the menu.
Following up with this was the deliciously creamy butternut squash soup and the perfectly-cooked mackerel pate with pickled cucumber. For our main, we shared a 35-day-dried steak with all the trimmings which included beef dripping, a stunning bone marrow, and crispy potatoes.
Dessert was a light-as-air clementine parfait with a mandarin curd, which was the perfect way to end an amazing meal. Guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the same restaurant and can be encouraged to pre-order the night before. There’s the usual fare of a full English MH style, but you can also order other hot dishes such as scrambled eggs on toast and avocado on toast.
In addition to the hot food, guests can also self serve cereal, toast, juice, and fruit from the inviting table under the window that overlooks the shepherd’s huts over the road.
Staying in a shepherd’s hut at Merry Harriers offers the perfect blend of cosy comfort and rustic charm. From the thoughtfully designed interiors to the scenic countryside setting, every detail makes for a relaxing escape. Paired with a delicious, locally inspired dinner, this shepherd’s hut stay is an unforgettable countryside retreat that will have you planning your return before you’ve even left!
From £160 for a mid week stay in one of their Inn rooms and £200 for a Shepherd’s hut stay.
Photo Credits: Kira Turnball, Joe Howard C/O The Merry Harriers and Emma Harrison
